Rotational Equilibrium and Center of Gravity

Jomar Anthony J. Biñan

jomarbin@gmail.com

I. Introduction
In Newton’s first law we are taught that if the net force of an object is equals
to zero then it is in the state of translational equilibrium. There is also what we call
torque. This is the rotation of an object because of different forces exerting on it.
For example, a fan could rotate on a point but its not moving at all in terms of
distance. So, if the net force is zero there is still a possibility that the net torque is
not zero. If the object is not rotating or if the net torque is zero then this is what we
call rotational equilibrium.

Figure 1: A visualization of torque. It shows the rotation of the wrench

when there is an application of a force on one side.
 Torque is the measure of force that causes an object to rotate on an axis
(KhanAcademy, n.d.). As torque requires directions for it to work properly then it is
a vector quantity. Before torque is determine the center of gravity must be located.

Its formula is given as,

τ = Fl

the net torque equation is given as,

τnet = F1l1+ F2l2+ F3l3+…+ Fnln

In this experiment, the center of mass of objects with different shapes and sizes
would be determined, find the tipping angle of an object with varying mass
distribution, the torques would be computed by the forces that makes the object
rotates, and determine the unknown mass with the concept of rotational
equilibrium.

II. Methodology
The center of gravity of objects are determined by using the plumb bob method.

Figure 2: The Plumb Bob Method. The object is placed

on pin on different points.
Part A. Locating the Center of Gravity
On the first part of the experiment the center of gravity was located. The
setup was assembled just as shown in Figure 2. The Shape 1 was hanged on the
holding pin through one of its holes and the weight hanger was hanged on a string
tied to the holding pin. On the string’s path of shape 1, a straight line was traced.
Shape 1 was hanged again but in its different holes on the holding pin and the
weight hanger was placed and the string’s path was traced. The intersection was
determined of the lines traced and was its center of gravity of the object. The
procedures were repeated for shapes 2,4 and 5.

Part B. Finding the tipping angle

The second part of the experiment the tipping angle was determined. The
wood plank was raised until the block has tipped over as shown in Figure 3. The
angle was measured using the protractor and the value was recorded. After, two
50.0-g masses were placed in each slot of row 1 of the block. The tipping angle
was then measured and recorded. After the procedures were repeated when the
50.0-g masses are on the slots of rows 2, 3, and 4. Their tipping values were then
recorded in table 1.

Figure 3: Set-up for the Tipping angle determination. The first figure shows the
different parts of the setup and the second setup shows the visualization on
how to measure the angle.
Part C. Systems in rotational equilibrium

Part 1C. Axis of Rotation (pivot point) at the center of the object

The third part of the experiment was about the rotational equilibrium. The
setup was assembled just like in figure 4. The meter stick was mounted in a way
that the 50cm mark was the pivot point. The balance was checked and was
adjusted b adding masking tape to the end of the meter stick where it is lighter to
have it balanced. The mass of the meter stick was then measured using the digital
balance. The value was recorded on Table 2. A 40.0-g load at the 40.0-cm mark
of the meter stick and a 80.0-g load was placed on the other side of the pivot point.
The 80.0g load’s position was adjusted to have the setup balanced. When the
setup has been balanced, the lever arms were determined for each loads and
recorded values in Table 2. The 40.0g load to the 30.00 cm mark of the meter stick
and found the new position of the 80.0g load that maintained the balance. The
lever arms were then measured and recorded the values. The process was then
repeated when the 40.0g load is at the 20.00cm- mark and at the 10.00 cm mark.
Torques were then calculated.

Figure 4: Rotational Equilibrium setup. This shows the proper

setup to check the net force to be zero.
 Part 2C. Axis of rotation (pivot point) away from the center of the object
The pivot point was moved from the center to the 40-cm mark. The 40.0g
load was used to balance the meter stick and the corresponding lever arm was
recorded. Repeat the steps using the 80.0g, 130.0g, and 180.0g loads. Lastly, the
torques were calculated.

Part 3C. Unknown Mass

The meter stick was mounted at the 40.00-cm mark and a load of unknown
mass was used as a counter balance bringing it to rotational equilibrium. The
unknown mass was then determined.

III. Results and Discussions

Part A. Locating the center of gravity
 The objects were hanged and the straight line was drawn on their respective
planes. The intersection of the straight lines drawn will be their center of gravity of
that object. For these shapes, the center gravity lies on their geometric center.

Part B. Finding the tipping angle

Row # θ
0 (no added mass) 40.0
1 25.0
2 35.0
3 35.0
4 40.0

As the weights are placed on the higher rows (1 & 2) the tipping angle is
relatively small compared to the tipping angles of the lower rows (3 & 4). This is
because the center of gravity of the block shifts higher if it the loads are on the
higher rows. Thus, if you place the loads on the lower rows the center of gravity
will shift nearer to the surface and resulting to a stronger foundation of the block.

Part C. Systems in Equilibrium

Part 1C. Axis of rotation (pivot point) at the center of the object

mmeter stick = 0.11521 kg w40.0-g load = 0.392 N

wmeter stick = 1.1 N w80.0-g load = 0.784 N

position of the l+ t+ l- t-
40.0-g load
40-cm mark 0.1000 0.0392 0.05 0.0392
30-cm mark 0.2000 0.0784 0.1 0.0784
20-cm mark 0.3000 0.1176 0.15 0.1176
10-cm mark 0.4000 0.1568 0.20 0.1568
After the meter stick has been balanced at the 50.0-cm mark the 40.0g load
has been place at different cm marks and was counter balanced by the 80.0g load.
Their net torque resulted to zero making it in rotational equilibrium. Also, the results
show that the lever arm of the 80.0g load is half of the 40.0g load and that is
because to allow the torques to cancel each other out to bring balance.
Part 2C. Axis of rotation (pivot point) away from the center of the object
mmeter stick = 0.11521 kg l- = 0.1m

wmeter stick = 1.1 N t- = 0.11 Nm

load mass weight l+ t+

(kg) (N)
40.0g 0.04 0.392 0.31 0.11
80.0g 0.08 0.784 0.15 0.11
130.0g 0.13 1.274 0.09 0.11
180.0g 0.18 1,764 0.07 0.11
The meter stick has been positioned with its pivot point is located at the
40.0-cm mark. The meter stick was then balanced using different loads. As seen
on the data, it shows that heavier the load is the nearer it becomes to the pivot
point. This shows that torque is dependent on the lever arm and its weights. This
results to the net torque of the system equal to zero.
Part 3C. Unknown Mass
m (meter stick) = 0.11521 kg m (unknown) = 0.054 kg
w (meter stick) = 1.10 N w (unknown) = 0.5292 N
l- = 0.1 m l+ = 0.2150 m
t- = 0.11 Nm t+ = 0.1327
To determine the value of our unknown mass:

t m = tu where: tm = torque of the meter stick, tu = torque of the unknown mass

Fm(lm) = Fu(lu)
(mmg)(lm)=(mug)( lu)
mu = mmlm / lu
mu = (0.11521kg)(0.1m) / (0.2150m) = 0.054 kg

The torque of the two sides should cancel out to zero because the system
is in rotational equilibrium. To determine the unknown mass, the unknown mass is mu is
solved from the equation because the other quantities of the torques are already been
recorded.
IV. Conclusions
This lab experiment showed how the center of gravity of many objects are
determined by using the plumb bob method. The rotational equilibrium was then
investigated by using balances of different weights to get the same torque in the
system. As the rotational equilibrium have been met unknown mass could be
determined using the equation of the rotational equilibrium.

The center of gravity is where all the distributed mass of an object is equal
to zero. If the center of gravity then is determined by balancing an object in a way
that intersects with each other. Then that intersection is deemed to be the center
of gravity. In the results, torques is affected by the its weight and the distance from
the pivot point (lever arm) of the certain object. That is there is varying distances
and weights.

This experiment made the visualization and practical use of rotational

equilibrium. It made the concept easier to grasp by providing a good application
experiment that showcases the various characteristics of torque. The experiment
could be improved by providing more figures to show how to setup the systems
and allow the user to understand more of what the procedures are trying to convey.

V. Acknowledgements
I would like to thank my partner, Eric Sumarago, for helping me in the
experiment. He has assisted and made the calculations that allowed us to
determine the correct torques and equilibrium.

I would also thank, Elana Arriesgado, for assisting me in the making of this
lab report. She has provided pointers and guided me in how to correctly present
my data and discussions.
Lastly, I am grateful for our teacher, Ms. Arlyn M. Roque, for providing us
with the discussion that is easy to understand and made the topic less mind-
numbing she also helped us understand the procedures to prevent us from
committing mistakes while executing it.
VI. References
Experiments on Engineering Physics 1. (n.d.). University of San Carlos, Talamban,
Cebu City: Department of Physics.
Torque.(n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.123rf.com/photo_101601678_stock-
vector-torque-physics-example-diagram-mechanical-vector-illustration-poster-
rotational-force-mathematical-e.html
Torque, moments, and angle momentum. (n.d.) Retrieved from
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/torque-angular-
momentum/torque-tutorial/a/torque