Applied Mechanics Lab – MEC 424/AHA/MCM Rev.

01-2014

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN MEKANIKAL
___________________________________________________________________________

Program : Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Hons.) (CEEM222)

Course : Applied Mechanics Lab
Code : MEC 424
Lecturer :
Group :
___________________________________________________________________________

MEC 424 - LABORATORY REPORT

TITLE : MASS MOMENT OF INERTIA (PHYSICAL

PENDULUM-WOODEN PENDULUM)

No NAME STUDENT ID SIGNATURE

1 MUHAMMAD BAKHTIAR BIN ABDUL MUSA 2022812566
2 MUHAMMAD HAIKAL BIN SARIBUDIN 2022822356
3 MUHAMMAD HAZIQ FIKRI BIN MOHD 2022461354
RIZALMAN

LABORATORY SESSION :
(DATE)

REPORT SUBMISSION :
(DATE)
*By signing above, you attest that you have contributed to this submission and confirm that all work you have contributed to this
submission is your own work. Any suspicion of copying or plagiarism in this work will result in an investigation of academic
misconduct and may result in a “0” on the work, an “F” in the course, or possibly more severe penalties.

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Marking Scheme

No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Total

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TITLE

Physical Pendulum – Wooden Pendulum

ABSTRACT

The aim of this experiment was to use oscillation to determine the mass moment of inertia at
the centre of gravity, IG, and at the suspension points, I0. According to the results of the
experiment, there are some inconsistencies between the values of IG and Io from the
experiment data and theoretical values. The values of IG and IO from both points are
completely different based on the experiment, despite the fact that the mass of the wooden
pendulum is the same. The experimental values will come from the experiment's outcome
calculation, while the theoretical values will come from the experiment's theory. The possible
factors that cause the oscillation of the pendulum to cause variations in values are not constant.
The time taken for 10 oscillations is calculated using two separate supports, one on each side
(left and right). The average time taken for 10 oscillations is calculated by multiplying the time
taken for each side three times. The time is held with the aid of the lab assistant's stopwatch.
When conducting the experiment, there might be certain errors, such as the surrounding,
manufacturer error, and others. This would have an effect on the outcomes.

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TABLE OF CONTENT

No Title Page

1 Introduction

2 Theory

3 Procedure

4 Results

5 Discussion

6 Conclusion

LIST OF TABLES
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LIST OF TABLES Page

Table 1 : Summary of result

Table 2 : Period of oscillations

Table 3 : Length of point A and B

Table 4 : Ra and Rb at left and right

Table 5 : Mass moment of inertia, Io

Table 6 : Moment of inertia at centre of gravity, Ig

Table 7 : Centroid at point A

Table 8 : Centroid at point B

Table 9 : Moment of inertia at point of rotation A

Table 10:Moment of inertia at point rotation B

Table 11:Percentage error

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LIST OF FIGURES

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LIST OF FIGURES Page

Figure 1: Moment of inertia with different shape

Figure 2 : Forces act through the centre of mass

Figure 3 : Forces act through the centre of mass

Figure 4 : Dimension of wooden pendulum

Figure 5 : Dimension of each component

INTRODUCTION

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Mass moment of inertia can be defined as resistance to rotational motion. It depends on the
body’s mass distribution and the axis chosen with larger moments require more torque to
change the body’s rate of rotation. Moment of inertia plays a role in rotational kinetics that
mass plays in the linear kinetics, both characterize resistance of a body to changes in motion.
Application of moment of inertia can be shown when a figure skater spinning to reduce their
moment of inertia by pulling in their arms to allow them to spin faster due to conservation of
momentum.

The objective of this experiment is to determine mass moment of inertia at centre of

gravity, Ig and at suspension point, Io by oscillation. Theoretically, moments of inertia can be
obtained by formula according to their shape. For a pendulum, the moment of inertia at centre
of gravity is Ig=mr² where m is mass and r is vector perpendicular to and from the force to the
axis of rotation. To find mass moment inertia at suspension point, Io, parallel axis theorem is
used. Parallel axis theorem is Io=Ig+md² where d is the distance from centre of part to centre of
profile.

For experimental approach, mass moment of inertia can be obtained by using formula

𝑇 = 2π . 𝐼𝑂 .In this experiment, a wooden pendulum is used to oscillate at a certain angle.

𝑚𝑔𝑟 𝐺

This pendulum is a physical pendulum because it rotates freely. The time taken for the
pendulum to make 10 complete oscillations, which is called period, t is recorded. The period, t
is inserted into the formula to obtain experimental value of mass moment of inertia. Then, the
theoretical and experimental value is compared and percentage error is calculated.

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THEORY

A simple pendulum is made up of a relatively massive object suspended from a fixed

support. When a pendulum is displaced from equilibrium and then released from that
displacement angle, it begins swinging forward and backward with constant amplitude.Because
the motion is regular and repeating, it is referred to as periodic motion. The study of pendulum
motion will reveal a variety of quantities that change over time. Additionally, changes occur.
Velocity, potential, and kinetic energy are all examples of quantities several forces.

I Is a moment of inertia, also referred to as the angular mass or rotational inertia of a

pendulum about its rotation axis. g is the acceleration of gravitational force. While m denotes
the pendulum's total mass and r denotes the distance from the rotation. Additionally, the
parallel axis theorem formula is used to calculate moment inertia.

Figure 1: Moment of inertia with different shape

Instead of a point mass, a rigid body is pivoted to oscillate in this case, as illustrated in the
figure. There is no string requirement. As a result, no tension exists in this case. Apart from

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these physical implications, the operation of a compound pendulum is essentially identical to

that of a simple pendulum except for two critical points.

Figure 2: Forces act through the centre of mass

● Gravity acts through the rigid body's centre of mass. Thus, the length of the pendulum used
in the equation is equal to the linear distance between the pivot and the mass centre ("h").

● The rigid body's moment of inertia about a point suspension is not equal to "𝑚𝐿2" as it is in
the case of a simple pendulum. Thus, the time period of a compound pendulum is given by:

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● If we know the rigid body's MI, we can calculate the time period of the physical pendulum
using the above expression. Consider the following illustration of a uniform rigid rod
pivoting from a frame. Clearly, the centre of mass is located at a distance of "L/2" from the
suspension point.

Figure 3 : Forces act through the centre of mass

h=L/2
Now, MI of the rigid rod about its center is:

We are, however, required to evaluate MI of the rod about the point of suspension, i.e. “O”.
Applying parallel axes theorem

Putting in the equation of time period, we have:

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The critical point to remember about this relationship is that time period remains independent
of the rigid body's mass. However, time period is not independent of the rigid body's mass
distribution. A change in the shape or size of the rigid body, or in its mass distribution, will
alter the rigid body's MI about the point of suspension. This alters the time period.
Additionally, we should keep in mind that a physical pendulum is an effective device for
measuring "g." Indeed, this device is widely used in gravity surveys throughout the world. To
determine the value of "g," we only need to know the time period or frequency. Rearranging
and resquaring,

Consider the physical pendulum as a simple pendulum. To accomplish this, we can consider
the rigid body's mass to be concentrated at a single point, as with a simple pendulum, such
that the time periods of two pendulums are identical. Assume that this point is a linear
distance "Lo" from the suspension point. This is where

The point defined by the vertical distance, "Lo ", from the point of suspension is referred to
as the physical pendulum's point of oscillation. Clearly, if the point of suspension is altered,
the point of oscillation will change.

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EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES

1. Dimensions (thickness, width and length) of the wooden pendulum were taken using a
ruler for calculation purpose.
2. The wooden pendulum was hung on one end to V support.
3. The wooden pendulum was then displaced to a 10 degrees angle from its initial
Position.
4. The wooden pendulum was then released to let it oscillate due to gravitational force.
5.Using a stopwatch, the periodic time of 10 oscillations were recorded.
6. The average of the three periods was calculated for each suspension point.

APPARATUS: Universal Vibration System Apparatus

1. Wooden pendulum

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2.V support, cylindrical support

3.Ruler, protractor

4.Stopwatch

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RESULT & CALCULATION

Mass, m = 0.6 kg
Length, l = 0.8 m
Width, w = 0.08 m
Thickness, h = 0.01 m

Data Tabulation
Suspension Reference Angle (°) Oscillations Time taken, t (s)
Point Point
𝑡1 𝑡2 𝑡3 𝑡average

A 1 (Left) 14.03 14.03 14.13 14.06

(V support)
2 (Right) 10 10 14.10 14.18 14.12 14.13

B 1 (Left) 13.94 14.06 14.00 14.00

(Cylindrical)
2 (Right) 14.00 14.00 13.94 13.98

Table 1: Summary of result

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Figure 4: Dimension of wooden pendulum

Oscillation from point A Oscillation from point B

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SAMPLE CALCULATION

Experimental calculation

T, the period of time per oscillation

𝑅A, the distance between the center of the mass and point A

L, the length of the pendulum.

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𝑔, gravitational acceleration = 9.81 𝑘𝑔/𝑚

To find period of oscillation, T at point A and B for both side left and right.

Point 1 (Left) Point 2 (Right)

𝑡 = 14. 06 𝑠 𝑡 = 14. 13 𝑠
𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑣𝑒

A 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛, 𝑡 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛, 𝑡

𝑇𝐴, 𝐿 = 10
𝑎𝑣𝑒
𝑇𝐴, 𝐿 = 10
𝑎𝑣𝑒

14.06 14.13
= 10
= 10
= 1. 406𝑠 = 1. 413 𝑠
𝑡 = 14.00 𝑠 𝑡 = 13.98 𝑠
𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑣𝑒

B 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛, 𝑡 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛, 𝑡

𝑇 = 10
𝑎𝑣𝑒
𝑇 = 10
𝑎𝑣𝑒
𝐴 𝐴
14.00 13.98
= 10
= 10
= 1. 400 𝑠 = 1. 398 𝑠
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Table 2: Period of oscillations

Point 1(Left) Point 2 (Right)

𝑇 = 1.406 s 𝑇 = 1.413 s
𝐴, 1 𝐴, 2

A
1. 406 = 2π 1. 413 = 2π

𝐿 = 0. 5392 𝑚 𝐿 = 0. 4961 𝑚
𝐴, 1 𝐴, 2

𝑇 = 1.400 s 𝑇 = 1.398 s
𝐵, 1 𝐵, 2

B 1. 400 = 2π
1. 398 = 2π
𝐿 = 0. 4870 𝑚
𝐵, 1 𝐿 = 0. 4857 𝑚
𝐵, 2

Table 3: Length of point A and Point B

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Use this formula,

Point 1 (Left) Point 2 (Right)

𝑥 (𝐿 – 𝑥) 𝑥 (𝐿 – 𝑥)
𝐵, 1 𝐵, 2
= 𝐿 +𝐿 − 2𝑥 = 𝐿 +𝐿 − 2𝑥
𝐴,1 𝐵, 1 𝐴,2 𝐵, 2

A 0.69 (0.0.4870 − 0.69) 0.5392 0.69 (0.04857 − 0.69) 0.

= + 0.4878 − (2𝑥0.69) = 4961+ 0.4857 − (2𝑥0.69)

RA,1= 0. 3968 𝑚 RA,2= 0. 3540 𝑚

𝑥 (𝐿 – 𝑥) 𝑥 (𝐿 – 𝑥)
𝐴, 1 𝐴, 2
= 𝐿 +𝐿 − 2𝑥 = 𝐿 +𝐿 − 2𝑥
𝐴,1 𝐵, 1 𝐴, 2 𝐵, 2

B 0.69 (0.5392 − 0.69) 0.5392 0.69 (0.4961 − 0.69)

= + 0.4870 − (2𝑥0.69) = 0.4961 + 0.4857 − (2𝑥0.69)

RB,1= 0. 2941 𝑚 RB,2= 0. 3360 𝑚

Table 4 RA and RB at left and right

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Table 5: Mass moment of Inertia, IO

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Theoretical Calculation

1) Sample of calculations to find centroid from each component

Figure 5: Dimension of each component

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Volume for each component

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