EXPERIMENT#1

Find the weight of the given body using the parallelogram law of vector

addition

APPARATUS
The given body with hook, Gravesand's apparatus, Plumb line, Thread, Slotted weights,
Hangers, white paper, thin mirror strip, Compass.

Figure (Draw on plane side of copy)

PROCEDURE
1. Set the Gravesand's apparatus in vertical position by using a plumb-line. Ensure that the pulleys are
moving smoothly and there is no friction.
2. Fix a sheet of white paper on the wooden board with drawing pins.
3. Take three pieces of threads, knot them together and at open ends of each thread tie hangers having
slotted weights in them, such that one of the hanger has unknown weight in it.
4. Arrange this assembly on pulleys of the Gravesands apparatus such that the junction O of the
threads is in equilibrium in the lower half of the paper. Make sure that neither the weights nor the
threads touch the board or the table.
5. Now, place a mirror strip under right side thread and keep eye in such way that image of thread is
covered by thread itself and mark two points A1 & A2 on the edges of strip. Remove the strip and join
the marked points to make a line segment
make a line segment

OA
. Repeat the same procedure for left side thread to
OX

OB and for unknown weights thread to draw line segment

6.

Remove the hangers and note the weight of each hanger and slotted weights on them.

7.

Choose a suitable scale, say 25grams = 1cm and set lengths of line segments

OA
and OB

equivalent to the total weight tied at them.

8. Complete the parallelogram OACB. Join points O and C. The length of OC will measure the weight
of the given body. See whether OC is along the straight line XO. If not, let it meet BC at some point C
. Measure the angle COC, this angle represents error in found value.
9. Repeat the steps 1 to 8 by suspending two different sets of weights and calculate the mean value of the
unknown weight.

Observation:
Scale, 1cm =

Newton
Measurement of weight of given body

S.No
1.
2.
3.

Force P = weight of
hanger + slotted weight
P (N)
OA(cm)

Force Q = weight of
hanger + slotted weight
Q (N)
OB(cm)

Length OC = L
(cm)

Unknown weight X
= L Scale
(N)

Angle COC

Mean weight =
N.
Error = Actual weight of body Mean Weight =

N.

EXPERIMENT#2

Find unknown forces in a given set of concurrent forces in equilibrium using

Grave-sands apparatus

APPARATUS
Gravesand's apparatus, Plumb line, Thread, Slotted weights, Hangers, white paper, thin
mirror strip, Protractor, un-known weights.

Figure (Draw on plane side of copy)

PROCEDURE
1. Set the Gravesand's apparatus in vertical position by using a plumb-line. Ensure that the pulleys are
moving smoothly and there is no friction.
2. Fix a sheet of white paper on the wooden board with drawing pins.
3. Take five pieces of threads, knot them together and at open ends of each thread tie hangers having
slotted weights in them, such that two hangers have unknown weight in them.
4. Arrange this assembly on pulleys of the Gravesands apparatus such that the junction O of the
threads is in equilibrium in the lower half of the paper. Make sure that neither the weights nor the
threads touch the board or the table.
5. Now, place a mirror strip under each thread and keep eye in such way that image of thread is covered
by thread itself and mark two points e.g. A1 & A2 on the edges of strip. Remove the strip and join the

OA
. Repeat the same procedure for other threads to make

line segment O B , OC , O X & OY .

marked points to make a line segment

6.
7.

Remove the hangers and note the weight of each hanger and slotted weights on them.
Choose a suitable scale, say 25grams = 1cm and set lengths of line segments equivalent to the total
weight tied at them.
8. Complete the figure using head to tail rule of vector addition. For unknown weights, extend their line
segments i.e.

OX

and OY

such that they intersect each other. Note down teir lengths upto

point of intersection & convert the lengths into weights as per scle.
9. Repeat the steps 1 to 8 by suspending two different sets of weights and calculate the mean value of the
unknown weight.

Observation:
Scale, 1cm =

Newton
Measurement of weight of given body

S.No

W1 = weight of hanger
+ slotted weight
(N)
OA(cm)

W2 = weight of hanger
+ slotted weight
(N)
OB(cm)

W3 = weight of hanger
+ slotted weight
(N)
OC (cm)

1.
2.
3.
Mean Weight
Error = |Actual weight Mean weight|

P=Unknown
weight
OC (cm)
(N)

Q=Unknown
weight
OC (cm)
(N)