FACULTY OF MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

BFF2821 MECHANICS LABORATORY

EXPERIMENT NO:
EXPERIMENT NAME:
SUBMISSION DATE:
SESSION NUMBER:
GROUP NUMBER:

2
PRINCIPLE OF MOMENT
6 DECEMBER 2016
01 P
4

INDIVIDUAL REPORT:
NAME
NUR SYAMIZA BINTI ZAMRI

LAB INSTRUCTOR
MR AIDIL SHAFIZA

ID
FA 14030

MECHANICS LAB.
LAB 2 - THE PRINCIPLE OF MOMENTS FOR PARALLEL AND NON-PARALLEL
FORCES
Nur Syamiza Binti Zamri , FA14030 ,
Faculty Of Manufacturing Engineering , Universiti Malaysia Pahang

1. Abstract

The objective of this experiment is to verify the principle of moments for parallel and nonparallel forces . The beam balance (pivot bar) is mounted through the hole on the panel with the
pivot screw, is secured with nut . Then the parallel force and non-parallel force is place as shown
in procedure . For the non-parallel force , the distance and angle is measure . From the result we
can compare about the type of force acting on the beam balance . We also have already verify
the principle of moment. So from the result , two parallel forces which are acting in the same
direction are known as like parallel forces . Other than that , two parallel forces which are acting
in the opposite direction are known as like unparallel forces . Lastly , the principle of moments
for parallel and non-parallel forces can be verify from this experiment .

2. Introduction
Torque, moment, or moment of force is the
tendency of a force to rotate an object
around an axis,[1] fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a
force is a push or a pull, a torque can be
thought of as a twist to an object. This was
apparently the first use of the word moment
(Latin, momentorum) in the sense which we
now know it: a moment about a center of

to the fixed suspension point (distance

vector) and the force vector, which tends to
produce rotational motion. The product F x
d is known as moment of the force. The
magnitude of torque depends on three
quantities: the force applied, the length of
the lever arm[3] connecting the axis to the
point of force application, and the angle
between the force vector and the lever arm.

rotation.[2]Mathematically, torque is defined

The principle of moments is often used in

as the cross product of the vector by which

engineering and construction where forces

the force's application point is offset relative

have to be balanced to prevent turning. This

concept applies for both parallel and oblique

4. Procedure

forces. Nevertheless, the distance, d should

4.1 Preparation

always be perpendicular from the pivot.

1. The mounting panel in the vertical

position is secured.
2. The beam balance (pivot bar) is mounted
through the hole on the panel with the pivot
screw, is secured with nut. Make sure that

3. Apparatus

the stop bar is horizontal and above the pivot

Apparatus

Quality

bar (see Figure 1).

Mounting panel

3. Position the pulleys on the panel and

secure them with nuts.

Pivot bar and stop

Pulleys

Knurled nuts

Pivot screw

Weight hooks

3
4.2 Test 1

Cord approximately 400 mm 1

long

Weights

1. The weight hooks is hang from the end

holes of the bar (see Figure 2). Do insert the
hook from the rear of the bar.

1 set

2. The weight of each weight hook is 0.4N.

Add 1.6N load to each of them to obtain a
total of 2N force at both side of the bars.
3. The arm floating between the stop is
positioned.

4. The distance of the weight hooks from the

2. The cord is pass over the middle pulley

pivot of the bar (the reading should be 160

and hook it into the end hole of the right arm

mm) is measured.

of the bar (Figure 4)

using the lightweight hook.
3. The weight hook to balance the bar is
loaded. The weight of the weight hook and
its load, F are recorded.
4. The perpendicular distance, d from the
pivot to the cord is recorded.
5. The test by passing the cord over the left

5. The right weight hook is moved to a hole

pulley and attach to the center arm of the bar

nearer to the pivot, and load it with

(Figure 5) is repeated.

sufficient weights to balance the bar in the

level position (see Figure 3).
6. The total weight at the weight hook and
their total loads, F are recorded.
7. The distance, d of the hole from the pivot
is recorded.

4.3 Test 2
1. Take a cord with (approximately 40 cm
long). The right weight hook is removed
from the bar.

Mo = 2N x 0.16m

5. Result

= 0.32Nm
Test Type

of Force, F Distance

force

(N)

Moment,

(measured
from

b) Left arm:

M (Nm)
Mo = 2N x 0.16m

the

pivot

= 0.32Nm

point),d(m)
1

Tension

Figure 2:

Left: 0.16

Left: 0.32

(parallel)

Left: 2

Right: 0.16

Right:

Right: 2
Figure 3:

Left: 0.16

Left: 0.32

Left: 2

Right: 0.1

Right:

Tension

Figure4:

(non-

Right:

parallel)

3.2
Figure5:

a) Right arm:

0.32

Right:3
2

Moment Figure 3 from center :

Mo = 3N x 0.1m
= 0.3Nm

0.3
0.093

-0.022

b) Left arm:
Mo = 2N x 0.16m

0.075

= 0.32Nm

0.1

Right:
5.6
Test 2
6. Calculation

Figure 4, d = 0.093m , anticlockwise

0.16

For test 1, calculate the turning moment of at 1) the

0.16

left arm of the balance and 2) the right arm of the

balance for each of the experimental set up

mentioned. For test 2, calculate the turning moment
for each experiment setup mentioned.

W1=2N
Mc

W2=3.2N

= 3.2N (0.093m/0.16m) x 0.16m

Test 1

2N(0.16m)

Moment Figure 2 from center :

= -0.022Nm

a) Right arm:

Figure 5, d = 0.075m , anticlockwise

0.16
W1=2N
Mc

W2=5.6N

3.In Test 2 , it should be moment at center is

equal to zero , but the value we get is not
equal to zero due to parallax error occur
when reading the value of d .

= 5.6N x 0.075m -2N x 0.16m

8. Conclusion

= 0.1Nm

We also have already verify the principle

7. Discussion

of moment. So from the result , two parallel

forces which are acting in the same direction

1.Describe how turning moment of a force

are known as like parallel forces . Other than

is measured?

that , two parallel forces which are acting in

The turning effect is calculated by

the opposite direction are known as like

multiplying the force by the perpendicular

unparallel forces . When in equilibrium the

distance from the pivot.

total sum of the anti-clockwise moment is

Moments are measured in newton

metres (Nm). Moment = F d

equal to the total sum of the clockwise

moment. Lastly , the principle of moments

F = the force in newton (N)

for parallel and non-parallel forces can be

d = perpendicular distance in metres

verify from this experiment

(m)

9. References

2. What does the principle of moment

1)

state about the turning moments of forces

(2003). Physics for Scientists and

acting on a body?

Engineers.

The principle of moments states that

when in equilibrium the total sum of the

6th

Ed.

Brooks

Cole. ISBN 0-534-40842-7.

2)

anti-clockwise moment is equal to the total

Crew, Henry; Smith, Keith Kuenzi

(1930). Mechanics for Students of

sum of the clockwise moment. When a

Physics

system is stable or balance it is said to be in

and

Engineering.

The

Macmillan Company, New York.

equilibrium as all the forces acting on the

system cancel each other out.

Serway, R. A. and Jewett, Jr. J. W.

p. 25.
3)

Tipler, Paul (2004). Physics for

Scientists and Engineers: Mechanics,

Oscillations

and

Waves,

Thermodynamics (5th ed.). W. H.

Freeman. ISBN 0-7167-0809-4.