Seesaw

Learning Objectives

	Determine experimentally if the 2nd Condition of Equilibrium (∑T = 0) is satisfied.
	Determine experimentally if the 1st Condition of Equilibrium (∑F = 0) is satisfied.

Equipment

Half Meter stick, seesaw support, 3 sliders with hangers, mass set, balance, and 2.5 N spring scale.

Procedure

This lab works best with a group of two students.

Part I

Determine the masses for:

Half Meter Stick R & L End Slider/Hanger Center Hanger

Enter the results in Seesaw Data Collection Tool.

Part II

Place a center hanger on the stick (NO END HANGERS YET). Position the thumb screw down, the 0 cm on the meter stick to your left, and 50 cm on the meter stick to your right. Balance the Meter Stick on the knife edges of the center slider. Enter the center measurement as the center of mass for the Meter Stick on the Data Tool.

Hint: When reading the cm measurements at the center of a slider within the slider window.

50.0 cm 49.4 cm

Complete the following calculations in the Data Tool:

	Mass
	Force_down

Note: You will use these calculations again in Part IV to prove the 1st condition of equilibrium.

Part III

Now add the end sliders and hangers to the ends of the stick.

Balance the stick by moving the center slider and complete the Data Tool for the following additional masses:

Left 50 g        Right 0 g

Left 50 g        Right 5 g

Left 50 g        Right 10 g

Left 50 g        Right 20 g

Part IV

After completing the last balance with the additional 20 g on the right, calculate the total Forces down and the required Force up to satisfy the 1st condition of equilibrium. Enter in the Data Tool.

Confirm your accuracy using a 2.5 Newton spring scale.

Lab Report for the group is due at the next class.