Name: ________________________
Partners: ________________________
________________________
Lab: Equilibrium on the Force Table
Objective: To compare theoretical values to experimental values on the force table.
Materials:
force table
___________________
__________________
___________________
___________________
__________________
Procedure:
For each case below:
1. Set up the known masses (given in the table) on the force table.
2. Using other masses, find the magnitude and angle for the other mass(es).
3. Draw the forces on the diagram.
Case 1
Mass
Mass (g)
Angle (°)
Magnitude of
Force (N)
1
200
135
1.96
2
200
45
1.96
3
a) Calculate the theoretical value for Force 3 (magnitude and direction).
b) Find the % difference between the theoretical and experimental values for the magnitude.
Case 2
Mass
Mass (g)
Angle (°)
Magnitude of
Force (N)
1
500
60
4.9
2
200
165
1.96
3
Case 3
Mass
Mass (g)
Angle (°)
1
30
2
135
3
500
270
Magnitude of
Force (N)
4.9
a) Using your experimental values, calculate the horizontal
and vertical components of the net force for cases 2 and 3.
b) Chances are, the horizontal and vertical components of the net force are not exactly zero.
How do you explain that?