Physics – Form 4 1

Principal of Moments Practical Activity

Name: _________________________________ Form: 4B / 4E Date: ______________________

Aim: To determine the mass of a metre rule, using the principle of moments .

Apparatus: Knife-edge, metre rule, 100 g – mass, graph paper, worksheet.

Diagram: FOLLOW THE DIAGRAM CLOSELY.

10 y (in mm)

100 g-mass
x (y – x)
0 100

P metre rule

Knife-edge

Procedure:
• Locate the centre of gravity of a metre rule by balancing it on a knife-edge. When the metre rule
is approximately horizontal, record the value of y.
• Place the 100 g mass at position P such that the mass centre is at the 10 mm mark. Shift the
knife-edge until the weight of the metre rule balances the 100 g-mass.
• Record the value of x where the position of the knife-edge is.
• Repeat the experiment by varying the position P at 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 mm markings.
• Record the values x and (y –x) in a tabular form.
• By shifting the 100 g mass such that its centre is positioned at 10, 100, 150, 200, 250 and
300 mm, obtain the corresponding x and (y-x) readings.

Procedure: Please rewrite the procedure in reported speech in the space below. [3]

Results: Show your measurements and working (Show only one working) in the space provided. [3]

Data Analysis:
• Plot a graph of x against (y – x). [7]
• Obtain the gradient M of the graph. [5]
• Calculate the mass of the metre rule using the formula:
• Mass of metre rule = M / 100 [2]
Note: Do calculations on the back of the graph paper.

S. Barton – February 26, 2015

 Physics – Form 4 2
Principal of Moments Practical Activity

Discussion Questions: Write in the spaces provided.

(1) State at least two sources of errors. [2]

(2) Suggest ONE method to improve the experiment you have conducted. [1]

(3) If a 50g-mass was used in place of the 100 g-mass, would the values of x obtained in the
experiment be more accurate? Why? [2]

S. Barton – February 26, 2015