School of Technology

Division of Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Laboratory Practical
ROLLING DISC ON AN INCLINED PLANE
Objectives:
1. To determine experimentally the moment of inertia of different disc
assemblies.

2. To compare the result with the theoretical values obtained from the mass
and the physical dimensions of disc assembly.

Theory:
L (m)

v (m/s)

 (rad/s) h (m)

Figure 1: Schematic Diagram on Rolling Disc on an Inclined Plane

A flywheel, with mass m and radius R, rolls from rest at top position and takes time
t(s), to reach bottom position.

Let the linear velocity of flywheel centre at the bottom position = v (m/s)

Then, the angular velocity of the fly wheel at this position =  (rad/s) = v/R (rad/s)

Average linear velocity = ½ v (m/s) = L/t (m/s), where L is the linear distance
travelled

2L
v  (m / s )
t
From conservation of energy,

1
 1 1
mgh  ( mv2  I 2 )
2 2
1 2 1
I  mgh  mv2
2 2
1 1
 I 2  m( gh  v 2 )( Joule )
2 2

Potential energy (at highest position) = Kinetic energy (at lowest position)

Therefore, moment of inertia of flywheel,

2m 1
I ( gh  v 2 )(kgm2 )
 2
2
m
I  2 (2 gh  v 2 )

mR 2
I  2 (2 gh  v 2 )
v
2 gh
I  mR 2 ( 2  1)
v
2 ght 2
I  mR 2 (  1)
4 L2
ght 2
 I  mR 2 ( 2  1)(kgm2 )
2L

For volumes calculation: disc with radius R

l1
l2 l3
spindle with radius r

Volume of the disc, VD   R 2 l1

Volume of the spindle, VS   r 2 l 2  l3 

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Procedure:
1. Use the given weighing scale and vernier calliper, record the measurement in
Table 1.

2. Place the inclined plane apparatus on a level surface and ensure that the top
surfaces of the two rails are same level. Wipe off any grease and dirt, which
may be on the tops of the rails.

3. Set one end of the two flanking rails of apparatus at a level above that of the
other end. Set a distance of L (m) along the length of the plane (ex: 1m) and
at height h = 120 mm between the extremities of the distance traversed by the
centre of the disc.

4. Allow the spindle of the small disc assembly to rest on the two flanking rails
and release it so that it starts rolling unaided down the incline, ensuring that
the disc does not rub against the rails during its motion. Note the time t (s)
taken for the disc to traverse the distance L (m).

5. Carryout the procedures three times to get the average time taken. Tabulate
the results in Table 2.

6. Repeat procedure 4 and 5 for large disc assembly.

Result:

Large disc (mm) Small disc (mm)

Diameter of disc,D

Thickness of disc, l1

Diameter of spindle, d

Length of spindle, l2 + l3

Mass, m

Table 1

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 Time, t (s) Small Disc Large Disc

t1

t2

t3

Average, t = t/3

Table 2

Results and Calculation:

In order to determine the theoretical value of I from the mass and physical
dimensions of disc assembly; determine the volume of the disc VD and the volume of
the spindle VS, which may be considered as a single cylinder.

ght 2
I  mr 2 (  1)(kgm2 )
2 L2

Mass of the disc MD,

VD
MD  m (Kg )
VD  VS

Mass of the spindle, MS,

VS
M S  m (Kg )
VD  VS

Theoretical moment of inertia of disc ID,

R2
ID  M D ( Kgm 2 )
2

Theoretical moment of inertia of the spindle IS,

r2
I S  M S (kgm2 )
2

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Thus, theoretical total moment of inertia of the disc assembly,

I  ID  IS

Discussion and Conclusion:

1) Compare the experiment and theoretical results obtained from the both
equation respectively.

2) Comment on the accuracy of the experiment; discuss any possible

sources of error and then recommending methods for improving the
overall efficiency of the experiment.

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 School of Technology
Division of Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Laboratory Practical
ANGLED PROJECTION
Objective:
1. Determination of the distance as function of inclination angle.
2. Determination of the maximum height as function of the inclination angle.

Theory:
In the experiment a steel ball of mass m is projected at an angle α to the horizontal
with an initial velocity v0. The motion of the steel ball in the (constant) gravitational
field lies in a plane and can be described by the equation (Figure 1):

y u

path
g

u sin 

O x
B
u cos 

Figure 1 Movement of a mass in a constant gravitational field.

1 2
a) From equation of motion, s = ut + at
2
For vertical motion, when the mass return to the ground, s = 0, with velocity in
vertical direction, uy = u sin , a = -g and time of flight from point O to B = t,
1
0 = (u sin )t - gt2
2
2u sin 
Time of flight, t =
g

b) From the horizontal motion, the velocity of the horizontal component, ux = u cos .
Since g is a vertical component, no horizontal component for g.

Range of OB, R = velocity × time.

6
 2u sin
= u cos  × ( )
g
u 2 sin 2
 R (1)
g

where sin 2 = 2 sin  cos 

e) For vertical motion, the maximum point, time of flight

u sin 
t1/2 =
g

1
h  ut  at 2
2
2
 u sin   1  u sin  
 u sin      g  
 g  2  g 
2
u
 sin 2  (2)
2g

Apparatus:

Figure 2

7
 Item Description
c Angle scales, on the front and back, calibrated from 0°to 90°.
f Pointer (one on each side)
i Knurled nuts
j Spring-loaded plunger with 3 grooves and handle, provided at its
front end with a small magnet in order to hold the bal to be projected
and at its rear end with (k)
k Releasing lever for setting the required initial velocity by means of a
compression spring located within the guide barrel and for trigger the
throw.

Procedure:
1. Check to ensure the projection apparatus is mounted as depicted in Figure 2
with a sand tray on a table.
2. To measure the maximum height h of the trajectory, place the vertical scale in
the sand tray as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3
3. To set the projectile angle, loosened and displaced the knurled nuts (i) (Figure
2) until the guide barrel can swung to the desired angle, start from  = 10°.
Then tightened both the knurled nuts.

Figure 4

8
 4. Moved the releasing lever (k) is to the right. Pull the plunger out of the guide
barrel and place the releasing lever in the first groove of the plunger by
turning the releasing lever (k) counter clockwise.
5. Place a small steel ball in the muzzle-piece of the guide barrel. Hit the
releasing lever as shown in Figure 4 to launch the steel ball.
(Note: Do NOT try until you are shown. Make sure no one is in front of the
launcher before the releasing lever is hit.)
6. Observe that the steel ball must just cross over the movable pointers of the
vertical scale at the maximum height. Otherwise, readjust the height of the
movable pointers and repeat step 4 to 6. (Note: this has to be done by trial
and error)
7. Record the height, h1 and the range s1 in Table 1 and Table 2.
8. Repeat steps 4 to 6 but this time place the releasing lever at second and third
groove respectively. Record h2, s2, h3 and s3 in Table 1 and Table 2
respectively.
9. Repeat step 3 to step 8 for  = 20°, 30°,…80°.

Result:
 s1/m s2/m s3/m
10°
20°
30°
40°
50°
60°
70°
80°
Table 1
1. Plot a graph of range, s, against inclination angle .
2. From graphs plotted, read the ranges, Rmax1, Rmax2, Rmax3 at α = 45° at three
different releasing lever.
3. Substitute each of this range into equation (1) to calculate the initial velocities
u1, u2 and u3.
4. Substitute u1, u2 and u3 into equation (2) to calculate respective theoretical
maximum height , hT1, hT2 and hT3.

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 Experimental Theoretical
 h1/m h2/m h3/m hT1/m hT2/m hT3/m
10°
20°
30°
40°
50°
60°
70°
80°
Table 2

5. On three separate graph papers, plot graphs of h1 against  and hT1 against
; h2 against  and hT2 against ; h3 against  and hT3 against ;

Discussion and Conclusion:

1) Based on the result, comment the relationship between the distance as function of
inclination angle.
2) Based on the result, comment the relationship of the maximum height as function
of the inclination angle.
3) Based on the graphs plotted, observe the deviation from the theoretical and
experimental result. Suggest any reason for the deviation.

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 School of Technology
Division of Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Laboratory Practical
FRICTION ON INCLINED PLANE
Experiment 1:
Objective:
1. To measure the force F1, along the incline plane and the force F2 normal to the
incline plane of a body as a function of the angle of inclination, α.

2. To compare the measured force F1 and F2 with the theoretical values obtained
from the vectorial resolution of the force of gravity G.

Theory:
The motion of a body on an inclined plane can be described most easily when the
force exerted by the weight G (force of gravity) on the body is vectorially resolved
into a force F1 along the plane and a force F2 normal to the plane. The force along
the plane acts parallel to a plane inclined at an angle α , and the force normal to the
plane acts perpendicular to the plane.

F1 = G sin α F2 = G cos α

Two forces F1 and F2 are measured for various angles of inclination using precision
dynamometer. The height of the support, h = 5cm.

Since

From the equation (i) and (iii),

F1 = G

From the equation (ii) and (iv), F1 = G

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 Figure 1 Vectorial resolution of the force of gravity G into the force F1 along the plane and
the force F2 normal to the plane on an inclined plane

Apparatus:
Inclined plane with trolley and screw model, precision dynamometer 1.0N

Procedures:
1. Lay out dynamometer F1 horizontally and correct the zero point. Hold
dynamometer F1 vertically downward and correct the zero point.

2. Determine the weight G of the trolley.

3. Set up the inclined plane and position the support at s = 50cm.

4. Place the trolley on the incline plane and hook it to dynamometer F 1, support the
dynamometer with block.

5. Carefully arrange dynamometer F2 as nearly perpendicular as possible to the

inclined plane and lift the trolley until it is just barely touching the plane surface.

6. Read off and write down forces F1 and F2.

7. Move the ramp support to the positions S = 40cm, 30cm, 20cm, 15cm and 10cm
one after another. Each time arrange the dynamometer perpendicular to the
inclined plane and read off and write down forces F1 and F2.

12
 Figure 2 Experiment setup for determining the force along the plane and force to the plane

Results and calculation:

S/cm F1 /N F2 /N
50
40
30
20
15
10

Discussion:

Q1) Comment on the accuracy of the experiment; discuss any possible sources of
error and then recommending methods for improving the overall efficiency of the
experiment.

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Experiment 2:
Objectives:
1. To determine the coefficient of static friction µ from the equilibrium between the
force along the plane and the static friction on an inclined plane.

Theory:
A body on an incline plane with the weight G is subject to a force along the plane
(parallel to the plane) of
F1 = G sin α --------------------------- (i)

and to a force normal (perpendicular) to the plane of

F2 = G cos α ---------------------------- (ii)

The angle of inclination α of the plane is increased by moving the support until the
body just begins to slide. The force along the plane and the static friction force F are
in equilibrium. The height of the support h = 5cm, and its distance s from the pivot of
the inclined plane are measured.

--------------------------- (iii)
The static friction forces F is generally taken to be proportional to the force F2 along
the plane:

------------------------------- (iv)

From the equilibrium of forces F1 = F , we can deduce:

----------------------------- (v)

Where µ = coefficient of friction

From equation (i), (ii) & (iii),

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 Figure 3 Equilibrium between the force F1 along the plane and the static friction force F on
an inclined plane

Apparatus:
Inclined plane with trolley and screw model, pair of wooden blocks for friction
experiments

Procedures:
1. Set up the inclined plane and move the support to the farthest possible point from
the pivot.

2. Place block 1 (6 cm thick) on the inclined plane with the plastic-coated side down
and slowly move the support inward until the block start to slide.

3. Measure the distance between the pivot and the support using the tape measure
and calculate the coefficient of static friction using equation (iv).

4. Place block 1 on the plane with the wooden side down and repeat the
experienment.

5. Place block 2 (3 cm thick) on the inclined plane with the plastic-coated side down
and repeat the experiment.

6. Turn the wooden surface with the area A = 12 x 6cm2 down and repeat the
experiment.

7. Turn the wooden surface with the area A = 12 x 3cm2 down and repeat the
experiment.

15
 Figure 4 Experiment setup for determining the coefficient of friction on an inclined plane

Results and calculation:

Block Material A/cm2 S/cm µ

1 Plastic
1 Wood
2 Plastic
2 Wood
2 Wood

Discussion:

Q1) What is the factors affecting the coefficient of static friction?

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