APPLIED PHYSICS

Experiment 2

DAMPED TORSIONAL OSCILLATIONS

2.1

OBJECTIVES
1. Measure amplitude A of torsion pendulum as a function of timet for current I = 0A, I
= 0.2A and I = 0.4A.
2. Determine damping constant b by fitting the plot of Amplitude A vs. time t and use it
to determine damping coefficient b and logarithmic decrement .

2.2
1.
2.
3.
4.

2.3
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
2.4

SAFETY NOTES:
The current through the eddy current brake should not exceed 2 A for a long time.
Avoid overheating of the coils by measuring too long with large current I >1A.
Do not touch buttons and knobs of motor and power supply unnecessarily.
Make connections carefully and call teacher to check the connections before turning
on the power supply.
EQUIPMENTS/ REQUIREMENTS:
1 Torsion Pendulum
1 Power Supply for Torsion Pendulum
1 Stop watch
1 Ammeter (max. 3ADC)
1 Connecting lead red 50 cm
1 Connecting lead blue 50 cm
THEORY:
Free Oscillations:
For torsion pendulum, when no external torque is applied to the system then damped
oscillating system is described by the differential equation as:

d 2
d
b
D 0
2
dt
dt

(1)

J kg m2
Moment of Inertia
b kg m2 s -1 rad -1
Damping Coefficient
D N m rad -1
Torsion Coefficient or Torsion Constant
rad
Angular displacement or angle of rotation
Above equation can be written in standard form as:
where

2 2 0

(2)

where and o are damping constant and natural frequency respectively and

b
2J

and

D
J

In under damped case when <o , solution of equation 2 is:

Ae

b
t
2J

2
cos t o 2

Let A m then
2
m e t cos t o 2

if

2
o 2 then

m e t cos t

(3)

From above equation, the amplitude decrease exponentially by the factor e-t (see
figure 3.1) the factor T (t = T) is called the logarithmic decrement .
T
(4)

Lab Instructor Arshia Aijaz

Page|21

Experiment 2

APPLIED PHYSICS

The oscillations only occur when the expression for damping dependent angular
frequency has the positive radical i.e. 2 < o2 i.e. the damping torque is less than
the restoring torque. In this situation the system is said to be under damped. In
figure(3.2) the resulting motion is represented by curve a.
As damping increases amplitude of oscillation decreases. When damping constant b
reaches to its critical value such that =bc/2J and =0 then the system does not
oscillate and is said to be critically damped. If the retarding torque becomes greater
then the restoring torque i.e. >0 . In this case the system is said to be over
damped.

2.5

REFERENCES:
1. Physics by Halliday Resnick and Krane.
2. Fundamental of Physics by Halliday Resnick and Walker.
3. Physics for Scientists and Engineers by Serway and Jewett.

2.6

TECHNICAL DATA:
1. Characteristic frequency:
approx. 0.5 Hz
2. Weight: approx. 6 kg
3. Moment of inertia:
appox.3kgm2
4. Supply voltage: 0-24 V DC
5. Maximum eddy current: 2
A

2.7

2.8

DESCRIPTION:
1. Scale ring
2. Pendulum body
(2a) pointer for deflection,
(2b) pointer for phase
relation,
(2c) coiled spring
3. Exciter
(3a) push rod
(3b) drive wheel for eccentric
4. Electromagnet for eddy-current brake
5. Exciter motor
(5a) coarse control for excitation voltage,
(5b) fine control for excitation voltage

EXPERIMENTAL SETUP:

Lab Instructor Arshia Aijaz

Page|22

Experiment 2

2.9
1.
2.
3.

4.
5.
6.

2.10

APPLIED PHYSICS

PROCEDURE:
Make connections as shown in figure 3.4.
Set the pointer to the zero on the scale by turning the drive wheel.
Set the eddy current I=0. Move the pendulum to its limit position, and read off
amplitude A on the same side after every oscillation; measure the time t for
oscillations till it achieves an equilibrium. Use timet to determine the oscillation
period T
Repeat the experiment for I=0.2A and 0.4A. Read off the amplitude A after every
oscillation.
Open the worksheet in excel and fit the plot amplitude A (scd) Vs timet (sec) for
I=0A and I=0.4A. Use the plot to determine damping constant , logarithmic
decrement and damping coefficient b.
Attach the worksheet with your lab report.

OBSERVATIONS:
Write Observations in excel work sheet

2.11

GRAPH:
Fit the plot of amplitude versus time for free oscillation (for I=0A, I=0.2A, I=0.4A) by using
Microsoft Excel and determine damping constant for each value of eddy current.

2.12

CALCULATIONS:
1. Determine Time Period T for each case (for I = 0A and I = 0.4A). T=t/n
2. By fitting plot of amplitude versus time damping constant is found to be,
for I = 0A, = _______sec-1
for I = 0.2A, = _______sec-1
for I = 0.4A, = _______sec-1
3. Determine Logarithmic decrement ( for I = 0A, I = 0.2A and I = 0.4A).
4. Calculate damping coefficient b (for I = 0A, I = 0.2A and I = 0.4A). Take J = 3 kgm 2.

2.13

RESULT AND DISCUSSION:

Lab Instructor Arshia Aijaz

Page|23