Khari Harper, Rachel Selsky, Josh Kalalo, Lisl Wiedemann, Alexa Ornstein

Physics 151
Mr. Jones
24 March 2014
Moment of Inertia

Purpose: To experimentally find a formula fit to determine moment of inertia.

Procedure:
1. Two approximately equivalent sets of nuts and washers (m2) and a single set of 1
bolt and washers (m1) were massed.
2. The single set of nuts and washers were secured onto the hanger, and the two
equivalent sets were added onto either sides the pulley levers at equal distances (r) from
the center.
3. The exact washer/nut radius (r) of the washer sets was measured and recorded.
4. String, with the hanger attached, was wound around the pulley.
5. The distance between the base of the stand and the bottom of the hanger was
measured using a meter stick (Sy). *This value was kept constant throughout testing.
6. The stopwatch setting of the photogates was used to record the time it took for
the hanging washers to fall the distance Sy.
7. Steps 4-6 were repeated 5 times, in total, for a specific washer/not radius value.
8. The washer/nut radius was changed, and steps 5-7 were repeated, for three
separate configurations (washers on the outer, middle, and inner section of
Diagram:

Figure 1: A diagram showing the pulley system used during experimentation.

Figure 2: The washers on the pulley

levers being adjusted between configurations.

Figure 3: The entire pulley system.

Calculations:
Table 1: Formulas used during testing and sample calculations.

Formula

Sample Calculations

= Fw * r pulley

0.070kg * 9.81 m/s2 * 0.05m = 0.034 N-m

a = 2sy/t2

2 * 0.83m / (1.70s)2 = 0.574 m/s2

= a/r w/n

0.574m/s2 / 0.097m = 5.92rad/s2

I = /

0.034 N-m / 5.91rad/s2 = 0.0058kgm2

I = k * m2 *r2 w/n

0.0045 kgm2 = 2.75 * 0.174kg * 0.0972m

Table 2: Determination of constant (k) using the average of the yielded constant values from all three configurations.

Determination of Fractional Constant (k)

k = I/ m2 * r2 w/n

Config. 1

2.75= 0.0045 kgm2 / 0.174kg * 0.0972m

Config. 2

2.58= 0.0022 kgm2 / 0.174kg * 0.072m

Config. 3

3.20= 0.00089 kgm2 / 0.174kg * 0.042m

Average Constant:

2.84 = 284/100

Data:

Configuration 1: On the Edge

Hanging Mass: 0.070 kg

Pulley Radius: 0.05 m

Torque: 0.034 N-m

Washer/Nut Mass: 0.174 kg

Washer/Nut Radius: 0.097m

Sy: 0.83m

Trial

Time (s)

at (m/s2)

I (kgm2)

1.70

0.574

5.91

0.0058

1.48

0.758

7.81

0.0044

1.31

0.967

9.97

0.0034

1.39

0.859

8.86

0.0038

1.58

0.665

6.86

0.0050

Avg.

1.49

.0.765

7.87

0.0045

Configuration 2: In the middle

Hanging Mass: 0.070 kg

Pulley Radius: 0.05 m

Torque: 0.034 N-m

Washer/Nut Mass: 0.174 kg

Washer/Nut Radius: 0.07

Sy: 0.83m

Trial

Time (s)

at (m/s2)

I (kgm2)

1.19

1.17

16.7

0.0020

1.19

1.17

16.7

0.0020

1.25

1.06

15.1

0.0023

1.25

1.06

15.1

0.0023

1.23

1.10

15.7

0.0022

Avg.

1.22

1.11

15.9

0.0022

Configuration 3: On the Inside

Hanging Mass: 0.070 kg

Pulley Radius: 0.05 m

Torque: 0.034 N-m

Washer/Nut Mass: 0.174 kg

Washer/Nut Radius: 0.04

Sy: 0.83m

Trial

Time (s)

at (m/s2)

I (kgm2)

0.95

1.84

46.0

0.00074

0.98

1.73

43.3

0.00079

1.15

1.26

31.5

0.0011

1.12

1.32

33.0

0.0010

1.06

1.48

37.0

0.00092

Avg.

1.05

1.53

38.2

0.00089

Conclusion:
I=

284
* m2 * r2 w/n
100

Human and atmospheric interferences may have contributed to a constant outside of the expected 0-1 range.