KOM Expt. No. 2

MIT Art, Design and Technology University
MIT School of Engineering, Pune

Department of Mechanical Engineering
Subject: Kinematics of Machinery Class: SE Mech.
Experiment No.: 02
Aim: To determine experimentally the mass moment of inertia of a connecting rod using a
compound pendulum method.
Objectives: To study and determine radius of gyration, mass moment of inertia and thus center
of gravity of connecting rod by theory of compound pendulum.
Outcomes: Will demonstrate an ability to study and determine radius of gyration, mass moment
of inertia and thus center of gravity of connecting rod by theory of compound pendulum.
Equipment Required:
1. Connecting rod
2. Stop watch.
3. Scale
Theory:
1) Mass Moment of Inertia (I):

It has been established since long that a rigid body is composed of small particles. If the
mass of every particle of a body is multiplied by the square of the perpendicular distance from a
fixed line, then the sum of these quantities (for the whole body) is known as mass moment of
inertia of the body. It is denoted by I.
Consider a body of total mass m. Let it is composed of small particles of masses m1, m2,
m3, m4 etc. If k1, k2, k3, k4 are the distances of these masses from a fixed line as shown in
fig.1.1 then the mass moment of inertia of the whole body is given by,
I = m1 (k1)2 + m2 (k2)2 + m3 (k3)2 + m4 (k4)2 +..
I = m.k2
The S.I unit of mass moment of inertia is Kgm2.
2) Radius of Gyration (k):

It is defined as the distance from a given reference where the whole mass of the body is
assumed to be concentrated to give the same value of I. It is denoted by k, and its unit is m.
______________________________________________________________________________
MIT School of Engineering, Pune Department of Mechanical Engineering 1
3) Compound Pendulum:
When a rigid body is suspended vertically and it oscillates with small amplitude under the
action of force of gravity, the body is known as compound pendulum.
A rigid body such as connecting rod suspended as shown in Fig.
Let,
l = Length of connecting rod from point of suspension
m = mass of compound pendulum.
G = C. G. of compound pendulum.
k = radius of gyration about on axis through C. G. and perpendicular to plane of motion.
a & b = Equivalent length of simple pendulum when the axis of oscillation coincides with the
small and big end centers respectively.
Fn = frequency of oscillation in Hz.
Here, rigid body motion is approximately S.H.M. and
Frequency of oscillation of compound pendulum is given by,
1 ga
Fn = ; Hz
2 k a2
2
Fig.: Compound Pendulum
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Experimental Setup:
The experimental set up consists of rigid frame with point of suspension for connecting
rod to perform the experiment.
Procedure:
1. Take a connecting rod and suspend it at small end.
2. Give it a small angular displacement around 4.
3. Measure the time required for completing oscillations by using stop watch.
4. Repeat the same procedure 3 times when it is suspended at small end.
5. Similarly repeat the above procedure 2, 3 and 4, when suspended at bigger end and note
down the reading in observation table.
Observations:
1. Mass of connecting rod: m = kg
2. Distance between two suspended end: l = m
Observation Table:
Sr. End Time for oscillations (in sec.) Average time

No. condition T1 T2 T3 (Tavg )
Small
1. End
Big
2. End
Calculation:
For small end:
Fn1 = No of oscillations/ Tavg = = cycles /second
l=a + b= a = l b =
Frequency of oscillation
1 ga
Fn1 = =
2 k a2
2
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Squaring both sides :-
g.a
( Fn1)2 =
k 2 a2
k2 = ( )a - a2 (equation is in this form) -----------------------(i)

For big end :-
Fn2 = No of oscillations/ Tavg = = cycles /second
Frequency of oscillation
1 g.b
Fn2 = =
2 k b2
2
Squaring both sides

g.b
( Fn2)2 =
k b2
2
k2 = ( )b - b2 (equation is in this form) ------(ii)
Equating (i) and (ii) and calculate the values of a, b and k
a = m
b = m
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using equation (i) or (ii)) find value of k
k= m
Mass moment of inertia of connecting rod IG = m k2
= kg-m2
Results:
1. Radius of gyration of connecting rod (k) = m
2. Mass moment of inertia of connecting rod (IG) = kg-m2
Precautions:
1. Before giving displacement to the connecting rod keep it in equilibrium.
2. The angle of displacement should not be more than 4 so that oscillations should not get
disturbed.
3. Maintain accuracy in reading.
Conclusion:
One can determine the radius of gyration and mass moment of inertia of connecting rod
by using theory of compound pendulum and hence determine the center of gravity of connecting
rod.
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MIT Art, Design and Technology University

MIT School of Engineering, Pune

Subject: Kinematics of Machinery Class: SE Mech.

1) Mass Moment of Inertia (I):

2) Radius of Gyration (k):

Fig.: Compound Pendulum

Sr. End Time for oscillations (in sec.) Average time

k2 = ( )a - a2 (equation is in this form) -----------------------(i)

Squaring both sides

k2 = ( )b - b2 (equation is in this form) ------(ii)

Equating (i) and (ii) and calculate the values of a, b and k

Mass moment of inertia of connecting rod IG = m k2

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