It is suggested that the mass of a mountain could be measured by the deflection from the vertical of a suspended mass. This diagram shows the principle.

a. Copy the diagram and draw arrows to represent the forces acting on the mass. Label the arrows.
b. The whole mass of the mountain, 3.8 × 10¹² kg, may be considered to act at its centre of mass. Calculate the horizontal force on the mass due to the mountain.
c. Compare the force calculated in part b with the Earth’s gravitational force on the mass.

Transcribed Image Text:

centre of mass of the mountain 20 g mass 1200 m Figure 17.13