PHY100: Lab Report # 5

Levers Bashayer AlRobayaan 11535 November,15th .2011 Fall, 2011

Summary:
The experiment was conducted to prove that the mechanical advantage can be measured using both B/A and W/P, and to determine the mechanical advantage of few (three, in specific) types of levers. The experiment was carried out by applying the two ratios (B/A , W/P)on the three kinds of levers and compare their values. The result of this experiment was .finding that the values we got for B/A and W/P are all the same in each test of the experiment

Table of Content:

Serial

Title

Page #

A.

Experiment Objective .. Theoretical Background ... . Experimental Procedures .. Experimental Data .. Data Analysis .. Discussion . Conclusions References .

B. C.

1 2

D.

E.

F.

G.

H.

II

III

:A-Experimental objective
The objective of this experiment is to find the mechanical advantage of several types of levers using the formula (W/P/) in addition to proving that the ratio (W/P/) is the same as (B/A). In other words, proving that the mechanical advantage can be .measured using both ratios

: B- Theoretical background
A lever is a bar with a pivot or fulcrum attached/fixed on a point on it in a way that when a force acts on one point of the bar, it can be converted into another force at another point along the bar. Levers are used to move or carry heavy weights or to ,operate mechanisms. In these systems P) is the force applied to carry the weight) ( W) is resistance ( the weight to be carried) (F) is the pivot (fulcrum)

Figure(1): It shows the three types of levers and the locations of W,F,P

:(Based on those three factors, comes three different kinds of levers(Figure 1 ( First order levers: F is between P and W ( W F P.1 ( Second order levers: W is between F and P ( F W P.2 ( Third order levers: P is between F and W ( F P W.3 P is usually smaller than W, and an advantage gained called " the Mechanical Advantage (M.A) " . this mechanical advantage is measured using the formula (ratio ) .W/P But, if the distance from W to F is "A" and from P to F is "B", then, according to the principle of moments, W.A = P.B Which means that W/P = B/A (Thus, the mechanical advantage can be measured using the two ratios (W/P and B/A

:C- Experimental procedures

Test 1 : First order levers o Hang one weight hook from the end hole in the right hand arm of the bar, and another from the hole about halfway along the left hand bar
o Each weight hook weights 0.1 N. Place a weight of 0.9 N on the left hand hook to make a total weight (W) of N1 o Add sufficient weights to the right-hand hook to balance the bar o Record the total weight (P) of the right hand weight hook and its (weights, and the distance (A) and (B o Repeat with total weights (W) of 2, 3, 4, and 5 N on the left hand hook

Test 2: Second order levers o Transfer the weight hook to the inner hole of the right-hand bar and the spring balance to the second hole from the end o Load the weight hook to a total weight (W) of 2N o Adjust the position of the spring balance to bring the bar level o Record the reading of the spring balance, and distance (A) and ((B o Repeat with total weights (W) of 4, 6,8, and 10 N

Test 3: third order levers Remove the weight hook, adjust to 0.9 N to make its total weight (W) 1 N, and position at the end of the right hand bar o Hang the spring balance so that it can be hooked into the hole vertically below it on the right-hand arm of the bar (fourth hole along) o Adjust the position of the spring balance by means of the sliding hook so that its pull brings the bar to the level position o Record the reading (P) of the spring balance, and the distance (A) and (B)
2

o Repeat with total weights (W) of 2, 3, 4, and 5 N

:D- Experimental data

W)N) P)N) M.A= W/P M.A= B/A 1 0.62 1.6 1.6 2 1.25 1.6 1.6 3 1.87 1.6 1.6 4 2.5 1.6 1.6 5 3.12 1.6 1.6

.Table(1): Results obtained from test 1. Notice that W/P=B/A for all the cases

W)N) P)N) M.A= W/P M.A= B/A

2 1.42 1.4 1.4

4 2.85 1.4 1.4

6 4.28 1.4 1.4

8 5.71 1.4 1.4

10 7.14 1.4 1.4

W)N) P)N) M.A= W/P M.A= B/A

1 1.6N 0.6 0.6

2 3.2N 0.6 0.6

3 4.8N 0.6 0.6

4 6.4N 0.6 0.6

5 8N 0.6 0.6

.Table(2): Results obtained from test 2. Notice that W/P=B/A for all the cases as well

Table(3): Results obtained from test 3. Just as in tests 1 and 2, W/P here = B/A for all cases

(a)

(b)

Figure(3): Shows test(2) of the experiment

In test 1 of the experiment, we were trying to prove that the ratios (W/P and B/A) are equal for levers from the first order( figure 2). We ,first, placed a net weight of 1N to the left hand weight hook (that is w)(We actually added 0.9N because the weight of the hook is 0.1N), and added weight to the right hand weight hook(p) until the bar was in balance. We Measured the weight we kept on adding(to the right side) and we found that it is equal to 0.62N. Then, we calculated both W/P and B/A and we : found that W/P= 1/0.62= 1.6 B/A= 1.6/10=1.6 After that, we did the exact same process with different values for W which are (2,3,4,5). In .(each case, we'll find that the value of B/A is equal to the value of W/P (=1.6)(table 1 .Thus, it was proven for levers from the first order that the ratios W/P and B/A are equal In test 2 of the experiment, we were trying to prove the same thing but with levers from the second order. In the second order levers, the load(W) is between (F) and (P), thus there had to be some changes in the location of the weight hook(Figure 3). We removed the left hand weight hook out of the system and moved the right hand weight hook a little bit closer to the pivot (almost half way from the pivot: Second lower hole from the right). In this experiment, the right weight hook is W, not P, while P is presented by the spring balance attached from the top of the bar into the second upper hole from the right. Thus, A(distance from W to F)=10cm(We can measure it using a ruler), while B(distance from P to F)=14cm. We added 1.9N to the weight hook to get a net weight of 2N, then kept on adjusting the position of the spring balance until the system got into equilibrium. When it did, we checked the reading of the spring balance and we found that it is equal to 1.42N. Since we have P,W,A,B, we can now .calculate the mechanical advantage W/P= 2/1.42= 1.4 4

Figure(2)(a&b): Shows test(1) of the experiment

:E- Data analysis

B/A= 14/10 = 1.4 Then, we repeat the same process with changing the value of W to (4,6,8,10)N. We'll find that the mechanical advantage for all the cases is equal to 1.4 (table 2) for both ratios which .proves that W/P = B/A for levers from the second order In the third test of the experiment, we proved that B/A= W/P for levers from the third order. First, we moved the weight hook to the first lower hole from the right and reduced the weight over it to 0.9N ( so that we got a total weight of 1N). Then, we changed the position of the spring balance to the third upper hole from the right (Fourth from the pivot).Thus, A=16cm, and B=10cm(can be measured using a ruler). After that, we started adjusting the position of the spring balance until the bar became balanced, and we wrote down the reading on the ,spring balance. It was equal to 1.6N. So B/A= 10/16 = 0.62 W/P= 1/1.6= 0.62 When we repeat the same process but with changing the value of W to (2,3,4,5)N, we'll find (out that the value of the M.A is equal to 0.62, or to approximate, 0.6.(Check table 3 Finally, we proved that the ratios B/A and W/P are equal in the third order levers, and , therefore, we proved that in all levers, The mechanical advantage (A.M) can be measured by .(the two equal ratios (W/P and B/A

F- Discussion:
In test 1 where levers are from the first order, the weight to be measured/lifted (W) was located on the left side while the weight to be added or the effort to be put was located on the right side. That is because in levers from the first order, the fulcrum(F) is always located between the load(W) and the force(P). The load ( W) "the weight hook" was hanged into the second lower hole from the left end of the bar that is 10cm away from the pivot. Therefore, A(distance between W&F)= 10cm(measured using a ruler). On the other side of the bar, the force(P) is hanged through a weight hook into the first lower hole from the right end of the bar. That is 16cm away from the pivot (measured using a ruler). So, B(distance between P&F) =16cm. Regarding the weights added and to be carried, you might have noticed that during each case of test 1, W(the load) is constant. It varied from one case to another, however. On the other hand, P ( the force) varied within each case and from case to another (That doesnt mean that P had more than one final value, but we kept on adding weight until we got one final value, and thats why it is not constant).We kept on adding weight (P) so that the bar reaches an equilibrium. It should reach an equilibrium before we take our measurement because the base of this experiment is the principle of moments which itself requires an equilibrium in the system, and so that we can be able to put the two ratios(W/P and B/A) equal to each other. In the first case where W=1, we found out that P was equal to 0.62 when the bar balanced. Thus, to find the mechanical advantage of case 1 where (W=1, P=0.62, A=10, B=16) : (1) (2) We use the formula/ratio B/A = 16/10 = 1.6 We use the other ratio W/p = 1/0.62= 1.6 5

When we use the same process to do the other cases of test 1 (W=2,3,4,5), we will get the results showed in table (1).When we look at the table, we notice that the Mechanical Advantage in all the cases using the two ratios are equal. That leads us to the inference that W/P= B/A in levers from the first order.
W)N) P)N) M.A= W/P M.A= B/A 1 0.62 1.6 1.6 2 1.25 1.6 1.6 3 1.87 1.6 1.6 4 2.5 1.6 1.6 5 3.12 1.6 1.6

.Table(1): Results obtained from test 1. Notice that W/P=B/A for all the cases

In levers from the second order, the load(W) is between (F) and (P). Thus, we made some changes to our system in test 1 to make it suitable for test 2. We removed the weight hook of the force(P) on the right side and got it out of the system because P , in this test, will be represented by a spring balance rather than a weight hook. This spring balance will be hanged from an adjustable hook above the bar with its bottom hook attached to the bar from the second upper hole from the right. The load(W), on the other hand, will be represented by a weight hook, just like test 1, hanged from the second lower hole from the right. W ,again, is constant in each case of the test, but changeable from case to another (W=2,4,6,8,10). P ,however, kept on changing within a case until a final value was obtained when the system got into equilibrium. In case 1 (where W=2), we found out that P=1.42 (the reading from the spring balance),A= 10cm ,and B=14cm (Both measured using a ruler). Thus, to find the mechanical advantage (M.A), (1) (2) B/A = 14/10 = 1.4 W/P= 2/1.42=1.4 as well

By using the same method for (W=4,6,8,10), we will notice that the results are the same shown in table (2). (NOTE: in the actual experiment (test 2), we couldnt get any values for P when W=4,6,8,10 because the spring balance we used cannot handle more than approximately 3.5N. However, the table (table 2) was completed theoretically using the two ratios)
W)N) P)N) M.A= W/P M.A= B/A 2 1.42 1.4 1.4 4 2.85 1.4 1.4 6 4.28 1.4 1.4 8 5.71 1.4 1.4 10 7.14 1.4 1.4

.Table(2): Results obtained from test 2. Notice that W/P=B/A for all the cases as well

Lastly, in test 3 of the experiment where P is between (F) and (W), W (the weight hook) is placed into the first lower hole from the right (last lower from the pivot). That is , when measured by a ruler, 14cm away from the pivot (A=14cm). On the other hand, P (a spring balance) is attached the same way it did in test 2 but in a different hole in the bar ( the third upper hole from the right fourth from the pivot). That is, B=10cm (using a ruler as well ). (W) 6

in this test varies from case to another (1,2,3,4,5N). (P), however, keeps on changing within each single case and from case to another. It keeps on changing from case to another because it depends on the value of W which itself differs in each case, but it keeps on changing in the same case because we're trying to reach an equilibrium, so we keep on adjusting the position of the spring balance until we see the bar settled (balanced). At that time (when it is balanced), what we see on the spring balance (our reading ) is the value of P. Let's take the first case as an example. In that case, W=1N, A=16cm,B=10cm, and P(according to our reading) is 1.6N Thus, B/A= 10/16=0.6 W/P=1/1.6=0.6 When repeating the same method using different values of W(2,3,4,5), we'll get the following results:
W)N) P)N) M.A= W/P M.A= B/A 1 1.6N 0.6 0.6 2 3.2N 0.6 0.6 3 4.8N 0.6 0.6 4 6.4N 0.6 0.6 5 8N 0.6 0.6

Table(3): Results obtained from test 3. Just as in tests 1 and 2, W/P here = B/A for all cases

**You might have to be notified about three important facts: 3.In order to check if your reading (on the spring balance) is correct and accurate, equalize (W/P) and (B/A) and use the formula you get. W/P = B/A For example, in test 2, case 1. W=2, A=10,B=14,P=?? So, 2/P= 14/10 Then, 14P= 2*10 = 20 P= 20/14 = 1.4 (The same as the reading on the spring balance)

1.The spring balance we used in test 3 cannot handle more than 3.5N, and that's why we did cases(4&5) theoretically (we got the same value, however). 2.The value of the mechanical advantage we got is less than one. That means that there is NO mechanical advantage in that system.

:F- Conclusion
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The mechanical advantage of a lever can be measured using any of the two ratios W/P and.1 B/A In a first order lever used for lifting heavy weights that has a large M.A, the effort moves .2 the greater distance, not the load , because the load is fixed (unchangeable), while the effort .is changeable By noting the direction in which P and W move, we can distinguish between a first order and.3 a second order lever because in the first, P and W are in the same direction. Both of them are going downwards to keep the bar in balance. In the second, P is heading upward, while W is heading downward in a way that W is pulling the bar downwards and P is pulling it up to keep .the bar in balance :(Some examples of levers used in practice (shown in the next page .4

First order

Second Order

Third Order

:G- References TeQuipment.levers.TecQuipment Ltd2010 Second order levers, retrieved November,11th.2011 from http://www.dynamicscience.com.au/tester/solutions/hydraulicus/simplemachineslev ers6.htm Third order levers, retrieved November,11th.2011 from http://www.dynamicscience.com.au/tester/solutions/hydraulicus/simplemachineslev ers7.htm Lever, retrieved November,11th.2011 from http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/L/lever.html