Second Condition For Equilibrium Procedure CLSU-COS-DMP

EXPERIMENT NO. 9
SECOND CONDITION FOR EQUILIBRIUM
A rigid body is in equilibrium if it has zero translational acceleration and zero angular acceleration. In

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equilibrium, the net external force and the net external torque acting on the body are zero.

For the particle to be in equilibrium, it has to be in translational equilibrium. This is the first condition
for equilibrium, the summation of all the forces acting on an object is zero
X X X

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F = 0 or Fx = 0 and Fy = 0.

This means that object is in translational equilibrium when it has zero acceleration. It has to be noted
that the first condition for equilibrium applies to co-planar and concurrent forces.

The second condition for equilibrium states that an object is in rotational equilibrium if the summation of
all the torques acting on an object is zero.

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X X X
τ = 0 or τccw = τcw (1)

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The torque of a force has a magnitude that is given by the magnitude F of the force times the lever arm.

τ = Fl (2)

Torque is positive when the force tends to produce a counterclockwise(ccw) rotation about the axis, and
negative when the force tends to produce a clockwise(cw) rotation. The line of action of a force is an
extended line that is drawn colinear with the force. The lever arm is the distance between the line of
action and the axis of rotation, measured on a line that is perpendicular to both.
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Figure 1: In this top view, the hinges of a door appear as a black dot and define the axis of rotation. The
line of action and lever arm l are illustrated for a force applied to the door (a) perpendicularly and (b) at
an angle. (c) The lever arm is zero because the line of action passes through the axis of rotation.[Cutnell
and Johnson, 2012]
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I. OBJECTIVES: At the end of the activity, the students should be able to:

(a) study the concept of moment of force or torque;

(b) understand the conditions for a body to be in a rotational equilibrium.
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(c) use the conditions for equilibrium in finding the mass

(d) compare two methods of obtaining tensions in strings

II. MATERIALS/APPARATUS:
• You will need to use the PhET Balancing Act Simulation Balance Lab Page.

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 Second Condition For Equilibrium Procedure CLSU-COS-DMP

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Figure 2: PhET Balancing Act Simulation Balance Lab Page

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III. PROCEDURE:
Part A: Finding the mass of mystery object E.

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1. Place the 10-kg brick on the right side of the plank, 0.75 meters away from the fulcrum.
2. Choose two mystery object E and place them on the left side of the plank where equilibrium is achieved.
3. Take a screenshot of the equilibrium configuration.
4. Use the second condition for equilibrium to find the mass of mystery object E.
PART B: Finding the masses of mystery objects A and C.
SET–UP 1
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1. Place the 80-kg man on the right side of the plank, 1.25 meters away from the fulcrum.
2. Place the 30-kg girl and the 20-kg boy on the left side of the plank, 2.00 meters and 1.75 meters away from
the fulcrum, respectively.
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3. Choose mystery object C and place it on the left side of the plank, 1.00 m away from the fulcrum.
4. Choose mystery object A and make the system be in equilibrium.
5. Take a screenshot of the equilibrium configuration.
6. Use the second condition for equilibrium to arrive with your first equation. The equation you should arrive
with must show the relationship of the masses of mystery object A and mystery object C.
SET–UP 2
1. Now, place the 80-kg man on the right side of the plank, 0.75 meters away from the fulcrum.
2. Place 30-kg girl and the 20-kg boy on the left side of the plank, 1.50 meters and 2.00 meters away from the
fulcrum, respectively.
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3. Choose mystery object C and place it on the left side of the plank, 1.0 m away from the fulcrum.
4. Choose mystery object A and make the system be in equilibrium.
5. Take a screenshot of the equilibrium configuration.
6. Use the second condition for equilibrium to arrive with your second equation. The equation you should
arrive with must show the relationship of the masses of mystery object A and mystery object C.
7. Using your equations (1) and (2), find the masses of the mystery objects A and C.
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IV. DATA AND COMPUTATION:

Data and computation should be written in the activity sheet.

V. CONCLUSION:
Conclude based on your data and computation.

VI. ANSWER WHAT IS ASKED.

Answer the questions asked in the activity sheet.

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