123 - Final - Set A

02/05/2016
Part 1
In this part, we will recreate the experiment of balanced arms. The objective is to arrange
a system of weights on a meter stick so that your system is balanced. You will be given all the
equipments that you need. As always, you need to draw a diagram of your result and verify
your finding with torque calculation
Well start with a simple experiment. With the pivot fixed at rulers center of mass, attach
a 40 g and 50 g at 20 cm and 10 cm mark at the ruler, respectively. Where should you put
the 80 g weight so that the system is balanced?
Next, we will change our point of view. Attach 50 g, 40 g, and 40 g at 25 cm, 75 cm, and
85 cm mark, respectively. Where should you put your pivot so that the system is balanced?
Last, we will just now fix 20 g and 80 g mass at 75 cm and 90 cm mark, respectively. Where
should you locate a mass of 50 g and the pivot so that the ruler is balanced?

Part 2
1. Recall the thermal equilibrium experiment. In the procedure, we created a mixture of
hot water with cold water in a closed styrofoam cup. What is the purpose of mixing in
a closed jar? Did we achieve the goal?
2. A cart with mass 250 g is moving on a track to the right with constant velocity of 3
m/s. This cart then collides with another standing cart with mass 500 g, sticks on the
standing cart, then moves together with the other cart in the original direction. Whats
the velocity of the carts after collision? Is this an elastic collision? Justify your answer!
3. Let s be the static and k be the kinetic friction coefficient. Which one should be
larger? Explain? (Hint: Remember how you measured both in class. What changes in
the procedure when you measure k instead of s ?)
4. Recall the buoyancy experiment. We are given that the density of water is 1000 kg/m3 . If
an object (say, wood) floats when we put it on water, what can we say about its density?
Moreover, if we put the floating object in a graduated cylinder (with markings of volume
on its side), what can we say about the volume of displaced water? Can you propose a
way to measure the volume of the object, then? Remember that the displaced water is
the water that is moved in order to make place for our object to be submerged.
Bonus: (15 pts) What is the best way to save someone falling from a cliff. Use any
equipment that you need (short of actual magic). Explain your answer!