EXPERIMENT#1 Find the weight of the given body using the parallelogram law of vector addition

APPARATUS
The given body with hook, Gravesand's apparatus, Plumb line, Thread, Slotted weights,
Hangers, white paper, thin mirror strip, Compass.
Figure (Draw on plane side of copy)

PROCEDURE
1. Set the Gravesand's apparatus in vertical position by using a plumb-line. Ensure that the pulleys are
moving smoothly and there is no friction.
2. Fix a sheet of white paper on the wooden board with drawing pins.
3. Take three pieces of threads, knot them together and at open ends of each thread tie hangers having
slotted weights in them, such that one of the hanger has unknown weight in it.
4. Arrange this assembly on pulleys of the Gravesand’s apparatus such that the junction “O” of the
threads is in equilibrium in the lower half of the paper. Make sure that neither the weights nor the
threads touch the board or the table.
5. Now, place a mirror strip under right side thread and keep eye in such way that image of thread is
covered by thread itself and mark two points A1 & A2 on the edges of strip. Remove the strip and join
the marked points to make a line segment 𝑂𝐴 ̅̅̅̅ . Repeat the same procedure for left side thread to make
a line segment 𝑂𝐵 and for unknown weight’s thread to draw line segment ̅̅̅̅
̅̅̅̅ 𝑂𝑋
6. Remove the hangers and note the weight of each hanger and slotted weights on them.
7. Choose a suitable scale, say 25grams = 1cm and set lengths of line segments 𝑂𝐴 ̅̅̅̅ and 𝑂𝐵
̅̅̅̅ equivalent to
the total weight tied at them.
8. Complete the parallelogram OACB. Join points O and C. The length of OC will measure the weight
of the given body. See whether OC is along the straight line XO. If not, let it meet BC at some point
C′. Measure the angle COC′, this angle represents error in found value.
9. Repeat the steps 1 to 8 by suspending two different sets of weights and calculate the mean value of the
unknown weight.
Observation:
Scale, 1cm = Newton

Measurement of weight of given body

Force P = weight of Force Q = weight of Unknown weight X
S.No Length OC = L Angle COC′
hanger + slotted weight hanger + slotted weight = L × Scale
P (N) OA(cm) Q (N) OB(cm) (cm) (N)
1.
2.
3.

Mean weight = N.
Error = Actual weight of body – Mean Weight = N.
EXPERIMENT#2 Find unknown forces in a given set of concurrent forces in equilibrium using
Grave-sands apparatus

APPARATUS
Gravesand's apparatus, Plumb line, Thread, Slotted weights, Hangers, white paper, thin
mirror strip, Protractor, un-known weights.
Figure (Draw on plane side of copy)

PROCEDURE
1. Set the Gravesand's apparatus in vertical position by using a plumb-line. Ensure that the pulleys are
moving smoothly and there is no friction.
2. Fix a sheet of white paper on the wooden board with drawing pins.
3. Take five pieces of threads, knot them together and at open ends of each thread tie hangers having
slotted weights in them, such that two hangers have unknown weight in them.
4. Arrange this assembly on pulleys of the Gravesand’s apparatus such that the junction “O” of the
threads is in equilibrium in the lower half of the paper. Make sure that neither the weights nor the
threads touch the board or the table.
5. Now, place a mirror strip under each thread and keep eye in such way that image of thread is covered
by thread itself and mark two points e.g. A1 & A2 on the edges of strip. Remove the strip and join the
marked points to make a line segment 𝑂𝐴 ̅̅̅̅ . Repeat the same procedure for other threads to make line
̅̅̅̅ ̅̅̅̅ ̅̅̅̅
segment 𝑂𝐵 ,𝑂𝐶, 𝑂𝑋 & 𝑂𝑌. ̅̅̅̅
6. Remove the hangers and note the weight of each hanger and slotted weights on them.
7. Choose a suitable scale, say 25grams = 1cm and set lengths of line segments equivalent to the total
weight tied at them.
8. Complete the figure using head to tail rule of vector addition. For unknown weights, extend their line
segments i.e. 𝑂𝑋̅̅̅̅ and 𝑂𝑌
̅̅̅̅ such that they intersect each other. Note down teir lengths upto point of
intersection & convert the lengths into weights as per scle.
9. Repeat the steps 1 to 8 by suspending two different sets of weights and calculate the mean value of the
unknown weight.
Observation:
Scale, 1cm = Newton
Measurement of weight of given body
W1 = weight of hanger W2 = weight of hanger W3 = weight of hanger P=Unknown Q=Unknown
S.No
+ slotted weight + slotted weight + slotted weight weight weight
(N) OA(cm) (N) OB(cm) (N) OC (cm) OC (cm) (N) OC (cm) (N)
1.
2.
3.
Mean Weight
Error = |Actual weight – Mean weight|