LABORATORY

EXPERIMENT
GENERAL PHYSICS 1

Experiment 2: Torque: 2nd Condition of Equilibrium

General Directions:
 Safety Precautions: Understand the safety guidelines and procedures specific to the experiment.
 Materials: Ensure you have all the necessary equipment, instruments, and materials ready for the experiment.
 Calibrate Instruments: Calibrate measurement instruments and devices to ensure accurate readings.
 Data Recording: Set up data tables or digital tools for recording measurements and observations.
 Measurements: Take accurate measurements, paying attention to units and uncertainties.
 Observations: Record observations, noting any unexpected outcomes or deviations from the expected results.

Grade Components for this performance task:

Learning Tasks Score
Laboratory Experiment Data Sheet 50pts
Laboratory Report (Conclusion and Analysis) 50pts
Total Score (CO2 PT) 100pts

Objectives of the experiment

1. To apply the 2nd Condition of Equilibrium in analyzing systems that are in rotational equilibrium.
2. To determine the weight of a rigid body using the 2nd Condition of Equilibrium.
MATERIALS
 1 set model balance  1 pc protractor
 1 set weights  2 pcs weight pans
 1 pc meterstick  1 pc spring balance

THEORY
Consider a rigid body in the form of a rod to be rotated about an axis at its left end (See Figure 1). A force F is applied at the opposite end
of the rod at an angle  with the rod. Torque  is defined as the vector product of the displacement vector r and the force vector F.
That is,
→ ⇀
  F
r

 = r F sin.
But from Figure 1, F sin  = Ftan.

Therefore,  = r Ftan (eqn. 1)

Equation 1 shows that only the component of F perpendicular to r is effective in rotating a body.

Considering a net force F acting on a differential mass, dm,

𝑭𝒕𝒂𝒏 = ∫ 𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒏 𝒅𝒎
 LABORATORY
EXPERIMENT
GENERAL PHYSICS 1
But, atan = r ( is the angular acceleration in rad/sec2).

Therefore, 𝝉 = ∫ 𝒓𝟐 𝒅𝒎 𝜶

∫ 𝑟2 𝑑𝑚 is the moment of inertia I of a body about an axis of rotation with the unit kg-m2. Therefore,

𝝉 = 𝑰𝜶 (eqn. 2)

Equation 2 shows that torque is directly proportional to the angular acceleration or the rate of change of angular speed of a body. But we know that,
𝑑𝜔
𝛼= ;  - angular speed (rad/sec).
𝑑𝑡

Therefore, 𝜏 = 𝐼 𝑑𝜔
𝑑𝑡 ;
dL  ; L – angular momentum (kg-m2/sec)
Id

Therefore, for a particle acted on by net force F ,

𝝉⃗→ = ⃗𝒓→ 𝒙 ⃗𝑭→ = (eqn. 3)

𝒅⃗𝑳→
For several forces acting on a body, 𝒅𝒕

𝒅⃗𝑳→
∑ 𝝉⃗→ =
𝒅𝒕 (eqn. 4)

Equation 4 shows that the sum of torques of several forces is equal to the rate of change of angular momentum of a particle.

A body that is in equilibrium must not rotate. If it is not rotating, then its angular momentum is zero; that is L = 0 and d L /dt is also
equal to zero. This leads us to the second condition for static equilibrium; for a body to be in equilibrium, the sum of all the
⇀
torques on a body,  , must be equal to zero. Summarizing the two conditions for static equilibrium;

First condition:

F  0
 F 0 x F y 0 F x 0

Second condition:

∑𝝉=𝟎 (about any axis)

 LABORATORY
EXPERIMENT
GENERAL PHYSICS 1
LABORATORY PROCEDURES
Determining the Weight of the Pans

1. Setup the model balance as shown in Figure 1 and make sure that the axis of rotation is passing through the center of gravity of the beam.

Figure 1 Figure 2

2. Mark your pans as P1 and P2. Place mass m1 on P1. Place the two pans on the beam so that the system is in equilibrium as shown in
Figure 2. Measure L1 and L2.

Using the 2nd Condition of Equilibrium, write an equation for the setup in Figure 2.

3. Take off the weight from P1 and place mass m2 on P2. Set the system again in equilibrium and measure L3 and L4. See
Figure 3.

Figure 3
 LABORATORY
EXPERIMENT
GENERAL PHYSICS 1
Using the 2nd Condition of Equilibrium, write an equation for the setup in Figure 3.

Determining the Weight of the Beam

1. Use the second hole in the beam as the axis of rotation so that the center of gravity of the beam does not pass through the new axis of
rotation.

2. Place mass m1 on P1. Adjust its location so that the system will be in equilibrium, as shown in Figure 4.

3. Measure the distance of P1 and WB from the axis of rotation. Mark it as L1 and L2, respectively.

4. Compute the mass of the beam, mB.

Figure 4

Using the 2nd Condition of Equilibrium, write an equation for the setup in Figure 4.

GUIDE QUESTIONS
1. Can two unequal weights be balanced in the model balance? How should the different weights be positioned in the model balance to
achieve equilibrium?
2. In Part B, why must the support of the beam be transferred to the second hole to determine its weight?

REFERENCES
 Experiment 104: Torque: 2nd Condition of Equilibrium from the Department of Physics, Mapúa University.
 LABORATORY
EXPERIMENT
GENERAL PHYSICS 1
DATA SHEET

Table 1: Determining the Mass of Pans

𝐿1 𝐿2 𝐿3 𝐿4 Computed 𝑃1 Computed 𝑃2
7.25cm 20.5cm 11.5cm 20.7cm 24.92g 26.47g
𝑚1= 50g

𝑚2= 20g

Percent Difference for 𝑃1 = 99.76%

Percent Difference for 𝑃2 = 93.91%

Table 2: Determining the mass of the Beam

𝐿1 𝐿2 𝑚1 + 𝑃1 Computed 𝑚𝐵 Measured 𝑚𝐵
13.5cm 7.4cm 74.86 136.57 135g

Percent Difference = 99.58%