Phys1130 Lab 5: Balance & Moments
Question: is the centre of mass in the exact centre of the bamboo skewer? Why?
The centre of mass of a bamboo skewer is typically not in the precise centre. This is due to the
fact that the mass distribution of a bamboo skewer cannot be consistent. Because bamboo is a
natural material, its density can vary over time based on a number of variables, such as the
skewer's thickness, the density of the bamboo, and the existence of knots or other flaws. These
elements could lead to an uneven mass distribution along the skewer, which would affect where
the centre of mass is located.
Main calculations and system diagram:
L1 = 9.1cm L2 = 5.8cm L3 = 8.1cm L4 = 9.1cm L5 =11.9cm L6 = 6.0cm L7 = 10.6cm L8 = 1.9cm
2.898 N - 2.009 N difference calculated.
Table of masses & uncertainty:
Variable Measured Value Absolute uncertainty Fractional Uncertainty
𝑚
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 20.0g 0.3g 0.015
𝑟
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 1.9 cm 0.05 cm 0.026
𝑚
𝑠𝑤 3.58 g 0.11 g 0.031
𝑟
𝑠𝑤 10.6 cm 0.05 cm 0.005
𝑚
𝐿𝑤0. 5 1.80 g 0.06 g 0.033
𝑟
𝐿𝑤0. 5 11.9 cm 0.05 cm 0.004
𝑚
𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 20.0 g 0.30 g 0.015
𝑟
𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 9.1 cm 0.05 cm 0.005
𝑟
𝑢𝑛𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 8.1 cm 0.05 cm 0.006
𝑚
𝑢𝑛𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 2.64 g 0.09 g 0.034
𝑚
𝑚𝑜𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑒 32.16 g 0.71 g 0.022
𝑚
𝑏𝑎𝑚𝑏𝑜𝑜 1.65 g 0.10 g 0.061
𝑟
ℎ𝑒𝑥 𝑛𝑢𝑡 9.1 cm 0.05 cm 0.005
𝑚
ℎ𝑒𝑥 𝑛𝑢𝑡 2.64 g 0.09 g 0.034
𝑟
𝐿𝑤1. 0 5.8 cm 0.05 cm 0.009
𝑚
𝐿𝑤1. 0 4.14 g 0.15 g 0.036
Question: What was the difference in the measured total mass of your mobile (from
IOLab) versus your calculated mass (incl. mass of skewers)? Based on your uncertainty
for the mass of your large washer (1.0-cm dia. hole), do you think it would have been
more accurate if you included the mass of your string into your calculation (Note: each
25-cm piece of string has a mass of 0.07 g)? Explain your reasoning
The total mass of my mobile measured by the IOLab was around 90.50 g, while my calculated
mass, including the skewers, was 93.10 g, resulting in a difference of 2.60 g. This difference
could have been because of locating the exact positions of the objects on the skewers. The
uncertainty in the mass of the large washer (1.0cm diameter hole) is small, so I feel it didn’t
contribute much to this discrepancy. However, the mass of the string (0.07 g per 25 cm) could
make a difference if added. While each string’s mass is small, including it in the calculations still
would make the total mass slightly more accurate, especially when trying to match the
measured value. Even small factors like this can probably help improve the precision of the
result.
