Three identical weights are to be suspended from the ends of a rigid light¹ "Y"-shaped frame. Each arm of the frame is to be of a different length.

How is this to be accomplished (ie, how do you shape the "Y") so that the 'system' is in equilibrium within a horizontal plane?

¹ "light" is meant as being weightless, having no concern for mass.
Note too, the colours are the radial ring extremeties of the "Y" arms within the horizontal plane.

Are the colored rings meant to show that the arm lengths of the "Y" are of relation (to each other) of 1:2:3 ?  What does "equilibrium in the horizontal plane" mean - if it means that the "Y" if pinned to the vertical support, would then balance out horizontally, then we would indeed need to know the relative lengths of the "Y" arms to solve this problem.  It seems to me this is unclear.

Posted by Kenny M on 2009-12-22 18:45:34