Download 08a Force Distribution

Physics Laboratory Activity #8a
Force Distribution
Obtain a beam, two bathroom scales, and two wood wedges. Place one wedge on each scale. Place the
beam on the wedges, and adjust the position of the scales so that the wedges are near the ends of the
beam. See diagram below:
[ Diagram of Apparatus ]
Take a reading on both scales with only the beam resting on the wedges. Record these readings in the
first row of the table below. Now have a student stand on the beam above one of the bathroom scales.
Record the reading on each scale. Gradually the student should more from above one scale toward the
other scale. As the student moves record the distance of the student from each scale as well as the
reading on each scale. Record values in a table like the following:
Distance of student
from scale one
none
Distance of student
from scale two
none
Reading on Left Scale
Reading on Right
Scale
Plot a graph of the readings on the bathroom scale as a function of the distance of the student from the
scale. Plot the reading from both scales on the same graph. What conclusion(s) can be made by
analysis of these data?
8a - Force Distribution
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© 1995 Jim & Jane Nelson