PHY116

Name: M. Fahim Hoque

Group: 05

Data collection date: 02.03.23

Submission Date: 16.03.23

Experiment Number: 04
Name of Experiment: TO DETERMINE
THE MOMENT OF INERTIA OF A
FLY-WHEEL ABOUT ITS AXIS OF
ROTATION
Theory:
A figure of a flywheel shows a mass M, attached by means of a string to the axle of a fly-wheel
radius r, the moment of inertia of which, about its axis of rotation, is I. The length of the string is
such that it becomes detached from the axle when the mass strikes the floor. In falling a distance
h, the potential energy of the mass has been converted into kinetic rotational and translation
energy. If w be the maximum angular velocity of the wheel, F the amount of work done against
friction per revolution and n1 the number of revolutions made while the mass falls the distance h,
the loss in potential energy if M = gain in kinetic energy of M + gain in K.E of flywheel + work
done against friction.

1 2 2 1
∴ Mgh= 2 M r w + 2 I w +n1 F ………………..(1)
2

After he mass strikes the ground, the wheel executes a further n2 revolutions and the angular
1 2
velocity gradually decreases to zero. The rotational kinetic energy I w has been used up in
2
overcoming frictional forces, hence,

1
F n 2= I w …………………(2)
2
2

2 πn❑2
.
If n2 revolutions take a time t, then the average angular velocity wa is also given by, w a=
t
Since the angular frequency decreases uniformly from a maximum w to a minimum of zero, the
w+ 0 w
average angular velocity wa is also given by w a= = .
2 2

w 2 π n2
Also, the motion is uniform, hence, =
2 t

4 π n2
i.e., w= ………………..(3)
t

From equations (1), (2) and (3) it follows that

2 2
2 Mgh−M w r
I=
………………..(4)
2
( )
n
w 1+ 1
n2

Apparatus:
 Fly-wheel, weights, cord, stop-watch, set-square, meter scale and calipers.

Data:
Table A: Determination of n1, n2 and t
No. Mass Heig No. of Mea No. of Mea Tim Mea I Mea
of , ht revol- n revol- n e, n n
obs M ution n1 ution n2 t t I
. s, s,
n1 n2
5
1. 295 84 11 10 14 13 22.5 22.7 4.8902 x 10
2. 77.5 10 13 21.6 4
3. 70 9 13 24.1
3
5
1. 442. 75.5 10 9 22 21 23.7 25.8 4.19302 x 10
2. 5 68 9 21 2 0
3. 61.5 8 20 24.8
0
28.9
3
1. 590 76 10 9 30 28 29.4 29.4 3.964749 x 105
2. 68.5 9 29 29.5 0
3. 61.25 8 26 3
29.2
8

Table B: Data for radius of the axle (Vernier constant of the slide calipers =
0.05mm)
No. of MS VS Excess by Total Radius, Mean Mean
obs. reading(cm) reading vernier(cm) diameter, D/2(cm) radius(c of (a) &
D (cm) m) (b)
(cm)
 1. 2.2 12 0.06 2.26 1.13 1.276 1.2438
(a) 2. 2.2 10 0.05 2.25 1.125
3. 2.3 3 0.015 2.315 1.1575

1. 2.2 14 0.07 2.27 1.135 1.2116

(b) 2. 2.2 9 0.045 2.245 1.225
3. 2.2 11 0.055 2.255 1.275

Calculation:
4 π n2 4 π x 13 ( −1)
w 1= = =7.183 s
t 22.74

2 Mgh−M w2 r 2
I 1= =4.8902 x 105 gc m2

( )
n
w2 1+ 1
n2

4 π n2 4 π x 28 ( −1 )
w 2= = =11.96 s
t 2 9.40

2 Mgh−M w2 r 2
I 2= =4. 19302 x 105 gc m2

( )n
w2 1+ 1
n2

4 π n2 4 π x 21 ( −1)
w 3= = =10.228 s
t 2 5.80

2 Mgh−M w2 r 2 5 2
I 1= =3.964749 x 10 gc m

( )
n
w2 1+ 1
n2

5 2
I avg=4.37932 x 10 gc m

Results:
The moment of inertia of the flywheel about its axis of rotation is 4.37932 x 10 5 gc m2.

Discussions:
1. While determining the height h, the positions of the bottom of the weight
was marked on the stand or wall in two cases, that is when the weight is at A
and at B.
2. Length of the string was adjusted so that the cord slips off the peg just when
the weight rests on the wooden block.
3. Time-management was done carefully.
4. The diameter of the cord used was negligible compared to the diameter of
the axle.