Analysis

Sources of Error

 A possible source of error in this experiment is the unbalanced beam. The indicator in the beam
may have not been perfectly aligned to the center when the length of the pans was measured.

Concept/s or Principles used

 The main concept used in the experiment is the concept of torque particularly the second
condition of equilibrium.
 Torque is the ability of force to change rotational motion of the particle. It is always specified
regarding the axis of rotation. It is still dependent on the perpendicular distance of the applied
force to the axis of rotation even it is directly proportional to the force applied on the particle.
 For a body to be in rotational equilibrium, the total torque on the body must be equal to zero.

Relation of Data to concept of the experiment

 For the first part of the experiment, the torque will not be considered zero if the beam was not
balanced, to balance the beam, the pans are moved closer or farther to each other or to the center.
The heavier pan, the closer it needs to be to the center to achieve equilibrium. The equations used
in the experiment is equated to 0. The first equation was, ∑ 𝜏F= -P2L2 + (P1+W1) L1 = 0, and for
the second equation, ∑ 𝜏F= -(P2+W2) L4 + P1L3 = 0; it can be observed that the two working
equations for the first part of the experiment satisfies the statement above about the torque, that it
is dependent on the perpendicular distance of the force applied to the axis of rotation. The weight
of the pan 1 and pan 2 were computed using the two working equations and the computed value
isn’t far from the actual value of the pans.
 For the second part of the experiment, same concept was also used, the working equation was still
equated to zero because the body is in rotational equilibrium, which means that the beam was
balanced. To determine the actual weight of the beam (its center mass), the equation
(𝑃1+𝑊1)𝐿2
WB= 𝐿1
was used, where WB as the actual weight and P1 as the actual weight of the pan. It

can be observed that to achieve rotational equilibrium, the beam should be balance so that the
torque is equal to zero. Because there is a fix point of the center mass of the beam, for the torque
to become zero, it depends on the distance and the weight of the pan. As the weight of the pan
increases, its distance tends to be closer to the center mass.
Conclusion

The overall success of the experiment

 The group have been able to solve for the weight of the pans using the systems that are in
rotational equilibrium. The group were also able to determine the determine, by solving, the
weight of the rigid body and comparing it to its actual weight. All of the objectives of the
experiment were met.

Concepts used in the experiment

 The experiment revolved on the concept of the torque and the second condition of equilibrium.
For the concept of the second condition of equilibrium, it is said that for a body to be in rotational
equilibrium, the torque on the body must be zero. It is used in both parts of the experiments where
the working equations are equated to zero. The concept of systems relating to the torque are used
in formulated the first two working equations where the torque is dependent on the perpendicular
distance of the force applied on the axis of rotation. The same concept was used for the third
working equation but there are only few modifications because the pan 2 was center mass of the
beam, WB.

Insights, understanding, and learnings about the experiment

 There was a slight error in the experiment due to human error. It is because of the judgment of
the human eyes in determining whether the beam is aligned to the center or not. Error may be
reduced if there is a digital indicator whether the rigid body is perfectly balanced.
 I have formed a better understanding on using the systems, especially in the rotational
equilibrium. I just have learned that for the torque on the body to equal to zero, there must be a
rotational equilibrium in the body, or vice versa.

The application of torque to engineering

 Torque when applied in engineering is important. One example that shows its importance to
engineers is the mechanisms of the machines. Most machines use rotors and torque is pretty much
present in these rotors. Where they can consider torque in increasing the efficiency of the
machines because they can solve for the rotational for applying on the rotors that moves each
other.