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Torque Lab

This physics lab experiment aimed to demonstrate rotational equilibrium of a rigid body using a meter stick balanced on a knife edge. Students determined the mass and center of gravity of the meter stick, then balanced it by placing various masses at different distances from the fulcrum and recording the data. They found that to balance the stick, a heavier mass was needed closer to the fulcrum to counteract a lighter mass placed further away, in order to achieve equilibrium. The most difficult part was sensitively balancing the stick, as even slight movements could disrupt the equilibrium. In conclusion, rotational equilibrium requires weights to be placed at appropriate distances to balance each other out, similar to balancing a seesaw.

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3K views

Torque Lab

This physics lab experiment aimed to demonstrate rotational equilibrium of a rigid body using a meter stick balanced on a knife edge. Students determined the mass and center of gravity of the meter stick, then balanced it by placing various masses at different distances from the fulcrum and recording the data. They found that to balance the stick, a heavier mass was needed closer to the fulcrum to counteract a lighter mass placed further away, in order to achieve equilibrium. The most difficult part was sensitively balancing the stick, as even slight movements could disrupt the equilibrium. In conclusion, rotational equilibrium requires weights to be placed at appropriate distances to balance each other out, similar to balancing a seesaw.

Uploaded by

Riah Janiece
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Mariah Shelton Lab Partners: Matthew Douglas, Kyle Carter Physics Lab 205 April 10, 2012 Torques

and Rotational Equilibrium of a Rigid Body Theory: Torque is the amount of frictional force in a motion. The objective of this lab was to show that if a force acts upon a rigid body pivoted on an axis, the body will rotate about the axis. In theory, in order to balance the meter stick one must use different weights at different distances. Procedure: 1. Determine the mass of the meter stick. 2. Place the meter stick on the knife edge and adjust it until it is balanced enough to stay without falling by itself. That center where the knife edge is located is the xg or the center of gravity. 3. Place mass 1 on the given measurement and then place mass 2 on the opposite side and adjust 4. Follow procedure by placing weights at different distances and positions and recording data for each table. Results: Meter stick data table Mo= .1449 kg Xg= .498 m

Data and calculations table 1 mass M1=.1 M2=.2 position X1=.1 X2=.716 Lever arm D1=.398 D2=.218 torque Tccw=.39004 Tcw=.427 % difference 9.06%

Data and calculations table 2 mass M1 =.1 M2= .2 M3=.05 Position X1=.1 X2=.75 X3=.373 Lever arm D1=.398 D2=.252 D3=.1 Torque Tccw=.439 Tcw=.494 % difference 11.8%

Support position xo=

mass M1= .2 Mo=.1449

Position X1=.1 Xg=.498

Lever arm D1=.156 Do=.242

(Mo)exp= kg

% error 11.0%

mass M1= .2 M2=.3 M3=.200 M4=.1 Mo=.1449

Position X1=.05 X2=.3 X3=.7 X4=.218 Xg=.498

Support position xo= .400 Lever arm Torque=(Force)(distance) D1=.35 D2=.1 D3=.3 D4=.182 Do=.098

Discussion: In this lab, we balanced motions and recorded its data. According to the weight that is at one end of the stick, one may need to add a heavier weight to the other end of the stick, closer to the fulcrum, in order to create a complete balance between the two. When m1 was equal to .1 kg at the position of .1 m from the fulcrum, m2 was .2 kg and placed at .716 m from the fulcrum to balance out the stick. The most difficult part of balancing the two weights was being hypersensitive to the touch in order balance the stick because the slightest movement could throw the equilibrium off and the stick will not balance. Conclusion: In conclusion, we learned that in order to obtain full balance and record the correct torque, the meter stick must be in a state of equilibrium. The equilibrium is obtained by placing weights at different distances to eventually balance each other out. This creates an effect much like a see saw. However, in order to balance a see saw the weight must be evenly distributed and they must be placed at the correct distances from the fulcrum.

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