Experiment 8: mechanics

In this experiment, you will determine the moment of inertia, I, of the meter rule
provided.

d
L

threads

P C Q
B

Fig. 1

(a) Measure and record the mass, M of the meter rule B.

(b) Balance the meter rule on a knife edge and locate the point C, about which it balances.
(c) Tie two pieces of thread at points P and Q equidistant from C, and a distance, d = 0.200m
apart.
(d) Suspend the meter rule from clamped meter rule, A, using two threads as shown in the
fig.1.
(e) Adjust the length, L, to 0.500m and make sure the threads are parallel.
(f) Set the meter rule to oscillate on a horizontal plane by turning it through a small angle
about point C and releasing it.
(g) Determine time for 20 oscillations, and find period T.
(h) Repeat procedures (f) to (g) for values of d = 0.240, 0.280, 0.320, 0.360 and 0.400m.
1
(i) Record you results in a suitable table including values of 2
d
1
(j) Plot a graph of T against 2
.
d .
(k) Determine the slope, s, of the graph.
2
MgS
(l) Calculate, I, from the expression: I= 2 where g = 9.81ms .
-2
16 π l