Physics 111A - Lab Report
Lab 103: Translational Static Equilibrium
Introduction
The purpose of this experiment is to understand the forces and what causes them
to reach a state of equilibrium. In our experiment we explore translational static
equilibrium which is when all the forces acting on an object are balanced out and
therefore the net force acting on the object is zero. Not only is the system in
equilibrium but additionally, our object is at rest. It neither accelerates or
decelerates. With the help of our lab equipment we are able to prove the concept
of translational equilibrium.
Theoretical Background
According to Newton’s Law of motion an object at rest, remains at rest and an
object moving at a constant velocity, remains in constant motion unless acted on
by an unbalanced force. 𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 0. Hence the object is in static equilibrium. For
an object to be in Translational Static Equilibrium the vector sum of all the
forces acting on an object must cancel out and be equal to zero. To express this
mathematically:
𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 = Σ𝐹𝑖 = 0
𝐹 = 𝑚𝑔
𝐹1 + 𝐹2 + 𝐹3 + ....... = 0
As the forces are resting on a flat surface in our experiment, we consider
gravitational forces, a normal force and tension force in our string as one of the
forces acting on our object, The term vector sum indicates that the forces are
vector in nature and that direction of the forces and the angle on which they act
play a major role in maintaining the state of equilibrium. We use experimental
methods to find the values of the forces using our equipment. Additionally, we
use the Component Method of vector addition in our experiment as a theoretical
means of carrying out our experiment. We break down our forces into x -
component & y - component.
Σ𝐹𝑥 = 0
Σ𝐹𝑦 = 0
These x & y components are then used to find the magnitude and direction of
whatever resultant force we are calculating.
, Procedure
The Equipment used in our experiment consists of
- Data Collection System
- Wireless force sensor which collects to our system via Bluetooth
- Force Table with 4 strings attached
- Different sets of mass
- Super pulley with clamp
Set up
Set up all relevant equipment such as the pulley and sensor on the force table.
Make sure that the sensor is connected to the computer. Add our mass, in this case
200g, to the table on one of the pulleys. Using the data collection system, start
recording the values received by the sensor. Move the sensor around, so the
sensor is in the equilibrium position. Keep the sensor in that position till you have
collected enough data. Stop the recording. Using the “highlight range of points”
tool, select the range at which our sensor was in equilibrium and determine the
mean force value. Record the value of the force and the angle at which the sensor
was aligned. Repeat this process twice by adding mass to one more pulley each
time. Record the values and compare it with our theoretical results.
Lab 103: Translational Static Equilibrium
Introduction
The purpose of this experiment is to understand the forces and what causes them
to reach a state of equilibrium. In our experiment we explore translational static
equilibrium which is when all the forces acting on an object are balanced out and
therefore the net force acting on the object is zero. Not only is the system in
equilibrium but additionally, our object is at rest. It neither accelerates or
decelerates. With the help of our lab equipment we are able to prove the concept
of translational equilibrium.
Theoretical Background
According to Newton’s Law of motion an object at rest, remains at rest and an
object moving at a constant velocity, remains in constant motion unless acted on
by an unbalanced force. 𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 0. Hence the object is in static equilibrium. For
an object to be in Translational Static Equilibrium the vector sum of all the
forces acting on an object must cancel out and be equal to zero. To express this
mathematically:
𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 = Σ𝐹𝑖 = 0
𝐹 = 𝑚𝑔
𝐹1 + 𝐹2 + 𝐹3 + ....... = 0
As the forces are resting on a flat surface in our experiment, we consider
gravitational forces, a normal force and tension force in our string as one of the
forces acting on our object, The term vector sum indicates that the forces are
vector in nature and that direction of the forces and the angle on which they act
play a major role in maintaining the state of equilibrium. We use experimental
methods to find the values of the forces using our equipment. Additionally, we
use the Component Method of vector addition in our experiment as a theoretical
means of carrying out our experiment. We break down our forces into x -
component & y - component.
Σ𝐹𝑥 = 0
Σ𝐹𝑦 = 0
These x & y components are then used to find the magnitude and direction of
whatever resultant force we are calculating.
, Procedure
The Equipment used in our experiment consists of
- Data Collection System
- Wireless force sensor which collects to our system via Bluetooth
- Force Table with 4 strings attached
- Different sets of mass
- Super pulley with clamp
Set up
Set up all relevant equipment such as the pulley and sensor on the force table.
Make sure that the sensor is connected to the computer. Add our mass, in this case
200g, to the table on one of the pulleys. Using the data collection system, start
recording the values received by the sensor. Move the sensor around, so the
sensor is in the equilibrium position. Keep the sensor in that position till you have
collected enough data. Stop the recording. Using the “highlight range of points”
tool, select the range at which our sensor was in equilibrium and determine the
mean force value. Record the value of the force and the angle at which the sensor
was aligned. Repeat this process twice by adding mass to one more pulley each
time. Record the values and compare it with our theoretical results.
