DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Lab Assignment: Torque and Static

Equilibrium
PHY 1103, Section Date: Name:

● Make sure that you read the Introduction to the lab and complete the Pre-lab Quiz on
Asulearn before starting the lab activities.
● Note: You need to make a copy of this document and save to your own google drive
using “File>Make a Copy” in order to have editing permission. Do not email asking for
permission to edit this document. Use the question forum if you have questions on the
Quiz or the lab. Someone else may have the answer or the same question!
● There is no post-lab forum for this lab! Instead, we encourage you to fill out the
course evaluations at CourseEval. (You will get an email when this is available.)

This lab will be conducted on-line and each student will submit an individual lab report. You are
allowed to work on the lab content with another student, but you MUST SUBMIT YOUR OWN
UNIQUE images, data, calculations, graphs, explanations, conclusions, etc. Copying items on Lab
Assignments constitutes an academic integrity code violation and will be brought before the Office
of Student Conduct.
I worked on this lab with:

All images, data, calculations, graphs, explanations, Type your name below to accept the honor
conclusions in this lab assignment are my own and statement.
are not copied from another student or a previous
semester. Michael Gonzalez

Purpose
Investigate torque and static equilibrium using an online simulation.
By the end of this lab, students will:
● Apply forces to a rotating system and see how the magnitude of the force and the
distance from the axis of rotation affects torque.
● Establish static equilibrium in a system of multiple torques by calculating and
applying the appropriate balancing torque.

Necessary Equipment

https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/balancing-act

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APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Introduction: Torque and Static

Equilibrium
You have probably spent some time as a child on a see-saw. As it turns out, there is a lot of
physics involved in describing this simple playground fixture. This lab will examine the
factors that cause a see-saw to balance or to rotate. A force
that causes rotation about a pivot point is called a torque. A
counterclockwise torque is a force that causes the left side of
the see-saw to go down, and a clockwise torque is a force
that causes the right side of the see-saw to go down.
Conventionally, a clockwise torque is said to be negative
while a counterclockwise torque is said to be positive.
When a see-saw is balanced, this means that the sum of the
clockwise and counterclockwise torques is zero. In this case,
if the see-saw starts from rest and there is no net torque,
there will be no angular acceleration and the see-saw will
not change its rotational motion. A balanced see-saw is in a
state of rotational equilibrium.
Rotational motion is similar to linear motion in that it takes an unbalanced net torque to
change the motion, or cause an angular acceleration. In the absence of a net torque the
object either does not rotate, or rotates with constant angular velocity.

Torque
We have talked at length about forces and the sum of all the forces, or the net force. As a
reminder, a force is anything that causes a push or pull on an object. It is a vector, having
both magnitude and direction. A force requires something (or someone) to do the pushing
or pulling. There are ALWAYS two objects involved with forces. The object which creates the
force and the object which experiences the force.

When a force acts to rotate an object instead of moving it in a straight line, the rotational
motion varies depending on where the force acts
relative to the rotational axis of the object. For
example, if I push on a wrench in the direction of FA in
the picture, the wrench will not rotate no matter how
hard I push. If I push in the direction of FB, FC, or FD in
the picture, I will be able to rotate the wrench
(assuming the bolt is not screwed in too tightly), but if
I push in the direction of FC in the picture, I will get the
maximum possible effect. This is because I am
pushing perpendicular to the handle and far from the bolt. The idea that rotation requires
a force and that the rotational motion gets larger at certain orientations is called torque, τ.

To mathematically define torque, we must talk about the concept of the moment arm (or
lever arm). The moment arm (or lever arm) is defined as the perpendicular distance from
the axis of rotation (or the pivot point) to the line of action of the force, r. In the case of FA,

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APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

FB, and FC, the moment arm is the distance from the center of the bolt (the pivot point) to
the end of the wrench. In the case of FD, the moment arm is significantly shorter.
Torque is directional. We usually think of it as being clockwise (cw) or counterclockwise
(ccw). By convention, if a torque is ccw we say it is positive and if a torque is cw we say it is
negative. Torque is defined as the length of the moment arm times the component of the
force that is perpendicular to the moment arm.

τ = 𝐹⊥𝑟 (1)

Note that a force acting at the axis of rotation (zero distance) will produce no torque.

Torque Example:
What is the magnitude of the torque if a 42.0N force is applied at 30° to the perpendicular
of the doorknob of a 96-cm wide door? (See figure below.)

τ = 𝐹⊥𝑟
where 𝐹⊥ = 𝐹𝑐𝑜𝑠(θ) = (42. 0𝑁)𝑐𝑜𝑠(30°) = 36. 4 𝑁
and 𝑟 = 0. 96 𝑚
τ = 𝐹⊥𝑟 = (36. 4 𝑁)(0. 96 𝑚)
τ = 34. 9 𝑁𝑚 = 35 𝑁𝑚

Notice that the units for the torque are Newtons times meters, [Nm]. Remember that the
unit of energy, Joules, is also a Newton times a meter. For energy, we call a Newton meter a
Joule, for torque we do not. There can also be some confusion if Nm looks like some sort of
SI multiple of meters. Even worse, if meters times Newtons is written “mN” it could appear
to be a milliNewton!

Static Rotational Equilibrium

Torques are defined to be positive in the counterclockwise direction, and negative in the
clockwise direction. So the figure used in the door example shows a positive torque as
drawn. If another positive torque is applied, then the total torque would increase. If a

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APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

negative torque is applied, the total torque would be reduced. In fact, it’s possible that the
total torque could be zero, or even be negative with the door swinging in the clockwise
direction! Static rotational equilibrium is achieved when the counterclockwise torques and
the clockwise torques sum to zero.

Στ = τ𝑐𝑐𝑤 − τ𝑐𝑤 = 0 (2)

Equal forces and equal distance, zero rotation: The left side of the figure below shows
two equal masses spaced at equal distances from their fulcrum (or the “pivot point”), the
axis of rotation. The right side represents the forces applied by these masses and the
acceleration due to gravity here at the surface of the Earth. One torque will provide a
positive rotation, and one will provide a negative rotation, even though both forces are
directed downward!

Unequal forces and unequal distance, but zero rotation: The figure below shows that
unequal masses (and therefore unequal forces) can sum together to give zero rotation. In
this simple case, twice the mass is placed at half the distance to balance the torques.

In both cases, the net torque can be expressed as:

Στ = τ1 + τ2

Where τ1 = 𝐹 𝑟1, and is a positive torque causing rotation in the counterclockwise direction;
1
and τ2 = − 𝐹2𝑟2, and is a negative torque causing rotation in the clockwise direction.

In rotational equilibrium the sum of the torques equals zero:

Στ = 𝐹1𝑟1 − 𝐹2𝑟2 = 0

This can be generalized to include as many torques as necessary:

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APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Στ = τ1 + τ2 + τ3 + ... + τ𝑖 = 0

or

Στ = 𝐹⊥,1𝑟1 + 𝐹⊥,2𝑟2 + 𝐹⊥,3𝑟3 + ... + 𝐹⊥,𝑖𝑟𝑖 = 0 (3)

Static Equilibrium Example:

An adult with a mass of 80 kg and a child with a mass of 30 kg want to play on a seesaw
(teeter-totter). The seesaw is 6.0 m long, has a mass of 10 kg, and is centered on the pivot.
If the 30 kg child sits at one end of the seesaw (3.0 m from the pivot), where does the 80 kg
adult need to sit in order to perfectly balance the seesaw?
Note: when using a seesaw (pictured in Figure 1), it is in motion and moving back and forth.
However, for this motion to work well, the seesaw needs to be able to perfectly balance
parallel to the ground. This question is asking about the situation in which the seesaw is
perfectly balanced and parallel to the ground.

In Static Equilibrium the net torque sums to zero: Στ = τ1 + τ2 = 0

So our first step is to find the torque on the see-saw from each object.
● τ1 = 𝐹1𝑟1 = (𝑚1𝑔)𝑟1, for the child. This is a positive torque causing rotation in the
counterclockwise direction.
● τ2 = − 𝐹2𝑟2 = − (𝑚2𝑔)𝑟2, for the adult. We expect that this will be a negative torque
causing rotation in the clockwise direction. To make this possible, the adult must be
on the opposite side of the pivot as the child.
To find the location that the adult needs to stand so that the see-saw is in rotational
equilibrium you must set the sum of the torques equals zero:

Στ = τ1 + τ2 = 0

or
Στ = 𝐹1𝑟1 − 𝐹2𝑟2 = 0

(𝑚1𝑔)𝑟1 − (𝑚2𝑔)𝑟2 = 0

(𝑚1𝑔)𝑟1= (𝑚2𝑔)𝑟2

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APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

and solve for r2:

(𝑚1𝑔)𝑟1
𝑟2 = 𝑚2𝑔

2
(30𝑘𝑔)(9.8 𝑚/𝑠 )(3.0 𝑚)
𝑟2 = 2 = 1. 1 𝑚 to the right of the pivot.
(80𝑘𝑔)(9.8 𝑚/𝑠 )

Lab Activities: Torque and Static

Equilibrium
Activity One: Experiment with forces and distances
Go to https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/balancing-act and open the phet. Choose
the “Balance Lab”. Under the “Show” menu, “Mass Labels” is already selected. Also select
“Forces from Objects.” Under the “Position” menu, select “Rulers”.

Question 1: Drag a 10 kg mass and place it at the 1-meter mark to the left of the
fulcrum. First, predict what will happen when you remove the supports? will your
torque create a CW rotation, CCW rotation, no rotation at all, or a back-and-forth
oscillation? Will this rotation be considered positive, negative, zero, or undefined? Now
test your prediction. Remove the supports by clicking the on-screen switch shown
underneath the fulcrum and discuss the results. Explain why this happens.
I predict counter clockwise rotation
Since the mass is as the left of the fulcrum and there are no other opposing forces on
the right side, it causes the seesaw to move in a ccw direction

Question 2: Consider if you drag the SAME 10 kg mass and place it at the 1-meter mark
to the right of the fulcrum. First, predict what will happen when you remove the
supports? Will your torque create a CW rotation, CCW rotation, no rotation at all, or a

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APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

back-and-forth oscillation? Will this rotation be considered positive, negative, zero, or

undefined? Now test your prediction and discuss the results. Explain why this happens.

Again I predict that it will move in a CW direction

The reason it moved in a CW direction is the same as the last. There was no opposing
force pushing the seesaw on the left side so it went right in a CW direction

Activity Two: Balance out a single torque

For this experiment, you will place a total mass, m1, on the meter stick at a specified
location on the meter stick and predict the location you need to place a second mass, m2, to
balance it for rotational equilibrium.

Question 3: Calculate the torque created by m1= 10 kg mass at r1 = +1.00 m to the right
of the fulcrum Hint: be careful to check your units for your answer to this question!
(Torque has units of Nm) Carefully read the torque example provided in the
introduction. Is this torque positive or negative?

Show work:
W= mg
(10)(9.8) = 98 N

torque = r1(weight)
(1)(98)
98 N-m

τ= 98 Nm in the negative direction

Question 4: Balance the above torque with a 20 kg mass.

a. Leaving m1 where it is, and knowing that the sum of the positive and negative
torques must equal zero for the system to be balanced, calculate where would you
need to place a mass of m2 = 20 kg to balance this system? We will call this distance
r2, and it should have units of meters. Indicate if it is to the left or right of the
fulcrum.
Show work:
0= -(10)(9.8)(1) + (20)(9.8)(-r2)
= -98 + 196(-r2)
0.5= -r2

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APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

r2 = -0.5m

Left or right of fulcrum? Left

b. Place a 20kg mass at this location and verify your results by removing the supports.
Did your calculated value of r2 balance your system?
i. Yes!
ii. No. Do not continue, rework the problem until you can answer “yes”.

c. Show a screenshot of your balanced system below.

d. If you move the SAME 20kg mass further to the left, describe what will happen in
terms of torque and rotation.

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 DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

If you move the 20kg object to the left there will be CCW rotation as the 20 kg
weight is counter acting the 10 kg weight.

Activity Three: Balance out multiple torques

Question 5: As shown in the figure above, m1 = 20 kg is placed at r1 = -1.25 m (to the left
of the fulcrum). A second mass m2 = 10 kg mass is placed at r2 = +2.00 m (to the right of
the fulcrum).
a. Knowing that the sum of the positive and negative torques must equal zero for the
system to be balanced, what mass, m3 in kg, would you place at r3 = +1.00 m (to the
right of the fulcrum) to balance this? (Be sure to show the math, and give the correct
units!)

Show work: (m1g)r1=m2(g)r2 + (m3g)r3

20(9.8)(1.25)=(10)(9.8)(2) + m3(9.8)(1)
245=196 + 9.8
m3=5kg

m3 = 5 kg

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 DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

b. Place your calculated mass at the 1 meter mark to the right of the fulcrum. Show a
screenshot of your balanced system below.

Activity Four: Balancing game

Open the game portion of the simulation. If you are in the lab section of the simulation, go
to the bottom of the page and click on the icon for “game”. This activity is intended to be
fun, but you will need to complete the minimum requirements for full credit.

Question 6: Challenge yourself to reach a high score of any level of the balancing game
portion of the simulation. Start at level 1, and keep answering questions to see what
level you can reach!
a. Minimum requirements: Finish level 2 with 5 stars
b. Challenge: How many levels can you finish with 5 or more stars?
c. Submit a screenshot of the levels you achieved below. You must finish the level to
see your final score.

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APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Experimental Error and Conclusion

Question 7: This simulation did not allow for small increments between the distances
from the fulcrum. Similarly, it did not allow for small increments of mass to be added.
Imagine doing this experiment in real life. Talk about at least 2 possible factors that
might affect your experiment. How would these factors add to (or subtract from) your
experimental error. Once again, BE DESCRIPTIVE and do NOT use the phrase ‘human
error’ or blame your math ability!

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APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Question 8: Summarize your experiment and interpret the major results. It should
include:
1) a short description of what you did and WHY it was done (what was the key physics
explored);
2) your MAJOR results with values and units (NOT all values measured or calculated);
3) identify the improvements that would have the most impact on your accuracy
and/or precision and how would you implement them in a practical manner (you do
not need to reiterate what the errors were, just propose a solution for them);
4) were the goals/purposes of the lab achieved?
The conclusion should be concise (not wordy) and written in paragraph form.

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