Investigating a relation of the torsion pendulum

How can the proportional relation between the period of the disk and the length of
the suspending string in a torsion pendulum be examined through measuring the
dependent variable, the period of the disk rotating around 360 degrees and using
varying lengths as the independent variable?

Physics HL
Pages: 12

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Table of Contents
1. Introduction ..................................................................................................... 3
2. Research question ............................................................................................ 5
3. Hypothesis ....................................................................................................... 5
4. Variables.......................................................................................................... 5
4.1. Independent variable..................................................................................... 5
4.2. Dependent variable ....................................................................................... 5
4.3. Controlled variables ...................................................................................... 6
5. Apparatus ........................................................................................................ 7
6. Materials .......................................................................................................... 7
7. Method ............................................................................................................ 7
9. Data presentation ............................................................................................. 8
9.1. Experiment results ........................................................................................ 8
9.2. Data processing ............................................................................................ 9
9.3. Plotting the graph ....................................................................................... 11
10. Evaluation................................................................................................... 12
11. Conclusion.................................................................................................. 13
12. Bibliography ............................................................................................... 15

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 1. Introduction
Many physical systems are integrated in our lives and play important roles in devices we use
without us knowing. This also applies to a type of pendulum, the torsion pendulum, which is
used mostly in watches. For example, the balance wheel in a mechanical wristwatch is a torsion
pendulum.1 The way it works is that a disk-like mass is suspended by a thin rod or wire. The disk
is twisted about the axis of the wire, causing the wire to exert torque on the disk, which makes it
rotate back to its original position. When this happens, the mass keeps oscillating back and forth,
executing simple harmonic motion.2 The torsion pendulum looks like the following figure3:

Figure 1: The torsion pendulum

1
Fitzpatrick, R. (2006, February 2). The torsion pendulum. Retrieved March 27, 2021
2
UPPU, R. (n.d.). TORSIONAL PENDULUM. Retrieved March 27, 2021
3
Mishra, G. (2010, September 6). Torsion Pendulum Test on Metal Wire. Retrieved March 27, 2021

3
In order to explain the motion of the torsion pendulum a few mathematical equations are
presented. Considering the mass m of the disk being rotated about the axis of a string with length
L, the twisting of the string results in the generation of a restoring torque force, that is negatively
proportional to the displacement of the disk from the equilibrium position. This torque force can
be modelled with the following equation4:

𝜏 (𝑁𝑚) = −𝜅𝜃 (1)

(where κ stands for the torsion constant of a string and θ is the displacement of the disk from the
equilibrium position)

The equation for the period of the rotation of the torsion pendulum is the following5:

𝐼 (2)
𝑇 (𝑠) = 2𝜋√
𝜅

(where I is the moment of inertia of the disk, which in rotational motion is the equivalent to mass
in linear motion6)

The torsion constant of the string can be acquired using the following equation7:

−2 −1
𝜋𝜂𝑟 4 (3)
𝜅 ( 𝑁𝑚 𝑟𝑎𝑑 )=
2𝐿
(where η is the rigidity modulus of the string, the stiffness of the string, r is the radius of the
string and L is the length of the string)

So substituting equation (3) into equation (2) produces the following:

2𝜋 2𝐿𝐼 (4)
𝑇 (𝑠) = √ 𝜋𝜂
𝑟2

4
M. Harrison, D. (2002, October). Torsion Pendulum Expt. Retrieved March 28, 2021
5
M. Harrison, D. (2002, October). Torsion Pendulum Expt. Retrieved March 28, 2021
6
Isaac Physics. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2021
7
Tatum, J. (2020, December 30). Shear Modulus and Torsion Constant. Retrieved March 29, 2021
4
Squaring both sides:

8𝜋𝐿𝐼 (5)
𝑇 2( 𝑠2) =
𝑟4𝜂
I am a person who loves watches and I have always liked watches that have many details in
them, so I often find myself interested in how watches work. This was how I stumbled upon the
use of the torsion pendulum in watches and looked further into it. I then learned about the
equations governing its motion of rotation and as one can see from equation (5) there is a
proportionality between the period of the disk and the length of the string. Since equations are
theoretical I decided to test that proportionality out for myself and see if the same relation was
present practically. For this purpose, I chose 5 lengths, 0.500m, 0.400m, 0.300m, 0.200m and
0.100m to vary for the string’s length to work with a torsion pendulum.

2. Research question
How can the proportional relation between the period of the disk and the length of the
suspending string in a torsion pendulum be examined through measuring the dependent variable,
the period of the disk rotating around 360 degrees and using varying lengths as the independent
variable?

3. Hypothesis
There is a positive correlation between the length of the string L and the period of the disk T.
Should all variables except for T and L, (I, r and η), be kept constant, then plotting 𝑇 2 against L
will produce a linear graph passing through the origin (0,0), according to equation (5).

4. Variables
4.1. Independent variable
The independent variable in this experiment is the length of suspension given in
meters.

4.2. Dependent variable

The dependent variable is the period of the rotating disk given in seconds.

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 4.3. Controlled variables

Table 1: the controlled variables in the torsion pendulum experiment

Variable Reason Method

The disk needs to be positioned The same disk was used throughout
horizontally not vertically and the entire experiment and it was

Disk features different dimensions of a disk made sure that the disk remained
suspended horizontally retaining a
may lead to different periods
90 degree angle to the string axis
Wind and other factors can The torsion pendulum was located
Location of torsion pendulum influence the disk’s rotation and in indoors with all windows and doors
turn influence the period of the remaining shut from the beginning
disk till the end of the experiment
As mentioned in the introduction Only one string was used
each string has a different torsion throughout the entire experiment to

String features constant and this in addition to keep η and r of the string constant.
different radii affect the period Only the length of the string was
adjusted
If the string is tilted, it would Proper intervals were left between
change the degree of the each reading to ensure the string to

String position positioning of the disk as well as be in equilibrium and it was always
the rotation. A tilted string would made sure to keep the string
also affect the torque. straight
If the initial rotation of the disk The disk was rotated 360 degrees
varies so will the periods measured counterclockwise, when observed

Disk rotation from above, throughout the entire

experiment

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5. Apparatus
Despite the angle between the stand and
the clamp not being 90 degrees as shown
in the picture of the apparatus, this has
no significance, since the disk is still
positioned horizontally and therefore the
measurement of the period was not
affected.

6. Materials
- Stand 1m length
- Clamp and boss
- Protractor for measuring the initial rotation angle
- disk with a mass of 1.250 kg, which has a thickness of 0.024m, a width of 0.140m
and a 0.036m wide hole
- stopwatch giving time with a precision of 0.01s
- a measuring tape giving length with a precision of 0.001m

7. Method
1. First the wanted length of the string was measured with the tape, without being tied to
the disk so that there is no tension acting on the string.

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 2. Then the rest of the string was rotated through the disk’s hole around the entire disk a
number of times.
3. The string was then tied around the clamp and boss and finally to the pendulum stand
itself to ensure a firm support so that the disk doesn’t fall.
4. After setting up the pendulum to look like Figure 2 the disk was waited for to be in
horizontal equilibrium position and the string was checked to be straight.
5. The disc was then rotated 360 degrees counterclockwise when observed from above.
6. The stopwatch was started at the same moment the disk was released.
7. The stopwatch was stopped as soon as the disk stopped moving and completed a period.
8. The measured time was then written down.
9. The entire process was done for the lengths 0.500m, 0.400m, 0.300m, 0.200m and
0.100m.

8. Risk evaluation
There are no risks or unethical behaviors to be found in this investigation, since no
humans or animals were involved and the setup was assembled in a way preventing the
occurrence of any harm.

9. Data presentation
9.1. Experiment results

Table 2: acquired data from 6 readings for each of the 5 chosen lengths of 0.500m, 0.400m, 0.300m,
0.200m and 0.100m

Length
(m) 0.500 0.400 0.300 0.200 0.100
± 0.001
Time (s) 𝑇1 67.23 60.22 54.32 45.39 34.95
± 0.01
𝑇2 66.91 59.89 54.09 44.96 34.67
𝑇3 67.55 60.54 53.25 45.51 35.38

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 𝑇4 68.04 61.11 54.17 45.31 35.56
𝑇5 68.17 60.93 53.65 45.79 36.22
𝑇6 67.83 60.72 53.41 46.14 35.85

9.2. Data processing

Using the values from table (2) the average period can be calculated where the sum of all the
times measured is calculated and then divided by the total number of reading which is six. The
equation looks like the following:

∑6𝑖 𝑇𝑖 (6)
𝑇𝑎𝑣𝑔 =
6

Substituting the values of length 0.500m as an example produces the following:

67.23 + 66.91 + 67.55 + 68.04 + 68.17 + 67.83 (7)

𝑇𝑎𝑣𝑔 = ≈ 𝟔𝟕. 𝟔𝟐𝐬
6
In order to calculate the uncertainty for 𝑇𝑎𝑣𝑔 the following equations is used:

𝑇𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 𝑇𝑚𝑖𝑛 (8)

∆𝑇𝑎𝑣𝑔 =
2
Once again applying the values from the length of 0.500m produces the following:

68.17 − 66.91 (9)

∆𝑇𝑎𝑣𝑔 = = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟑𝐬
2
Then applying equations (6) and (8) to the remaining values of the other four lengths
0.400m,0.300m, 0.200m and 0.100m results in the following table:

Table 3: 𝑇𝑎𝑣𝑔 and ∆𝑇𝑎𝑣𝑔 for the 5 chosen lengths of 0.500m, 0.400m, 0.300m, 0.200m and
0.100m

Length (m) ± 0.001 𝑇𝑎𝑣𝑔 (s) ∆𝑇𝑎𝑣𝑔 (s)

0.500 67.62 0.63

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 0.400 60.57 0.61

0.300 53.82 0.54

0.200 45.52 0.59

0.100 35.44 0.78

Relating back to equation (5), when 𝑇 2 is plotted against L, it should produce a linear graph,
8𝜋𝐿𝐼
whose gradient is equal to . So first the squaring of all average periods as well as their
𝑟 4𝜂

uncertainties from table (3) is required. The values of 𝑇𝑎𝑣𝑔 will be normally squared but the
uncertainties will be squared using a certain equation, that states the following:

∆𝑇 2 𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆𝑇𝑎𝑣𝑔 (10)

= ×2
𝑇 2 𝑎𝑣𝑔 𝑇𝑎𝑣𝑔

Solving for ∆𝑇 2 𝑎𝑣𝑔 :

∆𝑇𝑎𝑣𝑔 (11)
∆𝑇 2 𝑎𝑣𝑔 = × 2 × 𝑇 2 𝑎𝑣𝑔
𝑇𝑎𝑣𝑔
Substituting the values of 0.500m from table (3) produces a squared uncertainty like the
following:

0.63 (12)
∆𝑇 2 𝑎𝑣𝑔 = × 2 × 4572.46 ≈ 𝟖𝟓. 𝟔𝟔𝐬
67.62
All remaining values of lengths 0.400m, 0.300m, 0.200m and 0.100m substituted in equation
(11) after calculating their 𝑇 2 𝑎𝑣𝑔 generate the following table:

Table 4: 𝑇 2 𝑎𝑣𝑔 and ∆𝑇 2 𝑎𝑣𝑔 for the 5 chosen lengths of 0.500m, 0.400m, 0.300m, 0.200m and
0.100m

Length (m) ± 0.001 𝑇 2 𝑎𝑣𝑔 (𝑠 2 ) ∆𝑇 2 𝑎𝑣𝑔 (𝑠 2 )

0.500 4572.46 85.66

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 0.400 3668.72 73.90

0.300 2896.59 58.13

0.200 2072.07 53.71

0.100 1255.99 55.29

9.3. Plotting the graph

Now using all the data calculated from table (4) I can plot 𝑇 2 against L to see the relation
between these two. The following graph is produced:

Figure 2: graphical representation of plotting the period of disk rotation (𝑇 2 ) on the y-axis
against the length of the string (L) on the x-axis

In order to calculate the gradient (k) of the graph, two points on the line of best fit are chosen, in
this case (0, 424) and (0.556, 5000), and the gradient is as follows:

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 (5000 − 424)𝑠 2 (13)
𝑘= ≈ 𝟖𝟐𝟑𝟎. 𝟐𝟐 𝒔𝟐 𝒎−𝟏
(0.556 − 0)𝑚

The y-interception point in figure (2) lies at (0, 424), meaning that the equation of the line can be
written as the following:

𝑇 2 = 8230.22𝑥 + 424𝑠 2 (14)

10. Evaluation
Table 5: weaknesses of the experiment, their significance and possible improvements

Weakness Significance Improvement

Early and late reactions Using professional equipment

Reaction time influence the time measured like a camera with a stopwatch
for each period, when in reality or other devices should reduce
a measurement should be more uncertainties when measuring
or less the period
With constant strain throughout A method to solve this issue

Stress and strain on the the experiment, the string may would be replacing the string
be extended over time resulting after each trial to prevent
string
in slightly different lengths and extension, however maintaining
in turn slightly different time the same string type, features
measurements and dimensions
This systematic shift influences Use of different methods to
the plotted graph representing maximize reduction of
the relation between the two uncertainties as well as solving
Systematic shift in graph
variables into being less any other issues affecting the
accurate accuracy and precision of the
data while going through with
the experiment

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 Table 6: strengths of the experiment and their significance

Strength Significance
All variables mentioned in table (1) were

Maintenance of all controlled variables successfully kept constant throughout the

entire experiment increasing the quality of the
results
Uncertainties of points clearly shown The clear representation of the uncertainties

in graph in graph (1) enables the plotting of both the

line of best fit, which is already drawn, and
the worst line accepted, if needed
Accurate and precise data Increases the quality of the results leading to a
better conclusion and proof of the hypothesis

11. Conclusion
The aim of this investigation was to examine the relation between the period in a torsion
pendulum and the length of the suspending string. The hypothesis stated that a positive
correlation should be present between them and that if plotted against each other a linear graph
with a (0,0) origin should emerge. After concluding the investigation this was only partially true.
A positive correlation was indeed recognizable from the obtained data in table (2), where the
period of the disk would increase when the length of the string did. However, after plotting them
against each other in figure (2), a systematic shift was noticed preventing the line from having an
origin at (0,0) and being at 424 𝑠 2 instead. Despite the systematic shift the graph produced a
straight line indicating a linear relation.

It is worth mentioning that the data acquired from the experiment can be considered quite
accurate and precise seeing as the uncertainties were very small. The systematic shift was
probably caused by some weaknesses of the experiment mentioned in the evaluation section in
table (5) like the reaction time when measuring the period and the stress of the string, which

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might have led to its extension over time throughout the experiment. Also the maintenance of all
controlled variables in table (1) contributed in bettering the quality of the data. In further
developments of this investigation, the incorporation and study of more and different variables
like changing the string type, the angle of suspension or the degree of rotation of the disk, would
possibly improve the accuracy of the study and lead to new useful results.

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12. Bibliography

- Fitzpatrick, R. (2006, February 2). The torsion pendulum. Retrieved March 27, 2021,

from farside.ph.utexas.edu website:

http://farside.ph.utexas.edu/teaching/301/lectures/node139.html#:~:text=Torsion%20pen

dulums%20are%20often%20used

- Isaac Physics. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2021, from Isaac Physics website:

https://isaacphysics.org/concepts/cp_moment_inertia

- M. Harrison, D. (2002, October). Torsion Pendulum Expt. Retrieved March 28, 2021,

from Utoronto.ca website:

https://faraday.physics.utoronto.ca/IYearLab/Intros/TorsionPend/TorsionPend.html

- Mishra, G. (2010, September 6). Torsion Pendulum Test on Metal Wire. Retrieved March

27, 2021, from The Constructor website: https://theconstructor.org/practical-

guide/torsion-pendulum-test-metal-

wire/2426/#:~:text=Modulus%20of%20Rigidity%20is%20the

- Torsion Pendulum. (2020, December 30). Retrieved March 29, 2021, from
https://phys.libretexts.org/@go/page/6997

- UPPU, R. (n.d.). TORSIONAL PENDULUM. Retrieved March 27, 2021, from

https://www.cmi.ac.in/~ravitej/lab/4-torpen.pdf

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