---
title: "A student uses a uniform meterstick as a lever to lift a small object. The meterstick is pivoted at the 0 cm mark. The student first pushes straight down with a force of magnitude \\( F \\) at the 40 cm mark. The student then moves their hand and pushes straight down with the same force of magnitude \\( F \\) at the 80 cm mark. Which of the following correctly compares the torque \\( \\tau_{80} \\) exerted at the 80 cm mark to the torque \\( \\tau_{40} \\) exerted at the 40 cm mark?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/109460/"
date_modified: "2026-05-01T04:54:44+00:00"
---

# A student uses a uniform meterstick as a lever to lift a small object. The meterstick is pivoted at the 0 cm mark. The student first pushes straight down with a force of magnitude \( F \) at the 40 cm mark. The student then moves their hand and pushes straight down with the same force of magnitude \( F \) at the 80 cm mark. Which of the following correctly compares the torque \( \tau_{80} \) exerted at the 80 cm mark to the torque \( \tau_{40} \) exerted at the 40 cm mark?

A student uses a uniform meterstick as a lever to lift a small object. The meterstick is pivoted at the 0 cm mark. The student first pushes straight down with a force of magnitude \( F \) at the 40 cm mark. The student then moves their hand and pushes straight down with the same force of magnitude \( F \) at the 80 cm mark. Which of the following correctly compares the torque \( \tau_{80} \) exerted at the 80 cm mark to the torque \( \tau_{40} \) exerted at the 40 cm mark?

![A horizontal meterstick is pivoted at its left end (0 cm mark). Two scenarios are shown. In scenario 1, a downward vertical arrow labeled F is applied at the 40 cm mark. In scenario 2, a downward vertical arrow of the same length labeled F is applied at the 80 cm mark.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-diagrams/ubq-frq-generatedstem-fig-1-1777611283-4oq1nA.jpg)

- **A.** \( \tau_{80} = \dfrac{1}{2}\tau_{40} \) because the force is further from the pivot, which reduces the rotational effectiveness.
- **B.** \( \tau_{80} = \tau_{40} \) because the magnitude of the applied force is the same in both cases.
- **C.** \( \tau_{80} = 2\tau_{40} \) because the distance from the pivot point to the application of the force has doubled.
- **D.** \( \tau_{80} = 4\tau_{40} \) because the torque is proportional to the square of the distance from the pivot.

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/109460/*