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Mechanics lab

Name: PJ Copse

Class: Mets 2. A1

Supervisor: Bernard O’ Callaghan

Lab Title: M 2.2 Moment of Inertia of a Rigid


Body - Trifilar Suspension Method

Date: 31/09/10
Aim

To calculate the polar mass moment of inertia of an assembly and


using the result to predict the periodic time of a triflar suspension of
the assembly. Using this assembly, further physical understanding of
mass moment of inertia will also be demonstrated using bodies with
known mass and geometry.

Objective
To determine the moment of inertia of a rigid body (in this case an
engine con rod) by the trifilar method.

Theory
Total Moment of Inertia of a stack up of rigid bodies is equal to the
sum of the constituent bodies provided centers of mass lie along
moment axis. SHM
Moment of inertia: I is the measure of an objects ability to resist
angular momentum. Units kg.m2
Radius of Gyration: k is the measure of the distribution of mass in the
system. Units m
I = mk2

K=Td4π g/l

T = the time taken for one oscillation (sec) =


g = the acceleration due to gravity (m/s2)
d = diameter of disc (m)
l = the average length of supporting wire (m)

R1=7.5 N
R2=2.5 N
L= 216mm
W= 1.022kg

Procedure:
1. Measure lengths of wires, calculate the average.
0
2. Displace circular disc by small angle (≤ 10 ). Measure time for
oscillations on 4 seperate occasions. Calculate average period.
3. Calulate k and I for discand compare with theoretical
4. Locate and visibly mark the centre of mass of conrod as per
M2.4.
5. Place centre of mass conrod over centre of mass of disc.
6. Repeat step 2.
7. Calculate k and I for total mass.

Calculate I for conrod according to: I conrod = Idisc+conrod – Idisc

To determine moment of inertia, I


Weigh the conrod using the spring balances (R1& R2found by 9.81 to
convert to Newtowns). Measure the distance between the balances
(L1&L2).
Suspend the conrod from the knife edge, displace through a small
angle (5-10degrees).
Measure time taken for 20 oscillations. Divide answer by 20 to get T.
Calculate h,k and I

To locate centre of con rod use formula


0= R1L1-R2L2
0=R1L1-R2(L-L1)
0=R1L1-R2L1
R2L = L1 (R1+R2)
L1= R2LR1+R2
L1 =2.5(0.216)7.5+2.5
L1= 0.5410 = 0.054m
L2= 0.216 - 0.054 = 0.162m
To Locate Center of Mass G
Results of disc on its own
Time (T) Length of Diameter Mass of Acceleration
string (m) of disc (kg) (g) (m/s)
(sec)
disc(m)
1 1.442 0.910 0.146 1.4935 9.81
2 1.4 0.910 0.146 1.4935 9.81
3 1.3 0.910 0.146 1.4935 9.81

Results of conrod on the disc

Time (T) Length of Diameter Mass of Acceleration


string (m) of disc and (g) (m/s)
(sec)
disc(m) conrod
(kg)
1 1.85 0.910 0.146 2.5155 9.81
2 1.829 0.900 0.146 2.5155 9.81
3 1.334 0.810 0.146 2.5155 9.81

Example 1 for Disc on its own:


Radius of Gyration: K=Td4π g/l
K = 1.442x0.1464π 9.81/0.910
K= 0.055m
I = mk2
I = 1.4935 x 0.0552
I = 0.00452 kg/m2

Example 1 for disc with conrod:


Radius of Gyration: K=Td4π g/l
K = 1.85x0.0.1464π 9.81/0.910
K= 0.0705m
I = mk2
I = 2.5155x 0.07052
I = 0.0125 kg/m2

Results of disc on its own:


K (m) I ( kg/m2)
1 0.055 0.00452
2 0.053 0.00419
3 0.0495 0.00365

Results for disc with conrod:


K (m) I ( kg/m2)
1 0.0705 0.0125
2 0.07015 0.0123
3 0.0539 0.0073
I for conrod = I disc+ conrod – I disc
1. I = 0.0125 - 0.00452 = 0.00798 kg/m2
2. I = 0.0123 – 0.00419 = 0.00811 kg/m2
3. I = 0.0073 – 0.00365 = 0.00365 kg/m2

Average Iconrod = 0.00658 kg/m2

Positive slope which shows the direct proportionality of the ratio to


the calculated time. The graph shows
that there are small errors in the second set of measurements.

Discussion

The equipment was laid out in the lab and firstly we got all our
measurements of the trifilar length, diameter of the disc, time taken
for one oscillation and the centre of gravity of the conrod was found.
Then all results were filled into the formulas and calculated. It is
possible that some measurements were mis read or not calculated
properly due to equipment.Discussion

Moment of inertia is the name given to rotational inertia, the rotational analogue of mass for linear

motion. It appears in the relationships for the dynamics of rotational motion. The moment of inertia must

be specified with respect to a chosen axis of rotation.


The Parallel axis theorem was used to calculate the moment of inertia of the rigid bodies used during the
experiment.
In the experiment the Periodic Time and ratio of
m
I
are discussed and compared by the graph and
tabulated results in the previous sections.
As for the measured and theoretical periodic time, both quantities are also proportional to each other

which are proved by the calculations and the graph trends.


Discussion

Moment of inertia is the name given to rotational inertia, the rotational analogue of mass for linear

motion. It appears in the relationships for the dynamics of rotational motion. The moment of inertia must

be specified with respect to a chosen axis of rotation.


The Parallel axis theorem was used to calculate the moment of inertia of the rigid bodies used during the
experiment.
In the experiment the Periodic Time and ratio of
m
I
are discussed and compared by the graph and
tabulated results in the previous sections.
As for the measured and theoretical periodic time, both quantities are also proportional to each other

which are proved by the calculations and the graph trends.

Moment of inertia is the name given to rotational inertia, the rotational analogue of mass for linear

motion. It appears in the relationships for the dynamics of rotational motion. The moment of inertia must

be specified with respect to a chosen axis of rotation.


The Parallel axis theorem was used to calculate the moment of inertia of the rigid bodies used during the
experiment.
In the experiment the Periodic Time and ratio of
m
I
are discussed and compared by the graph and
tabulated results in the previous sections.
As for the measured and theoretical periodic time, both quantities are also proportional to each other

which are proved by the calculations and the graph trends.


Discussion

Moment of inertia is the name given to rotational inertia, the rotational analogue of mass for linear

motion. It appears in the relationships for the dynamics of rotational motion. The moment of inertia must

be specified with respect to a chosen axis of rotation.


The Parallel axis theorem was used to calculate the moment of inertia of the rigid bodies used during the
experiment.
In the experiment the Periodic Time and ratio of
m
I
are discussed and compared by the graph and
tabulated results in the previous sections.
As for the measured and theoretical periodic time, both quantities are also proportional to each other
which are proved by the calculations and the graph trends.

The slopes was plotted and compared and it was almost constant throughout the experiment.

The results showed that by comparing each test, errors made during the experiment can be analyzed

and
support the discussion effectively.

Discussion

Moment of inertia is the name given to rotational inertia, the rotational analogue of mass for linear

motion. It appears in the relationships for the dynamics of rotational motion. The moment of inertia must

be specified with respect to a chosen axis of rotation.


The Parallel axis theorem was used to calculate the moment of inertia of the rigid bodies used during the
experiment.
In the experiment the Periodic Time and ratio of
m
I
are discussed and compared by the graph and
tabulated results in the previous sections.
As for the measured and theoretical periodic time, both quantities are also proportional to each other

which are proved by the calculations and the graph trends.

The slopes was plotted and compared and it was almost constant throughout the experiment.

The results showed that by comparing each test, errors made during the experiment can be analyzed

and
support the discussion effectively.
Graph:

The graph below displays the comparison between the Theoretical and Measured Periodic times. Graph 1

show the trend observed when the values for the trials were plotted against time. The graph shows a

linear relationship and the gradient of the slope is positive which shows that this is a positive slope. The
experimental time was calculated using the trifilar suspension and the 3 set of weights by rotating the

circular platform while the experimental time was calculated using the theory of moment of inertia and

the parallel axis theorem.


12

Moment of inertia is the name given to rotational inertia, the rotational analogue of mass for linear

motion. It appears in the relationships for the dynamics of rotational motion. The moment of inertia must

be specified with respect to a chosen axis of rotation.


The Parallel axis theorem was used to calculate the moment of inertia of the rigid bodies used during the
experiment.
In the experiment the Periodic Time and ratio of
m
I
are discussed and compared by the graph and
tabulated results in the previous sections.
As for the measured and theoretical periodic time, both quantities are also proportional to each other

which are proved by the calculations and the graph trends.

Conclusion
The moment of inertia of rigid bodies is calculated using the triflar
suspension arrangement.
The experimental periodic time is measured and compared with the
calculated theoretical time. The
periodic rotation will be calculated using the calculated mass moment
of inertia and the derived equations
for the theoretical time period.

The Theories of Parallel Axis and Moment of Inertia are used to


calculate and compare the experimental
and theoretical readings.
After analyzing the experimental and theoretical results the test period
for both theoretical and
Experimental times respectively were directly proportional to the ratio
of I .
It can be concluded that the theoretical time calculated was similar to
the experimental time measured.
This shows that the lab experiment is accurate.
The experiment is successful though there are small possible errors in
the experiment. All of these
values agreed within the estimated experimental errors. To improve
the accuracy of the result the
experiment should be performed carefully and the instruction should
be followed.

Summary

The objectives were carried out and we found the moments of inertia
for the conrod and for the disc. It must be noted that in calculating the
results for the centre of gravity we occurred some stiction in the
springs when using the spring balances so this could alter the results
for the values of L1 and L2.
The results show that there are errors in the second set of results
where there is a drop in one of the results.
Also when measuring with the strings we took the average length for
the top of the trifilar to the disc. These averages could have been
slightly out in measurement of the actual length.

Discussion
Moment of inertia is the name given to rotational inertia, the
rotational analogue of mass for linear motion. It appears in the
relationships for the dynamics of rotational motion. The moment
of inertia must be specified with respect to a chosen axis of
rotation.
The Parallel axis theorem was used to calculate the moment of
inertia of the rigid bodies used during the
experiment.
In the experiment the Periodic Time and ratio of
m
I
are discussed and compared by the graph and
tabulated results in the previous sections.
As for the measured and theoretical periodic time, both quantities
are also proportional to each other

which are proved by the calculations and the graph trends.

The slopes was plotted and compared and it was almost constant

throughout the experiment.

The results showed that by comparing each test, errors made

during the experiment can be analyzed and


support the discussion effectively.

Discussion

Moment of inertia is the name given to rotational inertia, the rotational analogue of mass for linear

motion. It appears in the relationships for the dynamics of rotational motion. The moment of inertia must

be specified with respect to a chosen axis of rotation.


The Parallel axis theorem was used to calculate the moment of inertia of the rigid bodies used during the
experiment.
In the experiment the Periodic Time and ratio of
m
I
are discussed and compared by the graph and
tabulated results in the previous sections.
As for the measured and theoretical periodic time, both quantities are also proportional to each other

which are proved by the calculations and the graph trends.

The slopes was plotted and compared and it was almost constant throughout the experiment.

The results showed that by comparing each test, errors made during the experiment can be analyzed

and
support the discussion effectively.
Discussion

Moment of inertia is the name given to rotational inertia, the rotational analogue of mass for linear

motion. It appears in the relationships for the dynamics of rotational motion. The moment of inertia must

be specified with respect to a chosen axis of rotation.


The Parallel axis theorem was used to calculate the moment of inertia of the rigid bodies used during the
experiment.
In the experiment the Periodic Time and ratio of
m
I
are discussed and compared by the graph and
tabulated results in the previous sections.
As for the measured and theoretical periodic time, both quantities are also proportional to each other

which are proved by the calculations and the graph trends.

The slopes was plotted and compared and it was almost constant throughout the experiment.
The results showed that by comparing each test, errors made during the experiment can be analyzed

and
support the discussion effectively.
Discussion

Moment of inertia is the name given to rotational inertia, the rotational analogue of mass for linear

motion. It appears in the relationships for the dynamics of rotational motion. The moment of inertia must

be specified with respect to a chosen axis of rotation.


The Parallel axis theorem was used to calculate the moment of inertia of the rigid bodies used during the
experiment.
In the experiment the Periodic Time and ratio of
m
I
are discussed and compared by the graph and
tabulated results in the previous sections.
As for the measured and theoretical periodic time, both quantities are also proportional to each other

which are proved by the calculations and the graph trends.

The slopes was plotted and compared and it was almost constant throughout the experiment.

The results showed that by comparing each test, errors made during the experiment can be analyzed

and
support the discussion effectively.

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