In a physical balance working on the principle of moments, when 5   mg weight is placed on the left pan, the beam becomes horizontal. Both the empty pans of the balance are of equal mass. Which of the following statements is correct?

Step-by-step solution

Let m 1 and m 2 be the masses of pan It is given that m 1 = m 2 Since balance is achieved, so net torque about O should be zero. 5   m g + m 1 g r 1 = m 2 g r 2 ⇒ 5 m g + m 1 g r 1 = m 1 g r 2 ⇒ r 1 r 2 = m 1 g m 1 g + 5 m g ⇒ r 1 r 2 < 1 So, left arm is shorter than the right arm.