Phys 151L/170L – Physics I Laboratory
Experiment: Moment of Inertia of a Wheel
Due date: Friday 11/6/20 (submission on Laulima as pdf)
/49 points
Instructions: Please adhere to the guidelines in the syllabus to prepare your solution. You must
show all calculations clearly. If you don't, you will not receive credit.
Theory (6pts total, 1pt each)
1) What is the moment of inertia? Try to describe it concisely in your ownwords.
The tendency of a body to resist angular acceleration.
2) What are the units of moment of inertia?
Kg m^2
3) What is torque and its SI unit? Try to describe it concisely in your own words.
Torque is the rotational force of an object.
Kg*m^2*s^-2
4) What is the relationship between linear position x and angle θ?
X = Rθ
5) What is the relationship between torque τ , moment of inertia I, and angular acceleration
??
τ = Iα
6) Consider two wheels, A and B. If B has twice the moment of inertia of A, which wheel
would be more difficult to rotate if A and B both start at rest?
A would be more difficult to rotate.
Procedure (3pts total, 1pt each)
1) The wheel is composed of how many cylinders?
3
2) How many trials were conducted for each mass?
5
3) What were the two mass values used in this experiment?
150g 100g
Data Analysis (20pts total, 1pt each except as specified)
(5pts each) Fill in the following data tables:
1. For the density and theoretical moment of inertia for each of the three cylinders that
compose the wheel