EXPERIMENT 1: MOMENT OF INERTIA AND ANGULAR MOMENTUM

OBJECTIVE :
1. To determine the moment of inertia of a rigid body.

APPARATUS AND MATERIALS:

1. Hooked weight sets
2. Smart pulley
3. Rotating platform
4. 1 ruler
5. String
6. Stop watch @ timer
7. Blower
8. Vernier clipper

PROCEDURE:
1. The apparatus was set up as shown in Figure 1.1. The initial height, h of the bottom surface
of the slotted weight holder was measured to the surface of the landing point (floor).
2. 10 g of slotted weight was put to its holder. It was kept remain at its position. We got a stop
watch ready with us.
3. The release switch was pressed (release the slotted weight), we simultaneously started the
stop watch. The time interval for slotted weight to touch the floor was measured. The time
was recorded as tω1. tω2 was recorded for second trial. Average time taken for both trial
was calculated as tωav
4. Step 1 until 3 was repeated by adding another 10 g of slotted weight and so on. We made
sure to use the same height, h throughout the experiment and each weight was repeated
twice.
5. The data in Table 1.1 was tabulated.

RESULTS AND ANALYSIS:

Time interval, t (s)
tω1 (± s) tω2 (± s) tωav (± s) Linear Tension of Angular
Mass,m (g) acceleration string, acceleration
a = 2h/ T = m(g-a) α = a/r
tωav^2
( m s^-2 ) (N) (rad s^-2 )
20 0.224 0.221 0.223 14.80 -99.8 -174.65
30 0.181 0.172 0.177 23.49 -273.6 -478.8
40 0.150 0.152 0.151 32.27 -449.2 -786.1
50 0.136 0.134 0.135 40.38 -611.4 -1069.95
60 0.123 0.124 0.126 46.35 -730.8 -1278.9
 70 0.117 0.120 0.118 52.85 -860.8 -1506.4
80 0.111 0.112 0.111 59.73 -998.4 -1747.2

Height, h (± ) = 0.368 m

Radius of ring disc (driving wheel used), r (± ) = 1.75 m

ANALYSIS
1. By referring equation (1.3), plot a graph of tension, T against angular acceleration, α.

2. Determine the gradient of the graph.

3. Calculate the moment of inertia, I (experimental value).

4. Calculate the percentage difference between experimental value and theoretical value of
moment of inertia, I. Percentage difference experimental value - theoretical value 100 theoritical
value =  *Theoretical value for I is 0.0129 kg m2 (provided by manufacturer)

Gradient

m = 𝑦2−𝑦1/𝑥2−𝑥1 kgm

= -998.4-(-99.8)/-1747.2-(-174.65)kgm

= -898.6/-1572.55 kgm

= 4/7 kgm

= (4/7)(1.25)

= 5/7

= 0.7143 – 0.0129/0.0129 x 100

= 4329.67
DISCUSION
Based on tabulated data, a best fit line graph T vs. α is plotted. The gradient of the graph shows
m= 𝑇 𝛼 . The value of gradient is 4/7 kgm.

Then, we can obtain moment of inertia, I by finding the product of gradient and radius of disc.
So, 5/7 kgm^2 is obtained.

The percentage difference between experimental value & theoretical value is very far from
accuracy. From that value, we can conclude that some random error had occurred during the
experiment.

The experiment has been conducted repeatedly to reduce error and some weaknesses in
testing. Some of the faults the we had made that caused to countless repetition of experiment is
because the string had slip from the smart pulley’s wheel that was used to lower down the
weight. This had caused the change in height and thus giving us different readings. We fixed this
by allowing one member to attend the problem whenever it happens.

Besides that, the photogate we used to record the reading was constantly move when we
conduct the experiment. We did not find a proper solution to this problem because a constant
position of the photogate would gotten us a different reading due to the disc’s rotation that had
interfered the height of the string.

Lastly, we do not have a constant stop of the disc due to 2-3 seconds of delay in action. Although
the experiment was repeated many times, the randomness in readings still happens. So, we
agreed to just use the 1st & 2nd trial readings and find the average time taken.

CONCLUSION
The moment of inertia, I is 5/7 kgm^2 . So, the objective of this experiment is 7achieved.