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Principle of Moments Practical Activity

The document describes a physics experiment to determine the mass of a metre rule using the principle of moments. Students balance a metre rule on a knife-edge to find its center of gravity and then place a 100g mass at various positions along the rule to balance it again, recording the positions. By plotting the measurements and calculating the gradient of the line, students can determine the mass of the metre rule. Potential sources of error include human error in measurement and equipment limitations. Using a lighter mass may provide more accurate results.

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9K views2 pages

Principle of Moments Practical Activity

The document describes a physics experiment to determine the mass of a metre rule using the principle of moments. Students balance a metre rule on a knife-edge to find its center of gravity and then place a 100g mass at various positions along the rule to balance it again, recording the positions. By plotting the measurements and calculating the gradient of the line, students can determine the mass of the metre rule. Potential sources of error include human error in measurement and equipment limitations. Using a lighter mass may provide more accurate results.

Uploaded by

suzembarton
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Physics Form 4

Principal of Moments Practical Activity

Name: _________________________________ Form: 4B / 4E


______________________

Aim:

Date:

To determine the mass of a metre rule, using the principle of moments .

Apparatus: Knife-edge, metre rule, 100 g mass, graph paper, worksheet.


Diagram:

FOLLOW THE DIAGRAM CLOSELY.


10

y (in mm)

100 g-mass
x

(y x)

0
100
P
metre rule
Knife-edge
Procedure:
Locate the centre of gravity of a metre rule by balancing it on a knife-edge.
When the metre rule is approximately horizontal, record the value of y.
Place the 100 g mass at position P such that the mass centre is at the 10 mm
mark. Shift the knife-edge until the weight of the metre rule balances the 100
g-mass.
Record the value of x where the position of the knife-edge is.
Repeat the experiment by varying the position P at 100, 150, 200, 250 and
300 mm markings.
Record the values x and (y x) in a tabular form.
By shifting the 100 g mass such that its centre is positioned at 10, 100, 150,
200, 250 and
300 mm, obtain the corresponding x and (y-x) readings.
Procedure: Please rewrite the procedure in reported speech in the space below.
[3]

Results: Show your measurements and working (Show only one working) in the
space provided. [3]

Data Analysis:

S. Barton February 26, 2015

Physics Form 4
Principal of Moments Practical Activity
Plot a graph of x against (y x).
[7]
Obtain the gradient M of the graph.
[5]
Calculate the mass of the metre rule using the formula:
Mass of metre rule = M / 100
[2]
Note: Do calculations on the back of the graph paper.

Discussion Questions: Write in the spaces provided.


(1) State at least two sources of errors. [2]

(2) Suggest ONE method to improve the experiment you have conducted. [1]

(3) If a 50g-mass was used in place of the 100 g-mass, would the values of x
obtained in the experiment be more accurate? Why? [2]

S. Barton February 26, 2015

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