1.

0 ABSTRACT
This experiment was carried out in order to identify the mass moment of inertia at the center
of gravity, IG and at the suspension point, IG1 and IG2 by oscillation. According to the data
obtained from the experiment, there were slight differences between the values of IG and IG
from the experiment data and the values from the theoretical. These differences occurred are
due to few potential factors which are further discussed. Since the wooden pendulum is
handled manually by hands to swing it, thus the pendulum tends to oscillates in non-uniform
motion especially when it is suspended at IG2. Although throughout the experiment, the
same value of mass of wooden pendulum is used, the value of IG and IG from both
suspension points shows a distinct value between them. However, the data was taken by
conducting two different suspension points in order to obtain the period of oscillation, T1 and
T2. Once the value of T is determined, then the value of IG and Io can be measured. Some
errors that occur are due to surrounding or human error such like external forces during
releasing the pendulum by hand, parallax error during adjusting the pendulum perpendicular
to the certain degrees required and many more. By using stopwatch, time taken for 10
oscillations was taken. At the end of the experiment, the theoretical calculation is used to
calculate the value of IG and Io.

2.0 INTRODUCTION

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A physical pendulum is a rigid body in which pivoted to swing in vertical plane as shown in
figure below. It is much more convenient compared to simple pendulum because its required
no string. Therefore, no tension is involved in this case. Furthermore, physical pendulum is
mechanically rigid and stable comparing with simple pendulum which can stretch and gave
inaccurate result. Wooden pendulum also enables gravity acting through the center of mass of
the rigid body. The length of pendulum used in equation is equal to linear distance between
pivot and center of mass (h). Consider a uniform rigid rod, pivoted from a frame as shown
in the figure, center of mass is at distance L/2 from the point of suspension.
O
Pivot

CM

d sin
mg

It is vital to understand about the relation that the time period is still independent of mass of
rigid body but to be clear the time period is not independent of mass distribution of the rigid
body. Any changing in size, shape or change in mass distribution will change the moment of
inertia of the rigid body about point of suspension. This will result in change of time period.
As it happened, point of oscillation will change when point of suspension changed.

l
CM
Pivot

Physical pendulum is widely used in

gravity surveys around the world.
using of this device in the experiment
because it is very effective to measure
g. One of the applications in our
daily life can be seen for example the
pendulum clock.
mg

3.0 OBJECTIVES

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1. To determine the mass moment of Inertia ( at centre of gravity

point

Io

IG

and at suspension

) by oscillation.

2. To obtain the relation of oscillation period of two different suspension point with same
mass.
3. To discover the variables which effect the oscillation period of physical pendulum.

4.0 THEORY
Wooden pendulum
The physical pendulum is the pendulum mass that are not concentrated at one point. Logically, it
will swing back and forth with constant amplitude and freely swing about same pivot point. The
period of oscillation of a physical pendulum is found with higher degree of accuracy by
theoretical and experimental. The compared with real pendulum are exposed with drag and air
force(friction) so affected the swings declines.
*Notes that this general equation use for simple harmonic pendulum.
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T =2

m
mg /L

= 2

L
g

*Notes that this general equation use for physical pendulum.

T =2

I
mgd

The period of oscillation(T) is analogous with a mathematical pendulum where its independences
with amplitude and gravitational acceleration.
m = total mass of pendulum.
g = acceleration gravity.
L = distance from the pivot point to the center of mass of the hanging mass.
r /d= distance from rotation axis to the center of mass.

*Notes that for a rigid body its constrained to rotated about a fixed axis, the gravitational
torque(Moment at origin) about axis.
This is equation for gravitational torque
=mgd sin

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Where M = the mass of the body , g =acceleration due to gravity , d = the distances from the axis
of rotation to the centre of mass , = angular displacement of the centre of mass from
equilibrium.
The angular frequency of oscillation
=

F=

mgd
I

* Notes in radians per second

1 mgd
2
I

= *Notes in cycles per second

So, we state that we choose the period general equation the physical pendulum is suitable with
this experiment.

To find out the moment of inertia

Consider the

2
T

as subs equation we easily find out the moment of inertia, I about pivot

point is related to the moment of inertia about the center of mass, I is due by parallel axis.
At the special case simple pendulum we use the equation I =mr to find out moment of inertia,
cause its start from pivot point we states
I = I + md
Moment at O :
M/ = - mgd sin
M/ = mgd

anti-clockwise

= 90

For this rigid body, we can find moment of inertia at O at different situation :
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IG

I =

+ md

where

I = mk + md

IG

is the moment of inertia at centre of gravity.

where K is the radius of gyration at centre of gravity.

Example calculation to find period of oscillation/radius of gyration

T =2

(m k 2+ md 2 )
mgd

*Notes that If the value k exist then we can find T. Meanwhile, if the value of T exist then we can
find value k.
Example calculation to find period of oscillation/moment of inertia

( I G + md 2 )
T =2
mgd
*Notes that if the value
we can find value

IG .

IG

exist then we can find T. Meanwhile, if the value of T exist then

All equation above are related each other.

5.0 APPARATUS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Wooden pendulum
V-support, cylindrical support
Ruler
Stopwatch
Protractor

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6.0 PROCEDURES
a) Dimensions of the wooden pendulum were taken using a ruler for the calculations.
b) The wooden pendulum was hanged on one end to the V-slot.
c) The wooden pendulum was then displaced to a 10 degrees angle to the right from its
initial position.
d) The wooden pendulum was then released to let it oscillate due to gravitational force.
Using a stopwatch, the periodic time of 10 oscillations were recorded.

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e) The average of the two periods was calculated for each suspension points. Next, repeated
again by displacing the angle to the left.
f) Then the V-slot was changed to the rod support and tested with same step. All the results
were recorded in a table.
g) Equations from Mathematical and Physical Pendulum were used to determine the mass
moment of inertia (

IG 1

and

IG 2

). The value that obtained was compared to the

value obtained from the manual calculation.

7.0 DATA AND RESULTS

1. Using V-support
Point

Angle,

Oscillation

Time, (s)

10

15.00

15

14.78

1
(clockwise)

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10

10

14.67

2
(counter clockwise)

15

14.58

Effective length, L = 0.7 m

2. Using rod support
Point

Angle,

Oscillation

Time, (s)

10

14.33

15

14.42

1
(clockwise)

10
2
(counter clockwise)

15

Effective length, L= 0.723 m

8.0 SAMPLE CALCULATION

A. EXPERIMENTAL SAMPLE CALCULATION
1) V-support
a. Average time per 10 oscillations for 100
T avg=

( 15.00+ 14.67 )
2

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10

14.51
14.66

T avg=14.835 s
b. Average time per oscillation
T=

14.835
10

T =1.4835 1.48 s
c. Average time per oscillation is also denoted as the period of the oscillation.

Therefore,
T=

2
L
=2 ( )

L=

T 2
xg
2

( )

L=

1.48
x 9.81
2

( )

L=0.544 m

d. Besides, we also can determine the distance of oscillation pivot and center of
gravity of the wooden pendulum.
RG =

0.711
2

RG =0.3555 0.356 m
e. Mass moment of inertia about centre of gravity

I o=L x m RG
I o=0.544 x 0.6(0.356)

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I o=0.116
I o=0.116 kg m2
f. Mass moment of inertia about center of gravity
I G =I o +m RG

I G =0.116+ 0.6 ( 0.356 )2

I G =0.03996 kg m2

2) Rod support
a) Average time per 10 oscillations for 100
T avg=

( 14.33+ 14.51 )
2
T avg=14.42 s
b) Average time per oscillation

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T=

14.42
10
T =1.442 1.44 s
c) Average time per oscillation is also denoted as the period of the oscillation.
Therefore,

T=

2
L
=2 ( )

g
2

L=

T
xg
2

( )

1.44
L=
x 9.81
2

( )

L=0.515 m

d) Besides, we also can determine the distance of oscillation pivot and center of
gravity of the wooden pendulum.
RG =
RG =0.362m

e) Mass moment of inertia about the pivot

I o=L x m RG
I o=0.515 x 0.6 (0.362)

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0.724
2

I o=0.1119
I o=0.1119 kg m2
f) Mass moment of inertia about center of gravity
I G =I o +m RG

I G =0.1119+0.6 ( 0.362 )

I G =0.03327 kg m2

B. THEORETICAL SAMPLE CALCULATION

I.

Determine the mass of each components

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Component 2

Component 3

Component 1

a) Total volume of the wooden pendulum.

V1 = base x height x thickness
V1 = 0.08 x 0.8 x 0.01
V1 = 0.64 x 10-3 m3
V2 = x (diameter)2 x thickness
V2 = x (0.025)2 x 0.01
V2 = 1.963 x 10-5 m3

V3 = base x height x thickness

V3 = 0.01 x 0.45 x 0.01
V3 = 4.5 x 10-5 m3 (the curved section is assumed to be in shape of a rectangle to
simplify the calculation)
Vtotal = V1 V2 V3
Vtotal = 0.575 x 10-3 m3
b) Density of the wooden block

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= mass / volume

 = 0.6 / 0.575 x 10-3

= 1043.48 kgm-3

c) Mass for each components

Mass,m = density x volume
m1 = 1043.48 x (0.64 x 10-3)
m1 = 0.669 kg
m2 = 1043.48 x (1.963 x 10-5)
m2 = 0.021 kg
m3 = 1043.48 x (4.5 x 10-5)
m3 = 0.047 kg

II.

Calculation of mass moment of inertia as point O1 as the relative point

a. Centre of gravity

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Ay
A

( 0.8 x 0.08 )( 0.40.04 )( ( 0.025 )2 ) ( 0 ) (0.45 x 0.01)(0.261+0.225)

( 0.8 x 0.08 )( ( 0.025 )2 )(0.45 x 0.01)

=0.3624 0.362m

b. Mass moment of inertia

I o1 =

1
2
2
ml + md
12

I o1 =

1
( 0.669 )( 0.8 )2+(0.669)(0.40.04)2
12

I o1 =0.1223824 kg m

1
2
2
I o 2= mr +m d
2
1
2
2
I o 2= (0.021) ( 0.0125 ) +0.021 ( 0 )
2
I o 2=1.64 x 106 kg m2

I o3 =

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1
2
2
ml +m d
12

I o3 =

1
( 0.047 ) ( 0.45 )2+(0.047)(0.261+0.225)2
12
2

I o3 =0.0118943 kg m

I o total=I o1 I o 2 I o 3
I o total=0.12238241.64 x 106 0.0118943=0.110486 kg m2
c. Mass moment of inertia about point G
I G =I om d 2
where d=
I G =0.110486(0.6)(0.362)2
2

I G =0.03186 kg m

III.

Calculation of mass moment of inertia as point O2 as the relative point

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A. Centre of gravity
=

Ay
A
=

( 0.8 x 0.08 )( 0.40.0485 ) ( ( 0.025 )2 ) ( 0.7240.0125 )(0.45 x 0.01)(0.225)

=0.349 m

B. Mass moment of inertia

I o1 =

1
2
2
ml + md
12

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( 0.8 x 0.08 )( ( 0.025 )2 ) (0.45 x 0.01)

I o1 =

1
( 0.669 )( 0.8 )2+(0.669)(0.40.0485)2
12
I o1 =0.1183365 kg m

1
I o 2= mr 2 +m d 2
2
1
I o 2= (0.021)( 0.0125 )2+0.021 ( 0.7240.0125 )2
2
I o 2=0.0106325 kg m 2

I o3 =

I o3 =

1
ml 2 +m d2
12

1
( 0.047 ) ( 0.45 )2+(0.047)(0.225)2
12

I o3 =0.0031725 kg m

I o total=I o1 I o 2 I o 3
I o total=0.11833650.01063250.0031725=0.104532 kg m2

C. Mass moment of inertia about point G

I G =I om d 2
where d=

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I G =0.104532(0.6)(0.349)
I G =0.03145 kg m 2

COMPARISON OF EXPERIMENTAL VALUE AND THEORETICAL VALUE

Points

Moment of

Experimental

Theoretical

Percentage error

inertia

value (kgm2)

value (kgm2)

(%)

IG

0.03996

0.03186

25.42

IO

0.11600

0.11049

4.99

IG

0.03327

0.03145

5.79

IO

0.11190

0.10453

7.05

O1

O2

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9.0 DISCUSSIONS

Based on the experiment conducted, all the values of mass moment of inertia at the centre
of gravity, IG and the suspension point, IO on different end, O1 and O2 have been determined
according to the experiment and theory. The values of I01, Ig1, I02, and Ig2 are theoretically
calculated using formulae and finding the volume of each component exist in the nonhomogeneous wooden pendulum. The values of I01, Ig1, I02, and Ig2 are experimentally determined
by taking time for 10 complete oscillation of the wooden pendulum on different angle for each
suspension point. Comparing all the values of I01, Ig1, I02, and Ig2 in theoretical and experimental
calculation, it is carried out that each value is slightly different from each other. The percentage
error between the theoretical and experimental values can be observed from the tabulate data.
The percentage errors are merely less than 25% and it can be considered as acceptable.
The difference in values may be caused by several errors during the experiment. The errors
occur due to some factors. One of the main factors is inconsistency while taken the values.
Firstly, the hinge where the pendulum is hung in V-support does have a surface which is not that
smooth. Thus, the pendulum cannot swing smoothly compared if the hinge used is a smooth
circular rod. While the pendulum is released, the angle where the pendulum is released is not
accurate. The angle of released are not always the same each time, even the angle supposed to be
at 100 since the measurement of the angle is only depended on the protector which is hold next
beside the pendulum. Moreover, the angle is observed with our eyes and at different position.
Other than that, the time taken for the pendulum swing also questionable as it is observed also
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with our eyes. The point where the pendulum starts and ends after ten consecutive swing are not
really exact as we cannot really measure when the pendulum change it direction to a reversed
swing. The time taken when the pendulum completed ten swings is also not accurate. All of this
disturbance and errors has affected the values of I01, Ig1, I02, and Ig2 obtained.

10.0 CONCLUSION
In a nutshell, First we have tried to back our experiment to the consequence of Newtonian
gravity, and then to a special gravity magnetic effects . Finally, the experienced very strong
gravity constant foiled these ideas. It seems not a good idea to accept a new hypothesis that the
gravity has really two forms (weak and strong) in the Nature for the physical science community.
It is found out that a pendulum is a weight suspended from a pivot so that it can swing
freely. When a pendulum is displaced from its equilibrium position, it is suspended to a restoring
force due to gravity that will accelerate it back toward the equilibrium position. When released,
the restoring combine the pendulum mass cause it to accelerated back toward the equilibrium
position, swinging back and forth. In our quasi-resonance experiment a continuous energy
exchange realized between the interactive masses. In our relatively long-term experiment our
measuring system could not reach the gravitational equilibrium because of the permanent exiting
of the physical pendulum. The total energy of this gravitational system periodically changes. We
supposed that this is the objective reason of our newly experienced, gravitational phenomenon.
The exact condition of this dynamic gravity effect is an outer, strong time-dependent force (from
a motor-driven turntable) holding far the pendulum from the gravitational equilibrium.
The time for one complete cycle ,a left swing and right swing are called period and it is
mainly depend to the length. It is also found that moment of inertia are majority factor was
affected and disturbances the result during calculation result. Besides that, the error of
experimental and theoretical are differences 20% so it nearly true.
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Finally, this experiment are quite success even though maybe some error during set up
experiment and calculated it. To improve experiment, consideration of this problem must be
taken to get better performances. Lastly, in this matter some error should be give awareness and
matter some errors could be eliminated if the precautions are taken seriously.

11.0 REFERENCES
1. Hibbler,R.C.(2010) Engineering Mechanics Dynamics 12th edition in SI Units.Three
Dimensional Kinematics of a Rigid Body,Page 549 600.Pearson Education South Asia
Pte.Ltd.www.pearson-asia .com
2. All about moment of inertia(n.d) retrieved October 11, 2013 from
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/mi.html
3. Hibbeler,R.C.(2008) Mechanics Of Materials 7th edition ib SI
Units.Appendices.A.Geometric Properties Of an Area,Page830 840.Pearson Education
South Asia Pte.Ltd.www.Pearson- asia .com
4. Moment of inertia.(2013) retrieved October 11,2013 from :
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/moment-inertia-torque-d_913.html
5. Wiki,(2013) Whats the meant moment of inertia? retrieved from :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moment_of_inertia
6. Torque and rotational inertia.retrieved from :
http.physics.bu.edu/~duffy/py105/Torque.html

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12.0 APPENDICES

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