Statics Experiment F16 PDF

STATIC EQUILIBRIUM
I. PURPOSE
In this experiment you will apply the concept of torque and learn what we mean when we say
that a body is in static equilibrium. You will examine an object in static equilibrium and
determine some unknown forces acting on the object both analytically and experimentally.
II. THEORY
When forces are acting on a body the conditions for translational equilibrium are:
𝐹! = 0, 𝐹! = 0, 𝐹! = 0,
and the condition for rotational equilibrium about an axis of rotation is:
𝜏 =0
τ is the torque and is defined as τ = F*r*sinθ, where F is the force acting on a body at
some angle θ at some distance r from the axis of rotation, causing it to rotate around that axis.
r*sinθ is the moment arm, or the perpendicular distance from the line of action of the force to
the axis of rotation.
When an object is in translational equilibrium and rotational equilibrium, we say it

is in static equilibrium.
Earlier this semester you performed an equilibrium experiment for the case when all of the forces
are acting on the same point. This was the lab with the force table called: “Equilibrium of a Point
Mass”. In that lab since all of the forces were acting on a single point (two-dimensionally) you
only needed 𝐹! = 0 and 𝐹! = 0 to solve.
In most real world structures the forces acting on the structure will be acting at various locations
of the structure. In these cases if there is more than one unknown variable then we will need to
use 𝜏 = 0 to help solve for our first unknown. By choosing to sum the torques acting at one
of the unknown force locations you will be able to create an equation that does not involve that
unknown force (since it doesn’t cause a torque at its point of contact).
Consider the following example. A meter stick with a mass of 100 grams is placed on a fulcrum
which is at its center of mass. A total mass of 100 grams (m1) hangs from it at the 40 cm mark.
What total mass do you need to place at the 70 cm mark in order for the system to be in static
equilibrium?
N
Free-body diagram:
mstickg
m1g
m2g
Since there are only forces in the y-direction
𝐹! = 0
therefore, N – m1g – mstickg – m2g = 0
Since both N and m2g are unknown it helps to take the axis of rotation at one of these points. If
we pick the center of mass of the stick, then both N and mstickg have no torques at this point and
𝜏 =0
gives us (taking counterclockwise torques to be positive and clockwise torques to be negative):
(m1g)(r1) – (m2g)(r2) = 0, so m2 = (m1)(r1)/(r2) = 50 grams.
III. APPARATUS
Today in lab a meter stick resting on two force sensors will serve as our structure (this is similar
to a bridge). Loads (weights) will be placed at various locations along the meter stick and your
job will be to predict how much force will be required at the supports. You will then put your
results to the test by seeing if force sensors agree with your predictions.
m1g
FB
FA mstickg m2g m3g
IV. PROCEDURE
Analytical
1. Measure the mass of the meter stick and record it on the worksheet for trials 1 and 2.
2. Predict the location of the center of mass of the meter stick.
3. Using the triangular block of wood, balance the meter stick on its edge to determine
the actual location of the center of mass. Record this value on the worksheet and
answer the questions regarding this procedure.
4. With the meter stick balancing on the triangular block at the center of mass, have
your partner hold the meter stick level. Add a 20g mass at the 20cm mark and place a
50g mass on the other side of the center of mass of the meter stick. Experiment with
the location of the 50g mass in order to find where this added mass will restore
balance to the system. Record the location of this mass and discuss these results.
5. Record the values of the masses and their locations given to you by your TA for each
trial. IMPORTANT NOTE: in the values given the TA will include the masses of
the hangers you will use when you perform the experiment so when you do the
experiment you need to simply add the appropriate mass to the mass hangers to match
the total given. (The mass of the modified paper clip hanger is approximately 1
gram.)
6. Referring to the diagram in the APPARATUS section, draw a free-body diagram for
each trial in the space provided.
7. Solve for the unknown values of the forces at the supports for each trial. These will
be the calculated values of FA and FB. Show your calculations in the spaces
provided and indicate where you chose your axis of rotation.
Experimental
1. Log in to the computer and initiate the software.
2. You should see readouts for the two force sensors. (The sensors should be set to
the 10N setting.) Notice that the sensors are not reading zero. This is because of
the weight of the screw and washers placed on the sensors to help balance the
meter stick.
3. Zero the force sensors. From the Menu choose Experiment and click on Zero.
In the window that appears you should see both detectors selected, if they are not,
select them. Click OK.
4. Now place the meter stick on edge (with the metric scale facing you) so that one
force sensor is at the 10 cm mark and the other is at the 90 cm mark. As you add
and move masses on the meter stick keep checking to see that the sensors are at
these marks.
5. Place the appropriate number of modified paper clips on the meter stick to the
location or locations specified. Hang a mass hanger from the clip and add the
mass or masses needed to get the given total mass at each location.
6. Record the values of the forces of the force sensors for each trial. These are the
experimental values of FA and FB.
7. Calculate the %Errors.
Name:____________________________ Day/Time___________________
Lab Partner:___________________________ Instructor___________________
STATIC EQUILIBRIUM
Center of Mass
Predicted Center of Mass _______ Experimental Center of Mass_______
1. Explain in your own words what is meant by the center of mass.
2. Did your prediction for the center of mass location match the experimental result? If no,
what might be some reasons for the difference?
Balancing the 20g Mass

3. Location of 50 g mass________
4. Discuss the results:
Trial 1:
Free-body diagram (label everything)
mass 1:_______________ location 1:_______________

mass of meter stick:__________ Center of Mass location:____________
Calculations for FA and FB:
Calculated FA:_________________ Calculated FB:_________________
Experimental FA:_________________ Experimental FB:_________________
% Error FA:_________________ % Error FB:_________________
Trial 2:
Free-body diagram (label everything)
mass 1:_______________ location 1:_______________

mass 2:_______________ location 2:_______________
mass of meter stick:__________ Center of Mass location:____________
Calculations for FA and FB:
Calculated FA:_________________ Calculated FB:_________________

Experimental FA:_________________ Experimental FB:_________________
% Error FA:_________________ % Error FB:___________
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
5. How did your calculated values in trials 1 and 2 compare to your experimental values?
What were some possible sources of error?
Additional Questions:
6. Using the set up of the last part of the experiment having two weights on the meter stick,
place the imaginary axis of rotation at one end of the meter stick.
a. Set up the two equations of the sum of the forces and torques using the end of the
meter stick as the axis of rotation. DO NOT SOLVE.
b. Is there a point on the meter stick where the sum of the torques would not be zero,
that is, is there a location on the meter stick where the system is NOT in static
equilibrium? Explain.
7. Name at least two situations you have encountered outside of the lab that involve torque
and describe how they illustrate it.

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What is meant by static equilibrium?

How can you determine if an object is in static equilibrium?

STATIC EQUILIBRIUM

When an object is in translational equilibrium and rotational equilibrium, we say it

Since there are only forces in the y-direction

therefore, N – m1g – mstickg – m2g = 0

gives us (taking counterclockwise torques to be positive and clockwise torques to be negative):

(m1g)(r1) – (m2g)(r2) = 0, so m2 = (m1)(r1)/(r2) = 50 grams.

Balancing the 20g Mass

mass 1:_ location 1:_

mass 1:_ location 1:_

Calculations for FA and FB:

Calculated FA:_ Calculated FB:_

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