Physics for Allied Health Professionals

LABORATORY GROUP REPORT

EXPERIMENT 2
LAWS OF MOTION

OBJECTIVES

1. Determine the mass of an object in static equilibrium.

2. Determine the moments of force in an equal arm balance.
3. Study 2nd Law of Motion.

MATERIALS

1 Xplorer GLX 1 Equal Arm Balance

1 Dynamics Track 1 each 20, 50, 100g
1 Angle Indicator 1 A-Base
1 Universal Clamp 1 Nylon Thread String 1
Table Clamp 2 Dynamics Track Stopper
1 Pivot Clamp 2 Metal Rods
1 Force Sensor 1 Stopwatch
1 Dynamics Cart 1 Super Pulley

DATA AND RESULTS:

A. LAW OF INERTIA

1. Translational Equilibrium Mass of cart: 517.62 g

Mass(kg) Percentage
Trial θ Tension (N)
Experimental Theoretical Error

1 160 1.44 0.53 0.52 1.92%

2 210 1.86 0.53 0.52 1.92%

2. Rotational Equilibrium
a. Hanging Mass (left side of the pivot point)
Mass F1 r1
θ1
τ1
(g) (dyn) (cm) (dyn-cm)
50
1 49000 18.02 18.43 837,692.50
Loop 3
100
2 98000 12.75 26.57 1,117,538.51
Loop 2

b. Applied Force (right side of the pivot point)

 Applied Force (N) F2 (dyn) r2 (cm) θ2 τ2 (dyn-cm)
0.48
1 48000 18.02 18.43 820,596.73
Loop 3
1.95
2 195000 8.06 45 1,111,359.73
Loop 1

c. Torque
τ1 τ2
Percentage Difference
(dyn-cm) (dyn-cm)
1 837,692.50 820,596.73 2.06%

2 1,117,538.51 1,111,359.73 0.55%

B. LAW OF ACCELERATION

mass of dynamics cart (mc) = 517.62 g d = 55 cm

Hanging Time (s)

Mtotal aexperimental atheoretical Percent
Trial mass (m)
(g) 1 2 3 Ave (cm/s2) (cm/s2) Error
(g)

1 30g 547.62 1.43 1.40 1.47 1.43 53.80 53.69 0.2%

2 60g 577.62 1.05 1.04 1.03 1.04 101.7 101.8 0.1%

GUIDE QUESTIONS:

1. How close was your calculated mass to the actual mass?

For both trials 1 and 2, we have an actual mass of 0.53g, a calculated mass of 0.52g and a percentage
error of 1.92%. This results that the calculated mass 98.08% close to the actual mass.

2. If two children of unequal weights are playing in a seesaw, what are the possible ways in which they can balance
the seesaw?
Two children of unequal weights can balance the seesaw if the child with a lighter mass moves farther
away from the center while the child with a heavier mass should sit closer to the center. This is because the farther
a child sits away from the fulcrum, the less force he/she must exert to lift the other child. This also creates net
torque which creates 0 rotations, thus achieving balance.

3. What is the relationship of the hanging mass to the acceleration of the cart? to time of travel?
The relationship of the hanging mass is directly proportional to the acceleration of the cart since the weight
provides tension on the string, thereby increasing the acceleration of the cart. In the values stated above, when the
value of the hanging mass is increased both the experimental and theoretical value of acceleration also increases.

On the other hand, the hanging mass is inversely proportional to the time of travel. This can be proven by
the decreased time as the value of the hanging mass is increased. In the values stated above, a 30g hanging mass
has an average time of 1.43s while a 60g hanging mass has an average time of 1.04s. Therefore, if there is an
increased value in mass there is a decreased value in time.