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Measuring the Moment of Inertia of a Flywheel

Objective
=========
Measure the angular velocity of a flywheel and use conservation of
energy to calculate its moment of inertia.

Apparatus
=========
Flywheel
String
Slotted mass on hanger
Stop-watch
Vernier caliper
Metre ruler

Theory
======
The rotational kinetic energy can be defined by the equation K=1/2 I ω2.
Where I is the moment of inertia of the body about the axis of
rotation.
In this experiment, the fly heel rotates freely about a horizontal
axis. The radius of the axle of the fly heel can be measured ith a
caliper. As m falls, its gravitational potential energy is transferred
into translational kinetic energy of m, rotational kinetic energy of
the fly heel and ork done by friction. As the fly heel completes N
further turns, its original rotational kinetic energy is transferred
into friction loss. Assume the fly heel decelerates uniformly. Thus,
the moment of inertia of the fly heel can be determined.

Procedure
=========
1. The fly heel as set as sho n ith the axle of the fly heel
horizontal. A polystyrene tile as placed on the floor to avoid the
impact of the mass on the floor.
2. The vernier caliper as used to measure the diameter d of the axle.
The mean of t o perpendicular measurements as taken.
3. The hanger ith appropriate amount of slotted mass as put on the
tile. Use the balance to measure the total mass m.
4. Sufficient length of string as attached to the hanger so that the
free end raps once round the axle of the fly heel.
5. The mass as inded up to an appropriate height.
6. Verified that the string fell off the axle hen the mass hit the
ground. A label as put on the curved surface of the fly heel. The
mass as inded up again.
7. The height h of the mass as measured. The height h as recorded.
The number of revolutions n1 that the fly heel made as calculated as
the mass as ound up.
8. The mass as released and at the same time the stop- atch as
started.
9. As soon as the mass hit the ground, timing as stopped and the
number of revolution n2 that the fly heel performed as counted before
it came to rest.
10. The mass as inded up again and steps 7 to 9 ere repeated for at
least 3 times. The mean values of the falling time t and n2 ere
obtained.

Precautions
===========
1. The mass and the height from hich the mass falls should be chosen
so that the falling time is long enough for measurement to be taken
accurately. The mass and the height should not be changed throughout
the experiment once they have been chosen.
2. The first fe turns of the string should overlap the others.
3. The mass should be ound up to the same height in all trials.
4. When using the stop- atch, the hand should be held straightly to
minimum the reaction time error.
5. Do not stand too close to the polystyrene tile hen releasing the
mass.
6. When choosing the appropriate amount of the slotted mass, a smaller
amount (e.g. 1 slotted mass) should be chose to try first.
7. The later turns of the string should not overlap the others.
Result and calculation
======================
Mass m = 0.2 kg
Height h = 0.80 m
Axle diameter d = 0.0522 m
→ radius r = 0.0261 m
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
mean
Time t/s
1.75
1.85
1.84
1.84
1.81
1.78
1.82
1.78
1.81
No. of revs n1
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
No. of revs n2
25
27
23
26
26
24
25
23
25
Suppose v is the final velocity of the mass hen it reaches the floor
and ω is the angular velocity of the fly heel at this instant. Then
v = 2 × average velocity during fall = 2h / t
= 2 × 0.8 ÷ 1.81
= 0.88 m s-1
ω = v / r
= 0.88 ÷ 0.0261
= 33.9 rad s-1
From the conservation of energy,
Decrease in Increase
in Work done
gravitational potential = kinetic
energy + against
energy of falling mass of mass and
fly heel friction
i.e. mgh = 1/2 mv2 + 1/2 Iω2 + n1W
here W is the ork done against friction per revolution.
Since the kinetic energy acquired by the fly heel ( 1/2 Iω2) is
dissipated in n2 revolutions,
n2W = 1/2 Iω2
W = Iω2 / 2n2
Substituting,
mgh = 1/2 mv2 + 1/2 Iω2 + n1W
mgh = 1/2 mv2 + 1/2 Iω2 + n1Iω2 / 2n2
I = mr2 ( n2 / n1 + n2 ) ( gt2 / 2h 1)
=0.2 × (0.0261)2 ( 25 / (25 + 5) ) ( 10 × (1.81)2 / 2 × 0.8 1 )
=2.21 × 10-3 kg m2

Conclusion
==========
The moment of inertia of the fly heel is measured and found to be 2.21
× 10-3 kg m2.

Discussion
==========
Errors and improvement
1. The reaction times error. This can be improved by straighten the
hand hen taking the time.
2. The number of revolution n2 that the fly heel performed cannot be
accurately obtained. This can be improved by counting the number of
revolution by t o students instant of one and to repeat the experiment
more times.
3. Unsteady hands. When the hand released the mass, force may be push
to the mass. To improve this, student should release the mass slo ly
and softly.

Reference
=========
Physic Beyond 2000