Experiment 4 Conclusion Physics Lab 493a3d

CONCLUSION: For a lamina (flat-shaped) object, the lines should meet at a point. This is the centre of mass. For an extended object, the centre of mass is still not uniquely determined. Suspension of the object is required to find the center of mass and it will be inside the object. However, the centre of mass doesn't have to be inside the object. If the object has a strange shape where most of the mass is around the outside and it is curled up, the centre of mass can be at a point in space, just like the result in letter ‘L’ lamina. We worked on this theoretical parts’ experimental section in which we investigated the arrangement of masses on a center-pivot lever required to produce balance. We developed the idea that both force and lever arm produce torque, that both quantities must be considered when trying to produce equilibrium. It was found that in most of the situations it was clear that the meter stick was in rotational equilibrium. This is because the value of the percent difference between the conditions is low. After the distribution of the mass is considered the percent difference between the torques is reduced. The forces are conserved in the first three cases because the force of the masses is acting on the piece. That piece applies normal force back on the meter stick. Therefore when the forced are added, the net force acting on the system is zero. And in rotational equilibrium, which means that the sum of all torques due to those forces must be equal to zero as said before.

The data collected from the case three is indicative of how a triple beam balance works. A triple beam balance works by moving set masses along the beams, away from the pivot point. On the other side of the pivot point is the substance being weighed. By moving the mass, the torques are changed because the length of the lever armis changed. Once the beam is balanced, rotational equilibrium has been reached. At this point, the torques acting on each side of the pivot point are equal, and the mass of the substance can be determined by reading the values from the beams.

This lab activity taught the concepts of rotational equilibrium and torques. It increased understanding of the principles of rotational equilibrium through the calculation of rotational equilibrium in numerous experimental scenarios. It also provided practice for calculating the net torques acting on a system, and calculating and identifying clockwise and counterclockwise torques. This was accomplished through calculating and identifying these values in multiple scenarios tested in laboratory experiments.

References:

n.a.(2013). Center of mass and gravity and equilibrium: Retrieved from http://www3.ul.ie/~mlc//Loughborough%20website/chap15/15_3.pdf n.a. Engineering Mathematics. Calculating centre of masses. Retrieved from http://ruina.tam.cornell.edu/Book/COMRuinaPratap.pdf