To investigate the affect of changing the force applied to a cantilever on its deflection.

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Sam Beese 11.F

Cantilevers

Any structure that overhangs e.g. a bride is known as a cantilever.  There is a direct relationship between the applied force and deflection of a cantilever.  

Aim: To investigate the affect of changing the force applied to a cantilever on its deflection.

Planning:

Equipment: 

  • Meter stick – to act as a cantilever
  • Meter stick – to measure deflection
  • Retort stand to hold measuring meter stick
  • G clamp – to clamp cantilever to bench
  • 100g masses – to provide the applied force (100g feels1.0N)

Procedure: 

  • Clamp the end of the meter stick to the bench
  • Tie measuring meter tick to a retort stand such as a stool at the other end of the meter stick
  • Measure the current deflection and record as the deflection at 0.0N
  • Apply first 100g mass
  • Measure and record the change in deflection
  • Repeat the above for the next 5 100g masses
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Variables:

In order to make this a fair test the following must be kept constant:

  • Type an thickness of the ruler (e.g. thicker rulers will deflect less)
  • Length of ruler (the greater the length is the greater the deflection)
  • Distance from clamped end the force is applied to ruler (the greater the deflection will be because the turning effect is greater
  • Method of measuring the deflection (use the same line of sight/point on the ruler)

If these are not kept constant the test will not be fair and the results gained ...

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