ADVANCED LE VEL
Physics PRACTICAL - 01
Finding the mass of an object using
2024 the moment theorm
l1 0 l2
m
m0g
M
mg
Mg
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MIE(SL), MIEEE(USA), ECSL
B.Sc Hons Electrical and Electronics Engineering
(Class Honours Upper Division)
University of Peradeniya
-2-
Finding the value of an unknown mass using the principle of moment
Finding the mass of a rod $ Comparing the density of a liquid and a solid
Necessary equipments (-
w Meter ruler ( A material with a uniform cross sectional area)
w A few light non elastic strings
w The object that has to find the mass
w A knife edge
w A load approximately equal to that weights (staircase)
w Liquid beaker
Method (- (a)Finding the mass of the unknown mass (-
Perform the test so that the mass of the meter ruler does not count for the calculations.
R
l1 0 l2
M -Mass of the known weights
m m -Mass of the unknown load
m0g
M m0 -Mass of the meter ruler.
mg
Mg
Argument (-
At the equilibrium,
Method(-
w l2is measured by changing the length (l)
1 of the known mass and balancing the meter ruler horizontally accordingly.
w Graphical method is used to follow a more accurate method' Therefore change the l 1 and find the corresponding
length l2 and draw the graph of l 2 infront of 1l 'We can find the mass of the unknown mass by its gradient.
l2
cm
l1 / cm
w The accuracy of the experiment can be proved if the graph gets a straight line passing through the starting point.
Method (- (b) Finding the mass of the rod.
w Perform the test by adding the mass of the meter ruler as well.
w In this case, balanced using the knife edge without the middle of the meter ruler.
Eng. Shamil Rathnayake [see page three]
-3-
R
l1 l2
l0 0
m0g
M m
Argument (-
Mg mg
At the equilibrium,
l2
cm
l1 / cm
Method (-
w The experiment is performed by measuring l2 after the system is horizontally balanced by changing the length (l 1)
relative to the known mass'
w Because the distance (l)0 from the knife edge to the center of gravity of the meter ruler is a constant, there is no change
during the experiment.
w Mass of the meter ruler also can calculate by this method.
Method (- (C) Comparing density of a liquid and a solid.
w Perform the test so that the mass of the meter ruler is not included in the calculations.
R R
l1 l2 l3 o
l2
o
G T2
T1
m0g T=mg-u
2
mg
0
T=mg
1
M M r
s
u mg
Mg mg Mg
Argument (-
Method (-
1' First adjust l2 to a certain value in 1l until it is horizontally balanced. Now submerge the unknown load completely in
water while l 2remains unchanged and reduce l until 1 the rod return to horizontal equilibrium. Measure the
corresponding l3 .
Eng. Shamil Rathnayake [see page four
-4-
Important points in these experiments (-
1' The reaction of the knife edge is not included in the calculation as moment is always obtained on the knife edge
2' The reason why the two masses are approximately equal.
i. The percentage error in the length measurement can be minimized by approximately equalizing the length.
ii. Ability to perform the test in multiple times ( over a range)
w If the load (height) is relatively light, dependant variable ^l& becomes
2 smaller and the fractional error of its
measurements increases. Also, if the known load is relatively heavy, the dependant variable ^l2 & becomes large
and set of values will not be able to get to draw a graph. Therefore the known load used for this test should be one
with a weight close to the unknown load.
3' Although m can be found directly by substituting a value in the equation Mgl1 = mgl2 , but the effect of the random
errors can be minimized by using a graphical method.
4' In the 3rd part of the test, an object without internal cavities must be completely immersed in the relavant material to be
V=1 V2
5 Readings should be taken with a gap of 10 cm at least to reduce the percentage error.
Structured essay question
01' Only the followings are provided for you to test the density of glass based on the principle of momentum.
1' A piece of glass with an irregular shape. ^mass M - 50g&
2' Four weights with mass (m) 0'04 g, 4'0g and 40'0 g and 400 g
3' meter ruler 4' A knife edge attached to the support. 5' Water beaker 6' A piece of thread.
a. Draw an experimental structure that can be used to find the mass M by balancing it with the center of gravity of the
meter ruler' Mark the masses and the corresponding distances l1 and l 2from the knife edge to them in the image'
b. What is the advantage of balancing the meter ruler with its center of gravity.
c. i. Which one is most suitable for the test from the weights given in (2) above ? State the reason for your choice.
ii. Write a expression for M using m, l1 and l2
d. i. What are the next experimental steps required to determine the density of glass without changing the position of
the piece of glass?
ii. What is the measurement you take? ( take as l3 &
e. Obtain an expression for the density of glassr using the density of waterrw and l1 ^or l2&
f. The mass of a piece of glass made up of same material but have another irregular shape with an air hole inside is
3 -3
100g.When the density was searched by the above method, the value was 2'0´10 kgm. If the density of the glass is
3 -3
2'5 ´ 10 kgm , find the volume of the air hole?
Eng. Shamil Rathnayake
