Experiment

Aim
To verify the Law of Moments by using a Bell Crank Lever.

Apparatus
Bell crank lever apparatus, slotted weights, spring balance and pointer.

A bell crank is a type of crank that changes motion around a 90 degree

angle. The name comes from its first use, changing the vertical pull on a
rope to a horizontal pull on the striker of a bell, used for calling servants
in upper class British households. The fixed point of the lever about
which it moves is known as the fulcrum.

The bell crank consists of an "L" shaped crank pivoted where the two
arms of the L meet. Moving rods (or ropes) are attached to the ends of
the L arms. When one is pulled, the L rotates around the pivot point,
pulling on the other arm.

Changing the length of the arms changes the mechanical advantage of

the system. Many applications do not change the direction of motion, but
instead to amplify a force "in line", which a bell crank can do in a
limited space. There is a tradeoff between range of motion, linearity of
motion, and size. The greater the angle traversed by the crank, the more
non-linear the motion becomes (the more the motion ratio changes).

According to law of moments “the moment of a force about an axis is

equal to the sum of moment of its component about the same axis.”
Here in this experiment we have to check the moment of a force about
the various point on the lever and that moment must be equal to the
spring force multiplied by the fixed distance d. The distance d in this
experiment is fixed and equal to seven inch.
So we have to verify

Moment, M = W * D = s * d

Where W = force applied on lever

D = varying distance on lever
S = spring force
And d = fixed distance (7*2.54=17.78 mm)

Procedure
1) Engage the chain of spring balance with the lever.
2) Hang the weight on the end point marked on the lever.
3) Check the pointer to match with the mark made on the lever.
4) If the pointer does not match, adjust the weights to get the
readings.
5) Note down the spring readings.
6) Change the position of weight to be hanged on the lever & repeat
the above steps.
7) Take at least six readings.

Observations

S.No. Weight Distance Moment Observed Calculated %Error=

W (D) (W×D) Spring Spring {(S’-
kg inch cm. kg-m force (S) force S)/S’}*100
N (S’)=
W*D/d
N

1. 0.433 12 30.48 0.1320 0.75 0.74 1.35

2. 0.473 11 27.94 0.1322 0.75 0.74 1.35
3. 0.488 10 25.40 0.1240 0.75 0.70 7.14
4. 0.563 9 22.86 0.1287 0.75 0.72 4.17
5. 0.666 8 20.32 0.1353 0.75 0.76 1.31
6. 0.721 7 17.78 0.1463 0.70 0.75 3.75
7. 0.827 6 15.24 0.1260 0.70 0.71 1.41
Calculations
Distance from fulcrum (d) = 7 inch = 7 × 2.54 cm = 0.1778 m.
Using Moment M = W×D (Kg-m)
W D
Calculated Spring Force (S’) = d
(N)
S ' S
%Error = S'
 100

Result
From the values obtained above, it’s clear that the observed and
calculated values obtained for the value of spring force are nearly equal
and within the permissible experimental error limits.
Hence the Law of Moments stating that “the moment of a force about an
axis is equal to the sum of moment of its component about the same
axis” has been verified

Precautions
1. There should minimal disturbance as long as the pointer is
concerned.
2. Only one person must take all the readings, because eye-
judgement for matching the pointer with the mark on the lever
will vary from individual to individual.
3. Weights should not touch the table.
4. Add weights in the hanger gently.
5. The pointer should exactly coincide with the mark on the bell
crank lever.
6. The optimum starching of spring should be kept in mind.
7. The apparatus should be kept on smooth and leveled surface.
8. Proper lubrication of the joints of two arms of the lever should
be done so as to reduce frictional force.
9. Zero error of spring should be properly noted.