An investigation into the relationship between the force applied on a cantilever and its deflection.

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An investigation into the relationship between the force applied on a cantilever and its deflection

I aim to investigate the relationship between the force applied on a cantilever and its deflection.

Research – A cantilever is a projecting structure such as a beam, which is supported at one end and carries a load at the other end or along its length.

To measure the deflection, I will place a ruler, vertically at the end of the cantilever with the force applied. I will record the amount of deflection with no force (only gravity) and calculate the difference.

Before I did the experiment, I carried out some preliminary work so that I could find out the best length of the cantilever, material of the cantilever, and maximum and minimum force applied to the cantilever.

I learnt from my preliminary experiment what my ranges should be and how many results I would need to prove my prediction. Also I learned how to set up my apparatus and how big or small my overhang should be.

I chose to use a meter ruler for my cantilever, as it is a widely available object to use and it is already marked in measurements.

I will use a wooden meter ruler, as it can take more force that a plastic one, I know this from my preliminary work.

I will use a maximum load of 7 Newtons (700 grams) because the ruler will only take a maximum of 7 Newtons (700 grams) I also know this from my preliminary work.

The variables in this investigation are the mass of the ruler, the length of the ruler (overhang), thickness of the ruler, material of the ruler, position of force on the ruler and the amount of force exerted on the ruler.

I have chosen to use the amount of force exerted on the ruler as a variable, therefore I must keep the position of the weights on the ruler the same so that the weight is evenly distributed the same all the time, the material of the ruler the same because a ruler of different material may deflect more or less and affect my results, I will keep the thickness of the ruler the same because a thicker ruler will deflect less and a thinner ruler will deflect more, the length of the ruler the same because a longer ruler would have the weight distributed over a bigger length and a shorter ruler would have the same weight over a smaller distance. Also I shall keep the mass of the ruler the same..

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The outcome variable that I am going to measure in this investigation will be the deflection of the ruler in mm, I will do this by looking at the reading horizontal to it so that the reading are not affected by the angle of which I read them from.

The equipment I will need for my experiment will be;

  • Two meter rulers
  • One G-clamp
  • One set of weights measured in intervals of 1 N (100 grams)
  • String

These are the methods I will use to obtain my results.

1. I will clamp ...

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