EXPERIMENT : 3

TORQUES EXPERIMENT
Purpose : Torque measures the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis. The principles
of applying ana balancing torques are explored in this investigation.
Materials:
Metal bar, clamp, a ruler , different standart mass ( 10,50,100,150, gr ) ,1 suspend apparatus.

Metal Bar
L(1)

L(0)

10g

L(2)
20g

Introduction : A single particle off mass m whose location with respect to the origin O of an inertial
reference frame is described by a position vector
. Let force act on particle ana let its linear

. Here are two definitions and a relation between them:

momentum be
i.

ii.

iii.

The torque t about O acting on a particle due to the force ,

of the particle about O,

The angular momentum of 



Newtons second law of motion for a single particle, in rotational form,

PROCEDURES
i.)
Balancing torques on a metal bar.
Suspend a (metal bar) from an overhead support as shown in diagram. Slide the metal bar
along the clamp until you find a position for the clamp where the metal bar balances horizontally.
Record the position of this point of suspension L(0) in the data chart.
Exactly 15.0 cm to the right of the point of suspension, hang a 10 g standart mass. The
weight of the standart mass exerts a force on the metal bar that causes it to rotate around the point
of suspension. Observe whether the torque produced by this force is clockwise or counterclockwise.
Record the position L(1) via a ruler and weight f(1) of the Standard mass in data chart, using the
approximation that a mass of 10 g weighs 0,1 N.
Hang a 20 g standart mass on the left side of the metal bar and adjust its position until the
metal bar is balanced horizontally. Record this position L(2) and the weigth f(2) of the standart mass
(0,2N). Also note whether the weight of the mass creates a clockwise or counterclocwise torque
around the point of suspension.
Repeat the above procedure, using a variety of positions for the different standart masses
ana finding the corresponding

position of the

30 g mass that will balance

the metal bar

horizontally. Substitute different known masses on each side of the point of suspension. Repeat the
above precedures.
DATA and ANALYSIS
Location of point of suspension L(0) = .. meter.
TABLE I
1

TRIAL
Mass (g)
Position of Mass (m)

m (1)
L (1)

Distance from point of suspension (m) X(1)

Force (N)

f(1)

Torque (Nm)

T(1)

Mass (g)

m (2)

Position of Mass (m)

L (2)

Distance from point of suspension (m) L (2)

Force (N)

f(2)

Torque (Nm)

T (2)

Percent Error

E%

ii.) Weighing an Unknown.

After making sure the metal bar is balanced horizontally when nothing is hung from it, hang a
known mass on one side of the metal bar and an object of unknown mass on the other side.
Adjust

the position of the unknown until the metal bar is again balanced horizontally.

Determine and record the positions of the two objects.

Move the known mass to different new positions. At each new position, move the unknown
until the bar is rebalanced ana recor the positions of the known and unknown.
DATA and ANALYSIS
Location of point of suspension L(0) = .. cm.
Known mass m =g
TABLE II
1

TRIAL

Position of Mass (m)

Known Torque

L(1)
Distance from point of suspension
(m) X(1)
Force (N)
f(1)
Torque (Nm)
T(1)
Mass (g)

Unknown Torque

m(2)
Position of unknown mass (m)
L(2)
Distance from point of suspension
(m) X(2)
Torque (Nm)
T(2)
Calculated weight (N)

%E

Measured weight (N)

Percent Error

E%

REFERENCES
1. Experiments for Physics Labs Herbert H.Gottlies

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