Giselle Panesso

Measuring the Variation in Torque of a Lever Given the Distance at which the Mass is

Placed over it Using a Spring’s Elongation as a Mean to Measure Force

Introduction

The topic for my physics internal assessment arose when, after having an in-class discussion

about different possible topics and areas of investigation. At the moment, we hadn’t studied

rotational dynamics, so my curiosity peaked, and I started doing some light reading, upon which

I found read about torque and its usage on our day-to-day life, thing to which, up until now, I

was completely oblivious of. Therefore, when the next day I was given the opportunity to present

an experimentation proposal in any area and topic of my liking, I decided to conduct an

experiment which would allow me to widen my comprehension of rotational dynamics and

torque in where I could study the variation of torque upon an object, in this case a ruler I use as a

lever, given on where the force is being applied over the lever. For this purpose, I am conducting

an experiment in which a mass is placed over a 1𝑚 ruler, that has one end resting over the table

as pivot point and the other one held above the table’s height by a spring attached to the ruler, at

different distances from the pivot point at 10𝑐𝑚 intervals and recorded the spring’s elongation.

This is done in order to calculate the rotational force of the ruler and that is exerted over the

spring.

Theoretical Framework

Moving bodies can be studied under two mayor scopes, linear dynamics, and rotational

dynamics, and for the latter one, two key terms are to be defined: Moment of Inertia and Torque.

The moment of inertia of a body, also called rotational inertia, (I) is a measurement of the

object’s opposition to changing its rotational motion and its dependant of its axis of rotation and

it’s given by the formula 𝐼 = 𝑚 ∙ 𝑟 2 with m being the mass (Homer & Bowen-Jones, 2014); for

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the case at hand, the linear momentum of the ruler (the thickness will be negligible) will be taken
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at an end and it’s given by the formula: 𝐼 = 3 𝑚𝑙 2 where l is the length of the ruler (Peshin,

2019).

Torque, on the other hand, is “the measurement of the force that an object to rotate about an

axis” (Khan Academy, n.d.). This means that it is the responsible for the object to acquire

angular acceleration. Torque (𝜏⃗) is dependent on the direction of the force being exerted in

relationship to the axis (pivot), being a perpendicular force the way to create the greatest torque,

and thus is also dependant on its distance from said pivot point (r) being calculated by the

formula 𝜏⃗ = 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑟 sin 𝜃, where 𝜃 is the angle between the acting force and the object (Homer &

Bowen-Jones, 2014).

The relationship between the two is given by 𝜏⃗ = 𝐼𝛼 with alpha being the angular acceleration

(Khan Academy, n.d.), relationship of great importance thanks to its relationship with Force in

linear kinematics in Newton’s second law of motion 𝐹⃗ = 𝑚𝑎⃗, for inertia takes the place of force

and thus the moment of inertia the place of the mass.

Hooke’s law states that the spring’s restoring force is given by the spring constant k

multiplied by the spring elongation or compression: 𝐹⃗ = −𝑘 ∙ 𝑥 (Homer & Bowen-Jones, 2014).

Design

Research Question

The research question I have proposed for this paper is: How does the torque of a lever

variate given the place at which the force is exerted over it in relationship to the rotational axis

(pivot).

Hypothesis

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For the proposed research question, my hypothesis is that: the relationship between the

variation of torque and the place at which the force is exerted is that of a linear relationship and

will present a positive gradient when graphed, the longer its elongation and thus the torque. It’s

relationship with the spring’s elongation will be linear as well.

Variables

A. Independent Variables

Distance (𝑐𝑚) at which the mass is placed over the ruler and thus the point at which the

force is being exerted. Measured using the same Helix® meter ruler acting as the lever.

B. Dependant Variable

Elongation distance of the spring supporting one of the ruler’s ending. Measured in

centimetres using another meter-long Helix® ruler positioned vertically at a 90° angle to

the working surface.

C. Controlled Variables

a. Material holding the ruler to the spring:

i. Reason: Given that the spring couldn’t be hooked directly to the ruler, the

material used to attach them together had to be a material that wouldn’t

stretch under tension but rather pull the spring.

ii. Methodology: A blue thread from a non-stretch fabric I had at home was

used to tie together one end of the ruler and the spring.

b. Angle at which the ruler rests over the working surface:

i. Reason: A constant angle is crucial in order to have a proper observation

of the variation of torque, for if the angle was to be changed, the results

would be altered after plugging them to the formulas.

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ii. Methodology: Before conducting each trail of the experiment, using a

protractor I made sure the angle was the same throughout the whole

experimentation process: 18°

c. Mass Placement on the Ruler:

i. Reason: having the mass to be set still, and not gliding over the ruler,

ensures that the measurements taken are indeed for the intended value

and/or position that it I wanted, for if it slides, it will modify the distance

at which it is on the ruler when measuring the spring’s elongation.

ii. Methodology: Each time the mass was placed at a given measurement

over the ruler, I held it down using a light plastic twist tight as to ensure

the mass remains in its position and additional weight isn’t added.

Risk Assessment

In order to prevent possible hazards when conducting the experiment, such as the masses

getting loose and falling off the ruler possibly hurting someone one if it fell over them or on

myself, I worked at a low altitude, with the highest point in my experimentation being 30cm

above the worktable which was wide enough as to comfortably accommodate the whole

experimental setup. Furthermore, before conducting the experiment, I tried and tested out the

strength of the twist tights to make sure they could properly secure the mass to the ruler.

Materials

The materials used for the experimentation were: (2) Helix® one-meter rulers; (1) thread of

non-stretch cloth, (1) clamp, (1) metal spring of spring constant of 2.24𝑁 𝑚−1 , (1) 80𝑔 weight,

(1) plastic twist tight, (1) 180° protractor.

Setup

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Figure 1. Experiment Setup Diagram

Methodology

1. The hook holding the spring is attached to the clamp,

2. Place the measurement ruler vertical and at a 90° angle to the worktable,

3. Using the non-stretch cloth, one end of the ruler used as a lever is attached to the

spring,

4. Rest the other end of the ruler used as a lever over the worktable and measure it to be

at an 18° angle to the working surface,

5. Measure and record the length of the spring,

6. Place the 80g mass over the intended distance over the ruler and tie it using the plastic

twist tight,

7. Measure and record the length of the now elongated spring,

8. Repeat steps 6 and 7.

Data Collection and Processing

Data Collection

Table 1

Spring’s Elongation with the mass at different placement

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Spring’s Elongation (𝒄𝒎) ± 𝟎. 𝟎𝟓𝒄𝒎

Distance from the pivot Trial 1 Trail 2 Trail 3 Average

point (𝒄𝒎) ± 𝟎. 𝟎𝟓𝒄𝒎 ± 𝟎. 𝟏𝟔𝒄𝒎

10.0 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.33

20.0 0.7 0.6 0.8 0.70

30.0 1.0 1.2 1.2 1.13

40.0 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.43

50.0 1.9 2.0 2.0 1.97

60.0 2.3 2.3 2.4 2.33

70.0 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.77

The uncertainty for the measurements previously presented on Table 1 is measured, in both

cases, as half the smallest unit of measurement given by the measuring equipment. Therefore, for

this experimentation, the uncertainty of a distance measured with a ruler is 0.05𝑐𝑚, or half a

millimetre. For calculating the uncertainty for the average measurement in each instance, it was

done by adding up the fractions of uncertainties between the measurements taken and then
0.05 0.05
obtaining an average with each value calculate at each distance measurement, i.e. + +
0.3 0.4

0.05
and repeat for the remaining values.
0.3

Data Processing

Because my goal is to find the lever’s torque, and since I am using the spring as a visual

indication of the force exerted by the lever when partaking a rotational motion, I intend to

calculate the torque using the formula for 𝜏⃗ = 𝐹⃗ ∙ 𝑟 sin 𝜃 (Homer & Bowen-Jones, 2014). Then,

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given that torque can be expressed as the rotational equivalent of 𝐹⃗ = 𝑚𝑎⃗ as 𝜏⃗ = 𝐼𝛼, and that

because the same force exerted on the spring is also the force the spring exerts on the lever, I can

use Hooke’s formula to corroborate my calculations with the experimental data, using the

spring’s constant and the measured elongation, 𝐹⃗ = −𝑘 ∙ 𝑥. Therefore, for this experiment, 𝜏 can

be interpreted as an equivalent with a 1 to 1 relationship to the force exerted by the spring, where

at the same rate as one increase so does the other.

Table 2

Torque at each Distance Measurement and Spring’s Restoring Force

Distance from the pivot Torque (𝑵 ∙ 𝒎) Absolute Value of Spring’s

point (m) ±𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟓𝒎 ±𝟒. 𝟎𝟖𝟔% Restoring Force (𝑵)

±𝟒. 𝟎𝟖𝟔%

0.10 0.024 0.739

0.20 0.049 1.568

0.30 0.073 2.531

0.40 0.097 3.203

0.50 0.121 4.413

0.60 0.146 5.219

0.70 0.170 6.205

The torque’s uncertainty is calculated by adding the relative uncertainties of the measurements

of the Force (±0.0063%), the radius (1.30%) and the angle (2.78%). Given that k is a

constant, the spring’s restoring force is the same as the relative uncertainty of the torque.

Graphing

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The processed data will be graphed using the software Vernier Logger Pro 3.14.1. For this,

two graphs will be made, one which plots over the vertical axis the Torque against the distance

from the pivot point over the horizontal axis, and the second one which plots the springs

restoring force on the vertical maintaining the distance from the pivot over the horizontal.

Figure 2. Torque Vs Distance of the Mass from the Pivot Point.

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Figure 3. Spring's Restoring Force Vs Distance of the Mass from the Pivot Point

Analysis

After having plotted in the two graphs the data obtained using the graphing software, I

decided to use the programme’s function which graphs a best-fit line allowing me to have a

linear model which accurately represents my data set. With these two graphs, it is possible to

observe how indeed the theoretical background employed for this experimentation presents itself

in the practical exercise of the laboratory, for indeed is the torque interpreted as an equivalent

with a 1 to 1 relationship to the force exerted by the spring in where both increase at the exact

same rate, and thus evidencing the comparison presented in were torque takes can me understood

as the rotational dynamics counterpart for the force in linear dynamics as the vector magnitude

which induces the object to gain acceleration (either that be linear or angular according to the

movement type).

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Because of this strong relationship between the two, I have decided that to conclude my

analysis, I would graph the Spring’s Restoring Force against the Lever’s Torque and use the

same best fit line in order to have a clearer and more direct observation of the two.

Figure 4. Relationship Between the Spring's Restoring Force and the Lever's Torque

Observing this graph, it is indeed possible to confirm that in this experiment (just as it was

hypothesised) the relationship between the torque and the spring’s restoring force was a positive

strong one, observation which can be further supported by observing the high correlation

coefficient of 0.9986.

Conclusion

From the realization of this experiment, it was possible for me to evidence from first-hand

experience that the hypothesis previously stated in this paper was correct and that different

formulas can be manipulated in order to have a wider understanding of a given scenario; for in

this experimentation I worked with the understanding and analysis of formulas such as Hooke’s

formula for force on springs, Newton’s second law of motion and formulas of Rigid Bodies and

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Rotational Dynamics. I have been able to satisfy my curiosity, widen my comprehension o the

topic and empirically learn about the working of torque upon a lever.

However, although the experimentation indeed complies with its purpose and give answer to

the research question previously presented on this paper as well as confirm my hypothesis for the

matter, it wasn’t flawless and presented various limitations that could have resulted in errors

when collecting the data. For instance, the fact that the spring wasn’t directly attached to the

ruler used as a lever but rather through a cloth thread, even if it was a non-stretch fabric, there is

a certain degree of stretch of the fabric and thus an alteration in the spring’s elongation

measurements.

Evaluation

The experiment was a success given it allowed me to work on, and accomplish, my proposed

goals. However, there is still much room for improvement and further research about the topic at

hand. A possible way to further develop the study is to reduce the limitations presented by

directly attaching the lever to the spring as to avoid possible tear, wear and stretch from the cloth

holding them together. By doing this, it is possible to delve further into the implications of torque

over different objects with a certain moment of inertia as to test what is the most efficient way in

which a person can exert torque on the lever (the moment of inertia may be changed by adding a

different centre of mass) and its repercussions actuating over the spring used as the visible key as

to the torque’s effect, just as it was done in this experiment.

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References

CrashCourse. (2016). Torque: Crash Course Physics #12 [Video]. Retrieved 17 December 2020,

from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-HZ1SZPaQw.

Elert, G. (n.d.). The Physics Hypertextbook. Retrieved from The Physics Hypertextbook:

https://physics.info/rotational-dynamics/

Homer, D., & Bowen-Jones, M. (2014). PHYSICS 2014 Edition Course Companion. Oxford:

Oxford University Press.

Khan Academy. (n.d.). Khan Academy. Retrieved from Khan Academy:

https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/torque-angular-momentum/torque-

tutorial/a/torque#:~:text=Torque%20is%20a%20measure%20of,object%20to%20acquire

%20angular%20acceleration.

National Aeronautics And Space Administration. (2015, May 05). NASA. Retrieved from NASA:

https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/airplane/torque.html

Peshin, A. (2019, November 22). Science ABC. Retrieved from Science ABS:

https://www.scienceabc.com/nature/universe/moment-of-inertia-calculate-rod.html

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