Crane Boom, Spring Scales, chain, and Hanging Masses
close-up of crane boom demo setup
Crane Boom, Spring Scale, pulley, rod and Hanging Masses
crane boom demo with scale and masses
crane boom demo with protractor, showing 40 degrees with 1K
crane boom demo with protractor, showing 40 degrees with 2K
crane boom demo, showing 30 degrees
crane boom demo, showing 15 degrees
Blackboard Mechanics set
tension protractors

 

Code Number: 1J40.70

Demo Title: Crane and Crane Boom

Condition: Good

Principle: Static Equilibrium

Area of Study: Mechanics

Equipment: 

Crane Boom, Spring Scales, Rope or Chain, Pulleys, and Hanging Masses.

Procedure:

Use the spring loaded crane boom if you want to measure the force of compression on the crane.  If you don't want to measure this force use a solid rod as the crane boom. Setup is determined by the component you wish to measure.

A version of the boom with a pulley on the end.

A version of the crane where the mass can be moved to different places on the horizontal arm and the tension can be monitored.

Kletzings demos are designed to go with the "clicker" questions he has.  For the 40 degree angle, there is a 5 newton loading for the mass of the boom and chain.  Then for each 1 K mass added the scale reading should go up by 15 newtons.

For the 30 and 15 degree demo angles the concept is to show that if you leave the mass at the end of the boom the same, but decrease the angle, the tension in the chain goes way up.

The Blackboard Mechanics set has scales with protractors built in that can be used on a magnetic black board or white board.

The tension protractors can be used when making a small version of the crane boom as long as the total mass is less than 1 kg.

References:

  • Frank A. Smith Jr., "Biomechanics Using a Crane Boom", TPT, Vol. 16, #4, Apr. 1978, p. 220.
  • Thomas B. Greeslade Jr., "Model Crane (Photo)", AJP, Vol. 70, #6, June 2002, p. 638.
  • D. Colson, C. J. Lapp, J. A. Eldridge, "Experiment III", 1936 Univ. of Iowa Physics Laboratory Manual, p. 10.
  • Central Scientific Company, "Experimental Crane Boom", p. 23.
1J40.70 - Crane - Adding Mass
1J40.70 - Crane - Changing Angle