University of San Andrés

Faculty of Engineering Rotational movement

Physics Laboratory

PHYSICS LAB REPORT 100

ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT

I.- Objectives.-

Studying the characteristics of the rotation movement of a set of

disks coupled axially.
Determine experimentally the moment or friction torque that
act on the system.
Determine the Moment of Inertia of the set of discs.

II.- Theoretical foundation.-

MOMENT OF INERTIA:
It is a measure of the resistance that a rigid body opposes to rotation.
regarding the axis of rotation. The moment of inertia is a quantity
to scale, where from the distribution of this in the body or of a system. It
calculate using the equation:

I r 2 dm (1)

where r it is the distance of the differential mass dm to the axis of rotation.

For regular geometric bodies, cylinder, sphere, rod, etc. The
the integration of equation (1) results in:
1
Cylinder: I MR2 where: M dough
2
2 2
Sphere: I MR R radio
5
1
Varilla: I ML2 L= length of the rod
12

1 2
Annular cylinder:I M(R2 R12) R1, R2Internal and external radios
2

In the laboratory, the rotational movement of the disks will be studied.

axially coupled as shown in figure (1). Initially, we
It will measure the friction torque between the shaft and the bearings of the system,
Then, using this value, the moment of inertia of the
set of discs.

The fundamental equation of Mechanics for translational motion

it is Newton's second law.
F=ma (1)
 University of San Andrés
Faculty of Engineering Rotational movement
Physics Laboratory
If it is a rotational motion, the equation is similar to the
previously stated. Expressing Newton's Second Law in relation to
we have rotational quantities:

When a rigid body can rotate around a fixed axis, the moment
The resultant exterior with respect to the axis is equal to the product of the Moment of Inertia of the
body in relation to said axis by angular acceleration:

M = I x (2)

M = Moment or torque of the force

I = Moment of Inertia
Angular acceleration

In addition, the moment or torque is also

given by:
M = Force‫ ٭‬Distance

In our case:
M = TR (3)

Replacing the two previous equations, it

they obtain:

TR = Iα (4)
Fig. 1
Where: T = Tension in the thread
I = Moment of Inertia

α = Angular acceleration

In our experiment, the disks are coupled to a fixed shaft.

through a bearing wheel. If a more realistic analysis is carried out, it should be
take into account the friction torque existing between the shaft and the bearings.
This is because this torque always opposes the rotation produced by the moment.
exterior 'M'. Taking this previous consideration very into account, the following
the equation is made or modified in the following way that is:

TR - MrIα (5)

MrMoment or friction torque

Applying Newton's Second Law to translational motion of the

mass 'm' must be:
W - T = ma

Mg - T = ma (6)

T = m ( g – a) (7)

Performing a kinematic analysis:

 Higher University of San Andrés
School of Engineering Rotational movement
Physics Laboratory

h = ½ a t² (8)

In addition, linear variables can be related to angular ones.

in the manner that follows:

v=wR (9)

a = αR (10)

R= Radius of the disk

V = Linear velocity
w=Angular velocity

By replacing the previous equations, we obtain an equation

related in the following way:

Mr= mgR - (I + mR²) α (11)

Analyzing the previous equation, it can be clearly observed that 'I' and
Mrhis shortcomings.

Moment or friction torque (Mr).

Solving for the angular acceleration 'α' from equation (11) we have:
WR M r
WR 2 (12)
I
g

If we build the graph "α" as a function of "W" eq. (12), assuming the values as
constants I, R, Mr, figure 2 is obtained.

For α = 0
Fig. 2
0 = WR - Mr

W = Mr/ R (13)

To check if there are in the graph

asymptotes, the denominators are equal to
zero previously stating "α" and "W"
respectively.

W
I R 2 0
Vertical asymptote: g (There are no asymptotes) (14)

M r I
W
Horizontal Asymptote: R2
(R )
g
R2
R 0
g
R2 g
R
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Faculty of Engineering Rotation movement
Physics Laboratory

(There is an asymptote) (15)

(16)

Moment of Inertia (I).

Clearing the moment of inertia from equation (11) yields the

next equation:

WRMr W
I   R2
g

Once the values of W, R, M are knownrand it is possible to calculate the

Moment of Inertia 'I'
Since each value of 'W' corresponds to a value of 'α', a value will be obtained
result for 'I' in each case. The values of 'I' thus found will differ within
of the experimental margin. To find the most probable value, one must take out the
average of the results already obtained.

III. Material and assembly.-

Wooden discs coupled axially.

Inextensible resistant thread.
Game of weights.
Graduated ruler in mm.
Stopwatches.
Metal hooks.
Vernier.
IV. PROCEDURE.-

CONSTANT RADIO

a. Measure the diameters of the three discs four times each.

b. Arrange a length of thread and tie it to one of the weights, adjusting the
length so that the mass just touches the adopted stop as
reference level. At this moment, no torque is being applied to the
disco.
c. Wrap the thread around one of the discs being careful not to cross the turns.

d. Measure the height 'h' that the mass will travel from the position of the point of
reference up to the adopted level.
e. Release the mass from the chosen point and measure the time taken in
traverse the height 'h'. Repeat the procedure five times
times. When winding the thread, always do it in the same direction, so that
 University of San Andrés
Faculty of Engineering Rotation movement
Physics Laboratory
the influence of friction remains unchanged throughout the
experiment.
f. For 4 different masses, repeat the procedure from section e). keep
the height 'h' of constant descent.

Constant mass

g. For a given mass, repeat the procedure from sections c),

d) and e) from the previous part for the three discs. Keep the height 'h' of
constant descent.

V. Data analysis (Calculations).-

Diameter of disks.

Discs D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 Average
Small 3.87 3.86 3.87 3.86 3.87 3.87
Medium 7.65 7.63 7.64 7.65 7.63 7.64
Large 11.55 11.54 11.55 11.56 11.54 11:55

Constant radio.
a) Calculate the average of the radii of the three discs and their respective
errors.

 rer e
 2
0.0001
ESp= 3(0.00224)
E SP 0.00224 ESp0.00671
n(n 1) 54*
Rp1.94 ± 0.00671 (cm)

ESM= 3(0.00224)
E SM
 rer e
 2
0.0001
0.00224
ESM0.00671
n(n 54* RM3.82 ± 0.00671 (cm)

 rer e
 2
0.0001
ESG= 3(0.00224)
E SG 0.00224 ESG0.00671
n(n 1) 4*5
RG5.77 ± 0.00671 (cm)

b) Calculate the average of the times and their respective error.

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Faculty of Engineering Rotation movement
Physics Laboratory

t
 1 1
 2
0.0061
EST1= 3(0.0175)
E ST1 0.0175 EST10.0524
n(n 1) 54*
T15.68 ± 0.0524 (s)

t t
 2 2
 2
0.0094
EST2= 3(0.0217)
E ST2 0.0217 EST20.065
n(n 1) 4*5
T24.83 ± 0.065 (s)

 3 t t 3
 2
0.0107
0.0231
EST3= 3(0.0231)
E ST3 EST30.0693
n(n 1) 54*
T3=4.22 ± 0.0693 (s)

 t 4t 4
 2
0.0459
EST4= 3(0.0479)
E ST4 0.0479 EST40.0144
n(n 20
T43.73 ± 0.0144 (s)

t
 5 5
 2
0.0019
0.00975
EST5= 3(0.00975)
E ST5 EST50.0292
n(n 1) 54*
T53.58 ± 0.0292 (s)

2h2(0.8) m a0.0496 rad

a 0.0496( ) 1,298
c) With the average t 2values5.68of2 'h' and 't',
s 2 calculate using equation (8)
R0.0382 s 2 and
"a" and "α" respectively.
2h2(0.8) m a0.0686 rad
a 0.0686( 2 ) 1,796
For: t 2(4.83)2 s R0.0382 s2
2h2(0.8) a0.0898 rad
a 0.0898(2 ) 2,351
1=29.1(g); T1 t 2(4,22)2 R0.0382 s2
2h2(0.8) m a 0.115 rad
a 0.115( 2 ) 3.01
t 2(3.73)2 s R0.0382 s2
2h2(0.8) m a 0.125 rad
a 0.125( ) 3,272
 University of San Andrés
Faculty of Engineering Rotation movement
Physics Laboratory

m138.5(g); T2

m152(g); T3

m1=66.9(g); T4

m1=72.4(g); T5

d) Convert the masses to weights (W = mg) and plot "α" as a function of "W".
as shown in figure 2. alpha - W

W(N) α(rad/s)2)
0.258 1,298
0.348 1,796
0.51 2,351 α
0.656 3.01
0.71 3,272

W
e) By extrapolation, find the point where the curve intersects the 'W' axis.
the distance from this point to the origin of coordinates corresponds to the value:
Mr
In
So: R
Mr WR

From the following equation: A BlnW

And linearizing the curve. 0.244 4,231lnW

If α=0 W = 0,944
This is the point that cuts the 'W' axis.

f) Calculate the value of the torque or friction moment 'M'rand his

corresponding error.

From the following equation we obtain:

Mr W0R
Mr 0.944*0.0382
Mr 0.036
Applying error propagation: MR WTheR //( ln )
 Major University of San Andrés
Faculty of Engineering Rotational movement
Physics Laboratory
lnMR lnW O lnR //( )’
EWO ER
EMR  MR
WO R
2 2
0.04 0.01
EMR  0.036
0.944 0.0382
EMR 0.00955
M r 0.036 0.0096(J)
Constant mass.

1. For each disk, construct the descent time graph as a function of

radio. Interpret the graphs.

The little descent

7.85 1.94
4.24 3.82
2.76 5.67

As the radius of the discs increases, the time it takes to lower.

it's shorter.

2. With the average values h and t, and equations (8) and (10), calculate 'a' and 'α'.
respectively.
ap  0,025 [m/s] p
 1.29 [rad/s]
am  0.089 [m/s2] m  0.65 [rad/s2]
ag  0.21 [m/s2] g
(0.43)[rad/s]2]

3. Build the graph: angular acceleration vs. radius of the discs. Interpret.
Such graphic.

R α
1.94 1.29
3.82 0.65
5.67 0.43

As the radius increases, its angular acceleration is shorter.

 University of San Andrés
Faculty of Engineering Rotational movement
Physics Laboratory

VI. Guide questionnaire.

How does the descent time vary according to the moments of force?
The descent time varies according to the square root of the radius √R

In the analyzed system, potential energy is transformed into energy.

translational kinetic energy in the mass and rotational energy in the disk, but
Due to friction, part of the energy is transformed into heat.
the theorem of conservation of energy states:

mgh = ½mv² + ½Iw² + Qr

Calculate the percentage of total energy that is transformed into heat.

Prove that the following equation reduces to free fall when I is

much greater than the product of m*R2y mgR is much greater than Mr.

WR M r
WR 2
I
g
mgR
mgR2
g
g
R

Explain how time varies with disk radius: directly or inversely

proportional? Why?

A.- The radius varies inversely proportional to the descent time, this is because
the smaller the radius, the longer the time it takes for the mass to descend

VII. Conclusions.- The present laboratory practice was very illustrative, since
The respective data were analyzed, and the main objectives were completed.
of the rotational movement.

VIII. Bibliography.
Major University of San Andrés
Faculty of Engineering Rotation movement
Physics Laboratory
Physics Laboratory
Error analysis and graphs
Theory and exercises
Eng. René A. Delgado Salguero
Basic Physics Laboratory I
Ing. René A. Delgado Salguero
Measurements and Errors 2nd EDITION 2000
Alfredo Alvarez C.
Eduardo Huayta C.
La Paz - Bolivia
The Bible of Physics and Chemistry EDITION 2003
Lexus Publishers (Printed Spain)