AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY–BANGLADESH (AIUB)

FACULTY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
PHYSICS 1 LAB
Spring 2022-2023

Section: B10 , Group: 03

LAB REPORT ON
To determine the moment of inertia of a flywheel about its axis of rotation.

Supervised By
DR. FARZANA SABETH

Submitted By
Name ID Contribution
Hasin Mahtab 23-50561-1 Procedure, Calculation, Figure 1
Tiash MD. Tarek Bin Jamal 23-50535-1 Theory, Apparatus
Abdur Rahman Pobon 23-50564-1 Theory, Apparatus
Ahmed Sheik Redwan 23-50526-1 Experimental Data, Result
Hadi MD. Fazley Rabbi 23-50549-1 Discussion, References

Date of Submission: 27 February, 2023

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

TOPICS Page no.

I. Title Page 1
II. Table of Content 2
1. Theory 3
2. Apparatus 5
3. Procedure 6
4. Experimental Data 7
5. Analysis and Calculation 8
6. Result 9
7. Discussion 10
8. References 11

Lab Report Department of Physics Page 2 of 11

 1. Theory:

A flywheel is comparatively big size wheel with its mass concentrated

mostly in the rim. To determine its moment of inertia, the wheel is set up
against a wall and it moves round a horizontal axis so that it can rotate
around a vertical axis. A string which end is fixed to small peg on its axis, is
wrapped around the axis and carries a weight at its other end. One end of a
cord is looped around the peg and the another end carries weight-hanger.

Figure 1: Setup for the experiment with flywheel

Here M is the mass of the weight hanger . When the mass is started fall on a
height (h) , the loss in potential energy is,

Ploss = Mgh

Where g is the acceleration due to gravity in the lab.

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And the consequence gain of kinetic energy in the rotating flywheel and he
weight are,
1
Kflywheel = 𝐼𝜔2 …………(1)
2

1
and Kweight = Mv2 ………….(2)
2
Here I,w,v are the moment of inertia of the flywheel, angular velocity and the
instant velocity when the weight contact with the ground, gradually.

Supposing, Wf is the work for one completely rotation to surpass the frictional
torque in this rotation flywheel assembly. And n is the number of total rotation
and work done against the friction is,

Wfriction = nWf……………...(3)

By applyinf the law of conservation of energy,

Ploss = Kflywheel + Kweight + Wfriction

By substituting the values from Equation (1) – (3),

Mgh = ½ Iω2 + ½ Mv2 + nWf

The kinetic energy of the flywheel assembly is emerged in rotating N times

against the same frictional torque. And the equation is,
NWf = ½ Iω2
1
 Wf = Iω2
2𝑁

If r is the radius of the axis and then the velocity v of the weight assembly is
connected to r by the equation,
v = wr
By substituting the values of v and Wf ,
1
Mgh = ½ Iω2 + ½ M ω2 r2 + Iω2
2𝑁

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Finally,
𝑁𝑀 2𝑔ℎ
I= ( – r2 )
𝑁+𝑛 𝜔2

Since we are assuming that the torsional friction Wf is constant over time, the
angular velocity is simply twice the average angular velocity, i.e.,
4πN
ω = 2ωaverage =
t
where t is the duration of time for N rotation.

2. Equipment:

1. Fly wheel,
2. Weight hanger,
3. Slotted weights,
4. Stop watch
5. And meter scale.

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 3. Procedure:

1. First, we have adjusted the length of the cord carefully, so that when
the weight-hanger just touches the ground, the loop slips off the peg.

2. Then we have placed a suitable weight in the weight hanger.

3. We did a chalk mark on the rim so that it be against the pointer when
the weight hanger just touches the ground. Loop the other end of the
cord loosely around the peg keeping the weight hanger just touching
the ground.
4. Then we set a suitable number (n) of rotation so that the cord is
wound round the axle without overlapping.
5. After that we measured the height (h) of the weight hanger from the
ground.
6. Then released the flywheel. Observed that the weight hanger
descends and the flywheel rotates smoothly. The cord slipped off
from the peg when the weight hanger just touches the ground. By
this time the flywheel would have made n rotations.
7. After that, we started measuring with the stop watch just when the
weight hanger touches the ground. The time taken by the flywheel
to come to a stop is determined as t seconds. Then counted the
number of rotations (N) made by the flywheel during this interval.
8. We repeated the experiment by changing the value of M and n
consecutively.

9. Then measured the radius of the axel with a Vernier-calipers.

10. From these values, we calculated the moment of inertia of the given
flywheel using the equation that is given in the theory.

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 4. Experimental Data:

Table 1: Readings for n, N and t for different M and h.

Obs. Mass Height above No of revolutions Time for N

No. Suspended the ground rotations
M h n N t
(kg) (m) (s)
1 1 0.53 6 19 13.91

2 1.5 0.52 6 31 16.94

3 2 0.48 6 43 19.80

Table 2: Reading for the radius of axel of the flywheel.

Obs. Mean Mean
No. M.S.R. V.S.D. V.S.R Diameter Diameter Radius
x a y = a.c d = x+y d r
(cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm)
1 1.2
2
3

Mean Radius of the Axel, r =0.012 m.

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 5. Calculation:

A. For Mass M = 1.0 kg:

Height, h = 0.53
Radius of the Axel, r =0.012m
No. of rotations, n = 6 and N = 19

4πN 4∗3.1416∗19
Angular velocity, ω = = = 17.16
t 13.91

NM 2gh 19∗1 2∗9.8∗0.53

Moment of Inertia, I1 = N+n ( ω2 − r 2 ) = *{ − (0.012)^2} = 0.027
19+6 (17.16)^2

B. For Mass M = 1.5 kg:

Height, h= 0.52
Radius of the Axel, r = 0.012m
No. of rotations, n = 6 and N = 31

4πN 4 ∗ 3.1416 ∗ 31
Angular velocity, ω= = = 22.996
t 16.94

NM 2gh 31∗62∗1.5 2∗9.8∗0.52

Moment of Inertia, I2 = N+n ( ω2 − r 2 ) = *{(22.996)^2- (0.012)^2} = 0.024
31+6

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 C. For Mass M = 2 kg:

Height, h= 0.48m
Radius of the Axel, r = 0.012m
No. of rotations, n = 6 and N = 43
4πN 4∗3.1416∗43
Angular velocity, ω = = =27.29
t 19.80

NM 2gh 43∗2 2∗9.8∗0.48

Moment of Inertia, I3 = ( − r 2 )= ∗{ - (0.012)^2}= 0.022
N+n ω2 43+6 (27.29)2

6. Result:

No. of Obs. Moment of Inertia Mean Moment of Inertia

of the given flywheel of the flywheel
(kg.m2) (kg.m2)

1 0.027

2 0.024 0.024

3 0.022

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 7. Discussion:

The moment of inertia is a property of a rotating object that measures

its resistance to changes in rotational motion. In the case of a
flywheel, the moment of inertia is a crucial factor that affects its
performance and stability. Determining the moment of inertia of a
flywheel is an important task, and it can be accomplished through
various methods.

One common method for determining the moment of inertia of a

flywheel is to use a torsion pendulum. This involves suspending the
flywheel from a thin wire and measuring the period of oscillation of
the flywheel when it is set into motion. By measuring the period of
oscillation and applying the laws of physics, the moment of inertia of
the flywheel can be calculated.
Another method for determining the moment of inertia of a flywheel
is to use a rotational motion sensor. This involves attaching the
flywheel to a shaft and then rotating the shaft with a known torque.
By measuring the angular acceleration of the flywheel and the applied
torque, the moment of inertia can be calculated using the formula I =
T/α, where I is the moment of inertia, T is the applied torque, and α is
the angular acceleration.

In addition to these methods, there are other more complex

techniques for determining the moment of inertia of a flywheel, such
as the use of moment of inertia scales or computer simulations.
Ultimately, the most appropriate method will depend on the specific
requirements and limitations of the experiment or application.

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Regardless of the method chosen, accurately determining the moment
of inertia of a flywheel is essential for understanding its behavior and
optimizing its performance. This is particularly important in
applications where the flywheel is used to store energy or maintain a
constant speed, such as in mechanical systems or power generation
equipment.

8. References:

• Fundamental of Physics (10th Edition): Rotational motion (Chapter 10, page

257-272), Moment of Inertia (Chapter 10, page 273-274).
• Practical Physics: Expt.# , page: .
• Video Links:
▪ Moment of Inertia: 1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytevg8DWL8A
2.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrGhUTeIlWs
▪ Applications: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMazLuxpzxE

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