RQ - how does the bending of a ruler of fixed length vary with different masses

Introduction – In my physics class we were learning elasticity in objects and we were discussing in
theory how may a ruler bend and so, being curious in a practical class I decided to investigate this
phenomenon in detail. The concepts that I investigated on was tension and forces.

Background information – for the experiment I am using the concepts of elasticity and forces
applied on a ruler while investigating variables – mass, length of bend and length of ruler. The force
applied on the scale is calculated using the formula F = Mass * acceleration due to gravity, we derive
this formula using the base formula Force = Mass * Acceleration. The force is just calculated for
analysis while the measurements and the graph is plotted using mass.

To calculate the mean values, I used the formula Mean = Sum of readings / Number of readings.
After finding these values I plotted the graph. I calculate the uncertainty using the formula,
Uncertainty = (Max value + Min value) / 2.

Variables

- independent variable for this experiment was the mass hung from the ruler and was
measured in Grams(g)
- dependent variables for this experiment is the length of the bend of the scale and was
measured in centimetres(cm)
- control variables for this experiment are length of the ruler measured in
centimetres(cm) and mass of the ruler measured in grams(g) which I kept constant
using the same ruler.

Apparatus

– Boss and clamp

– Meter rules
– Clamp
– Slotted masses
– Thread

Procedure

– two meter rulers were taken. One of these rules are to be fixed to a desk using a clamp
to a desk so that one end of the rule hags 85 cm from the desk. The second ruler was
attached to a boss and clamp to keep the second ruler stable at approximately
perpendicular the ground.
To start the experiment, without hanging any masses the length of the hanging end (A)
is to be measured from the ground and recorded as a base length. Then a slotted mass
of 50g is to be hung from a piece of thread attached to the ruler and the height of end A
from the floor is to be measured after the ruler stops oscillating. Similarly, three
readings of the same process are to be taken.
Then the process is to be repeated with the mass increasing by 50g with three trials each
till the mass sums up to 250g.
 Data

Mass bend length uncertainty

50 2.97 0.15
100 5.40 0.1
150 8.07 0.05
200 10.63 0.15
250 13.13 0.05

14.00
y = 0.0511x + 0.37
normal
y = 0.0518x + 0.225
12.00 Maximim

y = 0.0498x + 0.625
Minimum
10.00

8.00

6.00

4.00

2.00

0.00
0 50 100 150 200 250 300

Analysis - The graph above showcases the readings from the experiment. The trend-lines are shown
from all three graphs – base, maximum and minimum. The equation for the base graph is
y = 0.0511x +0.37. The gradient shows the relationship between the two values and has an
uncertainty of ± 0.001. the graph has an intercept at the y-axis at the point 037 which shows the
systematic uncertainty in the calculation of the values.
BIBLIOGRAPHY

Tsokos, K. A. Physics for the IB Diploma Full Colour. Cambridge UP, 2010.