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AP Physics Lab #16: Equilibrium Ashley Loggins Objective: If an object is in equilibrium, then the net force of the object

must be zero due to Newtons First Law. In this lab, three forces were applied to a small, metal ring. It was verified that the vector sum of the three forces in equilibrium is equal to zero. The magnitude and direction of each vector can be measured and added to check analytically. Equipment: Force table, 360 degree protractor, 3 spring scales, and chains with ring connector. Procedure: Each spring scale was first calibrated, and then checked to make sure it read zero when no force was applied to it. The spring scales are then attached to the metal chains and arranged them in a convenient way around the force table. The scales were adjusted so that the metal ring of the chain remained in the center of the force table and so the spring scales lie on the outside rim of the force table. The magnitude and direction of each force was measured and recorded in a data table. The procedure was then repeated by each member of the group, using a different scenario each time. Sketch:

Data Table: Forces and Angles of Spring Scales Trial # F1 (N)

1 ()
0. 18 355 19

F2 (N)

2 ()
120. 170. 140. 130.

F3 (N)

3 ()
240. 225 247 262

1 *2 3 4

1.0 2.1 2.1 2.1

1.0 1.2 2.3 2.2

1.1 1.2 1.1 2.4

*My personal data Calculations: 1. Calculate the x- and y-components of each vector

2. Add the components of the three vectors to find the components of the resultant vector.

3. Find the magnitude and direction of the resultant vector.

Results: The results of this lab were extremely accurate. The value of the x- and y-components for each vector was found by using the equation, Fx=Fcos for the x-direction and Fy=Fsin for the y-direction. Both the resultant vector in the y-direction and the resultant vector in the x-direction summed to zero. Thus, the magnitude of the vector results to zero, and the direction of the vector is zero. Conclusion: I achieved accurate results because the vector sum of the three vectors in equilibrium was zero. My data was produced when the chain for one of the spring scales was hooked on its second link. Therefore, the amount of each force would vary based on the pull of the one scale. Because the components of the resultant vectors summed to zero, the resultant vector is equal to zero. The measurement that contributed to the most uncertainty in my results was the measurement of theta because it is difficult to place the middle circle of the chain directly in the center. This could have been improved by measuring the center of the force table first, then putting something on the center to keep it in place. This lab included scale uncertainty because the digits between the scale markings are an estimate and are approximated to a point of our discretion. A scale can only have finitely divisions.

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