Basic Equipment
- 1 force probe
- 1 USBLink (not shown)
- 1 meterstick with holes and a string attached
- 1 box mass (not shown)
- 1 paper clip to hang masses (shown later)
- 2 table posts
- 2 clamps with short posts
Note : your meterstick should always be horizontal when making measurements.
"Anchor" for meterstick .. the PIVOT
The short wooden dowel is clamped to the pole, and the meterstick can pivot around that point.
Note - any "distances" should be measured from this pivot point!
String loop on force probe end
There is probably already a loop of string connected to the meterstick. That will connect to the Force probe
Force probe support
Use the short metal dowel to mount the force probe to one of the vertical poles.
Don't forget to ZERO the force probe WITHOUT ANY MASS ON IT ... do that before you make each measurement (easiest way is to just lift up the beam to remove the tension in the force probe - zero - then put it back).
Highly technical way to hang masses from the meterstick
We want to vary the locations of the masses along the meterstick ... pictured here is the result of several years worth of trials to develop the proper technology necessary to suspend the masses from the meterstick.
What appears to be a "large paperclip" is really a "quantum-chromodynamical mass suspension device". This will enable us to easily slide the hanging masses along the meterstick.
Thanks to NASA for allowing us to use their supercomputers for the simulations during the development of this technology.
Tension at an angle
This image illustrates how you can have an angle to the string supporting the meterstick. You may need to move the clamped post to achieve this. When you do this, please make sure the string line up with the meterstice as shown above.
