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EXPERIMENT 2
Aim:
To use a torsional pendulum to measure the mass moment of inertia of a circular
disk.
Theory:
The rotational (or polar) mass moment of inertia about an axis (of rotation) is a
measure of distribution of the rotating mass about that axis. Its dimensions in SI
units are kg m2 and it is usually denoted by I.
JG
T
L (1.1)
J 12 R 4
, (1.2)
and G is the shear modulus of the shaft. R is the radius of the shaft. L is the
length of the shaft. For the steel shaft used, G = 77.2 GPa. The negative sign in
equation 1 indicates that the restoring torque is in the opposite direction to the
displacement.
T
I (1.3)
so
JG
I
L (1.4)
where
1 JG
kn
2 LI . (1.6)
t
t=0 2knt=2
1
t
We can see that at the end of the first cycle, 2 knt 2 so kn .
Procedure:
Measure the dimensions of the shaft (R, L) and the disk (h, r).
Determine the period (T) of oscillation of the pendulum by timing 20, 30, and 40
oscillations.
Calculations:
I 12 mr 2
(1.7)
(use the density of the steel disk to be 7860 kg/m3). The r is the radius of the disk.
Report
Your report should start by describing, in your own words, the aim behind this
experiment.
Also, describe briefly, in your own words what you did and how you did it.
Draw a diagram of the apparatus used and any other relevant illustrations.
For one set of data, give a set of sample calculations and estimate the errors in the
measured values.