IGH94212020

A5: Variable Inertia Bar

Introduction
A rigid body can simultaneously undergo two kinds of motion i.e., it can change the position of its
centre of mass (C.M) in space (translational motion) andor it can change its orientation in space
(rotational motion about some axis). In this experiment, we shall study a rotating rigid body and
verify the laws of conservation of angular momentum

Objectives is
1. To show that the angular acceleration of a rotating system
proportional to the applied torque.

2. To show that the moment of inertia of the system varies with the
from the center of rotation.
square of the distance of the rotating mass

M
h

Fig. 5-1

ApparatusS
A light bar with sliding masses M rotating about a central spindle. A cord wrapped around the spindle
the weight descends a
weight suspended from the free end. (When the assembly released,
and a
is
rad per square second. A
distance h metres, giving the inertia bar an angular acceleration,
stopwatch is used to time the descent.)
Theory I
on a body
in opposiie dir direction they
When a pair of equal and paralel forces (cople) actin Is Inven by
Torque (3)
c s
turning effect called a torque (3) or the moment ofa couple.
3-Frsin8

where F the force due to the couple

acceleration
to the angular
s e s the body to rotate and the applied Torque is proprtional
3 la ******************* *
...(5.1)
********

where a angular acceleration and

moment of inertia
mass begins
From figure 5-1 above, I = Wr and the linear acceleration a = 2h assuming the

from rest

where W=weight of mass at end of string

r=radius of spindle
h
=linear acceleration of mass W
=height descended
a

I time of descent
Since a =alr, then substituting for a in equation (5.1) we have

3-Wr=la =1- 1
2h1
W= so that

2hl
W Kt where K
= *****
**** (5.2)
K is a constant

Method I
1. Cut a length of cord just sufficient to allow the falling mass to reach the floor.
Knot one end and
thread the cord through the small hole in the spindle. Attach the free and to
the weight carrier
(W).
Initial mass should be about 700g. and another set of 5, each 100g.
2. Rotate the spindle thus winding on the cord, ensuring that the
adjacent turns are evenly
arranged. Use a metre stick to check when the bottom of the carrier is exactly one metre from
the floor.

Release the inertia bar and start the stopwatch simultaneously. Stop the watch when the
weight
strikes the floor. Note the time t and retum the weight to its fomer height by winding in the
same direction as before.
Repeat the process with five or six different weights (W). Use worksheet 5-1 to record your
readings

Pagel 2
 Plot a graph W against i r

Theory 1

I=Mk (to be demonstrat ed)

where M is the mass on the bar and k is the radíus of gyration

From Equation 5.1, T= la

Wr
Mk
2h
But from equation 5.2, W=. 7 Therefore

Wr 2h -.ooounosd(5.3)
Me rir
h, r, W, and Mare constants; therefore 1/r is proportional to 1/k

Method I
(In general the same as for Method )

1. Using a fixed weight by varying the position of the masses, M, from the center, obtain a set of
values of time of fall, 1, for each value of k, the distance of the mass, M, from the centre.
Plot a graph of r' against k.

Page 3
 LABORATORY REPORT SHEET

EXPERIMENT AS: VARIABLE INERTIA BAR

REG.
No. FIG2:43/ap20 NAME. MURUGARA NILLICENT NDINA
DATE:5/02l202I ****

PARTNERS
REG. No.
NAME

I..F1Gli91l.2020.
***********
******
08ED N.YAKUNDI.
Hol+0 128 2020
3.
****************
PRESCOISHAYANGA ******** ********

******

RARTMENT OF PHP
DER
OBSERVATIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS
Results 15 FEB 2021 SICS
Worksheet 5-1

Weight W
.0:5.0)
Time ()
0:01.(s)
r (s)
ABORATO
RATORY ATTE
1/
NDANCE
CE

00001 +O:00s)
8-81 77-6161 0 0128839
911 82 991
D-93 0-012 0993
80 19.+9 000& 31065
139.2400 0. D0T1818+
75
60 0625
7-55 51 00 25 0.0l66493
0 D17543 09
Analysis:
1. Plot a graph Wagainst /r
2. Plot a
graph of r against k.

3 Comment on your two graphs and state whether or not the

been achieved. objectives of the experiments have
Giraph 0f W 0qainst
As tho weight inreares,he bme token by he mast tv hike the floor
Tec u cec a illurtrated that the invere ofhime, d popornonalfo weght

raph 0 tagaingt k.
fime taken hy the
dince k is fived the radiug DE therpin dle),
fhat fta independet
L T tmke the q Duncd inr patet, This meang
0f Pagel 4
Assume no error in W. What other errors are found in this experiment?
The hoight from the grouncd.
The radiur Of the cpindle

243
GRAPH DF W A6ATNUT

10 12 1 19 20

10

Pagel 6
 A GRAPH of t ainst k

15D

HOT

Buf

60

S0

HO

K Io
Pagel 7
 Worksheet 5-2

Time () r t...(S) Distamce k

S) T...

9:85 91-0225 0.28 3m

893 19.7++9 0.252M
& 35 69.122 5 0 222
177 60 312 9 0.193m
6.58 43.2964| 0. 163 m
6-35 0 3226| 0.133m
Analysis
5. Plot a graph of W against 1/2 including error bars on both W and 1/12
6. Plot a
graph of r against k including error bars on r.

Conclusions
In the q raph of t qqainst k an increare in the
dutance k, causeg a Corresponolinq în creque in the hime
taken by the mas to dtrike the (qmunc
Thiy 9eant that +k hen

In the gra ph Df W g4ainet a ; ince the weiqht ir tonttan

the time keeps on increasinq due to the increasinq distanco

thot txk if W ir a ongtant
This poves
Time is independent of weght

In Conclusion
The anqular acceleration of a ro tating utem ir proporhional to Th e
applied torque
Moment of inertiQ 0f the Cutem varn er with the cquore of
the
ditance 0f the rotedinq macr fom the COnter of the rotation

Page 8
 A GRAPH OF t AGMNST

100

19 2 21 22 23 24 27 23 29

ko
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 A GRAPH OF W hGMMUTA

Pagel 10