LABORATORY ACTIVITY NO.

Torque

I. Objectives:

1. To study the basic concept of torque.

2. To study the conditions that must be satisfied for a rigid object to be in static equilibrium.

II. Introduction:

To make an object start rotating about an axis requires a force. The rotation of an object depends directly on the
magnitude and direction of the force and where the force acts on the body. Take for example the pulling of a door; it is
clear to see that we can open the door more easily if we push it at a point farthest from the door hinge than if we push
it with a force close to the door hinge. From our simple encounter with what happens with forces applied on doors we
can infer that the rotating effect of a force applied on an object becomes greater if applied as far away from the axis of
rotation.

The quantity that gives a tendency for objects to rotate is called Torque. Two things are required to define torque; the
perpendicular distance from the axis point to the line of action of the force (moment arm) and the force acting on the
object. Torque (or moment of a force) is the vector product between the moment arm and the force acting on the object.

𝜏⃗ = 𝑟⃗ 𝑥 𝐹⃗ (4.1)

Figure 4.1: shows a wrench being used to loosen a tight bolt. The torque is directed into the page (by the right hand rule) and causes
a clockwise rotation. Torque that causes a rotation in the counter clockwise sense is positive while torque that causes a clockwise
rotation is negative.

III. Materials and Apparatus

Meterstick, Meterstick clamp, Knife-edged balance, Triple beam balance, Set of masses

IV. Procedure:

1. From figure 4.3 balance the meterstick with its center of gravity on the knife edge. Use 50 grams for the first
weight W1. Hang W1 at a point 20 cm from the meterstick and proceed in hanging W2 at any point on the
meterstick to keep the system balanced. Record your observations on the moment arms of each weight.
Calculate the torques caused by each weight.
2. From figure 4.4 balance the meterstick with its center of gravity on the knife edge. Use a 50 gram weight for
W1 and a 100 g weight for W2. Hang W1 at a point 40 cm to the left of the center of gravity. Find the point along
the meterstick where W2 causes the system to balance. Calculate the torques caused by each weight.

The center of gravity of the stick can be found by balancing the meterstick on the knife edge and noting where the knife
edge coincides along the graduations of the meterstick.

On the assumption that the weight of the meterstick is uniformly distributed, the weight of the meterstick is
determined by finding the balance point while a counterweight of 50 grams is hung at one of its ends. See figure 4.2.
 Figure 4.2

For the following experiments place the center of gravity over the knife edge:

Figure 4.3: Balanced Forces

(Two equal loads placed on each
side of the meterstick).

Figure 4.4: Unbalanced Forces

(Two unequal weights on each
side of the meterstick).
 Date Performed:
University of Science and Technology Date Received:
of Southern Philippines
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LABORATORY ACTIVITY NO. 4

Torque

I. Data and Results :

Determination of Torque (Balanced forces):

Center of Gravity Position: ___________

Refer to Procedure #1.
Mass(kg) Force(N) Moment arm Torque (m-N)
CW CCW
W1= 0.05 kg Moment arm r1(m)
=
W2= 0.05 kg Moment arm
r2(m)
=
Percentage difference between CW and CCW

Determination of Torque (Unbalanced forces):

Center of Gravity Position: ___________

Refer to Procedure #2.
Mass(kg) Force(N) Moment arm Torque (m-N)
CW CCW
W1= 0.05 kg Moment arm r1(m)
=
W2= 0.1 kg Moment arm
r2(m)
=
Percentage difference between CW and CCW

Mass of the meterstick (kg)

Mass of the meterstick using the Triple beam
balance (kg)
Percentage error (%error)
II. Computation:

III. Discussion and Result:

IV. Conclusion:

V. Answers to Questions:

1. Why is it easier to open a door by pulling on its knob than by pulling it a point near its hinges?

2. The two identical trucks shown in the figure below are navigating a steep slope.
We can obviously tell which one is in a more unstable position compared with the
other. Using the concepts of center of mass and torque explain how we can
intuitively judge the stability of the trucks in the following illustration.

3. With the center of a meter stick placed on a knife edge balance and a 2N weight hanging on its 100cm mark, where
should a 5N weight be placed to keep the meter stick in static equilibrium.
4. Using our knowledge of cross products of vectors determine the torque (magnitude and direction) from the following
conditions given below:

a. Torque resulting from 10N force acting on the right end of a 2m long horizontal beam with its left end as the
pivot point

b. Torque resulting from applying a 100N force acting on a wrench 2m long