Names____________________________Date______________________________ Physics Lab Center of Mass, Torque, & Rotation Book # ___________

The Challenge
Using what you know about center of mass, torque, and rotation, design a cantilever structure. Your structure may be built from only masking tape and straws, and must attach to the wall using duct tape (provided at the time of testing) at one end. To test your structure, increasing amounts of mass will be hung from the end of it and when your structure has deflected 8cm or more the test will be considered over. The 3 sets of partners whose structures receive the highest score will get extra credit points on the next test. Before you test your device, you must obtain a signature from either Mr. Blank or Ms. Sperling certifying that you have completed the design portion of the lab. Score = mass held (g) * cantilever length (cm) mass of cantilever (g)

Design
1. Explain the physics concepts that apply to this lab (3-4 sentences). 2. How will the length of your cantilever affect the amount of force that your cantilever is able to support? Show an example of this concept by calculating torque for two different length cantilevers. 3. For your cantilever to hold the most mass, would you rather have the mass applied to the end of your cantilever straight down or at an angle? Why? Draw a diagram. (1-2 sentences). 4. Draw a picture of your cantilever design. Label the parts of your cantilever. 5. Make a prediction about your cantilevers performance. Do you think the cantilever will hold a lot of mass? Why do you think it will work well or badly? Do you foresee any problems with your cantilever? (2-3 sentences). STOP! YOU MUST GET A SIGNATURE FROM MR. BLANK OR MS. SPERLING IN ORDER TO CONTINUE WITH THE LAB. Signature ________________________________________

Testing
Before you are ready to test you must record the mass of your cantilever. Your cantilever will then be attached to the wall using duct tape. The length from the wall to the place that you attach the mass will be measured by the teacher- record this value as your length. Your cantilever will then have increasing amounts of mass placed at the end. You can decide the increments by which you will increase the mass, the last mass that the cantilever holds be will recorded as your mass held value. 1. Record the following values Mass of cantilever _____________(g) Length of cantilever_____________(cm) Mass held_____________ (g) 2. Describe the behavior of your cantilever during testing. Did it bend? Did it make any noise? What part of your design collapsed first?

Analysis
1. Were you happy with your cantilevers overall performance? Describe what went well and what could be improved upon (3-5 sentences). 2. If you were to redesign your cantilever, what would you change? (2-3 sentences). 3. Draw a picture of your improved cantilever design. Label the parts of your cantilever. 4. Calculate the largest torque that was applied to your cantilever before it broke (use mass held). Show all of your work. 5. Which cantilevers that you observed in class worked the best? Which didnt work as well? Why do you think some worked better than others? Back this up with your in class observations. (2-3 sentences). 5. Describe a real life application for the concepts used in this lab (2-3 sentences).