STATICS EQUILIBRIUM

Irwin Kong Chee Cheng, Samuel Liong Zhi Ming, Anson Ting Hong Lin
SMK St. Anthony, Sarikei

ABSTRACT

This report investigates the principles of static equilibrium through an experiment that
balances forces on a one-meter ruler. By positioning masses at specific distances from the
ruler's center, we achieved rotational equilibrium when the clockwise and counterclockwise
torques were equal. We systematically adjusted the position of a hanger with varying masses
on one side until the ruler became parallel to the floor. For each trial, the distance from the
center to the balanced position was recorded, and a graph of force versus distance was
plotted. Torque was calculated by doubling the area under this F-d graph, providing a
quantitative understanding of equilibrium conditions. The results confirmed that torque is
directly proportional to both force and distance from the pivot. Minor sources of error,
including measurement inaccuracies and friction at the pivot point, affected precision.
Suggested improvements include using digital tools for more accurate measurements and
securing the experiment setup to minimize environmental effects. This experiment effectively
demonstrates the fundamental relationship between force, distance, and torque, validating
the concept of static equilibrium in a controlled setup.

Keywords:
 INTRODUCTION

1.1 THEORY

Static equilibrium refers to the physical state of the system, in which the components of
the system are at rest and the net force acting on a system should be zero. Some examples of
static equilibrium could include a book at rest on top of a table and a balanced seesaw. The
situations satisfy both conditions for static equilibrium. For a book at rest, the gravitational
force and the normal force are balanced and no resultant force acting on the book and no
torque will cause the book to rotate. For a balanced see-saw, the anticlockwise moment
equals to the clockwise moment if the weight of both people on opposite sides are equal.
Hence, the see-saw does not incline to any side.

If Σ F is the sum of the forces acting on the system, m is the mass of the system and a is
ⅆ
the acceleration of the system, Newton's second law states that the resultant force F= ( mv )
ⅆt
, which is a vector quantity, i.e. one with both magnitude and direction. If the mass m of the

body is constant, then F=m

ⅆv
ⅆt
=ma , a=(ⅆv
ⅆt )
.If a=0, then F=0. As for a system in static

equilibrium, the acceleration equals zero, i.e.

ⅆv
a= =0 , then either velocity , v is constant , that isthe object move withconstant velocity ,∨v=0 ,
ⅆt
the system is at rest.

The application of the assumption of zero acceleration to the summation

of moments acting on the system leads to Σ M= Σ Fd¿ Σ ( ma ) d =0, where Σ M is the
summation of all moments acting on the system, Σ F is the summation of all the forces
acting on the system and ∝ d is the perpendicular distances, it is also true that Σ M=0, where
sum of clockwise moments equal to sum of anticlockwise moments. In particular, sum of
components of the force along the Ox-direction =0 and sum of components of the forces
along the Oy-direction =0.

If a rigid body under the action of two forces which are of the same magnitude, F but in
opposite direction, taking moments about the axis through the point O, sum of moments
¿ F ( d −x )+ Fx=F ( d−x + x )=Fd ≠ 0. Together, the equations F = ma = 0 (the 'first condition
for static equilibrium') and M = Fd¿ 0 (the 'second condition for static equilibrium') can be
used to solve for unknown quantities acting on the system.
1.2 LITERATURE REVIEW

According to Physics Lab IX from PHYSICS MERCER UNIVERSITY, for any object that is
not moving, according to Newton’s first law, all of the forces acting on it must add, in a
vector sense, to zero. Mathematically, this is represented as

∑⃗
F =⃗
F 1+ ⃗
F 2 +⃗
F3 + …=0 . (1)

Solving for the x and y-components of the above force vectors gives the following:

F 1 x + F 2 x + F 3 x +…=0 , (2)

F 1 y + F 2 y + F3 y +…=0. (3)

During the lab exercise they derived the required expressions satisfying Newton’s First Law.
They obtained values for the x and y-components of three force vectors and the direction for
which each force vector points. Using a force table they were be able to show that an object
under the tension of the three forces remains at rest.

An object begins to rotate about a fixed axis by the application of a torque, just as an object
begins to traverse a linear path through the application of a force. Torque is the product of an
applied force F acting on an object and distance r⊥ from which the force acts away from the
rotation point. Here r⊥ is a distance perpendicular to the direction of the applied force.
Figure 1 illustrates this idea.

Figure 1: Illustration of Torque

Figure 1 shows the force of gravity F acting on an object of mass m located a distance r away
from the fulcrum. The wooden beam experiences a net torque and begins to rotate clockwise
about the fulcrum. Mathematically, torque is expressed as the vector cross product of the
force ⃗
F and the distance r⃗

τ⃗ =⃗r × ⃗
F. (4)

The magnitude of torque τ is given for a value of r perpendicular to the applied force.

τ = F r⊥ sin(θ) = F r⊥ (5)

The requirement for an object to be stationary while external torques act on it is the sum of
the all external torques acting on the object must be zero,

Στ =τ 1 + τ 2+ τ 3 + . . . = 0. (6)

It will not be necessary to determine the components of τ . The direction of the applied torque
will be determined by “type” of rotation, either positive or negative. Distances to the left of
the fulcrum provide negative rotations, while distances to the right give positive rotations.
Forces acting “upward” (i.e. in the positive y-direction) are positive, while forces acting
“downward” (i.e. in the negative y-direction) are negative. The combination of a positive
force and a positive distance, or a negative force and a negative distance, yields a rotation in
the counterclockwise direction, which results in a positive rotation. A positive force and a
negative distance, or a negative force and a positive distance, yields a clockwise rotation
which results in a negative rotation. Using these rules, the necessary force and/or distance
needed to balance the torques acting on an object can be calculated.

The combination of force balance and torque balance on an object means the object is in
Static Equilibrium. These conditions of static equilibrium will be tested experimentally.
In their experiment, both force and torque balance were applied to determine the normal force
supplied to the ends of a meter stick supported by mass scales. Slotted weight were placed at
specific locations along the meter stick. Theoretical calculation values of the balancing force
were compared to experimental results.

Procedure:

1. One of the mass balances at the station was used to measure the mass of the meter stick, ms
. This value was recorded on the data table.

2. The balances were positioned so that one is at each end of the meter stick. The meter stick
should be placed just on the edge of each balance tray.

3. The force and torque balance equations were used to calculate the normal force supplied by
each mass scale N L and N R, when a 100 g mass is placed 20 cm from the left end of the meter
stick. Each person in the lab group should perform this calculation. Compare the results of
calculations with each other.

4. A 100 g mass disk is placed 20 cm away from the left mass balance and the mass readings
indicated on each balances were recorded as the Experimental Values for the normal forces
N L and N R on your data table.

5. The percent difference between the theoretical normal forces N L and N R and the
experimental normal forces N L and N R were calculated. This percent difference value was
recorded on the data sheet.

6. This process of calculating and then measuring the normal forces supplied by each mass
scale was repeated using the mass and position values listed in Table 3. Each member of the
lab group should choose one of the cases. In the table, the r values are measured with respect
to the left side of the meter stick. The Case number was recorded in the appropriate box on
the data table.

Table 1: Cases For Torque and Force Balance

7. The uncertainty and smallest measured value of the mass, position and normal force
measurements were determined. For the uncertainty of the normal force measurements, the
smallest measured normal force value was divided by 9800 m s−2 to obtain a value for the
Normal “Force” in grams. The normal force uncertainty was determined from the mass scale.
The percent uncertainty in each measurement was calculated using following equation:

(7)

8. The largest percent uncertainty in the experiment was recorded.

1.3 PROBLEM STATEMENT

What is the relationship between torque, τ, force, F and perpendicular distance, d of a rigid
system ? What is the motion of the rigid system if the first condition for equilibrium is not
satisfied, the second condition for equilibrium is not satisfied and neither condition for
equilibrium is satisfied? How the addition of weights at different distances from the centre of
the system affects the equilibrium of the system? What is the role of torque in achieving
static equilibrium of the system, which is the rigid body?

1.4 OBJECTIVE

The objective of this project is to investigate the relationship between torque, τ, force, F and
perpendicular distance, d of a rigid system. Besides that, the purpose of this project is to
discuss the two conditions that are necessary for the equilibrium of a rigid body. The
objective of this project is to investigate how the addition of weights at different distances
from the centre of the system affects the equilibrium of the system. Lastly, the purpose of this
research is to examine the role of torque in achieving static equilibrium of the system, which
is the rigid body.
METHODOLOGY

2.1 APPARATUS AND MATERIALS

The materials used in this experiment are two bunches of slotted masses and a string.
The apparatus used in this experiment are a triple beam balance, a one metre ruler and a retort
stand with clamp.

2.2 PROCEDURE

Part I: To

determine the uncertainty in masses

 Figure 2:

The triple beam

balance scale was checked
and it was ensured that
when no weight is
placed on the pan, the
balance scale should
indicate zero grams.

Figure 3:

The average
weight for each mass was
obtained by weighing them
together as a bunch of ten masses on the balance scale, and the value was recorded as the
average weight (Wmass).
 Figure 4:

The weight of
meter bar was measured
and it was recorded as
the weight of bar (Wbar).
The centre of mass is at
the 50cm mark of the one metre ruler.

Part II: Experimental confirmation of the conditions for mechanical equilibrium

Figure 5: Set-up of apparatus

The apparatus was set up as shown in Figure 5.

 Figure 6:

Three masses of 50g with a hanger of 50g was hang on one side of the one metre ruler
at a distance 30cm from the centre point, while another hanger was put on the other side of
ruler. The hanger was adjusted bit by bit until the equilibrium of the system was achieved
where the ruler was parallel to the surface of the floor. The corresponding distance, x 1 of the
hanger from the centre of the system was measured and recorded. The above steps were
repeated for different
values of m . A graph of F
against d was plotted. The
torque, τ was determined
by doubling the area under
the (F-d) graph.

RESULTS AND ANALYSIS OF DATA

Mass of meter bar, Mass of ten slotted Mass of Weight Weight of

each of meter each
m¯¿ /g ¿ masses, mmass /g
slotted bar, slotted
mass, W ¯¿/ N ¿ mass,
'
m /g W mass / N
1 2 Averag 1 2 Average 49.61 0.8829 4.8697
e
89. 90.5 90.0 504.0 488.2 496.1
5
Table 1
 Mass of the Distance of the load from the centre Total Torque,
weight, τ /Nm
load, m /g point, ( x 1 ± 0.1) cm
W/N
1 2 Average
50 6.0 9.0 7.5 0.4905 3.679x10-2
100 19.5 17.0 18.3 0.9810 1.795x10-1
150 24.0 24.0 24.0 1.4715 3.532x10-1
200 33.0 30.0 31.5 1.9620 6.180x10-1
250 40.0 38.5 39.3 2.4525 9.638x10-1
300 48.0 48.0 48.0 2.9430 1.413
Table 2

Total weight, W/N

(48.0,2.9430)

(39.3,2.4525)

(31.5,1.9620)

(24.0,1.4715)

(18.3,0.9810)
(7.5,0.4905)

Distance of the load

from the centre point, (
x 1 ± 0.1) cm
 DISCUSSION
This experiment effectively illustrated the principles of static equilibrium, where a system
remains at rest when the net force and net torque acting on it are zero. We utilized a one-
meter ruler as a beam, placing three 50g masses on one side at a distance of 30 cm from the
fulcrum. A corresponding weight on the opposite side was adjusted until equilibrium was
achieved, at which point the ruler was parallel to the floor.

The principle underlying this experiment is that for an object to be in static equilibrium, the
sum of the torques acting about any point must be zero. In our setup, the counterclockwise
torque produced by the masses on one side of the ruler must equal the clockwise torque
produced by the hanger on the opposite side. Mathematically, this is expressed as:

τ clockwise=τ anticlockwise

where torque, τ is calculated as the product of force due to weight and distance from the pivot
point (τ=F×d). As we varied the position of the hanger, we consistently observed that the
torque produced by the weights on one side would balance the torque from the hanger when
adjusted correctly.

Our findings confirmed the linear relationship between force and distance, as illustrated in the
F-d graph. As we increased the force exerted by the weights, the distance required for the
hanger to maintain equilibrium also increased. This linear correlation is indicative of the
predictable nature of physical laws governing static systems. The results align with the
theoretical understanding that the greater the distance from the pivot, the less force is
required to achieve balance, highlighting the principle of leverage. Doubling the area under
1
the graph gives the value of torque. (Area = 2 x Fd=Fd=τ )
2

However, several factors influenced the precision of our measurements. While care was taken
to ensure accuracy, slight variations in the setup could have introduced errors. For instance,
small misalignments of the ruler or variations in the actual mass of the weights could affect
the equilibrium condition. Additionally, the friction between the ruler and the supporting
surface may have influenced the movement of the hanger, leading to potential discrepancies
in our readings.

To mitigate these issues in future experiments, a more controlled environment could be

implemented. Using a digital balance to measure the masses accurately and minimize
personal error as well as improving placement precision. Besides, ensuring a frictionless
pivot point for the ruler would maintain a consistent balance without the effects of external
influences. Furthermore, repeating the experiment multiple times for each mass configuration
would provide more data points, allowing for a more robust analysis of the relationship
between force, distance, and torque. Finally, employing a method to secure each mass in
place could allow for more precise adjustments when trying to achieve balance. For instance,
a system with clamps or digital adjustment mechanisms could help achieve finer control in
positioning each mass, reducing the variability caused by manual adjustments.

Another consideration is the effect of external forces such as air currents or vibrations, which
might disturb the equilibrium. Conducting the experiment in a wind-free environment and on
a stable surface would help minimize these external influences.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this experiment successfully demonstrated the principles of static equilibrium

and the relationship between force, distance, and torque. The linear nature of the relationship
found in our graph supports theoretical predictions, reinforcing the understanding of these
fundamental physical concepts. By examining the discrepancies and potential sources of
error, we gained valuable insights into the complexities of real-world applications of static
equilibrium. This foundation paves the way for further exploration into more complex
systems, including multi-body equilibrium scenarios and dynamic systems, where forces and
torques are continually in flux. The experiment also underscored the importance of accuracy
in both distance and mass measurements in torque-based setups and provided insights into
potential improvements for reducing error. By applying these adjustments in future trials, we
can enhance the reliability of our results and gain a more precise understanding of static
equilibrium principles.

REFERENCES

REFERENCES:

1) https://byjus.com/question-answer/what-do-you-mean-by-static-equilibrium/
2) Rochelle Enrera. (2023), Static Equilibrium Definition, Conditions & Examples
3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statics#
4) https://physics.mercer.edu/labs/manuals/manualMECHlab/staticEquilibrium/
staticEquil.pdf