Re: statics lab

[Leigh Palmer <palmer@SFU.CA>]

There exists an overhead projector demonstration apparatus which works
as a two dimensional force table. One could use this, suspended
horzontally by ring stands, together with a weight applied to the
central ring. Measuring positions and angles*, and doing the necessary
trigonometry may be difficult, and the pulley arrangement would really
work only when the horizontal forces are also balanced**. Check your
CENCO and similar catalogs for the overhead projection force table.

Leigh

*Consider casting shadows using a small light source at a large
distance.

**If they appear to be unbalanced the problem may lie in the nonideal
nature of the pulleys used - they don't pivot in this apparatus.

> On Mon, 18 Sep 2000, Justin Parke wrote:
>
> > I have a more mundane question than the philosophical debates about
> > which I have been reading lately.
> >
> > Can someone recommend a nice 3 dimensional statics lab I can do with my
> > AP physics students?  Something along the lines of a mass hung from some
> > ring stands with spring scales and projecting into two planes...
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Justin Parke
> > Oakland Mills High School