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Lab - Rotational Inertia Lab

The document outlines a lab experiment focused on rotational inertia, divided into two parts: calculating torque and assessing the impact of adding point masses. It provides detailed instructions for setting up the apparatus, deriving equations related to acceleration and torque, and collecting data on the system's performance. Additionally, it prompts students to analyze the effects of friction and the addition of masses on the rotational inertia of the system.

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Tong Mai Chi
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33 views4 pages

Lab - Rotational Inertia Lab

The document outlines a lab experiment focused on rotational inertia, divided into two parts: calculating torque and assessing the impact of adding point masses. It provides detailed instructions for setting up the apparatus, deriving equations related to acceleration and torque, and collecting data on the system's performance. Additionally, it prompts students to analyze the effects of friction and the addition of masses on the rotational inertia of the system.

Uploaded by

Tong Mai Chi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Unit 6 – Rotational Inertia Lab – Name:__________________

Guiding Question(s):
Part 1: What relates an applied force to the acceleration of a rotating system?
Part 2: Does adding/removing a point mass to the system change the rotational inertia according to the
equation covered in class?

Materials
You will have access to the following materials:
● T-Pipe

● Batteries

● Low-Friction Pulleys

● Tape

● Known Masses

● Lab stand

● C-Clamps

Part 1 – Calculating Torque on the System


1. Begin by getting your T-pipe, low friction pulleys and known masses and setting them up on the table
in a roughly equivalent style to the picture shown above. Some things to watch out for:

 The low friction pulleys can shift so that the pulley begins to rub on the clamp or the table. Make
sure the screws are tightened to avoid this.

 The string that runs from the pulley to the pipe should be as straight and flat as possible. This will
ensure that the string doesn’t fall off the pulley and that you don’t have to take any angles into
account when calculating torque.

 The string should be wrapped around the pipe above the hole it is tied to so that it doesn’t slip off
the bottom.

 Make sure that the pole on the lab stand is tightened to prevent any wobbling. You might need to
use a C-Clamp to keep it from moving as the mass falls.

2. Now that you have set up your testing apparatus, we need to determine what is making the system
rotate. In the space below, draw a free body diagram for just the hanging mass:
3. The mass should make the system (and itself) accelerate when it is allowed to hang freely. Derive an
equation for the acceleration of this mass using your F.B.D. above:

4. For this lab, we will assume that the pulley is massless and low friction, and the string is also
massless. These assumptions are important as it allows us to assume that the force carried by the
string (Tension) is constant and will be delivered to the rotating system. Based on this, derive an
expression for the torque that the system receives based on your answer to (3):

5. The final step in this derivation is to tie it all together and relate the angular acceleration of the system
to the linear acceleration of the mass by assuming that the linear acceleration of the mass and the
outside of the pipe (where the string is) are the same. Complete your derivation from (4) by replacing
the angular acceleration and write your final derivation below:

6. Now it is time to finally start collecting data. As a team, decide on a way that you will determine the
acceleration of the hanging mass as it falls and describe it in the space below:
7. Record your gathered data below, including a sample calculation for how you determined the
acceleration (if applicable):

8. Calculate the rotational inertia of the T-pipe system, showing your process below and clearly label
any measurements that you need to make:

9. We’ve made several assumptions so far, but one that we haven’t discussed is the effect of friction
between the T-Pipe and the lab stand that it rests on. You’ve likely noticed that the system slows
down quickly once the external force is applied, so friction is unlikely to be negligible. Based on this,
what effect does friction have on your answer to (8)? That is, does the presence of friction change the
number that you calculated? Explain your reasoning.
Part 2 – Adding Point Masses to a Rotating System

10. In the second portion of this lab you will explore the affect adding point masses has on the rotational
inertia that you found above. To do this, you will tape two “C” batteries to your system at the spots
shown in the initial picture (A, B, C), one at a time, and repeat your experiment with a constant mass.
The overall procedure for this portion will be the same as in part 1, but you will need to record both
the total battery mass and the arm location (where you tape the batteries). Complete the table below
for the three different locations:

Battery Arm Location Acceleration (m/s2) Avg. Hanging Mass Avg. Rotational Inertia (kg*m2)
Mass (kg) (m) Accel (m/s2)

11. Based on the material covered in class, what effect should adding these two point masses to your
system have on its total rotational inertia?

12. Based on your data, does the relationship that was provided in class support the relationship that you
expected to find? Defend your answer using your data, calculations, or any other evidence that you
feel can be used to support your claim.

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