2) Flywheel Practical Interactive Theory v1.0

Flywheel Practical
Interactive Introduction
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Moment of Inertia of a Flywheel
We are going to take
measurements to calculate the
moment of inertia of a
flywheel.
Before taking measurements,

the equations and algebra
underpinning the method are
rather crafty and need to be
walked through.
Slow down, stop, stop, HELP! Flywheel

What’s a flywheel again?? practical
What is a Flywheel?
If you throw a tennis ball in outer space it carries on
moving forever
It has a store of kinetic energy. Linear kinetic energy
A spinning disc is a flywheel. It has a store

of rotational kinetic energy.
OK
What is a Flywheel?
Why isn’t this flywheel a solid disc?

Why is most of the metal at the rim?
Not enough metal
To make it easier to spin
To give it a smaller moment of inertia
To give it a bigger moment of inertia

Not quite right…
Hint:
By concentrating the mass in the rim, more of it’s
mass is distributed further from the axis of rotation
Go back
What is a Flywheel?
Correct
If the mass is distributed further from the axis, then the
moment of inertia is greater.
The flywheel will store more kinetic energy at the same

angular speed ω as an (equal mass) wheel with a smaller
radius.
OK
What is a Flywheel?
Why does the train engine have a flywheel?

Click the incorrect explanation.
To stabilise the output of the engine – stop it

going fast-slow, fast-slow irregularly
So it doesn’t have to burn coal or have a

boiler
To store energy ready to help it go up a hill
To store energy when the engine stops at a

station
Not quite right…
That explanation is valid.
You need to click the incorrect explanation.
Go back
What is a Flywheel?
Well done, you have mastered the basics.
Flywheels are spinning discs.

Spinning discs store kinetic energy which is useful.
Petrol engines have flywheels to stabilise their output
OK
string wound
mg
A B C
Study the pictures very carefully – they show the practical we

are going to do.
Which statement is false?
Picture A: the flywheel accelerates
B: Cut the string when the weight hits the floor
Picture C: The flywheel decelerates
The flywheel has no friction

Not quite right…
A is true, The weight falls downwards, the string is

wound round the axle so the torque accelerates
wheel
Go back
Not quite right…
B is true, The string has to be cut when it is 1-2mm

from the ground so it doesn’t wind back around the
axle and lift the weight back up
Go back
Not quite right…
C is true, The flywheel decelerates due to the

friction associated with the axle.
In algebra terms, this is the most complicated and

sneaky bit of the practical
Go back
string wound
mg
A B C
Correct. The flywheel decelerates in C due to the friction

associated with the axle.
In algebra terms, this is the most complicated and sneaky bit

of the practical – you will see.
I’ll let you know when you get questions wrong.

When you are correct, you will just progress on to something
new on the next page.
Let’s go
How will we measure the angular speed of the flywheel?
Paint stripes on the wheel, use a light gate
Measure the linear speed, ω = v/r
Put markers on the wheel and use slowmo
Angular acceleration x time: ω = αt

Not quite right…
This is a fine idea. It’s a bit like measuring a
magnet spinning around with a sensor.
I have a flywheel here, it sadly doesn’t have

stripes or magnets.
Do you have a light gate I can borrow?
Go back
Not quite right…
Measuring the linear speed of the mass is messy.
Light gates would probably help.
Is there a different method?
Go back
Not quite right…
This equation is correct for uniform angular
acceleration from rest.
We would still need to measure angular acceleration

though – even trickier.
Go back
The glorious Mr Wilson method!
Yes
First – a rough estimate to compare our final answer to.
Can you remember the moment of inertia of a solid disk?
Iz = mr2
Iz = ½mr2
Iz = ⅓mr2
Iz = 2mr2
Not quite right…
Iz = mr2
Is the moment of inertia for a
particle at r or a hoop radius r
The moment of inertia of a solid disc

will be less than this
Go back
Not quite right…
You clicked the silliest answer
Iz = 2mr2
Iz = mr2
Is the moment of inertia for a
particle at r or a hoop radius r
The moment of inertia of a solid disc

will be less than this
Go back
Not quite right…
Iz = ⅓mr2
Is the moment of inertia for a thin
rod at an end
It’s the only realistic fake answer

here so don’t be too hard on yourself
Thin rod end mr2/3
Go back
First – a rough estimate to compare our final answer to.
For a solid circular disc Iz = ½mr2
For our flywheel [pictured]

Diameter ≈12cm
Mass ≈2kg
Estimate the moment of inertia for our flywheel
0.0072 kgm2 0.0036 kgm2
0.0288 kgm2 0.0144 kgm2
72 kgm2 36 kgm2
Not quite right…
Iz = ½mr2
Have another look at your calculation…
Go back
Not quite right…
Iz = ½mr2
Radius not diameter
Go back
Not quite right…
Iz = ½mr2
metres not centimetres
Go back
Diameter ≈12cm
Mass ≈2kg
Write down your estimate 0.0036 kgm2
It will be useful to compare to your practical answer using

the main method
Hopefully we will get the same order of magnitude
i.e. 0.00something kgm2
Written down,
I promise
The mass is released and falls.
What energy change occurs as the

mass descends and the flywheel
accelerates?
Wfriction = ∆EP + EK linear + EK angular
∆EP + Wfriction = EK linear + EK angular
∆EP + EK linear = EK angular + Wfriction
∆EP = EK linear + EK angular + Wfriction

Not quite right…
Here’s what the symbols mean;
EK linear kinetic energy gained by the falling mass

EK angular kinetic energy gained by the rotating wheel
∆EP loss of gravitational energy of the mass
Wfriction work done against friction by the

rotating wheel
Now have another go…
Go back
Lost GPE is turned into KE and heat energy;
∆EP = EK linear + EK angular + Wfriction
Substitute for symbols
Use Wf: work done against friction for one revolution

n: number of times string is wrapped around axle
or revolutions whilst accelerating
n turns
mgh = ½mv2 + ½Iω2 + Wf
mgh = ½mv2 + ½Iω2 + nWf
mgh = ½mv2 + ½mr2 + Wf
mgh = ½mv2 + ½mr2 + nWf

Not quite right…
This information should help;

n turns
EK linear = ½mv2
EK angular = ½Iω2
∆EP = mgh
Wf: work done
Wfriction = nWf against friction for
one revolution
Now have another go…
Go back
This expression is the period up to when the mass reaches
the floor and the flywheel is accelerating;
Wf: work done against friction for one revolution

n: number of times string is wrapped around axle/
revolutions whilst falling
ω: angular speed of wheel when the mass reaches the floor
I: moment of inertia for the flywheel – the goal
m: hanging mass
v: velocity of mass at the bottom
h: height the mass falls through
OK
This expression is for the period up to when the mass
reaches the floor. The flywheel is accelerating in this phase;
Wf: work done against friction for one revolution

n: number of times string is wrapped around axle/
revolutions whilst accelerating
m: hanging mass
v: velocity of mass at the bottom
N: revolutions whilst decelerating at the end
OK
This expression is for the period up to when the mass
reaches the floor. The flywheel is accelerating in this phase;
Once the mass touches the floor, the flywheel will begin to
slow down – taking N rotations to do so.
Which expression describes the energy transfer for the end

decelerating phase?
½mv2 + ½Iω2 + nWf = NWf
½Iω2 = NWf
½mv2 = NWf
½Iω2 + nWf = NWf
Symbols help
Not quite right…
Which expression essentially shows;
rotational kinetic energy = energy dissipated in N turns
Go back
When decelerating the flywheel over time t and N rotations;
ωaverage = 2πN/t
If the deceleration is uniform then what is the initial

maximum angular speed ω?
ω = πN/2t
ω = πN/t
ω = 2πN/t
ω = 4πN/t
Not quite right…
If the deceleration is uniform then the initial speed is

double the average speed
Go back
Yummy, time for some tasty algebra
mgh = ½mv2 + ½Iω2 + nWf (1)

Wf = Iω2/2N v = ωr ω = 4πN/t
for string coil width r
Substitute for Wf and for v into (1)
Rearrange to make I the subject…
Nm 2gh 2Nm 2gh 2

I= – r 2 I= – r
N+n ω2 N+n ω2
Nm 2gh 2Nm 2gh 2

I= – r 2 I= – r
2N+n ω2 2N+n ω2
Discrete panic button – please just show me the answer…

Not quite right…
[v = ωr]
[Wf = Iω2/2N ] mgh = ½mω2r2 + ½Iω2 + ½nIω2/N
[÷ω2, x2] 2mgh/ω2 = mr2 + I + nI/N
2mgh n
[collecting terms in I]
2 – mr2 = I 1+
ω N
I leave the last step up to you to get it into

the form of one of the answers…
Go back
Well done – here is the final expression we are using in
the practical and the meaning of each term
Nm 2gh 2 ω = 4πN/t
I= – r
N+n ω2

n: revolutions whilst accelerating at the start
m: hanging mass
t: time during deceleration
r: axle width where the string is wrapped
Write down the two equations and any sneaky symbols
Written down, I promise,

quiz me on these
1
Nm 2gh 2
I= – r
N+n ω2
What is r?
The string winding radius
The flywheel radius
The axle thickness
The axle radius

1
Nm 2gh 2
I= – r
N+n ω2
What is r?
The string winding radius
The flywheel radius

Incorrect
The axle thickness
The axle radius

Go back
Clue: r appeared here v= ωr
r linked linear speed of the falling weight and angular rotation
2
Nm 2gh 2
I= – r
N+n ω2
When does the flywheel accelerate?
The whole time, until it finally stops
As the weight falls, before the string is cut
After the string is cut
The wheel doesn’t accelerate

2
Nm 2gh 2
I= – r
N+n ω2
When does the flywheel accelerate?
The whole time, until it finally stops
As the weight falls, before the string is cut
Incorrect
After the string is cut
The wheel doesn’t accelerate

Go back
Clue: when there is a force in the string it
creates a torque on the flywheel
3
Nm 2gh 2
I= – r
N+n ω2
What is n and what is N?
n rotations decelerating, N rotations accelerating
n rotations accelerating, N rotations decelerating
n rotations accelerating, N total rotations
n total rotations, N rotations accelerating

3
Nm 2gh 2
I= – r
N+n ω2
What is n and what is N?
n rotations decelerating, N rotations accelerating
Incorrect
n rotations accelerating, N rotations decelerating
n rotations accelerating, N total rotations
n total rotations, N rotations accelerating

Go back
Clue: n is for the first phase of the movement
N is for the second phase of the movement
4
Nm 2gh 2
I= – r
N+n ω2
Why did we eliminate v from the equation?
No linear movement here, everything is rotating
We can’t measure the linear velocity of the weight
The weight stops when it reaches the ground
v and ω are linked, no need for both

4
Nm 2gh 2
I= – r
N+n ω2
Why did we eliminate v from the equation?
No linear movement here, everything is rotating
We can’t measure the linear velocity of the weight
Incorrect
The weight stops when it reaches the ground
v and ω are linked, no need for both

Go back
Clue: v= ωr
This is the link between linear vertical speed of the weight and
rotational speed of the flywheel
5
Nm 2gh 2
I= – r
N+n ω2
Why was the algebra so complicated?

Which factor is (mostly) to blame?
EK linear = ½mv2
∆EP = mgh
EK rotational = ½Iω2
Wfriction
5
Nm 2gh 2
I= – r
N+n ω2
Why was the algebra so complicated?

Which factor is (mostly) to blame?
EK linear = ½mv2
∆EP = mgh
Incorrect
EK rotational = ½Iω2
Wfriction
Clue: Without the friction term,
Go back
the equation simplifies to I = 2mgh/ω2 – mr2
No counting of revolutions needed

6
Iz = ½mr2
Our flywheel is a disc, why can’t we just use

I = ½mr2? Then we can drink tea, job done.
The falling method is more accurate
Generally flywheels aren’t discs
I = mr2 is an approximation for a disc
I = mr2 is for a two dimensional disc

6
Iz = ½mr2
Our flywheel is a disc, why can’t we just use

I = ½mr2? Then we can drink tea, job done.
The falling method is more accurate
Generally flywheels aren’t discs

Incorrect
I = mr2 is an approximation for a disc
Go back
I = mr2 is for a two dimensional disc
Clues:
7
I= – r
N+n ω2
What is t?
The time spent decelerating
The time spent accelerating
The time accelerating and decelerating
Tea time
7
I= – r
N+n ω2
What is t?
The time spent decelerating
The time spent accelerating

Incorrect
The time accelerating and decelerating
Tea time
Go back
Clue: the expression ω = 4πN/t contains N but not n
Thanks
The End
I= – r
N+n ω2

n: revolutions whilst accelerating at the start
m: hanging mass
t: time during deceleration
r: axle width where the string is wrapped
You wrote all this down, right?...
…on to the practical
Repeat the Back to the

quiz? start

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Flywheel Practical

Paste this code on Showbie then return to slide 48

Paste this code on Showbie then return to slide 48

Paste this code on Showbie then return to slide 48

Paste this code on Showbie then return to slide 48

Before taking measurements,

Slow down, stop, stop, HELP! Flywheel

It has a store of kinetic energy. Linear kinetic energy

A spinning disc is a flywheel. It has a store

Why isn’t this flywheel a solid disc?

Not enough metal

To make it easier to spin

To give it a smaller moment of inertia

To give it a bigger moment of inertia

The flywheel will store more kinetic energy at the same

Why does the train engine have a flywheel?

To stabilise the output of the engine – stop it

So it doesn’t have to burn coal or have a

To store energy ready to help it go up a hill

To store energy when the engine stops at a

That explanation is valid.

You need to click the incorrect explanation.

Flywheels are spinning discs.

Petrol engines have flywheels to stabilise their output

Study the pictures very carefully – they show the practical we

Picture A: the flywheel accelerates

B: Cut the string when the weight hits the floor

Picture C: The flywheel decelerates

The flywheel has no friction

A is true, The weight falls downwards, the string is

B is true, The string has to be cut when it is 1-2mm

C is true, The flywheel decelerates due to the

In algebra terms, this is the most complicated and

Correct. The flywheel decelerates in C due to the friction

In algebra terms, this is the most complicated and sneaky bit

I’ll let you know when you get questions wrong.

How will we measure the angular speed of the flywheel?

Paint stripes on the wheel, use a light gate

Measure the linear speed, ω = v/r

Put markers on the wheel and use slowmo

Angular acceleration x time: ω = αt

I have a flywheel here, it sadly doesn’t have

Do you have a light gate I can borrow?

Light gates would probably help.

Is there a different method?

We would still need to measure angular acceleration

Can you remember the moment of inertia of a solid disk?

The moment of inertia of a solid disc

The moment of inertia of a solid disc

It’s the only realistic fake answer

Thin rod end mr2/3

For a solid circular disc Iz = ½mr2

For our flywheel [pictured]

Estimate the moment of inertia for our flywheel

0.0072 kgm2 0.0036 kgm2

0.0288 kgm2 0.0144 kgm2

Have another look at your calculation…

Have another look at your calculation…

Write down your estimate 0.0036 kgm2

It will be useful to compare to your practical answer using

What energy change occurs as the

Wfriction = ∆EP + EK linear + EK angular

∆EP + Wfriction = EK linear + EK angular

∆EP + EK linear = EK angular + Wfriction