TOM MBOYA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

PRACTICAL MANUAL FOR UNDERGRADUATE PHYSICS

SECOND YEAR
SEMESTER I
 SPH 201: DYNAMICS

D2: BIFILAR SUSPENSION

AIM: To investigate the dependence of the period of oscillation on distance d between vertical
suspension threads and length l of the suspension threads of a wooden bar and also, to obtain an
experimental value of the moment of inertia

APPARATUS: A metal or wooden bar of rectangular or circular cross-section 40 cm long, a metre rule
(scale), cotton threads, a stop watch, two heavy stands and clamps, spirit level, a beam or electronic
balance and a set square.
THEORY:
Theory shows that the full relationship between the periodic time T, the length l of the vertical
suspension threads and their distance apart d is
4 Il
T = 2 ………………………….[1]
Mgd 2
where M is the mass and I is the moment of inertia about the axis of oscillation.

Fig.D2. 1. Schematic diagram of the set-up

METHOD:
1. Measure the dimensions of the metal or wooden bar provided and find its mass using a balance.
These will be useful in calculating the theoretical value of the moment of inertia.
2. Tie a loop of cotton thread round the bar near each end and pass the free end of the thread
through the split corks held by separate clamps at the same level. Each loop should be tied 1 cm
from the end and the suspension thread should be about 30 cm long.
3. Make the necessary adjustments using the spirit level and the set-square so that the bar is
horizontal, and the threads vertical. The lengths of the suspension threads should be equal in
length from the cork supports
4. Set the bar in oscillation through a small angle about a vertical axis through the centre of the bar
and determine the time for 20 complete oscillations. Repeat this step and find the mean time.
5. Measure the distance d between the threads and record your readings (see table D 2.2)
6. Move each loop 2 cm from the end and repeat steps 4 and 5 for the various distances d.

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 7. Now, keep the distance d at 1cm from the ends of the bar and vary the length l of each
suspension thread between 20 cm and 40 cm to obtain two readings of the time for 20
oscillations for each value of l and record your values. (See table D2.3)
RESULTS:

Table D 2.2

Constant length of the vertical threads, l =

Distance d (m) Time for 20 oscillations Period, T (s) Log10(T) Log10(d)
t1 (s) t2 (s) mean t (s)

1. Plot a graph of T against d and a graph of log10T as ordinate against log10d as abscissa. Comment
on shapes of the graphs.
2. Suppose the relation between the periodic time T and the distance d is of the form T  d a , then
T = k d a , where k is a constant. Taking log 10 of both sides:
log 10 T = log 10 k + alog 10 d
Obtain a and the constant k, hence interpret your results.

Table D 2.3

Constant length of the vertical threads, l =

Distance l (m) Time for 20 oscillations Period, T (s) Log10(T) Log10(l)
t1 (s) t2 (s) mean t (s)

Lecturer ……………………………………….. Lab technologist ……………………………………

Sign …………………………………………… Sign ………………………………………………...

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1. Plot a graph of T as ordinate against l as abscissa. Comment on the graph so obtained. Also plot a
graph of log10 T as ordinate against log10 l as the abscissa.
2. Using same approach above, assume that T  l n . Find n and the proportionality constant k l .
Interpret the result.
3. For both graphs, estimate the difference between the slope of the chosen best straight line and the
slope of other possible straight lines through the points.

CONCLUSION:

1. How do the values of a and n compare with the theoretical results? What are the sources of error
and how can you minimize them?
2. Determine a value for the moment of inertia I for the wooden or metal bar obtained from the two
results above. Work out the mean value.
3. How does the experimental value of I above compare with the theoretical value? Obtain this by
using the formula I =
M 2
12
(a + b 2 ) where a is the width, b is the length and M the mass of the

bar.

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 SPH 202: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM II

E1: REACTANCE OF AN INDUCTOR.

AIM: To investigate inductive reactance for a simple a.c. inductive circuit

APPARATUS: A low voltage variable a.c. power supply, a coil of large self-inductance L and
negligible resistance R (e.g., several turns of thick (insulated) copper wire wrapped round a bundle of
soft iron wires, or primary winding of an induction coil), an a.c. voltmeter, an a.c. ammeter (0 – 5
r.m.s. amps), connecting leads.

THEORY:
The back emf of an inductor impedes the flow of a.c current. Indeed, it is found that the magnitude of
the current in the inductor is directly proportional to the applied a.c voltage at a given frequency. We can
write the equation for a pure inductor as:

. = X L . = 2fL..................................................1
V
I
where f = frequency of supply and L = self – inductance of the coil in henrys and XL is called the
inductive reactance or impedance of the inductor.

Fig. E1.1

METHOD:
WARNING:
DO NOT switch on the circuit before the instructor checks it.
CAUTION:
DO NOT exceed the rating of the component(s)
1. Connect the circuit as shown in fig E1.1.
2. Starting with the lowest value of supply voltage across the circuit, read and record the r.m.s.
current I value measured by the ammeter A.

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 1. Repeat with successively higher voltages to the limit of the voltage range
2. Record the current values against the respective voltage values in table E1.2.
3. Repeat steps 2 to 4 for the second inductor.

RESULTS:
Table E1.1

V (r.m.s) volts 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
I (r.m.s) amps

1. Draw graph of l against V for the two inductors.

2. Obtain the value of self-inductance L for both cases.
3. Obtain the inductive reactance (XL) of the circuit for both cases (assuming ohmic resistance of the
coil to be negligible).
4. How does inductive reactance vary with increasing frequency?

CONCLUSION:
1. Comment on the shapes of the graphs.
2. What are some of the applications of inductors?
3. Summarize your main findings in this experiment; include the sources of error.

Lecturer ……………………………………….. Lab technologist ……………………………………

Sign …………………………………………… Sign ………………………………………………...

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