Related Formula
Σ τ = 0 (Rotational Equilibrium)$$\sum \tau = 0 \quad \text{(Rotational Equilibrium)}$$
Fₙₑₜ = m g - FB$$F_{\text{net}} = m g - F_B$$
FB = ρwater Vsubmerged g$$F_B = \rho_{\text{water}} V_{\text{submerged}} g$$
where,
τ$\tau$ = torque about the wedge point
FB$F_B$ = buoyancy force
Core Logic
Let's list the geometric parameters from the setup:
- Length of uniform rigid rod, L = 27~cm$L = 27\mathrm{~cm}$.
- Wedge is positioned such that the distance to the 200~g$200\mathrm{~g}$ (0.2~kg$0.2\mathrm{~kg}$) weight is d₁ = 25~cm$d_1 = 25\mathrm{~cm}$.
- Therefore, the distance to the unknown mass M$M$ at the other end is d₂ = 27 - 25 = 2~cm$d_2 = 27 - 25 = 2\mathrm{~cm}$.
Calculate the volume of the cube:
- Side of the cube, a = 10~cm = 0.1~m$a = 10\mathrm{~cm} = 0.1\mathrm{~m}$.
- Volume, V = a³ = 1000~cm³ = 10⁻³~m³$V = a^3 = 1000\mathrm{~cm}^3 = 10^{-3}\mathrm{~m}^3$.
When the system is balanced, half the volume of the cube is submerged in water:
- Submerged volume, Vsub = (V)/(2) = 500~cm³ = 5 × 10⁻⁴~m³$V_{\text{sub}} = \frac{V}{2} = 500\mathrm{~cm}^3 = 5 \times 10^{-4}\mathrm{~m}^3$.
- Buoyancy force:
FB = ρw Vsub g = 1000~kg/m³ × (5 × 10⁻⁴~m³) × g = 0.5 g~N$$F_B = \rho_w V_{\text{sub}} g = 1000\mathrm{~kg/m}^3 \times \left(5 \times 10^{-4}\mathrm{~m}^3\right) \times g = 0.5 g\mathrm{~N}$$
Step 1: Torque Balance Equation
For rotational equilibrium, balance the torques about the wedge point O$O$:
- Torque on the left (unknown mass branch): τleft = (M g - FB) × d₂ = (M g - 0.5 g) × 2$\tau_{\text{left}} = \left(M g - F_B\right) \times d_2 = (M g - 0.5 g) \times 2$
- Torque on the right (200~g$200\mathrm{~g}$ mass branch): τright = 0.2 g × d₁ = 0.2 g × 25$\tau_{\text{right}} = 0.2 g \times d_1 = 0.2 g \times 25$
τleft = τright$$\tau_{\text{left}} = \tau_{\text{right}}$$
(M g - 0.5 g) × 2 = 0.2 g × 25$$(M g - 0.5 g) \times 2 = 0.2 g \times 25$$
2 (M - 0.5) = 5$2 (M - 0.5) = 5$
M - 0.5 = 2.5 M = 3~kg$$M - 0.5 = 2.5 \implies M = 3\mathrm{~kg}$$
Thus, the unknown mass is 3~kg$3\mathrm{~kg}$.
Pattern Recognition
Sees: Rod torque balance + buoyancy force on one end.
Trap: Ensure you measure the distances from the pivot point (the wedge). The unknown mass is at 27 - 25 = 2~cm$27 - 25 = 2\mathrm{~cm}$ from the wedge.
Shortcut: Since g$g$ appears in both gravity and buoyancy terms, it cancels out immediately. Balancing torque simplifies directly to resolving mass differences: 2(M - 0.5) = 0.2 × 25 = 5$2(M - 0.5) = 0.2 \times 25 = 5$. This yields M = 3$M = 3$ instantly! ✓
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Physics: Rotational Motion
Class 11 Physics: Mechanical Properties of Fluids