Physics Assignment

By Nikhil Parbat
Law/Principle of Moments:
 Moments are often described as clockwise or anticlockwise,
depending on their direction. Another name for moment of force is
torque.
 Moment of force is how much an object will turn if a certain amount
of pressure is applied from a perpendicular distance from the pivot.
From the statement we can derive the formula that :
Moment of Force about a pivot = Force x Perpendicular distance
from pivot
 If a suspended object is in a state of balance, it means that object is
in equilibrium. This also means that the clockwise moment about the
point is equal to the anticlockwise moments.
 If an object is in equilibrium the sum of clockwise and anticlockwise
moments will be the same.

Conditions for Equilibrium:

 The forces in one direction should be equal to the sum of the forces
in the other direction. This way the sum of all forces will cancel out
each other.

 Principle of moments must apply: If an object is in equilibrium the

sum of clockwise and anticlockwise moments will be the same

Couples Acting:
 A couple is formed when a force is applied on a rigid object with a
pivot and a force which forms on the exact opposite point which is
both equal and opposite to the original force.
 If a force of 30 N is applied on a point 10 cm from the pivot the other
force naturally forms on the other side of the object which is also 10
cm from the pivot and has a force of 30 N.
 Experiment:
 My aim was to keep a couple in equilibrium using 2 different forces
and distances, so as to create equal and opposite torques
 Results:

Serial Perpendicular Distance Force/weight (gf) Total

Number from pivot(cm) Torque(cm/gf)
Left side of Right side Left side Right side
scale(-) of scale(+) of scale(-) of scale(+)
1 20 10.7 110.04 204.38 -30
2 20.5 10 154.56 314.71 -22
3 10 5.5 56.7 111.05 +43
4 15 28.7 405.54 213.44 +42
5 20 10 262.08 505.20 -188

 Errors:
The last reading is wrong as there is a really high torque meaning it
was moving in anticlockwise motion.
The first 4 are also inaccurate but they can be overlooked as the
weights are not completely accurate (eg: 250g-262.08g)
If the weight were accurate then the distance would not be in points
but exactly double or half the previous distance

 Suggestions:
Use proper weights
Use calculator rather than calculating on paper – reduces time and
increased accuracy
Avoid parallax while taking readings
Explanation
1. A ruler has been suspended and 2 weight of 200 gf and 100 gf. They
are kept at 2 different points – 10 cm from pivot and 20 cm from pivot.
The 200 gf weight will be at 10 cm and the 200 gf weight at 20 cm. Both
create a torque of 2000 gf/cm each. The torques cancel out each other
making the total torque 0 gf/cm meaning that the object is in a state of
equilibrium. The downward arrows are the weights and the upward arrow
is the upward force of the ruler
2. In this diagram there is an object which has a pivot. The perpendicular
distance from the pivot to the point where the force is applied is 7 cm. the
force applied is of 9 N. As mentioned earlier “Moment of Force about a
pivot = Force x Perpendicular distance from pivot” so the moment of force
is 9 x 7 = 62 N/cm. The moment around O is in such a way that there will
be a clockwise movement.
3. There are a total of 3 weight/downward forces-3N, 8N, 10N. 3 and 8N
are on 1 side while 10N on the other.3N has a distance from pivot of 4 m,
8N-1 m and 10N-2 m.
10x2=20Nm, (-8)+(-12)=-20N [3x(-4)=-12Nm, 8x(1)=-8Nm]
20N+(-20N)=0 N
The forces have cancelled out each other and the object is in equilibrium.
4. The following diagram is a couple. The main idea of a couple is
explained above. In this diagram there is an equal distance of 5 m from
the fulcrum to the points. The forces are also equal. Thus, cancelling out
any moment. The object is in equilibrium.
5. In a switch there is a pivot between both the points where you press to
turn the switch on or off. If the switch is off and a 20N force is put on the
other side the switch will have a higher force on the other side so the
moment will be in a anticlockwise direction.