PHY11L QUIZ 2

Conclusions

E204: Second Condition of Equilibrium

In this experiment entitled “Torque: Second condition of Equilibrium”, the principles of torque as
well as its equilibrium was explored. Its objective was to analyze the systems in equilibrium
using second condition and to distinguish some of the second condition of equilibrium’s use and
significance.
Based on the gathered data and through a thorough analysis of these data, it was seen and
proven that the second condition of equilibrium can only be attained when the body is not
rotating. This implies that the torque, which is the ability of a force to rotate a body, is simply
equal to zero. When torque is zero, then it has no ability to rotate a body. Thus, no motion was
done therefore; the system is in an equilibrium state. This was also proven to be true by using the
formula where the torque of one side is equal to that of the other side that only attained a very
small percent difference, making it consistent.
In relation to the experiment, it can also be concluded that the torque is not only
dependent on the weight or force applied, but also on the distance from the axis of rotation to the
weight or force applied. Meaning, even if the weight or force applied is small, but the distance
from the axis of rotation is significantly greater, it will still have a great amount of torque, vice-
versa. Therefore, torque is directly proportional to the weight or force applied and the distance
from the axis of rotation to the weight or force applied. If the net torque is equal to zero, then
there will be no rotation, therefore the system will be in an equilibrium state.

Questions

1. Can two unequal weights be balanced in the model balance? How should the different
weights be positioned in the model balance to achieve equilibrium?

The two unequal weights can be balanced in the model balanced. The heavier weight must be
positioned closer to the axis of rotation located at the center while the lighter weight must be
positioned farther from the center than the position of the heavier weight.

2. In part B of the experiment, how does the angle of the spring balance with the beam
affect its reading? Does the angle affect the torque needed to balance the beam? Explain
briefly.

The angle of the spring balance will not affect the torque needed to balance the beam. Applying a
constant force, lets say, 3 N to the spring balance and an angle will only get the y component of
that force and as the force is changing, the angle is also changing. This shows that the angle is the
basis for a correct experiment. The angle measured must also agree with the force applied by the
spring balance.

3. In Part C of the experiment, is the torque due to the beam's weight constant for
the three trials? How can the torque due to the weight be changed?

The torque due to the beam's weight is constant for three trials. The torque due to the weight can
be changed by changing the axis of rotation or the pivot point to a new distance. The torque due
to the weight will change but the perpendicular force or the weight remains constant.
 • When a weight is added in pan1, the position of pan1 must be closer to the axis of rotation than
its original equilibrium position. Pan2 which has no additional weight must be farther than the
distance of the lever arm of Pan1 and vise versa when weight is added on pan2.

• In the part 2 of the experiment, the angle of the spring balance affects the equilibrium because
the spring balance does not give an accurate reading when it is not hanged upright. What
happened is that when it has an angle, the equilibrium can still be achieved but the resulting force
measured will not be accurate.

• In getting the weight of the beam, the support of the beam must be transferred to the second
hole as the axis of rotation so that the center of gravity of the beam does not pass through the new
axis of rotation. Equating the torque of the center of gravity of the beam and the torque of the pan
and the added weight by letting the weight of the beam as the unknown will lead to the formula:
Wb= L1(W1+P1)
L2

E205: Hooke’s Law

This experiment aimed to study the elastic properties of the spring; to determine the force
constant of the spring; to investigate the relationship between the deforming force and the amount
the spring stretches; and lastly to determine the total work done on the spring when it is being
stretch.

With all the obtained data, I therefore conclude that elasticity is the property by which an
object changes its length, shape or size under the action of a deforming force and recovers its
original configuration upon the removal of force. The deformation of an elastic material obeys
Hooke’s law which states that “Within the elastic limit of a body, the deforming force is directly
proportional to the elongation of the body.”

Based on our results, the force constant of the spring remains constant while the force
varies directly with the elongation of the body. The displacement of the springs were compared.
When the force and the spring constant are not changing, the spring with the greater spring
constant has lesser displacement and the spring with less spring constant has greater
displacement.

Also, based on our results, it was proven that the value of the work done computed using
the formula is equal to the area under the curve which represents the deforming force at a given
displacement, x. The spring constant is also the same with the slope of the curve that represents
the deforming force at a given displacement, x.

Questions

1.) From Table 1A, is there an evident relationship between the force applied and the force
constant? Explain your answer.

There is no relationship except the fact that as force decreases or increases, force constant
remains constant.
2.) Why is the product of F and x not equal to the area under the graph?

It is not equal because the formula for Area is the formula for Work which is (1/2)(K)(x^2). Their
difference is the coefficient factor of ½.

3.) What does the slope of the force vs. displacement graph represent? Does the slope of
your graph agree with your data? Defend your answer.

The slope of the force vs displacement graph represents the force constant. Yes because the slope
of the graph must be equal or almost equal to its force constant.

1.) Why should the work done in stretching the spring is equal to the area under the F vs. x
graph?

To get the Area, we must multiply Force and Displacement and since it forms as triangle, the
working equation must be equal to (1/2) base x height. This time, the base is the displacement,
and the height is the force.

2.) State Hooke’s Law for rigid bodies.

Hooke’s Law is actually cannot be applied for rigid bodies since rigid bodies cannot be stretched.

3.) What causes deformation of rigid bodies? What factors affect the resulting deformation?

A rigid body is a solid material that cannot be stretched, therefore it does not change even on any
process of applying force on it, therefore no force can make it deformed then concluding that
there is no cause for deformation of rigid bodies at the same time there are no factors that affect
the resulting deformation.

E206: Archimedes’ Principle

In this experiment, we determined the density and specific gravity of solids and liquids
following Archimedes’ principle. Density and specific gravity of materials are unique on each
object that makes it as a tool in the identification of the material. Density is equal to mass over
volume. While, specific gravity on the other hand is the ratio of the density of the material with
the density of the reference liquid, which is commonly, water. When an object is immersed in
liquid, there is a resistant force present in water pushing up the object. This is called the buoyant
force and it is the reason why the weight of an object lessens. Furthermore, the buoyant force is
also the weight of the liquid displaced by the object. Additionally, the loss of weight in liquid is
equivalent to the magnitude of the buoyant force.

In the first part of the experiment, we have computed for the specific gravity of
unidentified solid samples such as metals that are heavier than water. The unknown solid samples
are aluminum and brass. Based on our data, the solid sample that has greater weight has a greater
specific gravity. The idea of specific gravity of an object tells us that it is the number of times an
object is denser than water. From our data, brass has greater weight than aluminum, thus tells us
that it has a greater specific gravity than aluminum too. The mass of brass is greater than the mass
of aluminum but the aluminum can displace greater amount of water compared to brass. It is just
because brass is denser than aluminum.

In the second part of experiment, the two unknown liquid samples were revealed. The
weight of the sample metal in air is greater than the weight of the sample metal in water. The
science behind it is the buoyant force in Archimedes’ principle. It can be comprehended in the
table the contrast of the loss of weight between the two liquids. Alcohol lost less weight than
water. It means alcohol is more buoyant and denser than water.

In the third part of the experiment, it only verifies the results we have obtained from the
second part of the experiment. It shows us that when an apparatus like the hydrometer, which is
used to measure the specific gravity of liquids, we can check if the results we have from the
second part of the experiment is correct. The specific gravity of alcohol is less than water, which
proves that it is denser than water.

In the last part of the experiment, materials lighter than water will totally float on water
and it is difficult to submerge and determination of its specific gravity is a little bit hard that’s
why a sinker was used during this portion of experiment. Using Archimedes’ principle loss of
weight of cork is simply the buoyant force exerted by the water to the cork. In conclusion, when
the loss of weight in liquid increases, expecting that the specific gravity also increases. It means
when the liquid is more buoyant, the liquid is denser. This density is the force that rises up the
object that is being or totally immersed that makes the object’s weight smaller.