Force Table setup guide for students and teachers

Note: It is suggested that students solve force problems mathematically (or graphically) before using the force tables.

1. Screw the 3 legs into the bottom of each table

2. Cut 2 pieces of thread each about 1 meter long

3. Tie the 2 pieces of thread together at their center ( you have just made an X )

4. Pass 1 end of the X through the hole in the center of the force table.

5. Tie the “passed end” of thread loosely around 1 leg of the table. This serves as a safety line to
prevent masses and the other 3 strings from “getting away” while suspending masses.

6. Attach 3 pulleys to table top at appropriate positions. Note the notch at the top center of each
pulley. This notch should be lined up with the appropriate degree mark on the table. Notch is a
guide.

7. Position each thread over a separate pulley. Adjust the angle of each pulley so that the thread is
parallel to the top of the force table. Tie a knot in each thread so that the knot will be about 3 cm
below the top of the force table. This knot will allow the mass hanger to hang on the thread and
not touch the table below.

8. Configure the masses. Place appropriate “donut masses” on mass hanger to get close to the
desired total mass. Place the mass hanger and masses on a balance and add paper clips until the
exact (within 0.1 gram) mass is achieved.

9. Pass the thread through the notch in the mass hanger and slide the thread until the notch in the
mass hanger captures the knot. You should not have to tie the thread around the mass hanger.

10. Each thread should be parallel to the top of the table, passing over a separate pulley and have a
mass hanger attached and hanging over the edge of the force table. The mass hangers must be
suspended in air, not resting on the surface (lab bench) below the force table nor binding
(touching) the pulley. If the thread is not parallel, make adjustments by rotating the pulley
upwards(or downwards) and tightening the hex nut on the side of the pulley to avoid slipping out
of alignment.

11. The goal is to suspend appropriate masses at correct locations in order that the knot formed in step
3 above is held in equilibrium directly over the center of the hole on the force table.

12. Each bag of masses has about 800 grams of assorted masses in it.

13. When determining the mass that is suspended, the mass hanger should be included- each has a
mass of about 5 grams. To get mass combinations very accurate ( to the ½ gram) use paper clips
make up the exact mass needed. The mass hanger and included mass should be massed on a
balance to be sure that the combination is accurately determined.

14. The included problems state forces in Newtons. It is suggested that students make a conversion
and let 1 Newton be represented by 1 gram, otherwise, impractical masses ( 100 N= about 25
pounds) must be used, or such small forces ( fractions of Newtons) must be used and any
measuring discrepancies will produce huge errors.