Lab 3-CENTRE OF MASS & ROTATIONAL INERTIA

Aim

Objective of doing these experiments is that we could find the center of gravity of the shapes
that are irregular and using the moments and torques we could find the rulers mass also his
rotational inertia.

Theory

During this lab use instruments that are provided to calculate the center of mass and gravity
for the shapes that are irregular. After that considering moment as clockwise moment is equal
to anticlockwise moment, we will calculate unknown mass, through that we can easily find
the mass. Then from the same formula, we will calculate the mass of the ruler by shifting the
pivot point .so that it does not intersect with center of mass of the ruler. After that you will
calculate the inertia of the ruler.

Methodology

Exp 1: Determine the distance D from the center of gravity to the point x

 First, we will make 2 holes in the irregular object.

 Then we will hang the object from any hole, and we will let him hang
 Then make a line from hole to the across the object
 Then repeat the procedure with the rest of the holes
 where all the lines intersect that would be the center of mass of that object
 Then measure the distance from center of the mass of the object that is
labeled as x

Exp 2: Determine the unknown mass 〈 M 2 〉 ± Δ M 2

 Drill a hole in the ruler such that when it is placed horizontal it balances
and the point where it balances would act as pivot.
 Then put the weight which is known on one side if the ruler.
 Then put the weight which is unknown on the ruler in such a way that its
balanced.
 Measure the distance for the unknown mass from pivot point.
Then we can find the mass that is unknown by using the idea
Clockwise moment=a nti Clockwise moment

Exp 3: Determine the mass of the balance arm 〈 M 3 〉 ± Δ M 3

 In the center of the mass of the ruler make a hole.

 Then let it hand freely
  Then hang an unknown weight M 3 on the ruler so that it balances.
 Calculate the distance for the weight that is unknown from pivot. Then
using the idea Clockwise moment=a nti Clockwise moment we can calculate
the M 3.

Exp 4: - Determine the moment of inertia pre-factors for rotation of the balance arm
 First, we will calculate the m i which is mass every 10cm of the ruler then by
dividing that mass that we found in previous experiment 3 then we will be
dividing the 10 as meter rule is 100 cm so it would have 10 sections of 10 cm
 After that we will first calculate the r i (m) moving the rulers end of the and
calculate the values of r 2i (m2 )
 Repeat same steps for the mid rest of the ruler.

Result
Exp 1: -

D ( cm ) 6.9 5.8 6.5 6.4 6.5 D= 6.42 ± 0.30 cm

6.9+5.8+ 6.5+6.4+6.5
average= =¿ 6.42 cm
5

Exp 2: -

M 1 (kg) 0.1 D 1 (m) 0.456 Torque τ 1( Nm) 0.045 D2 (m) 0.489

M 2 (kg) 0.093 0.095 0.093 0.083 0.093 ⟨ M 2 ⟩ =0.092± 0.03 Kg

0.093+ 0.095+ 0.093+0.083+0.093

average= =0.092kg
5

Exp 3: -

M 1 (kg) 0.1 D(m) 0.158 Torque τ 1( Nm) 0.015 D3 (m) 0.15

M 3 (kg) 0.095 0.09 0.1125 0.095 0.77 ⟨ M 3 ⟩ =0.233 ±0.30 Kg
 0.105+ 0.09+ 0.1125+0.095+ 0.77
average= =0.235 kg
5

Exp 4: -

Mass of 10cm bit,

0.09
mi kg

About end of ruler About center of ruler

i r i (m) r 2i (m2 ). r i (m) r 2i (m2 ).

1 0.05 0.002 0.05 0.002

2 0.15 0.0022 -0.05 0.002

3 0.25 0.062 0.15 0.022

4 0.35 0.122 -0.15 0.022

5 0.45 0.202 0.25 0.062

6 0.55 0.302 -0.25 0.062

7 0.65 0.422 0.35 0.122

8 0.75 0.562 -0.35 0.122

9 0.85 0.722 0.45 0.202

10 0.95 0.902 -0.45 0.202

∑ r 2i 3.32 ∑ r 2i 0.82
i i

I 1=mi ∑ r 2i 0.31 I 2=mi ∑ r 2i 0.078

i i

M L2 M L2
n1 = (3 sig. fig) 3.006 n2 = 12.1
I1 I2

n1 (integer) 3 n2 (integer) 12
Analysis: -

Experiment 2:

0.456 0.489

Antilock Clockwise
wise moment
moment
0.1 M2

 clock wise moment=anti clock wise moment

M 2 D2 =M 1 D1

M 1 D1 0.1 × 0.458
M 2= = =0.092
D2 0.489

Experiment 3:

0.158 0.15

Antilock Clockwis
wise e
moment moment

M3 0.1

 clock wise moment=anti clock wise moment

M 3 D3 =M 1 D1
 M 1 D 1 0.1× 0.15
M 3= = =0.095
D3 0.158

Experiment 4:
M1
M3 M2 r2

M r1 r1

I =mi ∑ r 2i =∫ r 2 dm
i

 I 1=0.095 ×3.25=0.31

0.095
 n1 = 0.316 =3.0

 I 2=0.095 ×0.825=0.078

0.095
 n1 = 0.0784 =12

Q) In the terms of torque and rotational equilibrium, explain why the

centre of gravity of hanging plastic shape must lie on a vertical line below
the suspension point when it is suspended.
Ans) Overall moment or torque must be zero for the shape of the plastic for it to be in
equilibrium. If it’s not moving and is stationary this means that the its balanced, and moment
is zero, in order to achieve this the centre of gravity must be below line that is vertical.

Q) State one reason why the experimental procedure and/or apparatus

could give slightly different values for M2 for each group. Human error
(making a mistake) is not an acceptable reason, nor is saying that the M2
values are different.
Ans) Ruler that is are used is made up of wood and it was not balanced so we had to make
holes in it on the either side of its centre of gravity so that it could be balanced. It also
depends upon the person on how much holes he makes and where on the ruler. Another point
can be made is that the wood is thin sometimes and can be thick sometimes which could
affect the final value.

Conclusion
In conclusion I would say that through this lab we found the rotational inertia of the ruler and
the centre of the mass.
Appendix