Lab: Torque and Rotational Equilibrium of A Rigid Body

Lab: Torque and Rotational Equilibrium of a Rigid Body
Purpose: Forces acting on a body may cause the object to move in straight line (linear)
motion and may also cause the body to experience rotational motion. For an object to
be in equilibrium, it must be in equilibrium with respect to both the linear and rotational
motions. This means that both the net force and the net torque must be equal to zero.
During this laboratory exercise, the student will gain familiarity with torques and
experimentally determine quantities such as the center of gravity, mass, and lever arms.
Equipment: random household objects, computer/tablet/cell phone, internet access
Theory: ∑ 𝜏 = 0
𝜏 = 𝑟𝐹⊥
Procedure:
Part 1: Investigating Rotational Inertia
1. Go to https://ophysics.com/r4.html. The screen should look like this:

Leave the sliders where they are. For each of the different shapes, “run” the simulation.
Each shape will have the same torque applied. Eventually, the angular acceleration will
appear. In the Rotational Inertia table, record the torque and acceleration for each
shape. Also rank the four shapes for which is “easiest” to rotate.
Table: Rotational Inertia
Shape Torque (N m) Rotational acceleration Rank (1 = easiest,

(rad/s2) 4 = hardest to
rotate)
Solid Sphere
Spherical Shell
Solid Cylinder
Cylindrical Shell
1. Is there a pattern to the ranking? Did you notice any trends about the mass
distributions of the shapes and whether they were easier or more difficult to
move?
Part 2: Investigating Center of Mass
1. Choose an object you are not afraid of breaking. With different sides of the object
perpendicular to the edge of the table, slide the object out to the point where it
falls off the table. When this happens lightly draw a line in pencil on the object to
mark the overhang. Do this for all sides of the object.
2. Draw a quick sketch of your object here, including the lines you’ve drawn.
3. What do you notice about the lines? Can this information be used to determine
the center of mass of the object? Post an image of your object with its center
of mass marked on the Discussion for this lab. You and your classmates
should discussion is the location of the center of mass makes sense.
Part 3: Investigating Torque
1. Go to: https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/balancing-act/latest/balancing-
act_en.html and click on “Balance Lab”. The screen should look like this:
2. Click the toggle on the bottom of the screen so that your system can tilt. Also,
click “Level” and “Rulers” so you can determine where your system is in
equilibrium.
3. You will place masses at different locations according to the values given in
Table 1: Torque Due to Two Known Forces. Record the lever arm x2 where mass
2 brings the system into equilibrium in Table 1.
4. Using the equation provided in the Theory section, calculate the torque for each
of the forces due to the masses. List your results in Table 1. (Note: because
the support is placed at the center of gravity, the table itself has a lever arm of
zero.)
5. The only counterclockwise torque is due to m1. Using the equation provided in
the Theory section, calculate the ccw and record in Table 1.
6. The only clockwise torque is due to m2. Using the equation provided in the
Theory section, calculate the cw and record in Table 1.
Table 1 – Torque due to two known forces
Trial Mass (kg) Lever arm (m) Direction from Center Torque (N
m)
#1 m1 = 5.0 x1 = 2.0 Left ccw =
m2 = 10 x2 = cw =
∫#2 m1 = 10 x1 = 1.5 Left ccw =
m2 = 15 x2 = cw =
∫#3 m1 = 10 x1 = 2.0 Left ccw =
m2 = 20 x2 = cw =
7. Do this experiment again, but for three masses using the information in Table 2:
Torque Due to Three Known Forces.
8. By trial and error, determine the position x3 where a mass m3 must be placed to
balance the system. Record this position in Table 2.
9. Once again, the actual table the masses are placed upon does not contribute to
the torque.
10. You must decide for yourself which mass(es) contribute to the counterclockwise
torque and to the clockwise torque. Once you have made your decision,
calculate the ccw and cw and record your values for each trial in Table 2.
Table 2 – Torque due to three known forces
Trial Mass (kg) Position (m) Direction from Torque (N m)

center
#1 m1 = 10 x1 = 1.5 left ccw =
m2 = 5 x2 = 0.75 left
cw =
m3 = 15 x3 =
#2 m1 = 10 x1 = 1.5 left ccw =
m2 = 20 x2 = 1.0 right
cw =
m3 = 10 x3 =
Error Analysis
1. The above image shows the setup for the hands-on version of this lab exercise.
The meterstick is supported by a knife-edge clamp, and slotted masses are
placed on hangers to bring the system into equilibrium. What are some sources
of error in the hands-on experiment? Remember to note if they are random or
systematic.
Questions:
1. For a system in equilibrium, the magnitude of cw and ccw should be equal.
Given the results that you observed for ccw and cw, was your system in
equilibrium in your various trials? Justify your answer.
2. For the data in Table 2, Trial 1, what is the value of the force Fs with which the
support pushes upward on the table?
3. In all of the experimental arrangements, including the hands-on version, the

mass of the knife-edge clamp attaching the table/meterstick to the support is
ignored. Is this an approximation because its mass is small or is there some
reason that the clamp makes no contribution to the torque? Justify your answer.
4. Read the following article: https://www.wired.com/story/osiris-rex-bennu-dirt-

mass/. Explain how this story relates to the concepts in this lab.

Lab: Torque and Rotational Equilibrium of A Rigid Body

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Lab: Torque and Rotational Equilibrium of a Rigid Body

Equipment: random household objects, computer/tablet/cell phone, internet access

Part 1: Investigating Rotational Inertia

1. Go to https://ophysics.com/r4.html. The screen should look like this:

Table: Rotational Inertia

Shape Torque (N m) Rotational acceleration Rank (1 = easiest,

Part 2: Investigating Center of Mass

Part 3: Investigating Torque

Table 1 – Torque due to two known forces

#1 m1 = 5.0 x1 = 2.0 Left ccw =

∫#2 m1 = 10 x1 = 1.5 Left ccw =

∫#3 m1 = 10 x1 = 2.0 Left ccw =

Table 2 – Torque due to three known forces

Trial Mass (kg) Position (m) Direction from Torque (N m)

#1 m1 = 10 x1 = 1.5 left ccw =

#2 m1 = 10 x1 = 1.5 left ccw =

3. In all of the experimental arrangements, including the hands-on version, the

4. Read the following article: https://www.wired.com/story/osiris-rex-bennu-dirt-

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