Physics Prncticst

75

6. TORSIONAL PENDULUM
Expt.No:
Date:
AlM

To determine (i) Moment, of inertia of the disc and (ii) Rigidity moduius
of the material of a wire by torsional pendulum.
APPARATUS REQUIRED
1 Torsional pendulum (uniform circular
disc suspended by a wire) 2. 1wo
symmetrical masses 3. Stop - clock 4. Screw
gauge 5. Metre scale.
FORMULA

Moment of inertia of the disc

2 m (d-d T kg-m?
T;-T}
Rigidity modulus of the material of the wire
8 IL
newton/ metre
T;
Unit
Symbol Explanation
Mass placed on the disc (mass of one of the symmetrical
kg
masses)

dË Closest distance (minimum) between suspension wire and metre

the centre of the symmetrical mass
Farthest distance (maximum) between suspension wire metre
d,
and the centre of the symmetrical mass
on the disc second
|Time period without any mass placed
period when equal masses are placed at a istance d, second
TË Time
placed at a distance d, second
Time period when equal masses are
metre
Length of the suspension wire metre
Radius of the wire
 Physics 1aboratory MamiA

Chuck

B
d, d

TÍ
Fig. 6.1 Torsional Pendulum

(i) To find the time periods of the disc at different stages

X10-2 m
Length of the suspension wire () =
Cm =E

Position of the Time for 20 oscillations Period of

symmetrical oscillation
Trial - 1 Trial - 2 Mean
masses
second second
second second
Unit
without
To
8ymmetrical masses

with masses at T=
closest distance
d, . x 10 2 m

with masses at |T, =

farthest distance
O m
*.. X
should be measured from chu
of the suspension wire ()
|Note| Length
the wire under twist).
chuck (i.e., portion of
Engg.Physics

PROCEDURE
One end of a long, uniform wire whose rigidity modulug is to be
determinedis clamped by a vertical chuck. To the lower end, a heavy uniform
civulardise is attached by another chuck. The length of the 8Uspension wire
fixed to a partieular value (say 60 cm or 70 cm). The suspended disc is
? is
twisted so that it executes torsional Care is taken to see
slightly
thatthe disc oscillates without wobbling.
oscillations.

made
The first few oscillations are omitted. By using the pointer, (a mark
disc) time taken for 20 complete oscillations are noted.
n Two trials are
inthe
(time for one oscillation) is found.
taken. The mean period T
symmetrically on
Tyo equal symmetrical masses are placed on the disc closest
side, close to the suspension wire (at the minimum distance). The
either of the suspension
fromn the centre of the symmetrical mass and centre
distance d,' execute torsional
noted. The disc with masses at distance d,' is made to
wire is are noted.
the disc. The time taken for 20 oscillations
oscillations by twisting
mean period "T,' is determined.
Two trials are taken. The

moved to the extreme ends so that the edges

Two equal masses are now
edge of the disc and the centres are equi-distant.
of masses coincide with the symmetrical mass and centre of the
from the centre of the
The distance d allowed to
The disc with masses at distance d, is
suspension wire is noted. for 20
oscillations by twisting the disc. The time taken
execute torsional calculated.
is noted and period T, is
oscillations
found.
symmnetrical masses placed on the disc is
The mass of one of the measured at various places along
its
is accurately
The diameter of the wire the radius of the wire is calculated. The
From this, of the wire are
length with screw gauge. rigidity modulus
disc and the
moment of inertia of the
formulas.
calculated using the given
|SREW (URE RRADINGN)
() Do find he
radins o) of the
uHpension wire
Least (unt ( )
Zero eoeetion

itch
Scale Head Senle
No,
Reading (oincidenee HSR Observed
(PSR) (HSC) HSC xLC Reading
1'SR + CorReadi0Rrenet+ZCg
Unit mm
div. mm
IISR
mm
mm

Mean diameter of the wire (d)

metr
Mean radius of the wire (r)
2 metre
PRECAUTION
Ihe ceular diac unt e hoiontal,
susnson wito alhould be well clanped, thin, And fres from kinks.
The long
motion of the cireular dine ahould be rotationsl in horizontal
The purely tompletely checked.
pdane, up and down and luteral ocillations must be
respect
Symmetrical masaes ahould be placed diametrically opposite with
4 disc,
to the cvntre of the

VIVA-VOCE

pendulum?
1. What is torsional by means of a
long and thin
from a rigid support
A body suspendedtorsional pendulum.
elastic wire is called
use for a torsional pendulum?
the rigid body you can
2. What is
Sphere, cylinder or circular disc.

called a torsional pendulum? pendulum.

3. Why is it
oscillations, it is called a torsional
torsional
As it performs
oscillation?
What is the type of
4.
simple harmonic oscillation type.
This is of
the time period depends ? rigidity of wire
factors does (ii)
5. On what moment of inertia of the body
upon (i)
It depends and material of the wire.
radius
i.e., length, this
experinent ?
prefer for
type of wire do you
6. What metallic wire.
ThËn and long
?
the rigidity of fluids do not
possess
you determine hence they
their own,
7. How will not havea shape of determining it.
As fluids do is no question
of
there
rigidity. Hence
of elasticity. The
experiment concept
Scope of this understand the steel, copper etc can
experiment, we materials like
doing this (wire)
Bycharacteristics of different
elastic
be analysed.
CALCULATION aorataryaua
eriod of seillation (without masses) T, =
second
Trtte period wher masses are at distance d T=
second
TIDE peTiod hen masses are at distance dy To
second
Cosest istance between suspension wire x 10-2
and the cetre of the syrometrical mass metre

Parthest distance between suspension wre d, = x 10-2

ati the centre of the symmetrical mass
metre

Mass of one of the symmetrical rmasses m= x 10-3

kg
X 10-2 metre
Length of the suspension wire l=

X 10-3 metre
Padius of the wire

2 m(d-dËT,
Moment of inertia of disc I =
T;-Tí

kgm?
I=
the material of wire

n= Nm?
RESULT
Moment of inertia of the disc (I) = kg m²
Rigidity modulus of the Nm2
material of given wire (n)