To determine the moment of inertia of the given body

Abdul Haseeb
23MDMLE108

Abstract
Overview of main objectives :
The main objectives of this experiment are to find the experimental and also the theoretical moments of inertia of the
given objects, by the utilization of the inclined plane apparatus.

Methods Employed :
the methods employed in this experiment are:

ˆ The use of a stopwatch to measure time.

ˆ The use of a meter rule which is embedded into the apparatus to measure the distance covered.

ˆ the use of the inclinometer which is integrated into the apparatus i order to measure the angle of incline.

Due to the lack of equipment, the time and distance measurements are done manually which leads to the introduction
of human errors.
The readings are taken multiple times in order to minimize human errors.

Key findings :
The key findings of this experiment are,

ˆ The moment of inertia is dependent on the mass of the body.

ˆ The moment of inertia of a body depends upon the dimensions of the body.

ˆ The theoretical and experimental moments of inertia are almost equal.

1 introduction
Scenario :
We have been given objects for which we have to find the moments of inertia both theoretically and experimentally.
For this we have been given an inclined plane apparatus and a stopwatch.

Relevance :
The moment of inertia of a body plays is a very important quantity, especially if the motion of a body involves rotation.
The moment of inertia acts the same way for angular motion as weight acts for linear [Link] is a physical quantity
and it resists the change in angular motion of a body.

2 Objectives
1. To choose an object and note the dimensions/ parameters of that object which are required to measure its
theoretical values of moments of inertia.
2. To make a setup for the performance of experiment.

3. To develop the theoretical formula for calculation of measuring the moments of inertia experimentally.
4. To experimentally determine the moment of inertia of the object.
5. To perform the experiment and observe the parameters for the evaluation of moment of inertia.
6. Compare the experimental and theoretical results.

3 Materials and methods

3.1 Apparatus
ˆ disk large(m= r= ).
ˆ disk small(m= , r= ).

ˆ stopwatch.

ˆ moment of inertia apparatus(inclined plane).

ˆ scale(embedded in the apparatus).

ˆ inclinometer(Embedded in the apparatus).

3.2 procedure
ˆ Set up the apparatus and select the object(disk) to be used in the apparatus.

ˆ Using the angle adjustment knob at the head of the apparatus, adjust the angle of incline for the measurement
of the moment of inertia.
ˆ Set the object(disk) for which the moment of inertia is to be measure at the top of the apparatus.

ˆ Pick up the stopwatch and reset it if necessary.

ˆ release the object(disk) and note the time it takes to move down the apparatus using the stopwatch and with
the help of the scale provided on the side of the apparatus, note the distance covered.
ˆ Repeat the process of taking readings at least three times with each object(disk) in order to minimize human
errors.
ˆ Using the angle adjustment knob, readjust the angle of incline to some other desired value, noting the angle
using the inclinometer on the side of the apparatus.
ˆ Take the readings for all objects(disks) at this angle of incline.

ˆ Repeat these steps again until the desired number of readings have been taken at the desired angles of incline.

ˆ Find the acceleration of the object(disk) using the equations of motion.

ˆ Using the equation for the moment of inertia, find the theoretical moment of inertia of the body and compare it
with the experimental results.
ˆ remove the object(disk) from the apparatus and return everything back to its original place.
4 Theoretical framework
4.1 Theory
Moment of inertia :
The moment of inertia (often denoted as I) is a physical property of a rigid body that determines its resistance to
angular acceleration when subjected to a torque. It plays a similar role in rotational motion as mass does in linear
motion. Essentially, the moment of inertia depends on the mass distribution of an object and how far the mass is from
the axis of rotation.

Mathematical form :
The general formula for the moment of inertia is,
X
I= mi ri

Where;
mi is the mass of each point on the object.
ri is the perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation to the mass element.
For continuous bodies, the formula is
Z
I= r2 dm

For a solid disk,

1
I= M R2
2

ˆ The moment of inertia reflects how mass is distributed relative to the axis of rotation. Objects with more mass
farther from the axis of rotation have higher moments of inertia and are harder to rotate.
ˆ The higher the moment of inertia, the more torque is required to change the object’s rotational velocity (angular
acceleration).

Implication in rotational motion The moment of inertia is used in rotational dynamics just like mass is used in
linear dynamics. For a rotating body, the rotational form of Newton’s second law is:

τ = Iα

Where:
”τ ” is the torque applied to the body.
”I” is the moment of inertia.
”α” is the angular acceleration. Also,
α = r ∗ a, τ = r × F = r × mg
(mg)(sin θ)(r2 )
a=
I

5 results
5.1 Observations and calculations

Mass Radius Angle Time Moment of inertia

kg m θ s kgm2

Table 1: for object 1

Mass Radius Angle Time Moment of inertia

kg m θ s kgm2

Table 2: for object 2

The equations used are,
1
I= M R2
2
α=r∗a
τ = r × F = r × mg
(mg)(sin θ)(r2 )
a=
I
1
S = vi t + at2
2

6 discussion

6.1 Precautions
ˆ Do not let the object(disk) fall out of the apparatus upon reaching the end.

ˆ Do not rotate the angle adjustment knob aggressively as it can damage the threads.

ˆ Do not misplace the apparatus.

ˆ Put the apparatus back in its proper place after the experiment has concluded.

ˆ Take multiple readings in order to minimize human errors.