6.

2 DISCUSSION
1. Discuss on the verification of equations (7) and (8).

Referring to the loading in Figure 5, the left-hand support reaction R1 is first required and the
reactions can be found from the equations of force and moment equilibrium.

R 1  R 2  wl  W (5)

R1 l  21 l   Wl  wl  21 l  21 l  (6)

Therefore

R1  2
3 wl W  (7)

Substitute (7) to (5).

R2  1
3 wl  5W  (8)

Example of verification of the equation (3) (Assume w = 15 N and W = 15 N)

2
𝑅1 = × (𝑤 × 𝑙 − 𝑊)
3
2
𝑅1 = × (15 × 0.0275 − 15)
3

𝑅1 = 9.725 𝑁

Example of verification of the equation (4)

1
𝑅2 = × (𝑤 × 𝑙 − 5 × 𝑊)
3
1
𝑅2 = × (15 × 0.0275 − 5 × 15)
3

𝑅2 = 24.86 𝑁

Substituting the values into the equation (1)

𝑅1 + 𝑅2 = 𝑊1 + 𝑊2

9.725 + 24.86 = 15 + 15

34.6 𝑁 ≈ 30𝑁
2. Calculate the theoretical values of R1 and R2, by using equations (7) and (8). Plot the graph
of theoretical values of R1 and R2. Compare and discuss the theoretical and experimental
graphs.

Table 1 Experiment 2 (Theory) show the value of R1 and R2 that have been calculated using
the formula.
w [N/m] W [N] R1 [N] R2 [N]

10 0 4.533 2.267

10 5 4.530 -6.067

10 10 4.527 -14.400
15 0 6.800 3.400

15 5 6.797 -4.933

15 10 6.793 -13.267
15 15 6.790 -21.6

20 0 9.067 4.533
20 5 9.063 -3.800

20 10 9.060 -12.133

20 15 9.057 -20.467
20 20 -4.27 -28.8

Table 2 show the value of R1 and R2 that have been calculated when W= 10 N

w [N/m] R1 [N] R2 [N]

10 4.533 2.267
15 6.8 3.4
20 9.067 4.533
 R1 and R2 against W1 when W2=0
10 9.067
9
8 6.8
7
R1 & R2 (N)

6
4.533 4.533
5
4 3.4
3 2.267
2
1
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
w (N/m)

Figure 1 show the graph of R1 and R2 against w, when W = 10 N.(d)(Theoretical Graph)

Table 3 show the value of R1 and R2 that have been calculated when w= 10 N

W [N] R1 [N] R2 [N]

0 4.533 2.267
5 4.53 -6.067
10 4.527 -14.4

R1 and R2 against W, when w=10 N

10
4.533 4.53 4.527
52.267

0
R1 & R2 (N)

0 2 4 -6.067 6 8 10 12
-5
R1 [N]
-10 R2(N)
-14.4
-15

-20
W (N)

Figure 2 shows the graph of R1 and R2 against W, when w = 10 N.(e)(Theoretical Graph)

Table 4 show the value of R1 and R2 that have been calculated when w=W= 10 N, 15N, 20 N

w [N/m] R1 [N] R2 [N]

10 4.527 -14.4
15 6.79 -21.6
20 -4.27 -28.8

R1 and R2 against w= W=10 N,15 N, 20 N.

10 6.79
4.527
5
0 -4.27
-5 0 5 10 15 20 25
R1 & R2 (N)

-10 -14.4
R1 [N]
-15
-21.6 R2(N)
-20
-25 -28.8
-30
-35
w=W (N)

Figure 3 shows the graph of R1 and R2 against w = W = 10 N, 15 N, 20 N.(f)(Theoretical

Graph)

Based on the calculated theoretical values of 𝑅1 and 𝑅2 (refer to appendix). The

theoretical results were not as expected or experienced as there were significant errors
between the actual results and theoretical value. There were slightly difference of 𝑅1 and 𝑅2
between the experiment and theoretical graph.

Last but not least, the main reasons for errors occurred on second experiments are
when the weight hanger of 𝑊2 weighted 20 N, it touched the surface of the table which
accommodated the beam apparatus, and effected the reading of load cell. Other than that,
when the table accommodated the beam apparatus was swagged, the reading of both load
cell 𝑅1 and 𝑅2 will be effected and changed which will lead to a wrong measurement.