Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Torque
Torque is a measure of the rotational force applied to an object around a pivot point. It is calculated as the product of the force applied and the distance from the pivot point to the line of action of the force. In this scenario, the seesaw will balance when the torques produced by the weights of the cats and the bowl of tuna are equal.
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Net Torque & Sign of Torque
Equilibrium
Equilibrium in physics refers to a state where all forces and torques acting on an object are balanced, resulting in no net force or rotation. For the seesaw to remain in equilibrium, the clockwise torque must equal the counterclockwise torque. This principle is essential for determining the position of the 4.0 kg cat needed to balance the seesaw.
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Center of Mass
The center of mass is the point at which the mass of an object is concentrated and around which it balances. In the context of the seesaw, the positions of the cats and the bowl of tuna affect the overall center of mass, influencing how far the 4.0 kg cat must stand from the pivot to achieve balance. Understanding this concept helps in calculating the required distances for equilibrium.
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