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AP Physics 1 Project

The Mobile
Objective:
To design and construct an art mobile around a general theme using
physics and to calculate the mobile's translational and rotational equilibrium.
Teams: This is an INDIVIDUAL project. Each student must make their own mobile.
ART BACKGROUND:
A mobile is a hanging sculpture of moving parts
that twist and sway in the breeze. Mobiles are very
light, skeletal constructions, often made of wires and plates that seem to float in space.
Alexander "Sandy" Calder (1898-1976) was an artistic pioneer who created the art
form called the mobile. He earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1919 and
began to apply engineering and physics principles to his art. By the early 1970s,
Calder's mobiles were famous worldwide. His sculptures ranged in size from the
monumental to jewelry-sized.
"I used to begin with fairly complete drawings, but now I start by cutting out a lot of
shapes.... Some I keep because they're pleasing or dynamic. Some are bits I just
happen to find. Then I arrange them, like papier coll, on a table, and "paint" them -that is, arrange them, with wires between the pieces if it's to be a mobile, for the
overall pattern. Finally I cut some more of them with my shears, calculating for
balance this time."
Alexander Calder on building a mobile, from Calder's Universe, 1976.
Mobile Specifications/Requirements
The mobile may be made of common, household items that are NOT hazardous/dangerous, perishable, or living.
The mobile must have a consistent theme that can be summed up in a few words.
The mobile must be transportable and cannot exceed the dimensions of 15.0 cm x 30.0 cm (or 30.0 cm x 15.0 cm)
when laid flat. This length must include a loop from which the mobile will be suspended. Make sure that all
variations of the mobile, when laid flat, are within the dimensions (the mobile should spin horizontally but not
vertically).
The mobile must have a minimum of five levels of horizontal arms. Levels are counted from the top (closest to
loop) downward and in order to be considered a level, it must have a pivot point that is somewhere other than
directly below the previous levels pivot point. (Picture above is a 4 level, picture below is a 2 level mobile)
When suspended from its loop, the mobile should be three dimensional, all arms should be balanced and the
movement of the mobile arms should be unobstructed (this means they should not hit into another level if it
rotates horizontally).
The mobiles total mass must be at least 0.0750 kg (as measured by the electronic balance in D108).
Use non-rigid means of suspension (such as thread, string, embroidery cord or yarn) and rigid but low mass arms
(such as bamboo skewers, toothpicks, coffee stirrers or straws) to make the skeleton of the mobile. Objects
attached to the mobile to balance may be attached above or below the horizontal arm it is balancing.
Documentation Booklet Specification/Requirements
You will keep a journal (see teacher for booklet) that includes a sketch of your plan and documents your procedures and
modifications. Once you successfully build the mobile, make a scaled drawing indicating the tier level, actual lengths,
positions of all strings, pivots and elements with the forces and torques clearly labeled. Verify by calculation (on a
separate page) that translational (Fnet = 0N) and rotational (net = 0 mN) equilibrium exists.

HINTS

Pay Attention!!

Collect an assortment of everyday items to use as hanging masses and develop a theme. You can also use weighted paper
cutouts, photos, origami. Dont use food or items that will change mass over time (like popcorn or marshmallows) or a
perfectly balanced mobile can be out of whack by the time I grade it. And remember that wet glue does not have the same
mass as dry glue.
The masses can be suspended by massless thread or the method of suspension can be included with the hanging mass.
Support elements cannot be rigid. Remember that the whole thing must move freely. This works better if the hanging
masses are heavy compared to the suspension system.
Use very lightweight structural items for the horizontal arms. Ex: bamboo skewers, toothpicks, straws, coffee stirrers,
light wire, etc. If its not massless it will cause a torque which you must account for.
Keep a balance in your design (pun intended); execution of a more complex design may enhance the grade, but make
construction and calculations more difficult.
Construct your actual mobile by trial and error. You are likely to achieve the best results by starting with the lowest level
and working upward. (DONT IGNORE THIS HINT.)
Check out this AWESOME site to construct virtual mobiles (gives you a good feel for how they work, but doesnt extend
to five levels) http://www.nga.gov/kids/zone/mobile.htm
Find the mass of each element in the mobile before final assembly. Measure distances and record the position of each
support string after assembly. Make the final scale drawing with the mobile lying on the table in front of you. Be sure to
check that it wont exceed the required dimensions when it rotates.
Mobile Project Assessment
I. On Time (up to 15pts)
- Due Monday, June 15, 2015
- Impound before homeroom
II. Mobile (up to 50pts)
- Execution and complexity of design
- Meets material, size, and mass requirements
- At least 5 levels (read diagram notes at right)
- Well balanced and free to move (if it falls apart before grading you may
lose balance and/or level points)
III. Documentation Booklet (up to 35pts)
- Name of the mobile, theme, materials, initial plans
- Complete process documented (include date of entries)
Scale drawing:
- Neat, properly labeled and to scale
- Includes force vectors
Calculations:
- Comprehensive, neat, accurate and easy-to-follow
- Show all your work including both conditions for equilibrium
(translational and rotational) and the solved equations with units

IMPORTANT!
This drawing is only a 2 level mobile

Levels are counted down from the first


pivot along one path
If a pivot is located directly below
another, that does not count as a
separate level
Notice that elements are hung below the
pivots. They add mass but not torque.
The paperclips should not be used as a
connector of levels since it will prevent
the movement of the mobile

Compliled in part from Dolores Gendre http://honorsphysics.homestead.com/artandphysics.html and


http://www.nga.gov/education/classroom/counting_on_art/bio_calder.shtm#mobilemethod and bits and pieces from
dozens of Google hits and Ms. Doran.

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