E204: Torque: Second Condition of Equilibrium

Results and Discussion

(1) (4)

(2) (5)
( P1+W 1 ) L1
F=
L1 sin θ
(3) (6)
( P1 +W 1 ) L1
W B=
L2

Table 1: Determining the Weight of Pans

Actual value of pan 1, P1 = 24.8 grams
Actual value of pan 2, P2 = 24.8 grams
Trial L1 L2 L3 L4 P1(computed) P2(computed)
W1 = 10 g
1 17.6 cm 23.7 cm 24.3 cm 19.4 cm 24.367 g 25.52 g
W2 = 5g
W1 = 15 g
2 12.9 cm 19.6 cm 24.5 cm 12.5 cm 28.302 g 27.184 g
W2 = 25g
W1 = 30 g
3 13.5 cm 26.4 cm 18.7 cm 9.8 cm 24.928 g 27.566 g
W2 = 20g

Average weight of pan 1, P1 = 25.199 g

Average weight of pan 2, P2 = 26.757 g

Percent Difference for P1 = 1.6 %

Percent Difference for P2 = 7.59 %

Table
Table 3: Determining
2: Determining thethe Weight
Force of the
needed Beam
to be in Equilibrium
Trial Trial LL1
1 L2 L
2
W 1 + P1 FW
1 + P1
Computed
WFBMeasured
(Computed)
% difference
WB (Measured)
1 12.7 cm 9.7 cm 74.8 g
1 13.6 cm 7.4 cm 200.134
74.8 g g 210 g 4.8 %
2 13 cm 24 cm 74.8 g 137.47 g
46.324 g 50 g 8.33 %
2 12.5 cm 7.5 cm 84.8 g
141.33 g 138.4

3 10.8 cm 7.6 cm 94.8 g

134.72 g

Average of Weight of Beam, WB = 137.84 g

Percent Difference = 1.05 %

 This experiment will be about torque, the second condition of equilibrium or the force acting on an object that causes that object
to rotate. As it has been noted from the experiment, the torque is positive when the force tends to produce a counterclockwise
rotation about the axis and negative when the force tends to produce a clockwise rotation. For the first section of the experiment,
the objective was to determine the weight of both pans. If a certain weight is to be added to pan 1, the position of it should be near
the axis of rotation. On the other hand, the position of pan 2 should be farther than of pan 1 from the axis of rotation. For the
second part, the objective was to determine the force needed to be in equilibrium. We can see that torque is dependent on the sine
component of the angle of inclination, and the angle of inclination affects the equilibrium of the system. It is important to note that
the spring balance must be directed to the right and in an upward or downward manner for the system to be in equilibrium. For the
last section of the experiment, the objective was to determine the weight of the beam. The support of the beam must be transferred
to the second hole to determine its weight. This will also shift the center of gravity of the beam for it to not pass to the new axis of
rotation.

Conclusions
This experiment was done to examine the systems in equilibrium using the principles of torque. Moreover, it was also done to
differentiate and discuss equilibrium’s use and significance. We can conclude that in systems where two unbalanced masses are
placed on either ends of the lever arm, the pan with the heavier mass must be positioned near the axis of rotation and vise versa.
Torque is affected by the forces acting on the system and their radial distance from the axis of rotation. Lastly, it is also important
to note that if a system is in translational equilibrium, it does not mean that it is also in rotational equilibrium. If a circular object’s
center of mass is zero or if it has a constant velocity, then it is in translational equilibrium.

The concept of torque or torsion is exceptionally fundamental in our day by day lives and work field in the future as civil
engineers. That is the reason why we ought to completely know and understand that torque affects how a structure is designed,
outlined, and built. In particular, the impact of torque or torsional forces on beams and columns in a building or skyway to make
sure it won't collapse or fail. Likewise, mechanical engineers can use the concepts of torque on complex machines such as the
electric motor which can be found running home appliances and in car engines. Torque helps car engines mostly when a car starts
or climbs to steep places.

References
Rotational Motion Physics Department, University of Guelph. (2001, March 4).
Retrieved from: http://www.physics.uoguelph.ca/tutorials/torque/
Torque-Real Life Applications. (no date). Retrieved from: http://www.scienceclarified.com/everyday/Real-Life-Chemistry-Vol-3-
Physics-Vol-1/Torque-Real-life-applications.html