THEORY & EQUATIONS
A flywheel stores rotational kinetic energy. The fundamental property resisting angular acceleration is the Moment of Inertia ($I$).
Experimental determination involves applying a falling mass torque and measuring the angular acceleration ($\alpha$).
Physics Engine
Newton's 2nd Law (Rotation)
T = I · αExperimental Inertia
I =Kinetic Energy
KE =Experimental overview
The flywheel apparatus allows you to relate abstract rotational dynamics equations to direct laboratory observations. The outline below summarises the main stages of the work that you should complete during the session.
Stage 1
Apparatus inspection
Identify the flywheel, shaft, bearings, small driving drum and mass hanger. Check that the cord is neatly wound and that the flywheel can rotate freely without obstruction.
Stage 2
Acceleration and data capture
Release the driving mass from rest, record the fall distance and time, and determine the angular acceleration. Use these measurements, together with the known mass and drum radius, to estimate the moment of inertia.
Stage 3
Run-down and discussion
Allow the flywheel to slow down under the action of frictional torque. Observe the stopping time, relate it to the loss of kinetic energy and discuss how this affects the accuracy of the experimental inertia value.
"Spin Master" Simulation
RPM
0
Energy (J)
0
Scorecard
0 pts
Spin down timing game
Use this game to link the idea of rotational deceleration with time measurement. Start the virtual spin and stop the timer when you think the heavy flywheel would have almost come to rest.
In a real experiment, the time taken for the flywheel to stop after the driving mass is removed is used to estimate frictional torque. Here you practise reading such timing information in a safe environment.
Measured spin time
Start the run, watch the timer and press stop when you think the flywheel is nearly stationary.
Concept check quiz
Answer the short quiz below to check your understanding of flywheel dynamics. Read each question carefully and select the most appropriate answer.
1. Which quantity describes how strongly a rigid body resists changes in its angular velocity about a given axis?
2. In this experiment, the driving torque on the flywheel is primarily produced by
3. When the driving mass is removed and the flywheel slows down, the lost rotational kinetic energy is mainly converted into
4. For a solid, uniform disk rotating about its central axis, the theoretical moment of inertia is proportional to
5. A key objective of this laboratory is to
Laboratory Performance Matrix
| Laboratory Roster Item | Score 5: Excellent (9-10) | Score 4 (Good 7-8) | Score 3 (Satisfactory 5-6) | Score 2 (Poor 3-4) | Score 1 (Very Poor 0-2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Org & Appearance | Perfect sequence. Diagrams intact. Slips correct. Cover bound. Single PDF. | Format good. tidy. 1 detail missing. tape ring bound. | Rough format organization uneven multiple language mistake stapled bindbranding empty. | Sloppy damaged inserts torn slips whiteout staples poorly minimal logic. | Conditions not met or report absent. |
| 2. Objectives & Theory | Rephrased clearly own sentences. linking course research included beyond manual. | Objectives identified sharp manual paraphrase with WORD attempt. | Objective partial definition manual copy attempt paragraph limit. | Verbatim manual minimal research objectives missing content. | Absent. |
| 4. Results (x2) | Accurate organised trends clearly Easy figureNumbered walkers captions walkthrough examples standard equations. | Correct trends drawn obvious minor figure problems units equation formulas provided. | missing data sloppy inaccuracy incomplete tables units missed logic bad result scorecard results logic. | Figures bad numbers construct poor construction unreliable Titles missing. | Absent scorecard data. |
| 6. Conclusion Logic | Summary achieved achievement essentials valid Validity suggestions logic suggested logic learned logic. | missing condition excellent excellenty met. | missing excellently element missing met logic status met. | missing excellente conditions excellently. | Absent logic provided. |
AUTHENTICATED SCORECARD LOG
Sync simulated flywheel metrics. Input lab results ($I$, $\omega$, $KE$). Export officially validated university submission Sheet.