Mechanical Engineering · Machines and forces / Principles and inquiry
Levers and torque experiment guide
Move the fulcrum and weights to compare lever arms and torque bars.
How does it work?
Different masses balance when mass times lever arm is equal.
Key relationship
τ = mgd · Στ = τright − τleft
Try this investigation
- Move the fulcrum and weights to compare lever arms and torque bars.
- Run and record each of the three reference settings.
- Change one variable and compare force, deformation or response with the reference records.
Interpreting your results
What is the balance condition?
Equal opposing torques · Different masses balance when mass times lever arm is equal.
Assumptions and limitations
The rigid lever is massless and the pivot frictionless. Tilt highlights net torque direction and is not a dynamic solution. Do not reproduce real load tests.