Rolling Disc Mass Moment Inertia

Experiment Instructions
TM 611 Rolling Disc on Inclined

Plane
TM 611 ROLLING DISC ON INCLINED PLANE
All rights reserved, G.U.N.T. Gerätebau, Barsbüttel, Germany 01/2010
Experiment Instructions
This manual must be kept by the unit.
Before operating the unit:

- Read this manual.
- All participants must be instructed on
handling of the unit and, where appropriate,
on the necessary safety precautions.
Version 0.1 Subject to technical alterations
i
Table of Contents
1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.1 Intended Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.1 Design of the Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.2 Angle Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.3 Pendulum Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.4 Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.5 Startup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3 Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.1 Free Fall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.2 Moment of Inertia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
4 Experiments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.1 Inclined Plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.2 Pendulum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
5 Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5.1 Technical Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5.2 List of Formula Symbols and Units (Extract) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
ii
1 Introduction
With the G.U.N.T. TM 611 „Rolling disc on an

inclined plane” unit fundamental experiments
relating to motion can be performed.
The range of experimentation covers the following
experiments:
• Determining the mass moment of inertia by
rolling experiment
• Determining the mass moment of inertia by
pendulum experiment
• Demonstration of the law of falling bodies on an
inclined plane
• Influence of mass on acceleration
• Influence of diameter on acceleration
The experiment can be set up quickly based on a
simple height adjustment system. The angle of
inclination is indicated by an angulometer. The
distance is measured with a meter stick directly on
the roll track.
A separate pendulum support is provided for the
pendulum experiment.
Due to its ease of operation and handling, the unit
is extremely well suited to laboratory experiments.
The range of possible experiments can be
extended by using additional disks.
The unit is designed only for educational and
experimental purposes.
1.1 Intended Use
The unit is to be used only for teaching purposes.
1 Introduction 1
2 Description
2.1 Design of the Unit
3 2 1 6 4 5
8 7 5
1 Carrier 5 Disk
2 Angulometer 6 Bubble level
3 Height adjustment 7 Pendulum support
4 Meter stick 8 Base plate
Fig. 2.1
The unit is designed as a benchtop unit. Its

simple, robust design ensures trouble-free
experimentation.
• Two carriers (1) with three-point bearing serve
as the inclined plane
• A height adjuster (2) to adjust the angle of
inclination.
• An angulometer (3) to gauge the angle of
inclination.
2 Description 2
• A 1000mm meter stick (4) to gauge the

distance.
• Two disks (5), self-centering by means of coni-
cal shaft journals.
• Three bubble levels (6) for precise alignment.
• A pendulum support (7) on its own base
plate (8).
2.2 Angle Adjustment

1
2
1 Spindle
2 Pointer
0 10
3 Angulometer
Fig. 2.2
The angle of inclination is adjusted using the

height adjuster. The spindle (1) is turned until the
angulometer shows the desired value (3).
The angulometer works on the principle of a plum-
met line. The intrinsic weight of the pointer (2)
always returns it to the vertical.
2 Description 3
2.3 Pendulum Support
5
6
4
3
1 Box level 4 Disk

2 Base plate 5 Pin
3 Star grip screws 6 Slot
Fig. 2.3
First the pendulum support and base plate should

be aligned. A box level (1) is attached to the base
plate (2) to assist levelling.
Turn the star grip screws (3) until the bubble in the
bubble level is exactly in the middle. Then lock the
star grip screws with the nuts.
Slot the pin (5) through the desired disk (4) so that
it protrudes by the same distance on both sides.
Then hang the disk in the slot (6) in the pendulum
support.
2 Description 4
2.4 Disk
The disks have a conical journal on both sides.

These conical shaft journals centre the disks
automatically as they roll down an inclined plane.
The roll diameter on the journal is 10mm on both
disks. The outer diameter of the large disk is
10
100mm, the small disk 70 mm.

Fig. 2.4
2.5 Startup
Prior to startup, the operating instructions should

be read carefully and all participants in the
experiment should be instructed as to proper
handling of the unit.
Proceed as follows to start up the unit:
• Place the unit on a flat, even base (e.g. a
benchtop).
• Align the unit using the star grip screws and the
bubble levels (inclined plane and pendulum
support).
• Adjust the angle on the inclined plane.
• Set the desired disk at the zero position on the
inclined plane.
2 Description 5
3 Principles
3.1 Free Fall

A major example of a uniformly accelerated
movement is free fall. As first discovered by
Galileo, a free falling body undergoes uniformly
accelerated motion in close proximity to the Earth
when the air resistance is negligible in relation to
the weight of the body. The result of this is that all
bodies, regardless of their shape, nature and
weight, fall equally quickly.
This motion is termed free fall. The amount of

acceleration directed towards the centre of the
Earth, the acceleration of free fall, is
g = 9,81m/s2.
The final speed of a free falling body depends only
on the height which it has fallen.
v = 2gh (3.1)
Galileo recognised at the time the correlation

between the distance of the fall and the time taken
to fall. The distance fallen is proportional to the
square of the time taken to fall.
When a ball is rolled in a trough on an inclined
plane below the angle  to the horizontal, it rolls
more slowly the smaller the angle  is. The
vertical downward-acting acceleration g of the
free fall can be broken down into the two
components g  cos  perpendicular to the plane
and g  sin  parallel to the plane. Since the
acceleration component directed perendicular to
the track is cancelled out by the rigidity of the track
plane, the only acceleration acting on the rolling
ball is g  sin  . Consequently, the ball covers a
shorter distance than in free fall.
3 Principles 6
3.2 Moment of Inertia
The behaviour of all bodies in retaining the state

of rest or a uniformly straight-line movement is
caused by a property of the bodies termed inertia.
We therefore refer to this behaviour as the law of
inertia. According to Newton, the law of inertia is
defined as stating that any mass point remains at
rest or in a state of uniform movement on a
straight path as long as no forces are acting on it.
When a disk is allowed to roll down an inclined
plane, it undergoes uniformly accelerated motion.

The amount of the acceleration depends on the
angle of inclination and the moment of inertia,
which counteracts the acceleration. A body may
have different moments of inertia depending on
the distance of the mass from the rotational axis.
The literature details the mass moments of inertia
for a number of different bodies. For a disk, as in
our experiment, the moment of inertia is:
1 2
J = ---  m  R (3.2)
2
The acceleration is calculated as follows:
2
m  g  sin   r
a = --------------------------------------- (3.3)
J
3 Principles 7
4 Experiments
4.1 Inclined Plane
Set the desired inclination of the inclined plane as

described under Chapter 2.2, Page 3. Using the
meter stick, the measurement distance can be
selected between 0mm and 1000mm. A
stopwatch is also required.
Place the desired disk at the zero position on the
track. Make sure the mid point of the rotational
axis is located at the marking, and that the disk is
positioned in the centre.

Let the disk go and start the stopwatch. At the end
of the desired distance stop the watch and the
disk. Make sure the watch is only stopped when
the mid point has reached the measurement
mark.
NOTICE
Repeat the measurement procedure several
times in order to minimise measurement errors.
Then calculate a mean value for each series of
experiments.
In exemplary measurements the following values

were obtained and entered in Tab. 4.1. With the
averaged values the acceleration a can be
calculated.
2
R
R rr
a = m  g  sin   r -
-------------------------------------- (4.1)
J

1 2
J = ---  m  R (4.2)
2
Fig. 4.1
4 Experiments 8
where:
mla = 0,623kg; msm = 0,318kg
g = 9,81 m/s2
r = 0,005m
Rla = 0,05m; Rsm = 0,035m

sin  = 1°...7°
Large disk Small disk

Angle Measured Measured
in° Mean value Mean value
value value
t measla t meassm
tmeas in sec tmeas in sec
1 28,26 19,66
27,99 27,93 19,45 19,67
27,55 19,91
2 16,99 11,68
16,85 16,85 11,59 11,64
16,70 11,65
3 13,67 9,54
13,97 13,80 9,64 9,58
13,77 9,56
4 11,70 8,02
11,72 11,70 8,16 8,09
11,68 8,10
5 10,56 7,31
10,71 10,61 7,30 7,38
10,55 7,52
6 9,77 6,56
9,59 9,59 6,66 6,65
9,42 6,72
7 8,92 6,22
8,88 8,92 6,20 6,16
8,97 6,06
Tab. 4.1Roll time for a distance of 1000mm
4 Experiments 9
Example:  = 3°; s = 1m
2
 9,81  sin 3  0 005 -
a la = 2
------------------------------------------------------------- (4.3)
2
0,05
2
a la = 0,01027m  s (4.4)

··


2 s
m gg sin
m  sin  t calla = ---------- (4.5)
a
F
FNN

21 -
m gg
m t calla = -------------------- (4.6)
0,01027
Fig. 4.2
t calla = 13,95s (4.7)
The accelerations and the calculated times are

entered in Fig. 4.3, Page 11. The accelerations
for both disks were ascertained. In the two right-
hand columns enter the percentage deviations
between the measured value and the calculation.
The extreme deviation at the 1-degree position is
explained by the strong influence of the rolling
friction.
4 Experiments 10
Acceleration Calculated time Measured time

Deviation in %
Angle in m/s2 in s. in s.
in °
ala asm tcalla tcalsm tmeasla tmeassm devla devsm
1 0,00342 0,00699 24,18 16,92 27,93 19,67 +15,5 +16,3
2 0,00685 0,01397 17,09 11,97 16,85 11,64 -1,4 -2,8
3 0,01027 0,02096 13,95 9,77 13,80 9,58 -1,1 -1,9
4 0,01369 0,02793 12,09 8,46 11,70 8,09 -3,2 -4,4
5 0,01710 0,03490 10,81 7,57 10,61 7,38 -1,9 -2,5
6 0,02051 0,04185 9,87 6,91 9,59 6,65 -2,8 -3,8

7 0,02391 0,04880 9,14 6,40 8,92 6,16 -2,4 -3,8
Fig. 4.3 Values for acceleration and time for a distance of 1000m
The minor deviations in the measured values

result from measurement inaccuracies and the
influence of the friction.
For graphical evaluation, the values should be
plotted in the distance/time graph, the speed/time
graph and the acceleration/time graph. No
graphical evaluation has been made here,
because this form of evaluation is given in the
literature.
4 Experiments 11
4.2 Pendulum
Perform the pendulum experiment as follows: Slot

the straight pin supplied through the disk which is
to be swung. The disk is slotted into the pendulum
support (see Chapter 2.3, Page 4). Swing the disk
and time a certain number of oscillations, such as
10.
NOTICE
Repeat the measurement procedure several
times in order to minimise measurement errors.

Then calculate a mean value for each time mea-
surement.
Based on the time, the mass and the distance

from the centre of gravity, the moment of inertia
can be calculated.
From the averaged value first calculate the time
for one oscillation. Then the moment of inertia can
be determined with the measured natural
frequency.
T = 1
--- (4.8)
f
0 = 2    f (4.9)
The general differential equation for oscillations

is:
·· ·
 + 2  D   0   +  02   = 0 (4.10)
4 Experiments 12
where:
D = 0 (4.11)
·· 2
 + 0   = 0 (4.12)
The balance of moments around the pivot point

looks as follows:
··
 M0 = 0 = J 0   + m  g  sin   s
(4.13)
For a minimal excursion sin  becomes  .
··
   J s + m  s2  + m  g  s   = 0 (4.14)
mgs-
·· --------------------------
 + 2
 = 0 (4.15)
Js + m  s
Js = m  g  s- – m  s 2
------------------- (4.16)
0 2
The distance from the pivot point to the centre of

gravity is 10mm. The masses of the disks amount
to 623g for the large disk and 319g for the small
one.
Based on this pendulum method the mass
moment of inertia of any body can be ascertained.
4 Experiments 13
5 Appendix
5.1 Technical Data
Main dimensions
LxWxH 1200 x 300 x 280 mm
Weight 10 kg
Large disk
Outer diameter 100 mm
Roll diameter 10 mm
Pendulum radius 10 mm
Mass 623 g
2
Mass moment of inertia 0,000779 kg  m
Small disk
Outer diameter 70 mm
Roll diameter 10mm
Pendulum radius 10 mm
Mass 319 g
2
Mass moment of inertia 0,000195 kg  m
Inclined plane
max. length 1000 mm
max. angle of inclination 7 °
5 Appendix 14
5.2 List of Formula Symbols and Units (Extract)
Formula symbol Quantity Unit
t measla Mean value of roll time of the large disk s
t meassm Mean value of roll time of the small disk s
tcalla Calculated roll time of the large disk s
tcalsm Calculated roll time of the small disk s
ala Acceleration of the large disk m/s2

asm Acceleration of the small disk m/s2
devla Deviation of the large disk %
devsm Deviation of the small disk %
5 Appendix 15

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Experiment Instructions

TM 611 Rolling Disc on Inclined

This manual must be kept by the unit.

Before operating the unit:

Version 0.1 Subject to technical alterations

With the G.U.N.T. TM 611 „Rolling disc on an

1.1 Intended Use

The unit is to be used only for teaching purposes.

2.1 Design of the Unit

The unit is designed as a benchtop unit. Its

• A 1000mm meter stick (4) to gauge the

2.2 Angle Adjustment

The angle of inclination is adjusted using the

2.3 Pendulum Support

1 Box level 4 Disk

First the pendulum support and base plate should

The disks have a conical journal on both sides.

100mm, the small disk 70 mm.

Prior to startup, the operating instructions should

3.1 Free Fall

This motion is termed free fall. The amount of

Galileo recognised at the time the correlation

3.2 Moment of Inertia

The behaviour of all bodies in retaining the state

plane, it undergoes uniformly accelerated motion.

The acceleration is calculated as follows:

4.1 Inclined Plane

Set the desired inclination of the inclined plane as

positioned in the centre.

In exemplary measurements the following values

Rla = 0,05m; Rsm = 0,035m

Large disk Small disk

Tab. 4.1Roll time for a distance of 1000mm

t calla = 13,95s (4.7)

The accelerations and the calculated times are

Acceleration Calculated time Measured time

1 0,00342 0,00699 24,18 16,92 27,93 19,67 +15,5 +16,3

2 0,00685 0,01397 17,09 11,97 16,85 11,64 -1,4 -2,8

3 0,01027 0,02096 13,95 9,77 13,80 9,58 -1,1 -1,9

4 0,01369 0,02793 12,09 8,46 11,70 8,09 -3,2 -4,4

5 0,01710 0,03490 10,81 7,57 10,61 7,38 -1,9 -2,5

6 0,02051 0,04185 9,87 6,91 9,59 6,65 -2,8 -3,8

7 0,02391 0,04880 9,14 6,40 8,92 6,16 -2,4 -3,8

The minor deviations in the measured values

Perform the pendulum experiment as follows: Slot

times in order to minimise measurement errors.

Based on the time, the mass and the distance

The general differential equation for oscillations

The balance of moments around the pivot point

For a minimal excursion sin  becomes  .

The distance from the pivot point to the centre of

5.1 Technical Data

5.2 List of Formula Symbols and Units (Extract)

Formula symbol Quantity Unit

t measla Mean value of roll time of the large disk s

t meassm Mean value of roll time of the small disk s

tcalla Calculated roll time of the large disk s

tcalsm Calculated roll time of the small disk s

ala Acceleration of the large disk m/s2