CURTIN ENGINEERING FACULTY

Engineering Foundation Year

ENGINEERING MECHANICS
Dynamics: Practical Test 3a
(0.75 hour hands-on + 0.75 hour analysis/interpretation)

Title:

Fixed axis rotation of a flywheel

Activity Type:

Reinforcement

Concept(s) Studied:
This practical test deals with the rotation of a rigid body about a fixed axis. The
analysis involves the application of kinematic and kinetic relations to a rotating
wheel, (an example of circular motion dynamics,) and a falling hanger and its
contents, (an example of linear motion dynamics.)
Theory.
flywheel

Driving drum

bearings

shaft

Hanger +
Small masses
(a)

(b)

Figure 1: A flywheel with a hanger containing small masses

The flywheel as shown in Figure 1 can rotate freely about a fixed horizontal axis, the
falling hanger and its contents provide the necessary torque to impart the rotation.
Newtons second law can be used to describe the rotation of the flywheel about a
fixed axis. The equivalent of F = ma in rotary motion is
T = I
where

(1.0)

T: the torque, (N/m)

I: the mass moment of inertia, (kg.m2)
: the angular acceleration. (radians/sec)

Page 1

Assuming that the system develops a constant acceleration, the angular acceleration,
angular velocity and angular displacement of an arbitrary point on the flywheel or the
driving drum can be determined from the following kinematic equations:
f = i + t
1
= it + t2
2
2
2
f = i + 2

(2.0)
(3.0)
(4.0)

where i and f are initial and final angular velocities respectively, is the angular
acceleration and indicates the change in angular displacement.
The linear acceleration, linear velocity and linear displacement of the falling masses
can be determined from the following kinematic equations:
v = u + at

(5.0)

1
s = ut + at2
2
2
2
v = u + 2as

(6.0)
(7.0)

where u and v are initial and final linear velocities respectively, a is the linear
acceleration and s indicates the change in linear displacement.
The angular acceleration, angular velocity and the angular displacement of the
rotating wheel can be related to their linear counterparts of the driving masses via the
following relationships,
a=r
v=r
s = r

(8.0)
(9.0)
(10.0)

where r = radius.
The following table shows the analogy between fixed axis rotation and straight-line
motion.
Quantity
Position
Velocity
Acceleration
Newtons
second law

Translation
s
dx
v=
dt
dv
a=
dt
F = ma

Page 2

Rotation

d
=
dt
d
=
dt
T = I

Description of the test:

The essential components of the equipment required for this experiment are
A solid aluminium flywheel,
A solid aluminium diving drum,
A stainless steel stepped shaft,
Two bearings
A hanger, a cord and a set of small masses.

Supporting frame
structure.
flywheel

Driving drum

bearings

shaft

counter
Hanger +
Small masses
(a)

(b)

Figure 2: A flywheel with a hanger containing small masses

Running the practical test:

For each set of equipment allocated, fill in the following tabe.

Mass of the flywheel
Radius of the flywheel
Radius of the driving drum

Page 3

Attach the one end of the cord onto the pin on the driving drum,
Wrap the cord tightly around the driving drum
Make sure the mark on the cord is just touching (tangential) to the drum,
Make sure that one of the holes is above the counter (see Figure 2)
Make sure that the counter is set to zero
Start the timer and release the flywheel simultaneously
Click the left button of the timer as the falling masses are detached from the
driving drum (t1)
Continue to time till the flywheel comes to rest. (t2)
Record both times and the reading from the counter in the following table.
Measure the length of the cord between the loop and the mark.

This hole must

be just above
the counter.

4 holes on
the rim of
the flywheel

Counter

Figure 2: showing the initial arrangement of the experiment

Driving mass (hanger with small masses) = _________ kg.

Length of the cord wrapped onto the driving drum = ____________ m.
Run
number
1

Time : t1

Time : t2

2
3
4
5
Average =

Page 4

Reading from
counter.

Analysis
The analysis consists of consideration of the kinematics and the kinetics of the
system.
Part A1: Kinematics of the accelerating flywheel.
(1.0)

(2.0)

The linear acceleration of the falling masses can be determined from the
1
kinematic equation number (6.0), s = ut + at2.
2
The corresponding angular acceleration of the flywheel can be determined
from equation (8.0), a = r
Calculation:
Magnitude
Linear
acceleration, a
Angular
acceleration,

(3.0)

(4.0)

Consider the moment when the falling masses are detached from the driving
drum..Determine the velocity of the falling masses at this moment using
equation (5.0), v = u + at,
The corresponding angular velocity can be determined from equation (9.0),
v=r
Calculation:
Magnitude
Linear
velocity, v
Angular
velocity,

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Part A2: Kinematics of the decelerating flywheel.

(5.0)

Determine the duration of deceleration. td (= t2 t1)

(6.0)

Determine the angular deceleration of the flywheel using equation (2.0),

f = i + t
Calculation:
Magnitude
Time, td
Angular
deceleration,

Part A3: Determination of the total number of revolutions of the flywheel.

(7.0)
(8.0)

Determine the angular displacement 1 during the accelerating phase.

(Use equation (10.0) s = r )
Determine the angular displacement 2 during the decelerating phase,
(Use equation (3.0), f2 = i2 + 2)

Magnitude
(revolution)

Calculation:
Angular
displacement, 1
Angular
displacement, 2
Total number of
revolutions,

Page 6

Part B1: Kinetics of the flywheel and driving masses.

The free body diagrams of the flywheel and the driving masses are as shown.
Radius of driving
drum, rd
Equation of motion:

Tf
O

Ox
Oy

T = I
Figure (a)
Free body
diagram.

Frd Tf = I

(11.0)

Note: Ox and Oy are reaction forces,

Tf is friction torque.
F
Equation of motion:
x
mg y

(9.0)

Fy = may

Figure (b)
Free body
diagram

mg F = ma

(12.0)

The mass moment of inertia of the flywheel can be estimated by using

equations (11.0) and (12.0). (Neglect the frictional torque, Tf)
Calculation:
Magnitude
Tension in the
cord, F
Mass moment
of inertia of
the flywheel, I

Page 7

Discussion questions:
(1.0)

For the total number of revolutions of the flywheel, compare and comment on
the differences between reading taken from the counter and the calculated
results.
(Note that the reading from the counter must be divided by 4.)

(2.0)

The Newtons second law for the kinetics of the rotary flywheel is expressed
as T = I, where I is the mass moment of inertia. In the case of the flywheel
rotating about a fixed axis, the mass moment of inertia can be calculated from
1
I = mr 2 , where m is the mass of the rotating body. Calculate the mass
2
moment of inertia for the flywheel using this formula and compare with the
experimentally obtained result. Comment on the discrepancy, if any.

(3.0)

In the kinetic consideration, the friction torque was neglected in the

calculation. Suggest a way to include this quantity in the overall calculation
so as to improve the estimation of mass moment of inertia.

Page 8

Assessment: the total mark for this practical test is 3, with the following break
down:
(1)
Experiment procedure carried out properly
(0.25)
(2)
Analysis Part A (consisting of 4 calculations)
accurate results and well presented
(1.0)
(3)
Analysis Part B accurate results and well presented
(0.25)
(4)
Discussion Questions: (maximum score is 1.5)
Poor attempt in answering the discussion questions (0.25)
Answers showing an average level of understanding (0.5)
Answers showing a good level of understanding
(1.0)
Answers showing a high level of understanding
(1.5)

Page 9