DETERMINATION OF CENTRE OF PERCUSSION

& MOMENT OF INERTIA OF A COMPOUND PENDULAM

EXPT NO:
DATE:

AIM:
To determine the center of percussion and moment of inertia of the given rigid
bodies.
1. Connecting rod
2. Square bar

APPARATUS REQUIRED:
Knife Edge, Stop Watch, Scale.

THEORY:

The time period of oscillation of a simple pendulum is given by

T 2 (L / g)

Where
L is the length of simple pendulum and g is acceleration due to gravity.
In simple pendulum mass is concentrated in a point. Therefore radius of gyration of a
simple pendulum about the axis of suspension and point of force application (center of
gravity) are the same.
The compound pendulum the mass is distributed. Therefore the radius of gyration and
distance between the axis of suspension and point of force application (i.e. center of
gravity) are not same.

The time period of oscillation is given by

k2
T 2
gh
k=radius of gyration about the axis of rotation
h=distance between the center of gravity and axis of rotation
In the above formula k2/h is called length of equivalent simple pendulum(L)

which will have same period of oscillation. T 2 (L / g )

T2
L g
4 * 2

fig-1
 A Cg center of gravity
A-Axis of suspension
h

Cg

A
h
Cg L

Point B is the distance L below the axis of suspension is called center of

oscillation. If the axis of suspension is changed to B the period of oscillation will remain
the same. It also called center of percussion because if a force is applied to B there will
not be any reaction at point of suspension A.

We can also find out the radius of gyration about the axis passing through the
center of gravity from parallel axis theorem.
2
Mk 2 MK g Mh 2

2
k 2 K g h2

K g k 2 h2
T2
k 2 Lh gh
4 * 2
K = Radius of gyration about the axis of suspension
Kg =Radius of gyration about the center of gravity.
Procedure:
For finding out the period of osicillation.
1. Hang the given object at the knife edge.
2. oscillate the object by displacing the rod for about 5 degrees. if the initial
displacement given exceeds 10 degrees, the oscillation will not be simple
harmonic.
3. Note down the time taken for 50 oscillations.
4. Repeat the measurement for 30 times.

For finding the center of gravity:

1. Place the object horizontally on the knife edge.
 2. Move the object to and fro until the equilibrium is achieved.
3. Mark the point.

Measure the distance between the axis of suspension and the center of gravity.

Calculation:
1. Time period of oscillation
Sx
T X 1.96
n
Where n - No. of readings taken
X mean of reading taken
Sx= standard deviation

2. position of center of oscillation from the axis of suspension

T2
L g
4 * 2

Where
T = experimental period of oscillation
g = gravitational acceleration.

3. Radius of gyration with respect to Centre of gravity

T 2 gh
Kg h2
4 2

4. Moment of inertia of the connecting rod about the axis passing through the Centre
of gravity =M*Kg2

Tabulation:
 Description Time Taken Period of Centre of Radius of Moment
for 50 oscillation oscillation gyration of inertia
oscillations (T) seconds (L) metre (Kg) m Kg-m2
(seconds)
Connecting 48.35313 0.967063 0.231963 0.09671 0.017117
rod small end 0.001639
as axis of 0.000786 0.000732 0.000259
suspension
Connecting 44.52188 0.890438 0.19666 0.098261 0.017669
rod big end as 0.001003
axis of 0.000443 0.00023 8.27E-05
suspension

Square Bar
with first end

Square Bar
with second
end

Result: