GROUP# 3 08/ 03/10

Donato, Kyla Louise 08/ 10/10

Dulay, Leumee Patrizia Giannina 2B
Dy, Czarinnah Elaine Medical Technology
Dy, Ranier Vincent
Enriquez, Ephraim
Espinoza, Mary Trisha
Experiment no.4
CENTER OF GRAVITY AND EQUILIBRIUM
I. ABSTRACT
The center of gravity, also called the center of mass or mass center, is the mean location of all the mass in a
system. In the case of a rigid body, the position of the center of mass is fixed in relation to the body while Equilibrium is
the condition of a system in which competing influences are balanced. Another concept to be added in this experiment is
torque which is generally the rotational counterpart of force or just the “moment of force”. In the experiment conducted,
the application of center of gravity, equilibrium and torque will be put into play. In the set-up A, a meter stick is put into
equilibrium and then it is adjusted to another manner on which the point of support is in another place than of the place of
equilibrium. Then using weights, the set up was again brought into equilibrium by adjusting the weight in such a place
that the meter stick would again be balanced. Then in set-up B, the initial situation is that the point of support was
measured that of 30cm then by placing a 200g, 100g and 20g weights at marks 10cm, 20cm and 90cm correspondingly.
Lastly, by using a 50g weight and by positioning it at a certain point in the other side of the set-up, the combination of the
weight and distance must bring the said set-up to rotational equilibrium.

II. GUIDE QUESTIONS

1. Define the following:

a. The moment of a force- Moment of force can also be called as torque, it is generally the tendency of force to
produce rotation
b. The center of gravity- refers to the mean location of the gravitational force acting on a body.
2. Differentiate translational and rotational equilibrium.
-Translational equilibrium is a balanced system on which it remains at rest and is not moving in any direction
along a plane while rotational equilibrium is a balanced system on which it is not moving clockwise or
counterclockwise.
3. A uniform rod 1m long weighs 150N and is supported on some fulcrum. Weighs of 40N and 50N are suspended
from the two ends of the rod. Find the position of the fulcrum if the system is in equilibrium
Given: 1m rod weighing 150N, 40N weigh, 50N weigh
Position of fulcrum=?

0.5 + x

40N 150N 50N

0.5 – x
 Solution:
ετ =0
(40N)(0.5+x) + (150N)(x) = (50N)(0.5-x)
20+40x+150x = 25-50x
20+190x = 25-50x 0.5 + x :
190x+50x = 25-20 0.5 + 0.0208 = 0.5208m
240x = 5
0.5 – x:
240 240
X=0.0208m 0.5 – 0.0208 = 0.4792m
4. A uniform rod 10m long and weighing 150N is supported horizontally by props P and R a distance of
2m and 8m from one end. Weighs of 250N, 100N and 120N are attached 1m, 7m and 10m respectively
from the same end. Find the force of each prop.

F1=250N F3=100N F4=120N

2m 5m 8m

1m 7m 10m

P F2 =150N R
Solution:
P+R= F1l1 + F2l2 + F3l3 +F4l4
If fulcrum is placed on R, then:
P = (250N)(7m) + (150N)(3m) + (100N)(1m) + (120)(2m)
P= 2540N
FPlP= 2540N
FP (6m) = 2540N
6m 6m FP = 423.33N
FP= 423.33N
If fulcrum is placed on P, then:
R= (250N)(1m) +(150N)(3m) + (100N)(5m) + (120N)(8m)
R= 2160N
FRlR= 2160N
FR (6m) = 2160N
6m 6m
FR= 360N
FR = 360N

III. ANALYSIS AND GENERALIZATION

From the experiment performed, the relationship of equilibrium, torque and center of gravity has been
shown. In set-up A, the equilibrium of the meter stick was in its center of gravity then when weigh was added
then we put torque in the set up and equilibrium can again be achieved by either adjusting the fulcrum or the
weigh. In set-up B, equilibrium was achieved through adding and adjusting the distance of weigh from the
fulcrum. With careful analysis and examination of data along with proper computations, all objectives in the
said experiment were achieved.