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"I sent CoolStuff to a new teacher I'm
mentoring. I use CoolStuff all the time and love it. The kids love it and learn from it!"
~ Dixie D. from Texas
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Lab #
2.1
Mechanics: Walking the
Plank
Purpose
In this activity,
students will measure and
interpret the forces acting on
an object when the object is in
equilibrium.
Discussion
Consider two sign
painters who work on a scaffold
(a plank of wood suspended by
ropes at both ends). They might
wonder about the tension in the
ropes that support their
platform. They are in a state of
equilibrium, but how do the
forces relate to one another?
Their weights are downward
forces and the tensions in the
ropes suspending the scaffold
are upward forces. While the
weights of the painters never
change, the tensions in the
ropes seem to change when the
painters move along the
platform. In this activity, you
will arrange a platform similar
to a painter’s scaffold. You
will measure the forces acting
on the scaffold when it is in
various arrangements. You will
interpret the forces to
determine the condition of
equilibrium.
Required Equipment
Meter stick, 2
Ring Stands, 2 crossbars (metal
rods), 2 rod clamps, 2 collar
hooks, 2 spring scales (5- or
10-newton capacity), slotted
masses (two 200 g and one 500
g), 2 - 20-cm lengths of string,
Bulls Eye level (optional)
Download
Student Worksheet
Teacher Notes
Return to Lab Menu
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Collar
Hooks Bot |
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