last week we've done an experiment on static equilibrium. We are to determine the magnitude of the normal force exerted by the fulcrum. Our set up is shown by the following representation:

We first measured determined where the center of mass of the beam by hanging it to the fulcrum and putting it in balance by adjusting the it's position. Theoretically since the beam is uniform, the center of mass should be in it's "physical" center. Then we are to hang some weights in it so that when we hang weights the beam will also balance. Also we move the weights in different distances from the fulcrum and making sure again that the beam will balance. We planned to make 5 trials but we only did one because it's so hard to balance the beam with weights. To calculate the normal force, the sum of net forces acting on the system (the beam, the fulcrum and the weights) should be equal to zero since it is not moving. Also the net torque acting on it that is measured from the left part of the beam should also be equal to zero.