Date Course Name Instructor Name Student(s) Name

Torques
STUDENT OUTCOMES Through this experiment, students will learn: - Equilibrium conditions - Sum of forces - Sum of torques MATERIALS Stand Meterstick PROCEDURE 1. Determine the mass of the meterstick without the clamps (ms). 2. Weigh 3 clamps with wire hangers and compute the average mass of a clamp. (mc) 3. With a clamp (without a wire hanger) on the meter stick near its center, place the meter stick on the stand. Adjust the meter stick through the clamp until the stick is balanced. This is the center of gravity of the stick. Take the reading on the meterstick (xo). 4. Case 1: (Two known masses) (a) With the meterstick on the stand at xo, suspend a total mass m1 = 100 g at the 15 cm position (use the clamp with wire hanger and the hangers used in the force table experiment). (b) Suspend a total mass m2 = 200 g on the opposite side of m1 and adjust the position of m2 until the meterstick is in static equilibrium. Hangers and weights Clamps with wire hangers

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Analysis: Compute the clockwise and counterclockwise torques and find the percentage difference of the computed values. (Do not forget to include the mass of the clamps.) SHOW WORK HERE. Case 2. (Three known masses) (i) Case (a): With the meterstick suspended at x o, suspend m1 = 100 g at the 30 cm mark and m2 = 200 g at the 70 cm mark. Suspend m3 = 50 g and adjust the position of m3 so that the meter stick is in equilibrium. Analysis: Compute the clockwise and counterclockwise torques and find the percentage difference of the computed values. (Do not forget to include the mass of the clamps.) SHOW WORK HERE. (ii) Case (b) First, calculate the lever arm for m 3 = 50 g for the system to be in equilibrium if m 1 = 100 g at 20 cm mark and m2 = 200 g at the 60 cm mark. Check your results experimentally and compute the percent error using the computer value of the lever as the accepted value. Case 3. Unknown mass (a) Suspend an unknown mass m1 at the 10 cm position. Suspend a counter mass m 2 = 200 g on the other side of the meterstick. Adjust the position of m2 until the meterstick is balanced. (b) Weigh the unknown mass using the laboratory balance. Analysis: Compute the value of the unknown mass using the conditions for equilibrium. Compare the measured result with the computes value by calculating the percent error. SHOW WORK HERE Case 4: One mass (a) Suspend m1 = 100 g near the zero end of the meterstick. (b) Move the meterstick through the support clamp until the system is in equilibrium. Analysis: Using the conditions of equilibrium and the center of mass xo (determined in case 1), solve for the mass of the meterstick. Compare your results, using the measured mass of the stick m s as the accepted value. SHOW WORK HERE Case 5: Center of gravity (a) With m1 = 100 g near the zero end of the meterstick, suspend a mass m2 = 100 g at the 60 cm mark. Adjust the meter stick through the clamp until balance is achieved. Record the balance position. (b) Repeat (a) with m2 at the 70 cm mark. (c) Repeat (a) with m2 at the 80 cm mark.

Notice how the position of the center of gravity moves as the mass distribution is changed. (d) Based on your observation, predict the position of the center of gravity if m2 is moved to the 90 cm mark. Use your prediction and compute the clockwise and counterclockwise torques (include the mass of the meterstick). Compare the torques by computing the percent difference. SHOW WORK HERE (e) Experimentally determine the center of gravity and compute the percent difference of the experimental and predicted values. SHOW WORK HERE QUESTIONS: 1. Explain how the condition F = 0 is satisfied for the meterstick in #3 of the procedure. 2. Suppose in Case 2 (i) in the procedure, m 1 = 200 g is at the 20 cm mark and m2 = 100 g is at the 65 cm mark. Would there be a problem in experimentally balancing the system with m 3 = 50 g? Explain. If so, how will you resolve the problem? 3. A uniform meter stick is in static equilibrium when a mass of 220 g is suspended from the 5 cm mark, a mass of 120 g is suspended from the 90 cm mark and the support stand is placed at the 40 cm mark. What is the mass of the meterstick?

2. Position the pivot point at exactly half the length of the ruler. Repeat the same experiment, positioning a hanger 10 cm away from the end of the ruler and another one with 10 grams of weight located 30 cm away from the end of the ruler stick. Find the location of a third hanger, you will need to position on the other side of the pivot in order

to reach equilibrium. Add any necessary mass to the third hanger to obtain rotational equilibrium. Add your values in the table below.

RESULTS Mass of the ruler Mass of the clip Mass of the hanger _______ _______ _______ Total Mass (kg)

Include your units Distance (cm) (from the pivot) Procedure 1 Procedure 2 ANALYSIS

= 0 , predict the distance needed 1. For each procedure, using to reach theoretical equilibrium with the given mass . Calculate the PE (percent error) and discuss the systematic errors and accuracy of your results for each procedure. If the accuracy is bad, it has nothing to do with the frictional force: find another reason.

2. For procedure 2: a holy desire suddenly engulfed your scientific mind, thirsty of experimental verifications, and you decide to investigate the forces applied by the pivot on the ruler. Neglecting frictional forces at this pivot point, deduce this unknown force using 2 different methods.

3. What are the 2 necessary conditions for complete equilibrium (rotational and translational)?

4. If one villain gnome decided to move one of the two hangers (originally positioned) behind your back from procedure 2 away from the pivot by an unknown amount. Would the distance measured of the third hanger (whose mass is not changed) be larger or smaller than what it should have theoretically been?

5. If another villain gnome decided to move one of the two hangers (originally positioned) behind your back from procedure 2 towards the pivot by an unknown amount. Would the mass of the third hanger (distance remains unchanged) be larger or smaller than what it should have theoretically been?