Hello! This is just some background so you can understand my question. I did a lab where we measured forces and torques in equilibrium. I've attached what the set up looks like. The initial experiment did not include W2 but was later added and the new force of the string (Fs) is calculated with the additional weight. I then had to calculate the change in Fs from the first set up to the second and then divide it by W2 to get a ratio. I am supposed to compare this ratio to the ratio of r (distance from axis of rotation) of W2:Fs (the r did not change between set ups) My question is, why is the delta F used in the ratio and what is this telling me? I think it is supposed to be a way to verify if our data makes sense but I'm not even quite sure what it represents and why those two ratios are related.

My values were:

Delta F (final-initial): 3.4N

W2: .49N

Delta F:W2= 6.98

rW2:rF= 8.00

(1m:125m)

I can see that the ratios are relatively close and was told that they should be but why?