III.

Analysis
Prior to this experiment, the first condition of the equilibrium was discussed.
The first condition of equilibrium states that the net force on the object must be zero
for the object to be in equilibrium. For this experiment, the second condition of the
equilibrium was discussed and analyze that states that the net torque of an object
must be zero.
Torque is a measure of the force that can cause an object to rotate about an
axis. Just as force is what causes an object to accelerate in linear kinematics, torque
is what causes an object to acquire angular acceleration. It is also a vector quantity
which means that the direction of the torque vector depends on the direction of the
force on the axis. In other terms, torque is defined as moment or moment of force is
the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a
force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist to an object.
Mathematically, torque is defined as the cross product of the lever-arm distance
and force, which tends to produce rotation. For a particle to be in static equilibrium,
the total torque on a particle must be equal to zero, which means that the net force
acting on a particle has no ability to rotate it. This is also known as the second
condition of equilibrium.

Figure 1. Opening a door with maximum torque

 Torque can be either static or dynamic. A static torque is one which does not
produce an angular acceleration. Someone pushing on a closed door is applying a
static torque to the door because the door is not rotating about its hinges, despite the
force applied. Someone pedaling a bicycle at constant speed is also applying a static
torque because they are not accelerating. The drive shaft in a racing car accelerating
from the start line is carrying a dynamic torque because it must be producing an
angular acceleration of the wheels given that the car is accelerating along the track.
In imperial units, the Foot-pound is often used. This is confusing because
colloquially the pound is sometimes used as a unit of mass and sometimes force.
What is meant here is pound-force, the force due to earth gravity on a one-pound

object. The magnitude of these units is often similar as 1 Nm≃1.74 ft⋅lbs.

The terminology used when describing torque can be confusing. Engineers

sometimes use the term moment, or moment of force interchangeably with torque.
The radius at which the force acts is sometimes called the moment arm.
As for the objectives of this experiment, the main goal is to apply the
principles of torque through the application of Newton’s second condition of
equilibrium states that the total torque on the body must be equal to zero to obtain
the second condition of equilibrium. We are required to analyze systems in
equilibrium by applying the second condition of equilibrium and distinguish some
of the second condition of equilibrium’s use and significance such as determining
the weight of a rigid body.
In terms of theory, it considers a rigid body in the form of a rod to be rotated
about an axis at its left end as shown in Figure 2. 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,
 𝜏=𝑟𝑥𝐹
𝜏 = 𝑟 𝐹 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜙

Figure 2
But from Figure 1, 𝐹 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜙 = 𝐹𝑡𝑎𝑛
Thus,
𝜏 = 𝑟 𝐹𝑡𝑎𝑛 (eqn. 1)
Only the component of F perpendicular to r is effective in rotating a body as
shown in the equation 1.
When we consider a net force F that was acting on a differential mass, dm
will gives

𝐹𝑡𝑎𝑛 = ∫ 𝑎𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑑𝑚

However, 𝑎𝑡𝑎𝑛 = 𝑟 𝛼 where 𝛼 is the angular acceleration in rad/sec2.

Thus,

𝜏 = ∫ 𝑟 2 𝑑𝑚𝛼

In relation with the moment of inertia I of a body about an axis of rotation with the
unit kg-m2 is equals to ∫ 𝑟 2 𝑑𝑚. Thus,
𝜏 = 𝐼𝛼 (eqn. 2)
 As for the equation 2, it shows that the torque is directly proportional to the
angular acceleration or the rate of change of angular speed of a body. However, we
know that,
𝑑𝜔
𝑎=
𝑑𝑡
where 𝜔 is the angular speed that was measured in rad/sec.
Thus,
𝑑𝜔
𝜏=𝐼 ; 𝑑𝐿 = 𝐼𝑑𝜔
𝑑𝑡

where L is the angular momentum that was measured in kg-m2/sec.

Therefore, for a particle acted on by net force F
𝑑𝐿
𝜏=𝑟𝑥𝐹= (eqn. 3)
𝑑𝑡

For several forces acting on a body,

𝑑𝐿
𝜏 = 𝑑𝑡
(eqn. 4)

With that, the fourth equation shows the equality of the sum of torques of
several forces and the rate of change of angular momentum of a particle.
Any body that is in an equilibrium stated must not rotated. If it is not rotating,
then its angular momentum is zero; that is L = 0 and dL/dt is 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, 𝜏, must be equal to zero.
In summary of the two conditions of static equilibrium,
First condition:
𝐹 = 0
𝐹𝑥 = 0
𝐹𝑦 = 0
Second condition:
𝜏 = 0 (about any axis)
 For the first part of the experiment, a beam balanced was used and assembled,
considering that the axis of rotation is oriented to the beam’s center of gravity. As
with the state of equilibrium, the static equilibrium was met when the motion or
constant motion is absented that can be the basis for the beam balance to be in an
equilibrium state despite of the beam is not aligned in a straight horizontal position.
As for the experiment, it aims to meet the conditions of equilibrium wherein we are
able to balance the beam carrying different pans on a horizontal orientation. The two
pans were labeled as P1 and P2 that has a constant mass of 24.7 grams and 24.8 grams
respectively that were used to carry the assigned mass needed for the next step of
the experiment. Only one of the pans are adjusted to compensate for the other pan.
Performing the first part of the first trial, a mass of 10 g is added to P1 while P2
remains as is. P1 is positioned at 17.5 cm from the axis of rotation while P2 at 27.5
cm. For the second part of the first trial, 10 g is removed from P1 while 5 g is added
to P2. P1 is now 19.5 cm from the axis of rotation while P2 is positioned at 20.1 cm
from the axis of rotation.
In relation to the second condition of the equilibrium, the net torque on all
dimensions is equal to 0. Torque is equal to the product of the object’s displacement
to the force it exerts. This means that the torque of the pan on the left side of the
beam minus the torque of the pan on the right side is equal to zero. With that, the
equation 5 will be form.

𝛴𝑇 = 0 = (𝑃1 + 𝑚1 )g (𝐿1 ) − (𝑃2 )g (𝐿2 ) (eqn. 5)

For the second trial, equation 6 will be used in that was also based from the
equation 5.
𝛴𝑇 = 0 = (𝑃2 + 𝑚2 )g (𝐿3 ) − (𝑃1 )g (𝐿4 ) (eqn. 6)
Table 1. Determining the Weight of Pans

Actual Value of pan 1, P1 = 24.7000g

Actual Value of pan 2, P2 = 24.8000g

Trial L1 L2 L3 L4 P1 P2
(computed) (computed)

1 W1= 10g 17.5cm 25.7cm 19.5cm 20.1cm 32.75g 30.34g

W2= 5g

2 W1= 15g 14cm 24.1cm 12.5cm 25cm 23.39g 22.3g

W2= 25g

Average weight if pan 1, P1 = 28.07g

Average weight if pan 1, P2 = 28.07g

Percent Difference for P1 = 13.6437%

Percent Difference for P2 = 6.1290%

As for the values was computed, the values of P1 for the two trials are 32.75
g and 23.39 g with an average mass of 28.07. As compared to the actual mass of the
pan, 24.7 g, the values are close enough to give a percent difference of 13.64%. As
for P2 the computed mass for the two trials are 30.34 g and 22.3 g with an average
mass of 26.32. As compared to the actual mass of the pan, the computed value is
slightly higher and yielded a percent difference of 6.13%
 A sum of 2 preliminaries led yielding 4 circumstances, every one of the
circumstance pursues a pattern where the heavier dish is found close to the axis while
the lighter container repays to other skillet's weight by being on the most distant end
of the bar. Torque is the capacity of force to change the rotational movement of a
body and it is figured by the result of the force to the body's removal. The two factors
that involves torque adjusts one another with the goal that the framework can
accomplish balance. When you are given a greater close to the axis of rotation, the
littler mass must be put more distant from the hub to have the capacity to
counterbalance the change in rotational movement caused by the greater mass. In
actuality, the idea of torque can be seen at any question pivoting at an axis. Accept
an entryway for instance. It is less demanding to push the entryway open at the point
most distant from the pivots as opposed to close to the axis as a result of the
uprooting of the power from the axis of rotation.
For the second part of the experiment, the mass of the beam is needed to be
determined. The axis of rotation is now moved to the second hole of the beam. A
mass of 50 g, 60g, and 70 g is added to P1 and placed on the shorter side of the beam
for the first, second, and third trial. To reach the equilibrium, the location of P 1 is
adjusted with the beam at a horizontal orientation. L1 represents the distance of the
mass and pan with respect to the axis of rotation while L 2 represents the distance of
the metal rod found at the middle of the rod with respect to the axis of rotation. The
2nd condition of equilibrium is observed as the summation of torque to the body
should be equal to zero creating an equation of:

𝛴𝑇 = 0 = (𝑊1 + 𝑃1 ) (𝐿1 ) − (𝑊2 )(𝐿2 ) (eqn.7)

As the weight of the beam was obtained with the used of equation 7, the
second objective was obtained. The computes values for the weight of the beam was
140.624 grams, 137.9413 grams and 141.5680 grams respectively performing an
average of 150.0440 grams. The distances acquired was said to be 14.1 cm, 12.2 cm
and 11.2 cm away from the axis of rotation. The distance of the rod remains at a
constant distance of 7.5 cm throughout the trials conducted.

Table 2. Determining the Weight of Beam

Trial L1 L2 W1 + P1 WB WB
(COMPUTED) (MEASURED)

1 7.5cm 14.1cm 74.8g 140.624g

138.4 g
2 7.5cm 12.2cm 84.8g 137.9413g

3 7.5cm 11.2cm 94.8g 141.5680g

Average weight of Beam = 150.0440g

Percent Difference: 1.1879%

In comparison with the measured weight and computed weight, the percent
difference was calculated to be 1.1879%. The second part of the experiment likewise
pursues a pattern of having the mass put closer to the axis of rotation as mass
increments. The torque of the dish diminishes as the its removal from the axis of
rotation diminishes however the extra mass defeats this misfortune.
 The main source of error with this experiment is from human, a human error
in the measurement of the distances of the beam at the state of equilibrium. Also,
determining the orientation of the beam can be crucial with this experiment. Also,
the accuracy of deciding whether the beam is already balance can be different
between the perspective of people that can see the experiment.
IV. Conclusion
In the experiment "Torque: Second condition of Equilibrium", the principles
of torque and its equilibrium was classified. The objective of the experiment is to
use the second condition of the equilibrium to analyze and distinguish the use and
significance of the system. Based on the analyzation of the data that we have
gathered, we can prove that the second condition of equilibrium can be attained when
both of torque is at equilibrium which means doesn't moving even having different
weight from each side. We can manipulate the balance of the torque by changing the
weight or the force of the things inside the system. Therefore, torque is directly
proportional to the weight or force applied and the distance from the axis of rotation
to the weight or force applied. When the total torque is equal to zero, the system is
at equilibrium state. In the experiment, the we did have one weight heavier than the
other, the lighter one of the weights will have to be placed at a longer distance for
the torque of both side to be at equilibrium. Observing the experiment that we did,
the closer the object to the rotating axis the higher it becomes and the farther it is
from rotating axis the smaller the torque. A higher toque requires more amounts of
force while less torque requires less force and we can conclude that we can have an
equilibrium even if we have different weights. The objective of this experiment is to
apply the 2nd condition of equilibrium in analyzing systems that are in rotational
equilibrium and determine the weight of the rigid body. By conducting the first part
of the experiment we calculated the mass of the pan and has successfully computed
the percent error. The errors in the experiment could come from human error of
reading the values. Being precise and accurate in the gathering of data may minimize
the errors in this experiment.