Download Laboratory 9: Torque and Rotation - General Physics | PHY 201 and more Lab Reports Physics in PDF only on Docsity! Phy201: General Physics I Laboratory Instructor: Tony Zable 1 Laboratory #9: Torque & Rotation Objectives To compare the rotational motion of objects rolling down an incline Calculate the moment of inertia for various objects To apply the concept of torque and mechanical equilibrium to a balanced meter stick Calculate the mass of a meter stick knowing the conditions of equilibrium of a rigid body Preliminary Questions: In their final appearance in the physics lab, Brad and Angelina are sitting on a teeter-totter. Ignore the effects of friction and mass of their egos as well as that of the teeter-totter. a) Brad (with a mass of 80 kg) sits 2.0 m from the fulcrum. What is the torque exerted by Brad on the teeter-totter? b) For the teeter-totter to balance with Angelina sitting on the opposing end, how much torque must she exert on the teeter-totter? c) Draw a simple force vector diagram of the 2-person teeter-totter system. d) If Angelina has a mass of 50 kg, how far from the fulcrum must she sit so that the teeter-totter balances? e) If the teeter-totter is balanced, does it matter where you choose the fulcrum to be when calculating the torques associated with each force exerted on it? Explain. Phy201: General Physics I Laboratory Instructor: Tony Zable 2 A) Rotational Inertia 1) Obtain a hollow cylinder (a tin can with both ends cut out), a solid can (a full can of “ravioli” ought to do the trick), a solid (steel bearing) and a hollow sphere (racquetball). 2) Measure the mass and radius of each object. Record values in Table 1. Table 1: Initial Measurements Object Mass (kg) Radius, R (m) Moment of Inertia ( ) 3) Using a collision track, set-up a ramp at a slight incline. Measure and record the angle of the incline. 4) Measure a 1.0 m distance along the incline. Use tape to mark the beginning and end points. 5) Using a stop watch, measure the time it takes for the hollow cylinder to roll 1.0 m down the ramp. Record the distance and time in Table 2. 6) Repeat for each object. Table 2: Experimental values Object incline ralong ramp (m) t (s) aavg (m/s2) r =1.0 m
