Torsional Pendulum Preliminary experiment

A2 Physics Coursework Aim: To investigate a Torsional Pendulum. Research and equations: As we are working in circular motion, rather than linear motion, the equations that will help me investigate the Torsional pendulum will have to be derived. Here is how it is derived. Using Force= Mass x Acceleration which is what you use for linear motion, this becomes Torque=Moment of Inertia x Angular acceleration. Using Force= -kx from a simple pendulum, this becomes Force=- Torsional Constant x Angular displacement Therefore This can definitely be compared to a=-?2x and becomes However therefore I then found out the exact expression which allowed me to directly work out I and K. The moment of inertia was simply mL2 However for the Torsional constant I first found the formula for the polar moment of inertia which was Ip=?d4/32 and the angle of twist ?=TL/GIp this was rearranged to T= GIp/L where T is the Torsional constant, then substituting in Ip I got Torsional constant= Using the equation I can now substitute in expressions for I and K to get an overall equation which came out to be: T=2? T=Time Period I=Moment of Inertia of the bar L=Length of wire G= Shear Modulus of material d= diameter of wire The following web pages were used to help me derive these equations: http://www.engin.umich.edu/students/ELRC/me211/me211/flash/tors_derivation15.swf

  • Word count: 1593
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Science
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Task- To make a model sycamore seed that can fly easily and stay in the air so in real life it would have the best chance to be carried away.

Sycamore Seed Experiment Task- To make a model sycamore seed that can fly easily and stay in the air so in real life it would have the best chance to be carried away. Aim In this investigation I have been asked to find out how long it takes for a paper helicopter to fall 2 metres. After doing this I shall investigate other ways of changing the timing of its landing. I shall do this by using a range of variables. These include of: Ÿ Length of wings Ÿ Number of tails *I have chosen to use the variable of the number of paperclips being added to the tail of the paper helicopter that I shall make. The gravitational force, which pulls the object downwards, is called the weight of the object. Isaac Newton stated that there is a gravitational force of attraction between any two objects with mass, which depends on their masses, and the distance between them. I think with this information I can easily say that by adding more and more paperclips on to the tail of the paper helicopter it will gain more weight, which will cause the gravitational force to pull it downwards rather than upwards as there is a bigger mass pulling it downwards. I also chose to use this variable instead of changing the length of the wings because I thought that it would have a much more affective difference in the timing of its landing. *In this investigation in order to get the best results

  • Word count: 1588
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Science
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Investigating the relationship between force, mass and acceleration

Investigating the relationship between force, mass and acceleration Aim: To prove Newton's second law, F=ma. Hypothesis: We expect to find that as force increases the acceleration will increase. This relationship should be proportional. On the other hand, we expect to find an inversely proportional relationship between mass and acceleration. As the mass increases, the acceleration will decrease. Apparatus: o Dynamics trolleys o Ramp o Light gates o Stopwatch o Masses 100g, 1kg o String o Card Diagram: Method . Set up apparatus as shown in the diagram. 2. Set up light gate computer to measure the acceleration of the trolley as it travels down the ramp. 3. Add a mass on 100g (1N) to the end of the trolley and measure its acceleration as it travels down the ramp. Repeat this twice more. Record all results. 4. Add on another 100g mass to the end and measure the acceleration. Carry on adding masses and taking three readings until you have reached a mass on 500g. This is varying the force acting on the trolley. 5. Next, remove all but one mass of the end of the trolley and add a 1kg weight on top of the trolley. Measure the trolleys new acceleration as it travels down the ramp. 6. Repeat this for a mass of 2kg. This varies the mass of the trolley while keeping the force constant. 7. Plot two graphs of your results. One showing force against acceleration and

  • Word count: 667
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Science
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The factors affecting the deflection of a cantilever when weights are added onto the end.

Physics Investigation I am trying to find out about: The factors affecting the deflection of a cantilever when weights are added onto the end. What I think will happen: I think that as the weights are added to the cantilever, the deflection will increase. I think this will happen because: I think the deflection will increase because gravity will push down on the cantilever and weights while the atoms in the cantilever will be resisting this force: - I know that MOMENT = FORCE(N) X DISTANCE This means that the moment of the weights is the distance from the bench (or pivot) multiplied by the number of Newtons attached to the hook. As I know that the moment increases as more weight is added, I can use this to back-up my prediction by stating that more weight (or moment) causes more deflection e.g. I predict that weight is directly proportional to deflection. This could also be likened to a bimetallic strip, which will bend more as it is increasingly heated or cooled. The atoms in a solid are rather like a spring in that if they are stretched, they will try to return to their original position when released (unless stretched beyond their elastic limit). An example is a cube (see next page): When one atom is pulled, any atoms connected to this atom will try to pull each other back into their original shape. The atoms in the cantilever are being stretched so that the

  • Word count: 992
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Science
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Determination of the acceleration due to gravity (g) by free fall.

Determination of the acceleration due to gravity (g) by free fall In this experiment we will determine the acceleration of gravity g by measuring the time of fight for balls dropped from a known height. I also verify that the acceleration due to gravity does not depend on the mass of the ball. The falling body in this experiment will be a metal ball, which falls freely from the catch at the top of the apparatus to the pad below it. The apparatus is designed to record the time of flight for the ball. When the ball is in the catch, it forms part of an electrical circuit. When the ball is released, the circuit breaks and the timer start. The pad acts as a switch, such that when the ball hits it the timer is stopped. Knowledge: Any object, which is moving, and being acted upon only be the force of gravity is said to be "in a state of free fall." This definition of free fall leads to two important characteristics about a free-falling object: * Free-falling objects do not encounter air resistance. * In the absence of air resistance, all objects in free-fall near the surface of the Earth will experience the same uniform acceleration Gravity: The force of gravity is the force at which the earth, moon, or other massively large object attracts another object towards itself. By definition, this is the weight of the object. All objects upon earth experience a force of gravity,

  • Word count: 1897
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Science
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SHM: determining acceleration due to gravity

Student Name: WONG Wing Yan Class and class no. : 6G2 (22) Date of experiment: 25th March, 2009 Experiment 5 - SHM: determining acceleration due to gravity Objective In this experiment, we are going to study the simple harmonic motion of a simple pendulum. The acceleration due to gravity (g) can be estimated by the following set-up. Apparatus * Retort stand and clamp * String 1.5m long * Protractor * Pendulum bob * G-clamp * Metre ruler * Stop watch Setup Theory A simple pendulum can perform a simple harmonic motion as shown in figure 2. The acceleration due to gravity can be determined if we know the period (T) of the SHM and the length of the string (). A light string with its upper end fixed and lower end attached to a pendulum bob mass m is shown. When the string is held to make and angle with the vertical, the bob displaces an arc length . The restorting force acting perpendicular to the bob is If the bob is released, it will move with an acceleration (a) towards the equilibrium position O. By Netwon's second law of motion, we have: For small angle (e.g. < 10), we have sin and therefore sin. Hence, it becomes: As the bob continues to move, it performs a simple harmonic motion with angular velocity () and it has an acceleration (). By comparing it with the equation, we have: However, the period can be shown as follows: Note that period of the

  • Word count: 1115
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Science
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The Spinners Investigation.

The Spinners Investigation The prediction for this investigation is the shorter the wingspan of the spinner the faster it will fall the 2.59m to the floor. I think this because with shortening the wingspan I'm making the surface area smaller this means less air resistance acting upon it when it is falling. There will be an unbalanced force because gravity will always be the same but the air resistance will get smaller with every half centimetre I cut off, so there will be less area for the air resistance to act upon. The apparatus you need for this experiment are the following things: A paper spinner A paperclip (to give the spinner some weight) A table to which you can stand on to hold the spinner to the height of 2.59m (the ceiling) A stop clock A table to record the results (the results are the times taken to reach the floor) In order to make the investigation fair: You will only change the length of the wing span because that is the variable you are using; changing anything else would mean the experiment would be corrupted. The things you have to keep the same are the spinner; you will use the same spinner throughout the experiment. Keep the height the same too. In this investigation you have to count the time taken for the spinner to fall the 2.59m to the floor from the ceiling and measure the length of the spinner since you change that yourself. When you

  • Word count: 1185
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Science
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Investigatin a ski jump

Investigating a ski-jump Aim:To investigate how the starting position of a ski jumper affects the horizontal distance travelled in the jump. I will not take air resistance, friction and other various type of energy lost into account, however in practical I have to keep in mind that they do exist and cause variation in my results. Introduction Ski jumping is a sport event that involves a steep ramp and a landing zone, where the skier has to travel as far as possible after leaving the ramp horizontally. When the skier is in motion in the air and the range it reaches is what I am investigating. This motion is called the projectile motion and the displacement, velocity and acceleration of the projectile are all vector quantities. Each of these can be placed into vertical and horizontal components. In my experiment, I will create a similar model of the ski jump using a plastic curtain rail as the slope and model the skier as a particle, in this case, a ball bearing. Diagram This is a diagram of the basic equipment setup This investigation has much room for expansion on the original above setup. The accuracy can be improved using a combination of more sensitive measuring equipment and a more accurate measuring setup. Background Knowledge Speed = Distance Re-arrange Time

  • Word count: 2596
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Science
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Sliding beaker investigation.

Sliding Beaker Investigation Plan In this investigation I will be finding out what force will push a beaker along a flat surface the best. The factors which could affect my investigation are: * The surface that the beaker is on - if the surface is rough it could slow the beaker down, whereas if the surface is smooth it could be easier for the beaker to slide along. * The mass of the beaker - the bigger the mass, the further and faster the beaker will travel. * The force used to push the beaker - the bigger the force used to push the beaker, the further and faster the beaker will travel. For this investigation I will be changing the force used to push the beaker because I feel that this would be easier to measure. The apparatus I will be using is: * A Newton meter * Elastic band * Table * Plastic beaker * 100gm weight * Metre stick * Stool Method . Place the elastic band on the stool legs and place the stool on the table surface. 2. Place the 100gm weight in the beaker (to make sure that the beaker isn't too light, so it doesn't go flying off the table). 3. Place the metre stick beside the stool and place the beaker in front of the elastic band. 4. Attach the Newton meter to the elastic band and pull back with a force of two Newtons 5. Remove the Newton meter from the elastic band taking care not to release the elastic band. 6. Let go of the elastic band

  • Word count: 1089
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Science
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To investigate the affect of changing the force applied to a cantilever on its deflection.

Sam Beese 11.F Cantilevers Any structure that overhangs e.g. a bride is known as a cantilever. There is a direct relationship between the applied force and deflection of a cantilever. Aim: To investigate the affect of changing the force applied to a cantilever on its deflection. Planning: Equipment: * Meter stick - to act as a cantilever * Meter stick - to measure deflection * Retort stand to hold measuring meter stick * G clamp - to clamp cantilever to bench * 100g masses - to provide the applied force (100g feels1.0N) Procedure: * Clamp the end of the meter stick to the bench * Tie measuring meter tick to a retort stand such as a stool at the other end of the meter stick * Measure the current deflection and record as the deflection at 0.0N * Apply first 100g mass * Measure and record the change in deflection * Repeat the above for the next 5 100g masses Variables: In order to make this a fair test the following must be kept constant: * Type an thickness of the ruler (e.g. thicker rulers will deflect less) * Length of ruler (the greater the length is the greater the deflection) * Distance from clamped end the force is applied to ruler (the greater the deflection will be because the turning effect is greater * Method of measuring the deflection (use the same line of sight/point on the ruler) If these are not kept constant the test will not be

  • Word count: 711
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Science
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