Physics Laboratory Manual

L.104

Chuck

Fig. 12.1

() To find the period of oscillation (T)

Length of the Time for 10oscillations Time
6.No.
suspended wire (L) Trail-1 Trail-2
period LIT
Mean T
Unit x 10 m sec Sec Sec sec ms*

Mean
EXPT.No.
Date
12
DETERMINATIONOF RIGITY
TORSION PENDULUM MODULUS
Aim
To determine the moment of
inertia of the disc and rigidity modulus of
oiven material of a wire by torsional oscillations.
Apparatus required
Circular metal disc, suspended wire, biscuit balance, metre scale, stop
watch, screw gauge, vernier caliper, etc.
Formulae
MR?
() Moment of inertia of the disc I = Kgm²
2
(i) Rigidity modulus of the material of the given wire

8z IL Nm-2
n =

Explanation of symbols
Unit
Symbol Explanation
kg
M Mass of circular disc
metre
R Radius.of the circular disc
metre
Radius of the given wire
metre
L Length of the suspension wire second
lengths
T Time period for various
 L
Fig. 12.2

(iü) Measurement of the diameter of the suspension wire

using Screw gauge
LC = 0.01 mm ZE ..x 10- m
ZC = .X10 m

Head Scale Observed reading

Pitch scale
S.No. Coincidence OR = PSR+ Correct Reading
Reading (PSR) =OR+ZC
(HSC) (HSCxLC)
Unit x 10 m Diy x 10 m x10 m

Mean
 L.107

Theory
Uhe circular disc is rotated in a
wire which holds the disc. Hence the
horizontal plane so that a twist is given
tothe various elements of the wire undergo
shearing strains. The restoring couples, which tend to
conditions are called into action. Now when the
restore the unstrained
disc is released it starts executing
torsional oscillations. The couple which acts on the disc
produces in it an angular
nelerationwhich is proportional to the angular displacement and is always directed
towards its mean position. Hence the motion of the disc is a simple harmonic
motion.

Procedure
A uniform thin wire whose rigidity modulus has to be found is suspended
from a rigid support. The other end of the wire is attached to a circular disc using
an adjustable chuck. The length of the suspension wire (L) between the point of
suspension and the metal disc is the length of the torsional pendulum as shown in
Fig. 12.1.
Initially, the length of the pendulum is adjusted, say 50 cm. Torsional
Oscillations are set up by giving asmall twist to the disc. The time taken for 10
oscillations are found and hence time period, which is nothing buu the time taken
for one oscillation is calculated. The length of the pendulum is increased in steps
of 5 cm and periods of oscillations are found for each length. The readings are
tabulated in the tabular column and the mean of L/T' is calculated.

The radius of the wire (r) is found using screw gauge and the radius of
disc is
the disc (R) is found using vernier calipers. The mass (M) of the metal
found using the biscuit balance. Substituting the values, in the given formula the
moment of inertia can be calculated.
the
Now by substituting the value of moment of inertia and L/ T: in
given formula rigidity modulus of the given wire can be calculated.
L
The value of L/T' can also be found by drawing a graph taking
will
along x-axis and T* along y-axis as shown in Fig. 12.2. The slope ot the graph
give the value of L/T' Substituting the graphical value of
L/T iin the given formula, the rigidity nnodulus can be deermined by graphical
method.
 diameter of the disc using Vernien
(ii) Measurement of the
calipers
ZE = ....X102 m
LC = 0.01 cm
ZC = ........ x10-2

Vernier Scale Observed reading

S.No.
Main scale
Coincidence OR = MSR+ Correct Reading
Reading (MSR) = OR +ZC
(VsC) (VSCxLC)
Unit x 10 m Div x 10 m x 10 m

Mean ..x10- m
Result

The moment of inertia of the disc(I) = kgm?

() The rigidity modulus of the suspension wire (n)
(a) By calculation Nm2
(b) By graph Nm2