NAME _________________________________________________________ AP PHYSICS 1

LAB # 15
ROTATIONAL EQUILIBRIUM
PURPOSE- To establish rotational equilibrium in systems containing multiple masses placed on a bar of
negligible mass.

PROCEDURE-

1. To view the lab, go to:

https://www.explorelearning.com/index.cfm?method=cResource.dspView&ResourceID=522

2. Make sure the mass of the bar is set to zero and the fulcrum is at x = 0. (These should be the initial
settings of the lab.)

3. Click on “show ruler” on the top right side.

3. For each of the five problems, type in the mass values for objects A, B, C and D.

4. Click on objects A, B and C and move them to the positions given in the data table. The location should
be visible under each corresponding mass value in the simulation.

*Positive position values indicate the object is on the right side of the fulcrum, negative position values
indicate the object is on the left side of the fulcrum. (When doing calculations, it’s easiest to keep all
position (r) values positive.)
5. Determine where mass D should be placed in order for the bar to be balanced. You can click on object
D and move it to various locations on either side of the bar. Click “release” to see how the
system moves; the supports at the end of the bar will disappear and the system will be released from
rest.

6. To adjust the placement of the object, you must click on “reset” to start over again. The supports will
automatically be placed under each end of the bar until you click on release again.

7. When rotational equilibrium is reached, record the position of this mass in your data table. Be sure to
indicate whether it is to the left or right of the axis of rotation (fulcrum).

8. In the data table, record the position of object D which produces equilibrium (express the answer as a
positive number. Circle left or right to indicate which side of the bar on which object D was placed.

*Since masses can only be moved in 10 cm increments, it may be hard to get the system exactly balanced,
but the goal should be to get the system as close to equilibrium as possible.
DATA-

PROBLEM 1:

OBJECT MASS POSITION

(Kg) (m)

A 3.4 Kg 1.1 m to the right of the AOR.

B 6.2 Kg 1.5 m to the right of the AOR.

C 4.8 Kg 4.8 m to the left of the AOR.

D 5.5 Kg _________ m to the left/right of the AOR.

experimental balance
position

PROBLEM 2:

OBJECT MASS POSITION

(Kg) (m)

A 3.0 Kg 1.2 m to the right of the AOR.

B 1.0 Kg 1.6 m to the right of the AOR.

C 4.0 Kg 1.5 m to the left of the AOR.

D 5.0 Kg _________ m to the left/right of the AOR.

PROBLEM 3:

OBJECT MASS POSITION

(Kg) (m)

A 8.0 Kg 1.2 m to the left of the AOR.

B 2.6 Kg 0.5 m to the right of the AOR.

C 4.2 Kg 0.8 m to the right of the AOR.

D 3.8 Kg _________ m to the left/right of the AOR.

PROBLEM 4:

OBJECT MASS POSITION

(Kg) (m)

A 7.2 Kg 0.5 m to the left of the AOR.

B 3.8 Kg 0.6 m to the right of the AOR.

C 6.2 Kg 1.0 m to the left of the AOR.

D 4.7 Kg _________ m to the left/right of the AOR.

PROBLEM 5:

OBJECT MASS POSITION

(Kg) (m)

A 2.9 Kg 1.5 m to the right of the AOR.

B 6.9 Kg 0.4 m to the right of the AOR.

C 5.0 Kg 0.3 m to the left of the AOR.

D 3.3 Kg _________ m to the left/right of the AOR.

CONCLUSION QUESTIONS- Answer all non-calculation questions, denoted with a *, in complete
sentences on separate paper. (Five points will be deducted if all answers to
these questions are not in complete sentences!)

1. For each of the five problems, calculate the THEORETICAL balance position (r) which will produce
equilibrium. Show all work, including equations and substitutions with units. [10 each]

2. Calculate the percent deviations between the theoretical balance position values (r) from Conclusion
Question 1 and the experimental balance position values from the data table, using the equation:

% deviation = Theoretical – Experimental x 100

Theoretical

Show all work, including equations and substitutions with units. [4 each]

*3. Define torque. [3]

*4. What two conditions must be met in order for an object to be in both rotational and static equilibrium?
[4]

*5. If the mass of the bar was not set to zero, explain why this mass would NOT matter in these rotational
equilibrium situations. [3]

*6a. Give an example of how a single large force can produce a zero torque. [3]

*b. Give an example of how a single small force can produce a large torque. [3]

*This lab is worth 99 points and will be converted to a grade out of 100.
• Lab Sheet = 3 points
• Data Tables = 10 points