Experiment 7

Maxwells wheel
Apparatus: Maxwells wheel, support base, support rod, right angle clamp, cursor, connecting cord, light barrier with counter, holding devices, plate holder, adaptor, BNC plug/socket, PEK capacitor 100 nF/250V, power supply 5V DC/2.4 A, meter scale. Purpose of experiment: (i) To determine the moment of inertia of the Maxwell disc by measuring the distance travelled by the center of gravity of the Maxwells disc as a function of time. (ii) To determine the potential energy, the energy of translation and the energy of rotation as a function of time using the Maxwells disc. Basic Methodology: A disk, which can unroll with its axis on two cords, moves in the gravitational eld. The potential energy, the energy of translation and the energy of rotation are converted into one another and are determined as a function of time.

I Theory
The mechanical energy(E) of a system is the sum of the potential energy(U ) and the kinetic energy(K); E = K + U . The law of conservation of mechanical energy states that if a body or system is subjected only to conservative forces like gravitational force, etc, the total mechanical energy of that body or system remains constant. Though energy cannot be created nor destroyed in an isolated system, it can be internally converted to any other form of energy, e. g., in a mechanical system like a swinging pendulum subjected to the gravitational force where the frictional force is assumed negligible, energy passes back and forth between kinetic and potential energy but never leaves the system. The pendulum reaches greatest kinetic energy and least potential energy when in the vertical position, because it will have the greatest speed and be nearest the Earth at this point. On the other hand, it will have its least kinetic energy and greatest potential energy at the extreme positions of its swing, because it has zero speed and is farthest from Earth at these points. The conservation of gravitational potential energy into kinetic energy can be studied using the Maxwells wheel experiment. The total mechanical energy E of the Maxwell disk, of mass m and moment of inertia IZ about the axis of rotation, is composed of the potential energy U , the energy of translation KT and the energy of rotation KR : 1 1 E = mgs + mv 2 + IZ 2 2 2 1 IZ E = mgs + (m + 2 )v 2 2 r (1) (2)

Here, denotes the angular velocity, v = r the translational velocity, g the acceleration due to gravity and s the (negative) height. Since the total energy E is constant over time, dierentiation with initial condition, s(0) = 0, v(0) = 0, gives v(t) = and s(t) = mg t m + IZ /r2 (3)

mg t2 . 2(m + IZ /r2 )

(4)

So one can expect s t2 and v t are valid. These relations, s t2 and v t, can be veried if the mechanical energy is conserved. In this experiment we test the conservation of energy in a system and also explore the eect of friction (if any).

PHYSICS LABORATORY MANUAL

II Set up and Procedure:

Figure 1: Experimental set up for investigating the conservation of energy, using the Maxwell disk. The experimental set up is shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. First assemble the frame with the light barrier using the stand material. Then attach the rod of the Maxwell wheel, in such a way, that the wheel axle is level and the strings are even on both sides. One can reach this best by some up and down movements before starting the experiment. The release switch should be adjusted in such a way that the disk does not oscillate or roll after the start.

Figure 2: Connection of the light barrier. Measurement of the time t required for the distance s between start to the light barrier Connect the switch to light barrier as it is shown in Fig. 2. Press the wire release and lock in place. Place the selection key of the fork type light barrier on 2 .

Experiment 7 Maxwells wheel Press the Set button of the light barrier. Loosening the wire release stopper, sets the wheel into motion and the counter of the light barrier starts. After the wheel has past the needle of the holder, the wire release is pressed again and locked before the light barrier is interrupted. The counter should be stopped as soon as the axis of rotation enters the path of light of the fork type light barrier. Measurement of t to ascertain the translational velocity v. Disconnect Trigger In signal from light barrier. Fix the wheel in the start position by means of the holder. Place the switch on of the fork type light barrier.

Press the Set button of the light barrier. Loosening the wire release stopper sets the wheel into motion, the counter of the light barrier does not start yet. As soon as the axis of rotation enters the fork type light barrier, the counter starts and stops when it moves past the light ray. The velocity at the time t +
t 2

is ascertained from the measured time t by v (t + t/2) =

s t .

Since distance s and time t can by measured relatively accurately, independently of one another, the moment of inertia of the wheel IZ can be determined almost accurately by Eq. (4). The time t generally have less accuracy. So it is not advised to derive IZ from Eq. (3). However we shall use this value to calculate kinetic energy and rotational energy of the disk.

III Exercises and Viva Questions

1. How can we determine the moment of inertia of the Maxwells disc from the graph s = 2. If we take log both sides of the the relation s = mg t2 ? 2(m + I/r2 )

mg t2 and assume log(s)as y and log(t) 2(m + I/r2 ) as x, which one will determine the moment of inertia of the disc: (a) slope (b) intercept on y axis

3. Does the distance travelled by the center of gravity of the Maxwells disc depend on the mass of the disc if total mechanical energy is conserved? 4. Does the distance travelled by the center of gravity of the Maxwells disc depend on the mass of the disc if the frictional force f = bv be present? 5. Can we measure the moment of inertia of the disc accurately if the wheel axle is not leveled properly? 6. Is it possible to determine the moment of inertia of the disc if it is oscillating after the start of the experiment? 7. Will the relation, in general, s t2 be valid if total mechanical energy is not conserved? 8. Does the moment of inertia of the Maxwells disc depend on the frictional force if it is present? 9. Can we use the relation s = mg t2 to determine the moment of inertia of Maxwells disc 2(m + I/r2 ) if the frictional force f = bv be present?

10. Does the moment of inertia of the Maxwells disc depend on the frictional force if it is present? 3

PHYSICS LABORATORY MANUAL 11. Can we use the relation,in general, v t if total mechanical energy is conserved? 12. Can we use the relation,in general, s t2 if total mechanical energy is conserved?