FACULTY OF MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

BFF2821 MECHANICS LABORATORY

EXPERIMENT NO: 2
EXPERIMENT NAME: PRINCIPLE OF MOMENT
SUBMISSION DATE: 6 DECEMBER 2016
SESSION NUMBER: 01 P
GROUP NUMBER: 4

INDIVIDUAL REPORT:

NAME ID
NUR SYAMIZA BINTI ZAMRI FA 14030

LAB INSTRUCTOR
MR AIDIL SHAFIZA
 MECHANICS LAB.

LAB 2 - THE PRINCIPLE OF MOMENTS FOR PARALLEL AND NON-PARALLEL

FORCES

Nur Syamiza Binti Zamri , FA14030 ,

Faculty Of Manufacturing Engineering , Universiti Malaysia Pahang

1. Abstract

The objective of this experiment is to verify the principle of moments for parallel and non-
parallel forces . The beam balance (pivot bar) is mounted through the hole on the panel with the
pivot screw, is secured with nut . Then the parallel force and non-parallel force is place as shown
in procedure . For the non-parallel force , the distance and angle is measure . From the result we
can compare about the type of force acting on the beam balance . We also have already verify
the principle of moment. So from the result , two parallel forces which are acting in the same
direction are known as like parallel forces . Other than that , two parallel forces which are acting
in the opposite direction are known as like unparallel forces . Lastly , the principle of moments
for parallel and non-parallel forces can be verify from this experiment .

2. Introduction to the fixed suspension point (distance

vector) and the force vector, which tends to
Torque, moment, or moment of force is the
produce rotational motion. The product F x
tendency of a force to rotate an object
d is known as moment of the force. The
around an axis,[1] fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a
magnitude of torque depends on three
force is a push or a pull, a torque can be
quantities: the force applied, the length of
thought of as a twist to an object. This was
the lever arm[3] connecting the axis to the
apparently the first use of the word moment
point of force application, and the angle
(Latin, momentorum) in the sense which we
between the force vector and the lever arm.
now know it: a moment about a center of
rotation.[2]Mathematically, torque is defined The principle of moments is often used in
as the cross product of the vector by which engineering and construction where forces
the force's application point is offset relative have to be balanced to prevent turning. This
concept applies for both parallel and oblique 4. Procedure
forces. Nevertheless, the distance, d should 4.1 Preparation
always be perpendicular from the pivot. 1. The mounting panel in the vertical
position is secured.
2. The beam balance (pivot bar) is mounted
through the hole on the panel with the pivot
screw, is secured with nut. Make sure that
3. Apparatus
the stop bar is horizontal and above the pivot
Apparatus Quality bar (see Figure 1).
Mounting panel 1 3. Position the pulleys on the panel and
secure them with nuts.
Pivot bar and stop 1

Pulleys 2

Knurled nuts 2

Pivot screw 1

Weight hooks 3
4.2 Test 1
1. The weight hooks is hang from the end
Cord approximately 400 mm 1
holes of the bar (see Figure 2). Do insert the
long
hook from the rear of the bar.
2. The weight of each weight hook is 0.4N.
Weights 1 set
Add 1.6N load to each of them to obtain a
total of 2N force at both side of the bars.
3. The arm “floating” between the stop is
positioned.
4. The distance of the weight hooks from the
pivot of the bar (the reading should be 160
mm) is measured.
5. The right weight hook is moved to a hole
nearer to the pivot, and load it with
sufficient weights to balance the bar in the
level position (see Figure 3).
6. The total weight at the weight hook and
their total loads, F are recorded.
7. The distance, d of the hole from the pivot
is recorded.
2. The cord is pass over the middle pulley
and hook it into the end hole of the right arm
of the bar (Figure 4)
using the lightweight hook.
3. The weight hook to balance the bar is
loaded. The weight of the weight hook and
its load, F are recorded.
4. The perpendicular distance, d from the
pivot to the cord is recorded.
5. The test by passing the cord over the left
pulley and attach to the center arm of the bar
(Figure 5) is repeated.

4.3 Test 2
1. Take a cord with (approximately 40 cm
long). The right weight hook is removed
from the bar.
 5. Result ∑Mo = 2N x 0.16m

= 0.32Nm
Test Type of Force, F Distance Moment,
b) Left arm:
force (N) (measured M (Nm)
from the ∑Mo = 2N x 0.16m
pivot
= 0.32Nm
point),d(m)
1 Tension Figure 2: Left: 0.16 Left: 0.32 Moment Figure 3 from center :
(parallel) Left: 2 Right: 0.16 Right:
a) Right arm:
Right: 2 0.32
Figure 3: Left: 0.16 Left: 0.32 ∑Mo = 3N x 0.1m

Left: 2 Right: 0.1 Right:

= 0.3Nm
Right:3 0.3
2 Tension Figure4: 0.093 -0.022 b) Left arm:

(non- Right: ∑Mo = 2N x 0.16m

parallel) 3.2
= 0.32Nm
Figure5: 0.075 0.1
Right:
5.6
Test 2

Figure 4, d = 0.093m , anticlockwise

6. Calculation

For test 1, calculate the turning moment of at 1) the

0.16 0.16

left arm of the balance and 2) the right arm of the

d
balance for each of the experimental set up
mentioned. For test 2, calculate the turning moment W1=2N W2=3.2N
for each experiment setup mentioned.
∑Mc = 3.2N (0.093m/0.16m) x 0.16m –
Test 1 2N(0.16m)

Moment Figure 2 from center : = -0.022Nm

a) Right arm:
Figure 5, d = 0.075m , anticlockwise
0.16 d
W1=2N W2=5.6N
∑Mc = 5.6N x 0.075m -2N x 0.16m
= 0.1Nm
7. Discussion
1.Describe how turning moment of a force
is measured?
The turning effect is calculated by
multiplying the force by the perpendicular
distance from the pivot.
Moments are measured in newton
metres (Nm). Moment = F d
F = the force in newton (N)
d = perpendicular distance in metres
(m)
2. What does the principle of moment
state about the turning moments of forces
acting on a body?
The principle of moments states that
when in equilibrium the total sum of the
anti-clockwise moment is equal to the total
sum of the clockwise moment. When a
system is stable or balance it is said to be in
equilibrium as all the forces acting on the
system cancel each other out.
3.In Test 2 , it should be moment at center is
equal to zero , but the value we get is not
equal to zero due to parallax error occur
when reading the value of d .
8. Conclusion
We also have already verify the principle
of moment. So from the result , two parallel
forces which are acting in the same direction
are known as like parallel forces . Other than
that , two parallel forces which are acting in
the opposite direction are known as like
unparallel forces . When in equilibrium the
total sum of the anti-clockwise moment is
equal to the total sum of the clockwise
moment. Lastly , the principle of moments
for parallel and non-parallel forces can be
verify from this experiment
9. References
1) Serway, R. A. and Jewett, Jr. J. W.
(2003). Physics for Scientists and
Engineers. 6th Ed. Brooks
Cole. ISBN 0-534-40842-7.
2) Crew, Henry; Smith, Keith Kuenzi
(1930). Mechanics for Students of
Physics and Engineering. The
Macmillan Company, New York.
p. 25.
3) Tipler, Paul (2004). Physics for
Scientists and Engineers: Mechanics,
Oscillations and Waves,
Thermodynamics (5th ed.). W. H.
Freeman. ISBN 0-7167-0809-4.