Experiment 203 Moment of Inertia

Department of Physics, College, Mapua Institute of Technology

Keywords: Moment of Inertia, Torque, Friction Mass, Tangential Force, Rotational Force,
Inertia of Ring, Inertia of Disk

Abstract. This experiment aims to determine the mass moment of inertia of a disk and a ring, and
compare the moment of inertia of the solid disk rotated at two different axes: at the center and along
its diameter. To achieve these the disk is first rotated using the rotating platform where the
acceleration of the disk is read with the help of the photogate and smart timer. After recording the
data for the solid disk the ring is then rotated along with the solid disk. The moment of inertia of the
ring is computed by getting the difference between the total moment of inertia of the system and the
moment of inertia of the solid disk. The last part of the experiment requires the disk to be rotated
around its diameter where its moment of inertia is also computed. The object/s are allowed to rotate
about its axis with the aid of mass loads which serves as the tension causing it to rotate. By
analysing the results that they have computed from their data, it is concluded that the moment of
inertia between two objects is different despite having the same mass and radius. Factors such as
having different density, shape, and point/axis of rotation greatly affects the moment of inertia of
objects.

Introduction
Moment of inertia is the name given to rotational inertia, the rotational analog of mass for linear
motion. It appears in the relationships for the dynamics of rotational motion. The moment of inertia
must be specified with respect to a chosen axis of rotation. For a point mass the moment of inertia is
just the mass times the square of perpendicular distance to the rotation axis,
2
I =mr (1)
That point mass relationship becomes the basis for all other moments of inertia since any object
can be built up from a collection of point masses.
Rotational inertia plays a similar role in rotational mechanics to mass in linear mechanics.
Indeed, the rotational inertia of an object depends on its mass. It also depends on the distribution of
that mass relative to the axis of rotation.
When a mass moves further from the axis of rotation it becomes increasingly more difficult to
change the rotational velocity of the system. Intuitively, this is because the mass is now carrying
more momentum with it around the circle (due to the higher speed) and because the momentum
vector is changing more quickly. Both of these effects depend on the distance from the axis.
Rotational inertia takes the place of mass in the rotational version of Newton's 2 law.
Consider a mass m attached to one end of a massless rod. The other end of the rod is hinged so
that the system can rotate about the central hinge point. We now start rotating the system by
applying a tangential force FT to the mass. From Newtons 2 law,
FT =m aT (2)
Which can be written as,
FT =m ( ra ) (3)
 Newton's 2 law relates force to acceleration. In rotational mechanics torque takes the
place of force. Multiplying both sides by the radius gives the expression we want.
FT r =m ( ra ) r (4)

FT =m r 2 a (5)

=I (6)
This expression can now be used to find the behavior of a mass in response to a known torque.
Torque is a measure of the force that can cause an object to rotate about an axis. Just as force is what
causes an object to accelerate in linear kinematics, torque is what causes an object to acquire
angular acceleration. The SI unit for torque is the Newton-meter.
For more complicated shapes, it is generally necessary to use calculus to find the rotational
inertia. However, for many common geometric shapes it is possible to find tables of equations for
the rotational inertia in textbooks or other sources. These typically give the moment of inertia for a
shape rotated about its centroid (which often corresponds with the shapes center of mass).
For example, the rotational inertia of a solid cylinder with radius r rotated about a central axis is,
1 2
I = mr (7)
2
and for a hollow cylinder with inner r i and outer radii r o ,
1 2 2
I = ( m ) ( r o +r 1 ) (8)
2

Methodology

The experiment is in divided into three parts. To

start, the equipment is first set up. The mounting rod is
attached to the smart pulley and photogate head. The
mass hanger is then connected to the thread, where the
thread must pass over the smart pulley, and loop over
the cylinder of the vertical shaft. Refer to Fig. 1.

The disk is then securely placed on the center of the

vertical shaft and the smart timer is connected to the
photogate.

In determining the moment of inertia of disk and

ring, the ring must be placed above the disk. Using the Figure 1
Vernier caliper to measure the diameter of the shaft, the
radius of the ring is then computed. Friction mass is to be added to the pan to overcome the kinetic
friction. Friction mass is the small mass added where the pan is left to fall on constant speed. It is to
be noted that the friction mass should be no more than 40 grams.

For the first trial, add more mass and record its acceleration. The smart timer must be set to accel,
linear pulley. Solve for the experimental moment of inertia of the disk and ring. The friction mass is
not included in the computation of moment of inertia. Go on with the second trial, this time
increasing the mass added and perform two more trials. Lastly, compute for the percent difference.
 The next part of the experiment is the determination of moment of inertia of disk rotated about
the center. First step is to remove the ring from the disk and repeat the steps from the second part of
the experiment.

On determining the moment of inertia of the ring, the moment of inertia can be measured by
computing the difference between moment of inertia of disk and ring combined and moment of
inertia of disk. The last experiment is to determine the moment of inertia rotated about its diameter.
First, remove the disk from the vertical shaft. Insert the D-shaped hole on the hole disk to the shaft.
Repeat the steps of the second procedure.

The materials used for this experiment includes the disk and the ring, which are the unit of
masses to be tested by which their moment of inertia is to be obtained. As we all know, a disk is a
circular shaped object with length and is a form of a cylinder. On the other hand, a ring, is a hollow
cylinder. Its thickness varies on the radius of the hole and the ring itself. Other materials include the
rotating platform where the unit of masses are rotated; the photogate, smart timer, smart pulley and
weights which are used to determine the acceleration of the units of masses; and lastly the Vernier
caliper which is used to determine the radii of the objects.

Conclusion
In table 1, it was seen that as the hanging mass of the object increases, the acceleration also
increases but the value of inertia decreases. They computed for the average of the experimental
value of inertia then compared it by finding its percent error, which was 3.89%, they concluded that
there was error because they moved the table too much or they might have pushed the rotating
platform.
In table 2, same with the data in table 1, as the hanging mass increases the acceleration increases
and so the inertia. They compared the experimental value of Inertia and its actual value by finding
its percent difference. They computed that the percent difference was 4.93%. Comparing table 1 and
table 2 value of inertia, the part B have the greater inertia than the part C.
Comparing the moments of inertia of disk and ring, they found out that the moment of inertia was
greater in the disk compared to the ring. It was because the hollowness of the ring, which made the
ring, have less moment of inertia. Also, because the radius of the disk was greater than the radius of
the ring.
Answers to Guide Questions. Even though a disc and a ring have equal masses and equal radii
the mass of the ring is distributed uniformly at a distance equal to the radius of the ring. In the case
of the disc, however, while some mass lies on the circumference of the disc, most of the mass lies
closer to the axis of rotation. Therefore, the moment of inertia is greater for the ring than for the
disc.
The derivation of the moment of inertia of a solid rod of mass M and length L is as follows

r 2 dm (9)
m
dm= dx (10)
L
m
Let r=x, then substitute (dm=dx ) to the equation.
L
L
The upper and lower bound must be because it is measured from end to end of the rod,
2
 L
2
M
I = x 2 dx (11)
L L
2

L
M [ 3]2
I= x L (12)
3L 2

L
2


L 3 (13)
( )
2
M
I=
3L
1
I = M L2 (14)
2
The derivation of the moment of inertia of a solid rod of mass M and Length L when its axis is
perpendicular to the rod and through its center is as follows,

20 m
T 1 =m1 a=( 10 )
( )
s2
=20 N (15)

( 20 )
( 20s m )=( 20 )( 9.8s m )T
2 2 2 (16)

T 2 =156.2 N (17)
0.25


2 (18)
(156.2 N 20 N)
I =

I =4.26 kg .m2 (19)

Recommendations
One of the main source of error in this experiment is an unbalanced disk and ring. The slight
imbalance causes difference in acquired values which may range from negligible difference to very
noticeable errors. Other sources of error may include the unstrung string of the pan, incorrect
computed radii and incorrect settings of the smart timer. Correctly converting the units is also
important as this causes for an inaccurate data.
References
[1] Beiser, Arthur. Physics, 5th ed. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1991.
[2] Rotational Inertia Information on www.khanacademy.org
[3] Torque Information on www.khanacademy.org
[4] Suplee, Curt. Everyday Science Explained. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society,
1996.
Appendix
Data Sheet

TABLE 1. Determination of Moment of Inertia of Disk and Ring (Rotated at Center)

Mass of ring, M r 1415.5[g ] Actual value of moment of ring:

Mass of ring, M ring 1429.4 [ g ] I total =I disk + I ring
radius of disk, Rdisk =11.3[cm] 1 2 1 2 2
I total = M disk R + M ring ( Ri + R2 )
Inner radius of ring, R1=5.37 [ cm] 2 2
Outer radius of ring, R2=6.375 [cm] I ring =140028.1846[ gc m2 ]

Friction mass = 35 [grams] Radius, r = 1.005 [cm]

TRIAL Mass Acceleration Experimental value of Inertia

1 30 [g] 0.2 [ cm/s 2 ] 148443.3743 [ gc m2 ]

2 40 [g] 0.3 [ cm /s 2 ] 131936.1990 [ gc m2 ]
3 50 [g] 0.4 [ cm/s 2 ] 123677.5613 [ gc m2 ]
Average 134685.7117 [ gc m2 ]
Percent difference 3.89 %

TABLE 2. Determination of Moment of Inertia of Disk (Rotated at Center)

Actual value of moment of ring:

I total =I disk + I ring
Mass of ring, M r 1415.5[g ]
1 1
radius of disk, Rdisk =11.3[cm] I total = M disk R2 + M ring ( Ri2 + R22 )
2 2
I ring =90372.5975 [gc m2 ]

Friction mass = 35 [grams] Radius, r = 1.005 [cm]

TRIAL Mass Acceleration Experimental value of Inertia

1 25 [g] 0.2 [ cm/s 2 ] 82460.1244 [ gc m2 ]

2 35 [g] 0.3 [ cm /s 2 ] 86574.2929 [ gc m2 ]
3 45 [g] 0.4 [ cm/s 2 ] 89038.7539 [ gc m2 ]
Average 86024.3904 [ gc m2 ]
Percent difference 4.93 %
TABLE 3. Determination of Moment of Inertia of Ring (Rotated at Center)

Actual value of moment of ring:

Mass of ring, M ring 1429.4 [ g ]
1
Inner radius of ring, R1=5.37 [ cm] I ring = M ring ( Ri2 + R22 )
2
Outer radius of ring, R2=6.375 [cm] 2
I ring =49655.58712[gc m ]

Experimental value of moment of inertia (by difference),

I ring =I total I disk
I ring =48661.3211[gc m2]

Percent difference: 2.023 %

TABLE 4. Determination of Moment of Inertia of Disk (Rotated about Diameter)

Actual value of moment of inertia of disk
Mass of disk, M =1415.5[ grams] 1
disk
I disk = M disk R 2
Radius of disk, Rdisk =11.3[cm] 2
I disk =45186.2988 [gc m2 ]
Friction mass = 35 [grams] Radius, r = 1.005 [cm]
TRIAL Mass Acceleration Experimental value of Inertia
1 25 [g] 0.5 [ cm/s 2 ] 49465.9744 [ gc m2 ]
2 35 [g] 0.8 [ cm /s 2 ] 433269.471 [ gc m2 ]
3 45 [g] 0.9 [ cm/s 2 ] 49945.7739 [ gc m2 ]
Average 47393.7398 [ gc m2 ]
Percent difference 4.77 %

Computation

Part 1: Determination of Moment of Inertia of Disk and Ring (Rotated at Center)

Actual value

1 2 1 2 2
I TOTAL M R+ M (R1 + R2)
2 DISK 2 RING

5.37


1 2 1
I TOTAL = (1415.5) ( 11.3 ) + (1429.4)
2 2

I TOTAL =140028.1846 gcm2

Experimental Value
 m(ga)r 2
I=
a

30 ( 9.80.2 ) ( 1.005 )2
I=
0.2

I =148443.3743 gcm2

Percentage Difference

148443.1233+131000.7809+145728.3728+134289.9362
%diff = =3.89
4

Part 2: Determination of Moment of Inertia of Disk (Rotated at Center)

Actual Value Experimental value
2
1 m(ga)r
I DISK = M DISK R 2 I=
2 a
2 2
I DISK =90372.5975 gcm I =86024.3904 gcm

Percentage Difference
148443.1233+131000.7809+145728.3728+134289.9362
%diff = =4.93
4

Part 3: Determination of Moment of Inertia of Ring (Rotated at Center)

Actual value Experimental value
1 2 2
I RING = M RING (R1 + R2) I RING =I TOTAL(EXPTL)I DISK (EXPTL)
2
2 2
I RING =49655.58712 g cm I RING =48661.3211 g cm

Percentage Difference
148443.1233+131000.7809+145728.3728+134289.9362
%diff = =2.023
4

Part 4: Determination of Moment of Inertia of Disk (Rotated about Diameter)

Actual value Experimental value
2
1 m(ga)r
I DISK = M DISK R 2 I=
4 a

I DISK =45186.2988 gcm 2 I =47393.7398 gcm2

Percentage Difference
148443.1233+131000.7809+145728.3728+134289.9362
%diff = =4.77
4