Posted by Joel L. Lewis (24.197.38.131) on May 28, 2003 at 09:38:42:
Hang two equal weights from each end of a lever, equidistant from the falcrum, and the lever will rest at vertical, because the cog is below the pivot, right? Now, what seems worth noting to me is that it doesn't matter HOW low the weights are hung;the right one could be hung six inches down and the left one twelve inches, or the reverse, and the lever will still be ballanced. Now, shouldn't this strike us as significant, that regarding half the problem of a gravity-driven device-balance-another half of the problem-the relative heights of the weights involved-is, as long as the weights are below the center of rotation, suddenly NOT AN ISSUE? At least worth giving us pause, I think. ;-)