Experiment 3: Conditions for Equilibrium
1. Introduction
When we say equilibrium, it is a state of balance. It is a condition where there is no change in the state of motion of a body. Equilibrium also may be at rest or moving within a constant velocity. A simple mechanical body is said to be in equilibrium if no part of it is accelerating, unless it is disturbed by an outside force. Two conditions for equilibrium are that the net force acting on the object is zero, and the net torque acting on the object is zero. Thus, the following objectives were emphasized in this experiment: to determine the equilibrant force using the force table and the component method, to determine the unknown forces using the first condition and second conditions for equilibrium, to locate the centre of gravity of a composite body, and to demonstrate rational equilibrium.
2. Theory Equilibrant is equal in magnitude to the resultant but oppositely directed. The first condition of equilibrium is when a body at rest or moving with uniform velocity has zero acceleration. The center of Gravity is the point where the weight of a body is assumed concentrate. The second condition of equilibrium is satisfied when the sum of all torques acting on an object about any axis equals zero.
In activity 1,
TA or the tension acting on the string is the weight of the pan A plus the weight added to it and multiplied to 9.8 m/s2
TB or the tension acting on the string is the weight of the pan B plus the weight added to it and multiplied to 9.8 m/s2
Experimental Equilibrant is the weight of the pan A plus the weight added to it.
Theoretical Equilibrant=
% Error = Exp. – Theoretical X 100 Theoretical
In activity 2, the equation
T1 - T2 cos Ѳ = 0 was used.
From the equation, was derived to get the value of T2 where,
T1 is the reading on the spring scale when the pin is exactly at the middle of the ring
Θ is the angle of the string makes with the horizontal
Experimental Weight = T2 sin Ѳ
Theoretical Weight=
% Error = Exp. –
When we say equilibrium, it is a state of balance. It is a condition where there is no change in the state of motion of a body. Equilibrium also may be at rest or moving within a constant velocity. A simple mechanical body is said to be in equilibrium if no part of it is accelerating, unless it is disturbed by an outside force. Two conditions for equilibrium are that the net force acting on the object is zero, and the net torque acting on the object is zero. Thus, the following objectives were emphasized in this experiment: to determine the equilibrant force using the force table and the component method, to determine the unknown forces using the first condition and second conditions for equilibrium, to locate the centre of gravity of a composite body, and to demonstrate rational equilibrium.
2. Theory Equilibrant is equal in magnitude to the resultant but oppositely directed. The first condition of equilibrium is when a body at rest or moving with uniform velocity has zero acceleration. The center of Gravity is the point where the weight of a body is assumed concentrate. The second condition of equilibrium is satisfied when the sum of all torques acting on an object about any axis equals zero.
In activity 1,
TA or the tension acting on the string is the weight of the pan A plus the weight added to it and multiplied to 9.8 m/s2
TB or the tension acting on the string is the weight of the pan B plus the weight added to it and multiplied to 9.8 m/s2
Experimental Equilibrant is the weight of the pan A plus the weight added to it.
Theoretical Equilibrant=
% Error = Exp. – Theoretical X 100 Theoretical
In activity 2, the equation
T1 - T2 cos Ѳ = 0 was used.
From the equation, was derived to get the value of T2 where,
T1 is the reading on the spring scale when the pin is exactly at the middle of the ring
Θ is the angle of the string makes with the horizontal
Experimental Weight = T2 sin Ѳ
Theoretical Weight=
% Error = Exp. –