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Torques and Rotational Equilibrium

PHY 200 & 230

Lab PDF

Based on Loyd #10. In this experiment, a horizontal meter stick that is free to pivot on a single support will be subjected to various vertical forces via metal weights along with the weight of the stick itself. By measuring mass and position with respect to the pivot, students calculate the resulting torques and finally the mass of the meter stick and an unknown hung metal mass. Net torque is set to zero for rotational equilibrium as the stick is meant to stay at rest balanced horizontally.




Equipment

Name Location Quantity
Torsion Balance Stands JE-105A-S22 1 per table
Lever Knives JE-105A-D46 5 per table
Lab Jack JE-105A-S38 1 per table
Meter Stick - 1.00m JE-105A-(105 Door), D98 1 per table
Weight Hangers, 50g JE-105A-D44 4 per table


Notes

One of the lever knives is a fulcrum. This is the lever knife with a plate over the screw so that it will not cut/dig into the meter stick and the sharper edge of the knife must aim downward into the notch of the support stand. Be very careful not to bend knives as they must remain straight, co-linear, and perpendicular to the stick. Place four other regular knives with hangers out also.

Make sure that the room has plenty of paper.



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Item modified on 2015-10-08 07:36:49 by andersone1.