T Ghent 25 August 2015

THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES CANBERRA

School of Engineering & Information Technology

ZEIT1502 Dynamics

Rotational Motion Experiment

Name: T Ghent
Date of lab: 18 August 2015
Date due: 25 August 2015

Summary:

The final results gained from this experiment were = 0.045067 0.0013315 2 for
the experimental/practical method and = 0.04023 0.001617 2 for the
theoretical method giving an overall range of error of approximately 3-4%.

Both the theoretical and experimental methods, when compared with each other give
fairly similar results to around one significant figure. However, when calculating to a
more accurate level it can be seen that there is a significant variation between the values.
This variation is largely due to error, especially in regards to human error (such as errors
in measurements) or the equipment used not being entirely perfect in its readings. Some
of these errors in the equipment were accounted for when calculating the uncertainty in
the experimental method, however due to the process of the method, were not accounted
for when calculating the moment of inertia theoretically.

Although the final values found using both methods are relatively accurate they cannot
be entirely relied upon for obtaining accurate results for the moment of inertia.

Objective:

To determine the Moment of Inertia of a Stepped Pulley Block

a) by calculation from the weight and measured dimensions; and

b) by experiment, by causing the pulley to rotate with a known force; and
c) to compare the calculated and experimental results by taking experimental
uncertainty into account.

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The experiment is shown schematically in Figure 1:

Figure 1: Schematic of pulley system and weight.

Procedure:

1. Note the mass of the block marked on the stand, and, with callipers and steel rule,
measure the diameter and thickness of each of the four discs which constitute the
block (you may ignore the small contribution made to the pulley by the small axle
section inside the bearing blocks and you may ignore the contribution made by the
light weight timing wheel). Note: Assume a constant density throughout the
pulley and that both sides of the axle constitute one disk. (Using this information
as indicated in "Theory", one member of the laboratory group should proceed
immediately to calculate the moment of inertia while the remaining members
undertake the experimental part of the project).

2. Familiarise yourself with the operation of the equipment as demonstrated by the

Demonstrator. The computer screen contains a graph on which the results are
presented after each run. Below the graph is a number of buttons and indicators:

a) The Degrees to Measure indicator sets the amount of information that is

stored. The default of 362 degrees is appropriate. If you wish to store more
data, increase this number. It should not exceed 720 degrees which is the angle
at which the weight strikes the buffer below.

b) The GO button activates the solenoid on the pulley retainer, releases the
pulley and initiates the data storage.

c) The Replot button replots the graph after a Zoom operation.

d) The Zoom button expands the section of graph between the two cursors up
to the full screen.

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e) The Save Last Plot button saves each set of data as a text file, tab delimited
spread sheet. A standard Save dialogue box allows you to select a file name.
(Dont forget to change the drive name).

f) The Clear button clears the graph.

Figure 2

3. Attach a mass of 50g to the hanger at the end of the string. Note that the weight
of the hangar is 50g and this must be added to the weights for each experiment.
Ensure that the pulley retainer is fully engaged in the detent on the pulley block.
Press the start button. The pulley will be released. Gently restrain the pulley after
the weights have struck the foam buffer. Store the results on the floppy disk
provided.

4. Repeat the procedure increasing the magnitude of the falling mass in increments of
50g up to a maximum of 250g plus the hanger.

5. The results provide the time in seconds since the rotation commenced. The angle of
rotation between each time reading is 10o. Be sure to use meaningful headings for
each set of results stored. While you are doing the experiment check that the data
is meaningful as it is plotted on the computer. You should see a parabola.

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Explain why the plot is a parabola:

Graphs of angular displacement caused by various weights ( vs ):

In this experiment, acceleration a is constant (=9.81 m/s2) as the weights are falling due
to the influence of gravity g. In the above graph the angular displacement of the pulley
system (in degrees) varies according to time (seconds), forming a parabolic shaped graph.
As the weight was falling, the computer plotted points at 10 degree intervals along the y-
axis. As the velocity of the falling weights increased (due to constant acceleration) the
time between each 10 degree interval decreased, thus causing the above parabolic shape.
An explanation of why these graphs form a parabolic shape can be done through the
integration of a as shown below:

= and =

integrating to find :

=

9.81 =

= 9.81 +

integrating to find :

=

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9.81 + =

= 4.905 2 + +
where C and K are constants of integration.

this shows that the function for is in the form of a quadratic and is thus of a parabolic
shape.

Theory:

1. Determination of the Moment of Inertia by Calculation from the Weight and

Dimensions.

2
The moment of inertia of a single disc about its axis is where M is the mass
8
and d is the diameter. In terms of the material density and the disk thickness t,

2 2 2
= [ ] =
8 32

The pulley block comprises four such discs having a common axis so that the
moment of inertia about that axis for the block is given by

4 4 4
2
= = = 4
32 32
=1 =1 =1

Equation (1)

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2
Similarly the total volume V of the material is given by = 4=1 and the
4
mass M by .

Hence:

= =
2
[4=1 4 ]

Equation (2)

where M is the measured mass.

Combining equations (1) and (2) gives:

4=1 4
=
8 4=1 2

Equation (3)

2. Determination of the Moment of Inertia by experiment.

Consider the motion of the pulley block as shown in Figure 1. Neglecting bearing
friction, the pulley will accelerate uniformly under the action of the applied
weight. Taking moments about the axis (see Section 17.4 of Hibbeler) of the block
we get:

0 = ( )0

= + 2

Equation (4)

where m is the mass on the end of the string

g is the acceleration due to gravity,
r is defined in Figure 1 and is the radius of the cylinder on which the string is
wrapped,
is the angular acceleration of the pulley, and
a is the acceleration of the weights.

Noting that = a/r, we may write

= ( + 2 )

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Equation (5)

Rearranging we get

= 2 [ 1]

Equation (6)

That is, since m, r, and g (9.81 m/s2) are known, can be determined if a can be
measured using the data obtained in the experiment.

To measure a we note that

1
= = 0 + 2
2
Equation (7)

where is the height which the weights drop,

is the angle turned by the pulley in radians,
0 is the initial velocity of the weights (= 0), and
is time in seconds.

If we plot a graph of vs 2 the result should be a straight line (within

1
experimental uncertainty) passing through 0 with a slope (K) equal to 2 . Thus if
K is measured from a graph of vs 2 , then a can be determined and can be
evaluated from equation (6).

Take the data to a computer with a spreadsheet package. Plot the data for each of
your experimental runs. Generate tables of and 2 , and determine the slope (K)
either manually (by drawing the best fit line on a printout of the graph) or by
regression using a data analysis package (usually provided within spreadsheets).

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Attachment 1:

Results:

a) Determining by calculation from the weight and dimensions:

Mass of Pulley = 12.46 .

Disc t(m) d(m) d2(m2) td2(m3) td4(m5)

1 0.0214 0.2 0.004 0.000856 0.00003424
2 0.0301 0.1514 0.023 0.00069 0.000016
3 0.0374 0.1 0.01 0.000374 0.00000374
4 0.1261 0.038 0.00144 0.0001821 0.0000002629
4 4
2
4
=1 =1
=0.0021 =0.00005424

Using equation (3) from the Theory section:

4=1 4
=
8 4=1 2

12.46 0.00005424
=
8 0.0021

= 0.04023 2

b) Determining by experiment:

Using the average slope K found in the vs 2 table of values for each graph (see
Annex B) and equation (6) from the Theory section, was found as follows:

= 2
= 2(1.60694)0.0757
= 0.2433 / 2

= 2 [ 1]

9.81
= (12.46)0.07572 [ 1]
0.2433
= 0.045067 2

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Annex A Graphs and Tables:

Test 1 100g:

(Degrees) (Seconds) (Radians)

0 0 0 0
2 0.127488 0.034907 0.016253
12 0.47936 0.20944 0.229786
22 0.675072 0.383972 0.455722
32 0.826752 0.558505 0.683519
42 0.954496 0.733038 0.911063
52 1.071104 0.907571 1.147264
62 1.174656 1.082104 1.379817
72 1.272064 1.256637 1.618147
82 1.361152 1.43117 1.852735
92 1.44576 1.605703 2.090222
102 1.525632 1.780236 2.327553
112 1.601664 1.954769 2.565328
122 1.67488 2.129302 2.805223
132 1.743872 2.303835 3.04109
142 1.811072 2.478368 3.279982
152 1.876864 2.6529 3.522618
162 1.938816 2.827433 3.759007
172 2 3.001966 4
182 2.058368 3.176499 4.236879
192 2.1152 3.351032 4.474071
202 2.171136 3.525565 4.713832
212 2.225408 3.700098 4.952441
222 2.278528 3.874631 5.19169
232 2.330752 4.049164 5.432405
242 2.381056 4.223697 5.669428
252 2.430976 4.39823 5.909644
262 2.479616 4.572763 6.148496
272 2.52736 4.747296 6.387549
282 2.57472 4.921828 6.629183
292 2.620672 5.096361 6.867922
302 2.666624 5.270894 7.110884
312 2.711168 5.445427 7.350432
322 2.755328 5.61996 7.591832
332 2.798976 5.794493 7.834267
342 2.842368 5.969026 8.079056
352 2.88448 6.143559 8.320225
362 2.926848 6.318092 8.566439
8

6 y = 0.7334x + 0.06

0
0 2 4 6 8 10

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Test 2 150g:

(Degrees) (Seconds) (Radians)

0 0 0 0
2 0.096896 0.034907 0.009389
12 0.38336 0.20944 0.146965
22 0.536704 0.383972 0.288051
32 0.65792 0.558505 0.432859
42 0.758912 0.733038 0.575947
52 0.84992 0.907571 0.722364
62 0.931968 1.082104 0.868564
72 1.00672 1.256637 1.013485
82 1.0784 1.43117 1.162947
92 1.144064 1.605703 1.308882
102 1.207552 1.780236 1.458182
112 1.266816 1.954769 1.604823
122 1.324032 2.129302 1.753061
132 1.378944 2.303835 1.901487
142 1.431808 2.478368 2.050074
152 1.483392 2.6529 2.200452
162 1.53216 2.827433 2.347514
172 1.58016 3.001966 2.496906
182 1.62752 3.176499 2.648821
192 1.67232 3.351032 2.796654
202 1.716864 3.525565 2.947622
212 1.759488 3.700098 3.095798
222 1.801344 3.874631 3.24484
232 1.84256 4.049164 3.395027
242 1.882624 4.223697 3.544273
252 1.922048 4.39823 3.694269
262 1.960704 4.572763 3.84436
272 1.998208 4.747296 3.992835
282 2.035456 4.921828 4.143081
292 2.071808 5.096361 4.292388
302 2.107648 5.270894 4.44218
312 2.143104 5.445427 4.592895
322 2.177664 5.61996 4.74222
332 2.212224 5.794493 4.893935
342 2.24576 5.969026 5.043438
352 2.27904 6.143559 5.194023
362 2.311936 6.318092 5.345048

6 y = 1.1751x + 0.0551

0
0 2 4 6

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Test 3 200g:

(Degrees) (Seconds) (Radians)

0 0 0 0
2 0.081792 0.034907 0.00669
12 0.326272 0.20944 0.106453
22 0.457472 0.383972 0.209281
32 0.56128 0.558505 0.315035
42 0.64768 0.733038 0.419489
52 0.725504 0.907571 0.526356
62 0.795776 1.082104 0.633259
72 0.859648 1.256637 0.738995
82 0.92096 1.43117 0.848167
92 0.97728 1.605703 0.955076
102 1.031424 1.780236 1.063835
112 1.082112 1.954769 1.170966
122 1.131008 2.129302 1.279179
132 1.177984 2.303835 1.387646
142 1.223168 2.478368 1.49614
152 1.267072 2.6529 1.605471
162 1.308928 2.827433 1.713293
172 1.349888 3.001966 1.822198
182 1.390336 3.176499 1.933034
192 1.428608 3.351032 2.040921
202 1.466752 3.525565 2.151361
212 1.503232 3.700098 2.259706
222 1.538944 3.874631 2.368349
232 1.574144 4.049164 2.477929
242 1.608448 4.223697 2.587105
252 1.642112 4.39823 2.696532
262 1.675264 4.572763 2.806509
272 1.707264 4.747296 2.91475
282 1.739136 4.921828 3.024594
292 1.77024 5.096361 3.13375
302 1.800704 5.270894 3.242535
312 1.83104 5.445427 3.352707
322 1.860608 5.61996 3.461862
332 1.890048 5.794493 3.572281
342 1.91872 5.969026 3.681486
352 1.947136 6.143559 3.791339
362 1.975168 6.318092 3.901289

6 y = 1.6095x + 0.0563

0
0 1 2 3 4 5

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Test 4 250g:

(Degrees) (Seconds) (Radians)

0 0 0 0
2 0.069632 0.034907 0.004849
12 0.28736 0.20944 0.082576
22 0.403968 0.383972 0.16319
32 0.496256 0.558505 0.24627
42 0.573056 0.733038 0.328393
52 0.642304 0.907571 0.412554
62 0.704768 1.082104 0.496698
72 0.761856 1.256637 0.580425
82 0.816512 1.43117 0.666692
92 0.866688 1.605703 0.751148
102 0.915072 1.780236 0.837357
112 0.960256 1.954769 0.922092
122 1.003904 2.129302 1.007823
132 1.04576 2.303835 1.093614
142 1.08608 2.478368 1.17957
152 1.125248 2.6529 1.266183
162 1.162496 2.827433 1.351397
172 1.198976 3.001966 1.437543
182 1.234944 3.176499 1.525087
192 1.26912 3.351032 1.610666
202 1.302912 3.525565 1.69758
212 1.335424 3.700098 1.783357
222 1.367168 3.874631 1.869148
232 1.398528 4.049164 1.955881
242 1.428992 4.223697 2.042018
252 1.458944 4.39823 2.128518
262 1.488384 4.572763 2.215287
272 1.516928 4.747296 2.301071
282 1.545216 4.921828 2.387692
292 1.572864 5.096361 2.473901
302 1.6 5.270894 2.56
312 1.627008 5.445427 2.647155
322 1.65312 5.61996 2.732806
332 1.67936 5.794493 2.82025
342 1.704832 5.969026 2.906452
352 1.72992 6.143559 2.992623
362 1.75488 6.318092 3.079604

6 y = 2.0369x + 0.0612

0
0 1 2 3 4

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Test 5 300g:

(Degrees) (Seconds) (Radians)

0 0 0 0
2 0.061312 0.034907 0.003759
12 0.256384 0.20944 0.065733
22 0.364416 0.383972 0.132799
32 0.447872 0.558505 0.200589
42 0.517888 0.733038 0.268208
52 0.581504 0.907571 0.338147
62 0.637696 1.082104 0.406656
72 0.69056 1.256637 0.476873
82 0.738816 1.43117 0.545849
92 0.784768 1.605703 0.615861
102 0.82816 1.780236 0.685849
112 0.869504 1.954769 0.756037
122 0.909312 2.129302 0.826848
132 0.946816 2.303835 0.896461
142 0.983424 2.478368 0.967123
152 1.019264 2.6529 1.038899
162 1.053056 2.827433 1.108927
172 1.086336 3.001966 1.180126
182 1.118208 3.176499 1.250389
192 1.149312 3.351032 1.320918
202 1.179904 3.525565 1.392173
212 1.209472 3.700098 1.462823
222 1.238528 3.874631 1.533952
232 1.266944 4.049164 1.605147
242 1.294336 4.223697 1.675306
252 1.3216 4.39823 1.746627
262 1.348096 4.572763 1.817363
272 1.37408 4.747296 1.888096
282 1.399808 4.921828 1.959462
292 1.424896 5.096361 2.030329
302 1.449856 5.270894 2.102082
312 1.474048 5.445427 2.172818
322 1.497856 5.61996 2.243573
332 1.521536 5.794493 2.315072
342 1.54496 5.969026 2.386901
352 1.567872 6.143559 2.458223
362 1.590656 6.318092 2.530187

6 y = 2.4798x + 0.0646

0
0 1 2 3

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Annex B Other Calculations and Finding Uncertainty:

Average K:

From tables listed in Annex A:

Test # K
1 0.7334
2 1.1751
3 1.6095
4 2.0369
5 2.4798

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5
=
5
8.0347
=
5
= 1.60694

Uncertainty in M:

Test # Mass (g) grams Approximate Error %

1 100 1 0.01
2 150 1 0.0067
3 200 1 0.005
4 250 1 0.004
5 300 1 0.0033

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5
=
5
1000
=
5
= 200

and
5
=

5
=
200
= 0.025

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Uncertainty in radius r:

Radius of pulley measured as being r = 0.0757 m 0.0001 m

0.0001
= = 0.001321
0.0757

Uncertainty in a:

=

0.001321
=
0.2433
= 0.0003214

Uncertainty in :

, = 2 [ 1]


= 0.0250.0013212 [ 1]
0.0003214
= 0.0013315

from using the experimental/practical method of determining , it can be found that

= 0.045067 0.0013315 2.

Calculating uncertainty for theoretical method:

Uncertainties for theoretical method:

Test # t(m) Approximate Error %

1 0.0214 0.0001 0.00467
2 0.0301 0.0001 0.00332
3 0.0374 0.0001 0.00267
4 0.1261 0.0001 0.00079

Test # d(m) Approximate Error %

1 0.2 0.001 0.005
2 0.1514 0.001 0.00661
3 0.1 0.001 0.01
4 0.038 0.001 0.02632

Test # d2(m2) Approximate Error %

1 0.004 0.0004 0.01
2 0.023 0.000305 0.01326
3 0.01 0.0002 0.02
4 0.00144 0.000076 0.05278

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Test # td2(m3) Approximate Error %

1 0.000856 0.000013 0.01519
2 0.00069 0.000011 0.01594
3 0.000374 0.0000085 0.02273
4 0.0001821 0.0000097 0.05327

Test # td4(m5) Approximate Error %

1 0.00003424 0.00000084 0.02453
2 0.000016 0.00000048 0.03
3 0.00000374 0.00000016 0.04278
4 0.0000002629 0.000000028 0.1065

2 = 0.0021021
=1
and
4

4 = 0.00005424
=1

Mass (kg) kgs Approximate Error %

12.46 0.001 0.00008026

4
4=1
, =
8 4=1 2

12.46 0.00005424
=
8 0.0021021

= 0.040188

, = 0.0401880.04023
= 0.001617

from using the theoretical method of determining , it can be found that

= 0.04023 0.001617 2 .

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