Torque from gravitational force on mass Steps: - Convert mass to kg and calculate weight: 500 g = 0.5 kg, so mg = 0.5 × 9.8 = 4.9 N. - Determine perpendicular distance from pivot to mass: rod length 1.50 m minus pivot offset 0.25 m = 1.25 m. - Apply torque formula τ = r × F (since force is perpendicular to lever arm for horizontal rod). - Compute τ = 1.25 m × 4.9 N = 6.125 Nm, which rounds to 6.1 Nm. Why C is correct: - Equals τ = rF, where r is the lever arm from pivot to mass and F is mg, per the definition of torque. Why the others are wrong: - A: Uses pivot offset (0.25 m) instead of full lever arm, giving 4.9 × 0.13 ≈ 0.63 Nm (wrong distance). - B: Uses pivot offset with g ≈ 10, giving 0.5 × 10 × 0.25 = 1.25 Nm ≈ 1.2 Nm (wrong distance). - D: Uses full rod length (1.50 m) as lever arm, giving 4.9 × 1.50 ≈ 7.35 Nm …