Racing Meter Sticks

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Racing Meter Sticks

Two rulers rotating on a line with one at the weight at the top and the other with the weight at the bottom

PIRA 1Q10.15

Materials: 2 Weighted Meter Sticks, 1 Table Clamp, 2 Rods, 1 90 Degree Clamp

Two meter sticks with 1 kg masses taped to the ends are suspended from a rod as shown at left. When the ends of the sticks are held at the same height and then released at the same time, the stick with the weight close to the pivot point wins the 'race' as demonstrated by the two pictures at right.

Before attempting analysis of the motion, note that the torques on the meter sticks are different.