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Torque: Course Name and Number: Student Name: Lab Number: Date

1) The document describes a physics lab simulation that explores torque on a seesaw. Students are asked to balance different mass configurations on the seesaw and calculate the clockwise, counterclockwise, and net torques. 2) Students then use the simulation to determine the masses of various "mystery objects" by balancing each one against bricks of known mass. 3) The conclusion states that calculating torques and determining unknown masses helped students understand the basics of torque by finding ways to equalize weight on both sides of the balanced seesaw.

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1K views6 pages

Torque: Course Name and Number: Student Name: Lab Number: Date

1) The document describes a physics lab simulation that explores torque on a seesaw. Students are asked to balance different mass configurations on the seesaw and calculate the clockwise, counterclockwise, and net torques. 2) Students then use the simulation to determine the masses of various "mystery objects" by balancing each one against bricks of known mass. 3) The conclusion states that calculating torques and determining unknown masses helped students understand the basics of torque by finding ways to equalize weight on both sides of the balanced seesaw.

Uploaded by

constantine1106
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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Torque

Course name and number: PHY-


Student name:
Lab number:
Date:

TYPE ALL YOUR ANSWERS IN A DIFFERENT COLOR (not black!)

Phet Simulation :
https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/balancing-act/latest/balancing-act_en.html

Choose “Intro” tab. Play around with the simulation for a few minutes to understand/ explore the
functionalities of the different components. To check if the board is balanced at the pivot, remove
supports under the board by toggling the switch at bottom of the screen to right.

PART 1: Balancing torques on a seesaw

Choose “Balance Lab” tab. Select the following options in right corner of the screen:
Mass Labels, Level, Rulers

For each of the following cases, balance the board at the pivot. Don’t forget to remove the supports
under the board.

For each case, calculate total clockwise torque (Σ τcw), total counterclockwise torque (Σ τccw)
and net torque (Σ τ = Σ τcw + Σ τccw ). Do not forget to convert masses to weights and the signs of
toques ((CW-clockwise, CCW- counterclockwise). Cw torque is negative & ccw torque is positive.

NOTE: Show calculation steps. Do not just compute on calculator and write the answer. Instead
write the complete expression showing what numbers you multiplied/added to get the answers.

Case 1.

5 kg on right of the pivot, 10 kg on left of the pivot


Σ τcw = -5

Σ τccw =10

Σ τ = Σ τcw + Σ τccw =10+(-5)g= 5 kg

Case 2.

5 kg & 10 kg on the right of the pivot, 15 kg on the left of the pivot

Σ τcw = -15gl

Σ τccw =15gl

Σ τ = Σ τcw + Σ τccw =(-15)gl + 15gl = 0

Case 3.

5 kg & 20 kg on the right of the pivot, 10 kg & 15 kg on the left of the pivot

Σ τcw = -(20+ 5)= -25lg


Σ τccw = (10+15)= 25gl

Σ τ = Σ τcw + Σ τccw = -25+ 25= 0

Case 4.

5 kg, 10 kg & 15 kg on the right of the pivot, 20 kg on the left of the pivot

Σ τcw = -(15+10+5)= -30gl


Σ τccw = 20gl

Σ τ = Σ τcw + Σ τccw = -30gl + 20gl= -10gl

Case 5.

5 kg , 15 kg & 20 kg on right of the pivot, 10 & 15 kg on left of the pivot

Σ τcw =
Σ τccw =
Σ τ = Σ τcw + Σ τccw =
PART 2: Finding unknown masses

Choose “Balance Lab” tab. Select the following options in right corner of the screen:
Mass Labels, Level, Rulers
In the “Bricks” section on the right of the screen, click on the right arrow.

Keep on clicking to the right until you see “Mystery Objects”.

Find out the mass of each of the Mystery Objects “E”, “F”, “G” and “H” by balancing each of these
against the bricks of known masses.

For each Mystery Object, paste a screenshot of balanced seesaw and show all calculation steps.

Mystery Object “A”


Screenshot of balanced seesaw:

Calculations: MA* 1.25m = 20kg * 1.25m

= 25/1.25m

= 20kg

Mystery Object “B”

Screenshot of balanced seesaw:

Calculations:MB*1.00m= 5kg * 1.00m

= 5.00/1.00m

= 5kg
Mystery Object “C”

Screenshot of balanced seesaw:

Calculations:Mc*1.00m= 15kg * 1.00m

= 15.00/1.00m

= 15.00kg

Mystery Object “D”

Screenshot of balanced seesaw:

Calculations:MD*1.00m= 10.0kg x 1.00m

= 10.00/1.00m
= 10.00kg

Conclusion:

At the end of this lab, the objective was to find out how torque works and demonstrate it
while using the PHET demonstrations. In part one, the goal was to find the mass of the
object to make the ruler or balance equal on both sides, in this case, the mass was already
given, what was needed to complete the problem is finding what the weight was on both
sides and finding a way on how to balance it. In part 2 the mass of the mystery object was
not given in the experiment. To find the mass, the formula was to multiply the unknown
mass by the meter point on the ruler and equal it to the weight of the block multiplied by
the length on the meter stick. In the end, being able to calculate a way to equalize the
weight on both sides of the balance, and finding the mass of the mystery object has been
able to help to understand the basics of torque.

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