Torsion Pendulum - Moment of Inertia


Preform the Torsion Pendulum experiment.  Disk or disk-with-ring or disk-with-two-cylinders can be chosen and a rod of brass of 0.865 m length and three different radii.

Place the two assembly blocks on the torsion pendulum support board base and place the disk (and also ring if used) on top of them.  Pass the desired rod through the disk hole and then up into the rod hanger.  Tighter the thumb screw on the rod hanger and then the thumb screw on the disk.  Make sure the thumb screws are tightening into the rod end notches. Pull ot the two assembly blocks.

The components all have labels with dimensions, masses, and moments of inertia for the components and the torsion constants for the rods.

The linked document below has photos; complete dimensions, masses, and moments of inertia for the components; the torsion constants for the rods; equations; sample calculated periods; and sample measured periods.

You can do as much or as little in lecture, using the calculations in the document.

 

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Torsion Pendulum