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OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the experiment is to use and
understand the second condition of static
equilibrium.
The first condition of equilibrium looks at the
summation of the forces on a linear standpoint,
which means the forces acting on an object sum
up to zero, and the object does not move in a
straight line. The second condition states that the
object must not rotate. The summation of
rotational forces acting on an object is zero.
Torque is the rotational force. The torques on an
object in equilibrium is zero.
Torque is defined as the ability of force to change
or cause the rotational motion of an object.
Torque is measured using the perpendicular force
applied and the distance of the force to the axis
of rotation. The distance between the point on
which the force is applied and the axis of rotation
is called the lever arm or the moment arm. The
axis of rotation is the pivot point on which the
object is able to rotate. If the force applied is not
perpendicular to the lever arm, the angle with
respect to the lever arm is taken.
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Trial
1
2
3
L1
cm
11
9.5
7.8
L2
cm
15
16
16.5
L3
cm
15
16
15
L4
cm
12.7
8.3
8.5
P2
g
27.53
26.65
26.46
P1
g
27.54
26.38
26.69
P1 = 27.54g, P2 = 27.53g
Figures D-1a & D-1b: Weighing the beam
and pans
TABLE 3:
TABLE 2:
Trial
L1
(cm)
L2
(cm)
1
2
3
13.5
12
10.7
8
8
8
W1
+ P1
(g)
74.8
84.8
94.8
WB(comp)
(g)
WB(meas)
(g)
126.225
127.200
126.765
136.6
Sample Computation:
T
1
2
L1
cm
L2
cm
W1+P1
g
Fcomp
g
Fmeas
g
%diff
23
23
10.4
18
74.8
74.8
167.97
96.77
180
110
1.73
3.20
Trial 1
Given:
L1 = 13.5 cm, L2 = 8cm, W1 + P1 = 74.8g,
Using the equation:
Sample Computation:
Trial 1
WB(computed) = 126.225g
Given:
L1 = 23 cm, L2 = 10.4cm, W1
80
P1 = 74.8g, =
Fcomputed = 167.975g
The third and final part of the experiment is to
determine the weight of the beam. This one has
a similar concept to the second part, except the
force acting to balance the beam will be the
weight of the beam itself, not a spring balances
pull. The beam not rotated at the center of mass
is the reason for disturbance in equilibrium. From
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