Work Done By A Variable Force (Vertical Effort)

Experiment

Objective
The objectives of the experiments are to demonstration the work done by a variable
force(vertical effort). This experiment also investigates as area under the graph of force by
carries a different load and the distance when it moves.
Apparatus
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Bench-top
A vertical board with two pulleys with ball bearings
Rope
Two weight hangers
Weights set
Load hanger
Stainless steel Ruler
Pencil

Theory
In mechanics a force F does work on a particle only when the particle undergoes a
s2
displacement in the direction of the force. Consider a particle is move from one point
to
another point

s1

,the distance of movement is classified as a displacement of the particle is

represented by th differential dr.

2
L
d1

1
L

Figure 1 : Work of a load,L

When a force causes displacement of a body, work is done. By work its mean mechanical
work,as defined in physics. From this relationship a scalar quantity can be defined as a work
dU,which is done by force F corresponding to the displacement dr.

dU =F ds cos

Force

Displacement,

Figure 3 : Work Done by varying effort

This experiment is designed to reinforce the general principle that the work done,
particularly by a variable force, can be determined simply by measuring the area under the graph
of force and distance moved. The apparatus is a simple lifting mechanism with obvious non
linear characteristics. A suspension cord carrying a loaded trolley at mid span is tensioned by
passing the cord over a pulley at one end and down to a weight hanger. As the vertical effort is
increased, the tensioned cord will move to a new equilibrium position lifting the loaded trolley.
Power
Power is defined as the amount of work performed per unit of time. Hence, the power
performed as amount of dU within the time interval dt is
P=

dU
dt

Provided the work dU is expressed by dU = F.dr, then it is also possible to write

P=

dU F . dr
dr
=
=F .
dt
dt
dt
P=F . v

Or
By definition of dot product:
dU =F . dr

When a particle undergoes a finite displacement along its path, the work is obtained by
U 1 2
integration. This work denoted by
, is
r2

s2

U 1 2= F . dr= F cos ds
r1

s1

Where the variable of integration s measure the distance traveled by the partical along the
U 1 2
path, the work
represented by the area under the graph obtained by plotting F cos
versus s. If the particle is moving in a straight line and a force F, is acted upon a constant
magnitude and of constant direction, the component of the force F, in the direction of
Ft cos
displacement is
. The work done by F, can be expressed as :
s2

U 1 2=F t cos ds
s1

Or
U 1 2=F t cos

(s 2s1 )

Work done can be represented graphically if we plot force versus displacement. The area
under the curve represents the work done.

Force

L
Work,

Displacement,

Figure 2 : Work moving in straight line (vertical effort)

By doing this experiment we will using a different load and rearrange a distance to be
stay in equilibrium position. Form different load and distance, work done will obtain. This is an
example, the work done by a varying force in moving an object between two points is equal to
the area under the curve between these two points.

Procedure
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Put the 500g weight on the load hanger.

The vertical distance from the base of both load hanger and vertical effort recorded.
Apply 300g weight on the vertical effort load hanger.
When the system is in equilibrium repeat step 2.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 with another load 350g,400g and 450g.
Apply 2 of 500g weight on the load hanger.
Repeat process no 2 to no 5.
Repeat the the same process 3 times to get accurate results.

Data Result

Experiment 1st
Load = 0.5kg

Work Done experiment

Force Displacement

m
Gravity = 9.81 s 2
Load (g)

Force (N)

Displacement(m)

W experiment

0
50
100
150
200

0
0.491
0.981
1.472
1.962

0
0.091
0.143
0.171
0.182

0
0.045
0.140
0.252
0.357

Experiment 2nd
Work Done experiment

Load = 0.6kg

Force Displacement

m
Gravity = 9.81 s 2

Graph

Load (g)

Force (N)

Displacement(m)

W experiment

0
50
100
150
200

0
0.491
0.981
1.472
1.962

0
0.092
0.139
0.165
0.185

0
0.045
0.136
0.243
0.363

F-D Graph
0.5 kg
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0

Work Done

F-D Graph
0.6kg
0.2
0.18
0.16
0.14
0.12
0.1
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0

Work Done

Disscussion
This experiment there are some things that need to be discussed among which are the
source of the error and use in industry. Among the sources of error in this experiment there are
friction at the pulleys, that error can be ignored because of no calculation are related about
friction. In addition, size of both pulleys also can be ignored because no specific details about the
size and types of pulleys that has been used. Vibration also are types of error can be discussed
because, vibration exist during the experiment running, its came from factor of surrounding.
Futhermore, reading error also can be classified as source of error, when the results came out, the
people who took the result should be alert and aware about how to do calculation and the data
they need to complete the graph. The error on the hanger load can also be ignored because the
purpose of the experiment to analyze the difference distance from the initial point to the end
point , this experiment also to studying how much mass needed to attract mass remains found on
the hanger load. For application this concept are mostly used in the industry such as logistics
sector , construction sector and large industries that involve heavy work .

Conclusion
The conclusion of this experiment is to find out how much difference the work done by
the method of theory and practical. In addition, its also to knows how many error exist that
prevents us from obtaining accurate results or those anticipated. But also, this experiment can
also help and teach us about how to reduce and fix the errors found in this experiment, and it can
also help us to repair existing equipment in industry.