You can click on the image to download it in gif format.
You can click on the image to download it in gif format.
This can be used to demonstrate both conservation of kinetic energy and uniform acceleration of gravity.
It is known that the period of any type of simple harmonic oscillator is given by the equation:
T = 2*pi*sqrt(I/k)
where the value k is the rotational equivalent of a spring constant. Twisting the disk will induce a restoring torque given by
Attatch the photogate such that the bolts which protrude from the disk of the pendulum will trigger the photogate. The torsional pendulum is placed on its stand and made to oscillate. The photogate records the time each bolt passes through it. The period should equal approximately two seconds when no weight is added.
To return to the Mechanics Demo Catalogue .
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