FACULTY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

“In the name of Allah, The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful”

La
b
Inertia in Rotational Motion
#1
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Prepared By
Mohd Firdaus bin Hassan Nasrul Azuan bin
Alang
firdaus@ump.edu.my azuan@ump.edu.my
Noraini Mohd Razali
norainimbr@ump.edu.my

Fakulti Kejuruteraan Mekanikal,

Universiti Malaysia Pahang

Lab Location
Statics & Dynamics Laboratory

Lab Objectives

By the end of this lab, students should be able to demonstrate and

determine the moment of inertia as:
 System's inherent
 Pin-Point masses in a function of mass and radius
 Comparative investigations of solid and hollow cylinder
20 Date: ____________________

Student
Group Members Section
ID

BMM2521 Engineering Mechanics Lab II_0708/I_ Inertia in Rotation Motion

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4
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1.0 Introduction

The moment of inertia is a measure of the resistance of a body to angular acceleration.

The rotational aspects caused by a moment M, are governed by an equation of the form
M=Iα, where I is the moment of Inertia and α is an angular acceleration.

In the Figure 1, the drive weights bring the system to an accelerating

circular motion. The time (t) required for the drive weights to travel a
defined height (h) is measured with a simple, handheld stop watch.
This measured time (t) is the key to working out the term ‘moment of
inertia’. With the help of the measured time (t), using the
mathematical evaluation procedure and applying Newton's second law
of motion, the moment of inertia (I) can be calculated.

Figure 1

In the case of a non-mathematical, interpretive evaluation procedure,

the measured time is also the criterion for conceptual development.
For example variously large pin-point masses, at constant radius. The
larger the masses, the more time required to travel the defined
acceleration distance. The inertia of the system, expressed by moment
of inertia, is also greater. Or, in order to accelerate the larger masses
(e.g. with greater moments of inertia) as fast as the system with
smaller masses, we need heavier drive weights.

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Figure 2
In similar fashion the influence of radius and distribution of mass can
be experimentally determined and interpreted. Using this principle of
measurement, various rotational systems can be investigated,
comparatively and quantitatively. The set-up is changed by simply
positioning the various rotating bodies on the rotation axle as in
Figure 2. For didactic reasons, the mass and exterior radius of the
hollow and solid cylinder is the same.

2.0 Experiment Setup

1. TM610 Inertia in Rotational Motion Apparatus which comprises of,

a. Rotation body (hollow cylinder; OD 120 mm, iD 110 mm, 0.9 kg)
b. Pulley drum (Ø20 mm & Ø40 mm)
c. Guide pulley
d. Stand Rod (Rotation axle)
e. Bench Clamp
f. Thinwalled pipe (550 mm, Ø10 mm)
g. Solid cylinder (Ø120, 0.9 kg)
h. Weight with knurled screw (0.1 kg, 0.2 kg, 0.4 kg)
2. Stop watch
3. Steel ruler & Cord

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b
c

f
h
d
g

Figure 3

3.0 Experimental Procedure

Test 1: The System's Inherent Moment Of Inertia

Technically, the measurements should be of the moments of inertia of

the pinpoint masses (hollow and solid cylinders) alone. Thus, in order
to proceed with the most accuracy possible, the inherent moment of
inertia of the rotation axle and the connected thinwalled pipe must be
considered. An inherent moment of inertia can be measured for the
rotation axle with inserted pipe.

Figure 4

1. The thinwalled pipe is centered in the rotation axle.

2. The lapsed time (t) is measured for the traveled height (h). The
height (h) is measured once and can be considered constant for all
further experiment
3. In order to limit error in time measurement, three runs for each
weight selection are made. The average time and I 0 is calculated

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and recorded in Table 1

Formula

m1 gr 2 2
Io = tmean
2h
Io = Inherent moment of inertia for rotation axle and pipe,
kgm 2

m1 = drive weight, kg
g = Acceleration due to gravity, ms-2
r = pulley drum radius, m
h = height of elapsed time, m
tmean = average elapsed time, s

Test 2: Pin-Point Masses: I as A Function Of Mass

1. The thin walled pipe is centered in the rotation axle.

2. The two weights of the same mass are fastened to the pipe as
shown in Figure 4
3. Rotation radius of the pin-point mass R is constant for all
measurements.
4. For all experiments the drive weight of 100 g is used.
5. The lapsed time (t) is measured for the traveled height (h).
6. The experiments are carried out sequentially with the weights 100
g, 200 g and 400 g.
7. The drive radius (r = 20 mm) of the pulley drum is used for all
experiments.
8. In order to limit errors in time measurement, three runs for each
weight selection are made. From the measured times the average
is calculated and recorded in Table 2.
9. Plot moment of inertia, ICORR versus Rotation mass, m.
Formula

I CORR = I EXP - I o
m1 gr 2 2
I EXP = tmean
2h
I CAL = 2mR 2
I
Deviation = CORR
I CAL
ICORR = Moment of inertia calculated from experimental data but
corrected with inherent moment of inertia, kgm2

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IEXP = Moment of inertia calculated from experimental, kgm2

Io = Inherent moment of inertia for rotation axle and pipe,
kgm2
m = mass located at the pipe, kg (Rotation mass)
m1 = drive weight, kg
g = Acceleration due to gravity, ms-2
r = pulley drum radius, m
h = height of elapsed time, m
tmean = average elapsed time, s
R = radius of m from center point of rotation

Test 3: Pin-Point Masses: I as A Function Of Radius

1. The pipe is centered in the rotation axle.

2. Two weights, each of 400 g mass, are fastened to the thinwalled
pipe.
3. The effective radius (R) is set sequentially at 0.055, 0.095, 0.155
and 0.245 m.
4. The drive weight of 100 g is used for all experiments.
5. The lapsed time (t) for traversing the traveled height (h) is
measured.
6. The drive radius (r = 0.02 m) of the pulley drum is used for all
experiments.
7. In order to diminish errors in time measurement, three runs for
each experiment set-up are made. From the measured times the
average is calculated and recorded in Table 3.
8. Plot moment of inertia, ICORR versus Rotation radius, R.

Test 4: Comparative Investigations: Solid Cylinder - Hollow Cylinder

1. The solid cylinder or the hollow cylinder is fastened to the rotation

axle.
2. For all experiments a drive weight of m1 = 100 g is used
3. The lapsed time (t) for the traveled height (h) is measured.
4. The radius r = 10 mm of the pulley drum is used for all
experiments. In these experiments the smaller radius is used in
order to obtain longer lapsed times.
5. In order to decrease inaccuracies in time measurement, three runs
are made for each set-up. From the obtained times, the average is
determined and recorded in Table 4
Formula

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1
Hollow cylinder, I = m( D 2  d 2 )
8
1
Solid cylinder, I = md 2
8

Where
m = mass of cylinder, kg
D = outer diameter, m
d = inner diameter, m

4.0 Results

Table 1: Results for Test 1

m1 t1 t2 t3 tmean I0
[kg] [sec] [sec] [sec] [sec] [kgm2]
0.1 3.57 3.46 3.54 3.52 3.3x10-
3

Example of Calculation

h = 0.75m
m = 100 g  1N
3.57  3.46  3.54
t mean = = 3.52
3
 m g r2  2
I 0 =    t
 2h 
1  0.02 2  3.52 2
I0 = = 3.3  10 -3 kgm 2
0.75  2

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Table 2: Results for Test 2

m t1 t2 t3 tmean IEXP ICORR ICAL Deviati

Both (x10 -
(x10 -
(x10 - on
side 3
) )
3 3
)
[kg] [sec] [sec] [sec] [sec] [kg [kg [kgm2 [%]
m2 ] m2 ] ]
1 0.4 13.5 13.5 13.7 13.6 49.3 46.0 48.02 -4.02
3 6 5 1 9 9
2 0.2 9.83 10.2 10.2 10.0 27.1 23.8 24.01 -0.67
0 3 9 5 5
3 0.1 7.57 7.52 7.57 7.55 15.2 11.9 12.01 -0.92
0 0

Rotation radius, R is constant = 0.245 [m]

Example of Calculation
h = 0.75m For m=400g for both
sides m = 100 g  1N
13.53  13.56  13.75
t mean = = 13.61
3 I cal = 2  m  R 2
 m g  r2  2
I exp =    t I cal = 2  0.4  0.2452
 2h 
I cal = 48.02  10 -3 kgm 2
1 0.02 2  13.612
I exp = = 49.39  10 -3 kgm 2
0.75  2
 I corr = I exp - I 0 = 46.09  10 -3 kgm 2

ICORR versus Rotation mass, m

ICORR (kgm2)
50

40

30

20
BMM2521 Engineering Mechanics Lab II_0708/I_ Inertia in Rotation Motion

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10

0 100 200 300 400 Mass (g)

Table 3: Results for Test 3

R t1 t2 t3 tmean IEXP ICORR ICAL Deviati

Rotati (x10 -
(x10 -
(x10 - on
on
)
3 3
) )
3
radius
[m] [sec] [sec [sec]
[kg [sec] [kg [kgm2 [%]
] m2] m2] ]
1 0.055 4.58 4.62 4.77 4.6 5.79 2.49 2.42 2.89
6
2 0.095 6.31 6.19 6.29 6.2 10.4 7.15 7.22 -0.97
6 5
3 0.155 9.13 9.12 8.78 9.0 21.6 18.3 19.2 -4.53
1 5 5 2
4 0.245 13.4 13.6 13.6 13. 49.3 46.0 48.0 -4.02
8 6 9 61 9 9 2
Mass of weight, m at both sides is constant = 0.4 [kg]

Example of Calculation
R = 0.055 I cal = 2  m  R 2
m = 100 g  1N
I cal = 2  0.4  0.055 2
4.58  4.62  4.77
t mean = = 4.66 I cal = 2.42  10 -3 kgm 2
3
 m g  r2  2
I exp =    t
 2h 
ICORR versus Rotation radius, R
1 0.02 2  4.66 2
I exp = = 5.79  10 -3 kgm 2
0.75  2 ICORR (kgm2)
 I corr = I exp - I 0 = 2.49  10 -3 kgm 2
50

40

30

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20

10

0 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 Rotation Radius

Table 4: Results for Test 4

t1 t2 t3 tmean IEXP=ICO ICAL Deviati

RR (x10-3) on
(x10-3)
[sec] [sec [sec] [sec [kgm2] [kgm2 [%]
] ] ]
Hollow 6.20 6.2 6.24 6.2 2.59 2.98 -13.08
cylinder 7 4
Solid 4.81 4.8 4.82 4.8 1.56 1.62 -3.70
cylinder 8 4

Example of Calculation
hollow Solid
1 1
I CAL =  m  ( D 2  d 2 ) I CAL =  m d 2
8 8
1 1
I CAL = (0.9)  (0.12 2  0.112 ) I CAL = (0.9)  (0.12 2 )
8 8
I CAL = 29.81 10 -3 kgm 2 I CAL = 1.62  10 -3 kgm 2

5.0 Discussion

1. Define the meaning of the term ‘moment of inertia’.

- The property of an object associated with its resistance to rotation. It depends on
the objects mass and the distribution of mass with respect to the axis of rotation
- Moment of inertia is defined with respect to a specific rotation axis.

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2. Why three time of measurements is used for each weight?

- In order to limit errors in time measurement. From the measured times, the
average is calculated.

3. What are the relationship between moment of inertia, mass of the

rotating body and the rotation radius?
- The moment of inertia is a linear function of the mass of the rotating body with
rotational radius constant.
- The moment of inertia is a quadratic function of rotation radius with mass
constant.
In short,
I  M I  R2

Where,
I = moment of inertia (kgm2)
M = mass (kg)
R = rotation radius (m) 2

4. Why both solid and hollow cylinders have the same outer diameter
and mass?
- In order to obtain the necessary technological results in a convincing manner.
- To investigate the moment of inertia between different types of cylinder but have
the same mass and size.

1
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5. Why smaller radius of pulley drum is used in experiment D?

-To obtain longer lapsed times.
1
6. Why hollow cylinder has high moment of inertia?
- Hollow cylinder has larger “centrifugal mass” than solid cylinder (mass
distribution).

(Hollow Cylinder) (Solid Cylinder)

1
7. In the experiment D, why moment inertia of experiment equal to
moment inertia of corrected?
-The rotation axle has an insignificant moment of inertia, so the equation becomes:

I experiment = I corrected
Where,
Io = 0 (without thin walled pipe)

1
6.0 Conclusion
- Value of moment of inertia extremely depends on the mass body and rotation
radius.
- Hollow cylinder has higher moment of inertia compare to solid cylinder
for same outside diameter and the same mass since different mass distribution.

2
Reference

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– Any resources

BMM2521 Engineering Mechanics Lab II_0708/I_ Inertia in Rotation Motion