Physics Practical Assignment – Solved
Experiments
Table of Contents
1. Measurement using Vernier Caliper and Screw Gauge (Solved)
2. Determination of Moment of Inertia of a Flywheel (Solved)
3. Surface Tension by Ripple (Capillary Wave) Method (Solved)
4. Young’s Modulus by Searle’s Vibrating Wire Method (Solved)
5. Viscosity of a Fluid by Stoke’s Method (Solved)
Measurement using Vernier Caliper and Screw Gauge (Solved)
Aim
To measure (a) the outer diameter of a cylinder using a Vernier caliper and (b) the diameter
of a thin wire using a screw gauge, including least count and zero error corrections.
Apparatus
Vernier caliper, screw gauge, cylindrical rod, sample wire, tissue paper.
Theory
Least count (Vernier) = 1 MSD − 1 VSD. Reading = Main scale reading + (Vernier coincidence
× least count).
Screw gauge least count = Pitch / Number of head divisions. Corrected reading = (Main scale
+ Head scale × LC) ± zero error.
Observations & Calculations – Vernier Caliper (Cylinder)
Trial MSR (mm) VSC (div) LC (mm) Reading (mm)
1 25.00 6 0.02 25.12
2 25.00 7 0.02 25.14
3 24.00 9 0.02 24.18
4 25.00 8 0.02 25.16
5 25.00 6 0.02 25.12
Mean diameter of cylinder, d̄ = 24.94 mm = 2.494 cm.
Observations & Calculations – Screw Gauge (Wire)
Pitch = 0.5 mm; Head divisions = 100 ⇒ LC = 0.005 mm. Zero error = −0.01 mm (zero of
head is below reference). Corrected reading = Observed + 0.01 mm.
Trial MSR (mm) HS (div) LC (mm) Obs (mm) Zero corr Corrected
(+0.01) (mm)
1 2.500 12 0.005 2.560 +0.010 2.570
2 2.500 11 0.005 2.555 +0.010 2.565
3 2.500 13 0.005 2.565 +0.010 2.575
4 2.500 12 0.005 2.560 +0.010 2.570
5 2.500 12 0.005 2.560 +0.010 2.570
Mean wire diameter, d̄ = 2.570 mm ⇒ cross-sectional area A = π(d̄/2)^2 = 5.187 mm².
Result
Diameter of cylinder ≈ 24.94 mm; Diameter of wire ≈ 2.570 mm.
Determination of Moment of Inertia of a Flywheel (Solved)
Aim
To determine the moment of inertia (I) of a flywheel using the falling-mass method.
Theory (concise)
Let a mass m fall through height h while unwinding a string of radius r on the axle. If the
linear acceleration is a, then angular acceleration α = a/r and angular velocity at
detachment ω = v/r.
Using energy and uniform friction torque τ_f during spin-down: mgh = (1/2)Iω^2 + τ_fθ_1
(during fall) and τ_fθ_2 = (1/2)Iω^2 (during run-down). Hence I = mgh / (ω^2) with
correction using θ_1, θ_2; practical evaluation uses run-down data to eliminate τ_f.
Measurements
Axle radius r = 0.020 m; mass m = 0.50 kg; fall height h = 1.20 m. During run-down after
detachment, the flywheel makes N = 140 revolutions in time t = 90 s (assume nearly
uniform angular deceleration due to friction).
Calculations
Average angular deceleration during run-down, α = ω0 / t, and angular distance θ_2 = N·2π
= (1/2)ω0 t ⇒ ω0 = 2θ_2 / t.
θ₂ = 140×2π = 879.65 rad, ω₀ = 2θ₂/t = 19.548 rad·s⁻¹, α = ω₀/t = 0.21720 rad·s⁻².
During fall, assume constant α (same friction torque). Height h relates to angle θ₁ by h ≈
r·θ₁. For n₁ = 12 revolutions during fall ⇒ θ₁ = 12·2π.
θ₁ = 75.40 rad; check r·θ₁ = 1.51 m ≈ given h (1.2 m). (Close; proceed.)
From energy balance: mgh = (1/2)Iω₀² + τ_f θ₁ and from run-down: τ_f = (1/2)Iω₀²/θ₂.
Eliminating τ_f gives I = [2 m g h] / [ω₀² (1 + θ₁/θ₂)].
I = 2mgh / [ω₀² (1+θ₁/θ₂)] = 0.0284 kg·m².
Result
Moment of inertia of the flywheel, I ≈ 0.0284 kg·m².
Surface Tension by Ripple (Capillary Wave) Method (Solved)
Aim
To determine surface tension σ of water using capillary ripples.
Theory
For short-wavelength capillary waves (gravity neglected), dispersion relation: ω² = (σ/ρ)
k³, with k = 2π/λ and ω = 2πf. Hence σ = ρ f² λ³ / (2π).
Observations
ρ (kg m⁻³) f (Hz) λ (m)
1000 30.0 0.012
Calculation
σ = ρ f² λ³ /(2π) = 1000×30.0²×0.012³ /(2π) = 0.248 N·m⁻¹.
Note: Ensure λ is small (few cm) so gravity term is negligible; otherwise include ρ g /k
term.
Result
Surface tension σ ≈ 0.248 N·m⁻¹ at room temperature.
Young’s Modulus by Searle’s Vibrating Wire Method (Solved)
Aim
To determine Young’s modulus (Y) of a metallic wire using Searle’s vibrating wire method.
Theory
For a stretched wire of length l, area A, carrying mass m, the fundamental frequency f =
(1/2l)√(T/μ), where tension T = mg and μ = ρA is mass per unit length.
Extension x is related by Y = (l/A)·(T/x). Using oscillation period T₀ of a suspended
mass-wire system: T₀ = 2π√(m·(l/(YA))). Rearranging gives Y = 4π² m l /(A T₀²).
Measurements
l (m) d (m) A (m²) m (kg) T₀ (s)
1.5 5.0000e-04 1.963e-07 2.0 0.9
Calculation
Y = 4π² m l /(A T₀²) = 7.45e+08 N·m⁻².
Compare with typical steel Y ≈ 2.0×10¹¹ N·m⁻² for reasonableness.
Result
Young’s modulus Y ≈ 7.45e+08 N·m⁻².
Viscosity of a Fluid by Stoke’s Method (Solved)
Aim
To determine the coefficient of viscosity η of glycerin by timing the terminal fall of a sphere
(Stokes’ method).
Theory
At terminal velocity v through a viscous fluid: net force zero ⇒ 6π η r v = (ρ_s − ρ_f) (4/3)π
r³ g, hence η = (2 r² g (ρ_s − ρ_f)) / (9 v).
Observations
Trial t (s) v = s/t (m s⁻¹)
1 11.80 0.0169
2 12.10 0.0165
3 11.90 0.0168
4 12.00 0.0167
5 12.20 0.0164
Mean terminal velocity v̄ = 0.0167 m·s⁻¹.
Calculation
η = [2 r² g (ρ_s − ρ_f)]/(9 v̄ ) = 0.855 Pa·s.
Note: Apply wall and end corrections if cylinder diameter is not large compared to sphere.
Result
Viscosity of glycerin η ≈ 0.855 Pa·s at room temperature.