Experiment 3: Equilibrium

Preparation:
Before the experiment, the students must have researched on the following:
1. Newton’s Second Law of Motion
2. First and Second condition for Equilibrium
3. Plumb line method for determining center of gravity
Objectives:
a) apply Newton’s Second Law of motion in an Atwood’s Machine
b) demonstrate the first and second conditions for equilibrium
c) locate the center of gravity of a normal child and an amputee
Materials:
A piece of thread
A small solid object to serve as plumb bob
Cardboard
scissor
Procedure:
A) Modified Atwood’s Machine
1. Go to this link: https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-Interactives/Newtons-
Laws/Atwoods-Machine/Atwoods-Machine-Interactive
2. Use the smallest cart with rollers and the smallest blue weight. Press start.
3. Compute the acceleration using the time and displacement recorded.
4. Solve for the mass of the cart and the mass of the blue weight.
5. Introduce friction by clicking on the smallest non-wheeled block. Use the same blue
weight in step 2.
6. Compute the acceleration using the time and displacement recorded.
7. Make a second determination of the acceleration of the non-wheeled cart using the
second blue weight.
8. Compute for the mass of the non-wheeled cart and the second blue weight.
9. Determine the blue weight needed for the non-wheeled cart to be in equilibrium.

B) Balancing the Seesaw

1. Go this link https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-Interactives/Balance-and-
Rotation/Balance-Beam/Balance-Beam-Interactive
2. Place the 2 kg mass at -30 cm mark. Balance the seesaw using
A) 1kg mass B) 3 kg C) 1 and 3 kg. Record their positions.
3. Place the 1 kg mass at - 40 cm away from the fulcrum. Place a 4kg mass at -10 cm mark.
on the same side as the 1kg mass. Balance the seesaw using a) a 2kg mass b)
combination of a 2 kg mass and 3kg mass. Record their positions
4. Place the unknown mass at the 50cm mark. Balance the beam using using a 3kg mass and
4kg mass. Using the second condition for equilibrium, determine the unknown mass.

C) Center of Gravity
1. Print the picture of the boy provided. Paste this in on a paper board. Cut out the picture of
the boy.
2. Determine the center of gravity of the boy using the plumb line method. Use the orange
circles as your points of suspension.
3. Cut down the left foot (up to the knees only) of the boy. Again locate the center of
gravity of the boy using the plumb line method. What is the effect on the location of the
center of gravity when a person’s left leg was amputated?
4. Paste your picture of the boy in the data sheet showing the two centers of gravity.
Source: http://clipart-library.com/boy-clipart.html
Post laboratory Questions
1. The Russell traction system shown below is used for a fractured femur. Identify the
forces acting on the femur. If the weight hang is 5.0kg, find the force needed to
immobilize the femur. What will supply this force?

(Source: General Physics with Bioscience Essays by Jerry Marion)

2. Can a 1kg mass balance a 1000kg mass? How?
3. What happens to the center of gravity of a person under the following situations? a) His
upper right extremity is amputated. b) He carries all his books using the right arm only.

Reference: The Physics Classroom Interactives

This experiment was prepared by Angelina A. Silverio. No part of this experiment may be
reproduced without permission from Angelina A. Silverio.

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 DATA AND RESULTS SHEET
Experiment 3
Equilibrium

Name: ______________________ Date Performed: ________

Data and Results:

A) Modified Atwood’s Machine

Wheeled Cart Non-wheeled Cart

Tension in the Cord (N)
Displacement (m)
Time (s)
Acceleration (m/s2)
Mass of cart (kg)
Mass of Blue Weight (kg)

Weight needed to attain equilibrium: _____________

B) Balancing the Seesaw

Mass (kg) Position (cm) Balanced by

Mass (kg) Position (cm)
1
3
2 -30
1
3
2
1 -40
2
4 -10
3
3
X= 50
4

C) Center of Gravity
Sample Computations

Conclusion