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PHYS 111A-008 Lab 121: Rotational Static Equilibrium

Lab 121: Rotational Static Equilibrium – Forces on a Strut

PHYS 111A-008

Objectives:

1. To determine the tension on the supporting cord and a strut by taking torques about the pivot point of the strut;
2. To get a better understanding of torque and the condition for rotational equilibrium.

Introduction:

By definition torque is a cross product of distance r ⃗ and applied force( F) ⃗.

(1) τ ⃗=r ⃗ x F ⃗

Magnitude of torque, is:

(2)τ=rFsinθ

When a body is in rotational equilibrium, the sum of all torques which is net torque acting on the body about any point, O, must be zero, that is:

(3) τ_net=∑τ=0

Experimental Procedure:

Set up the assembly. There are two angles in this system, the is the angle between the strut (aluminum bar) and horizontal direction and the is the angle between the strut and the supporting cord.

Part I. The strut in horizontal position (θ₁=0°)

1. Measure L₁,L₂,L₃,and L record the values in data table I. Also record the weight of the aluminum rod of the strut which is written on it.
2. In order to keep θ₁=0°, θ₂ has to be a certain value. Measure and record.
3. Given W₁ and W₂, calculate the tension W in the supporting cord that could keep the strut in a horizontal position. Show your calculations.
4. Set up the apparatus and measure the tension in the supporting cord necessary to maintain equilibrium.
5. Compare your experimental results with the calculations.

Part II. The strut in a position with an angle (θ₁≠0°) tilted up

Repeat the procedure as in Part I. Record the values in data table II.

Part II. The strut in a position with an angle (θ₁≠0°) tilted down

Repeat the procedure as in Part I. Record the values in data table III.

Data Tables

Table I

Weight of strut (Al rod) = 0.11338 kg, L = 0.565 m

Table II

Weight of strut (Al rod) = 0.11338 kg, L = 0.565 m

Table III

Weight of strut (Al rod) = 0.11338 kg, L = 0.565 m

Calculations:

Part 1.

τ1=W1 L1 sin90°=0.250*0.37*1=0.0925 kg.m
τ2=W2 L_2 sin90°=0.250*0.465*1=0.11625 kg.m
τ_Al=W_Al  1/2 Lsin90°=.11338*.5*0.565*1=0.03203 kg.m
τ_w=-WL_3 sinθ_2°=-W*0.415*sin⁡(50°)=-0.31791W
τ_net=τ1+τ2+τ_Al+τ_w=0
0.24078-0.31791W=0
W_theoratical=0.7574 kg
Percent error=(|Theoratical-Experimental|)/Theoratical*100%
=|0.7574-0.757|/0.7574*100%
=0.05%

Part 2.

τ1=W1 L1  sin⁡(90°+θ_1 )=0.250*0.37*sin⁡(120°)=0.08011 kg.m
τ2=W2 L_2  sin⁡(90°+θ_1 )=0.250*0.465*sin⁡(120°)=0.100675 kg.m
τ_Al=W_Al  1/2 Lsin(90°+θ_1 )=0.250*0.11338*0.5*0.565*sin⁡(120°)=0.006935 kg.m
τ_w=-WL_3 sinθ_2°=-W*0.415*sin⁡(80°)=-0.4087W
τ_net=τ1+τ2+τ_Al+τ_w=0
0.2085-0.4087W=0
W_theoratical=0.510 kg
Percent error=(|Theoratical-Experimental|)/Theoratical*100%
=|0.510-0.505|/0.510*100%
=1%

Part 3.

τ1=W1 L1  sin⁡(90°-θ_1 )=0.250*0.37*sin⁡(60°)=0.08011 kg.m
τ2=W2 L_2  sin⁡(90°-θ_1 )=0.250*0.465*sin⁡(60°)=0.100675 kg.m
τ_Al=W_Al  1/2 Lsin(90°-θ_1 )=0.250*0.11338*0.5*0.565*sin⁡(60°)=0.006935 kg.m
τ_w=-WL_3 sinθ_2°=-W*0.415*sin⁡(27°)=-0.1884W
τ_net=τ1+τ2+τ_Al+τ_w=0
0.2085-0.1884W=0
W_theoratical=1.1068 kg
Percent error=(|Theoratical-Experimental|)/Theoratical*100%
=|1.1068-1.106|/1.1068*100%
=0.07%

Conclusion:

This lab helped us learn how to find torque by using rotational static equilibrium; it also helped us prove that the net torque in the system should equal zero. This lab turned out to be quite successful considering the low amount of percentage error we got from our calculations. Even though in this lab there were a lot of factors that could have caused errors. But we managed to get accurate results that matched theoretical values we calculated.