Name: Brandon Sookdeo

Date: 01/12/13

Title: Youngs Modulus

Aim:

1. To investigate how the period of oscillations of a loaded steel blade varies with
the length of the blade.
2. To determine a value for the Young Modulus of steel using the results of the
experiment.

Materials & Apparatus:

Block of wood
G-clamp
50g masses (2)
Blade
Ruler
Micrometer screw gauge

Diagram:
Name: Brandon Sookdeo

Figure 1 showing setup of apparatus.

Theory:

This experiment shows simple harmonic motion which a body experiences when its
acceleration is directed towards a fixed point in its path and is directly proportional to its
distance from that point. In this case the blade describes simple harmonic motion about
its equilibrium position, oscillating back and forth until its energy is dispersed and it
returns to rest. The longer the steel blade is the longer the period (time for one complete
oscillation) and the equation that expresses this:

T =k d n

Where,
Name: Brandon Sookdeo
T is the period of oscillation

d is the distance from the centre of the masses to the edge of the blocks

k and n are constants

The Youngs modulus (E) of a material is the ratio of the tensile stress to the tensile strain
the material experiences provided that the stress is not so high that the limit of
proportionality has been exceeded. Stress () is defined as the Force per unit area and
strain is the ratio of extension produced and the original length of the material.

A theoretical treatment of the oscillator suggests that

k=
16 2 M
Eb t 3

Where:

E= Young modulus

M= the mass attached to end of the blade

k= constant from oscillation equation

b= width of blade

t= thickness of blade
Name: Brandon Sookdeo
Method:

1 The apparatus was setup as shown in the diagram.

2 The distance, d, from the center of the mass to the edge of the blocks of wood was
recorded.

3 The end of the blade was displaced from its equilibrium position and released so
that small oscillations occurred in a vertical plane.

4 The time taken for 20 oscillations to occur was recorded twice and the period (T)
was determined.

5 The procedure was repeated 5 additional times with different values for d, ranging
from 0.13m to 0.20m being used. All results were recorded.

6 The width of the blade, b, and the thickness of the blade, t, were both measured
using a micrometer screw gauge and recorded.

Variables:

Manipulated: length of blade

Responding: period of oscillation

Constant: mass attached to end of blade

Name: Brandon Sookdeo
Results:

Table 1 showing values of time, period, distance between center of masses and the edges
of the blocks, lg T and lg d.

d/m Time for 20 Time for 20 Average T/s lg T lg d

oscillations1/s oscillations2/s time/s
0.192 10.10 10.0 10.05 0.501 -0.30 -0.72
0.176 9.61 9.48 9.55 0.478 -0.32 -0.75
0.167 9.17 8.80 8.99 0.450 -0.35 -0.78
0.156 8.34 8.46 8.40 0.420 -0.38 -0.81
0.146 7.82 7.66 7.74 0.387 -0.41 -0.84
0.130 7.15 7.29 7.22 0.361 -0.44 -0.89

Table 2 showing values obtained for the width and thickness of the blade.

Width of blade (b) /m 0.013

Thickness of blade (t) /m 0.0006

Treatment of results:

y 2 y 1
Gradient = x 2x 1

0.5(0. 3125)
= 0(0.75)

= 1.08

T =k d n

Take log of both sides:

Name: Brandon Sookdeo
n
lgT =lgk d

lgT =lgk +lgd n

lgT =nlgd +lgk

y=mx +c

Therefore, using graph,

Gradient = n

n=1.08

y-intercept = lgk

Where n =1.08, and using pt. (0, 5.0)

0 .5 0=1.08 ( 0 ) +lgk

0.5 0=lgk

k= 3.16227766

To find E we use the formula,

k=
16 2 M
Eb t 3

3.16227766=
16 2 (0.05)
E ( 0.013 ) (0.0006)3
Name: Brandon Sookdeo

16 2 (0.05)
10=
E(2.808 x 1012 )

E= 2.81 x 1011 Pa

Precautions:

1. The stop-watch was started after three full oscillations in order to reduce error due
to reaction time.

2. When measuring d, the blade was held horizontally to get accurate measurements.

Sources of error:

1. Due to the quick movements of the blade, it was possible to make errors when
taking values for time taken for 20 oscillations.

Conclusion:

1. The period of the oscillation was found to decrease as the length of the blade
decreased.

2. The Young modulus of steel was found to be 2.88 x 1011 Pa.