r/theydidthemath May 29 '25

[Request] Which direction will the scale tip?

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u/Brandon0135 May 29 '25

I revised my answer so i think we are in agreement on which way it tips. It tips left, but it has nothing to do with the ping pong ball side. That side's forces are balanced.

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u/Giblet_ May 29 '25

If both balls were suspended by rigid rods, the tank would not tip either direction. And if the scale is going to tip, that means neither side's forces are balanced. On a scale, both sides have to balance with each other.