Two equal masses are hung from a balance whose scale pans differ in height by h. If density of the earth is given to us, we need to find the error in the weighting. Problem is as shown in the diagram below.

Two equal masses are hung from a balance whose scale pans differ in height by h. If density of the earth is given to us, we need to find the error in the weighting. Problem is as shown in the diagram below.

Solution

It is shown in the diagram that from the reference point, both the pans are at different heights and hence they have a difference in the heights as given in the problem. Error in the reading is the difference in its weights. Variation of heights is small and hence approximation can be applied and the problem can be solved as shown in the diagram below.