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Veronica Lin (AP Physics Period 5)

PHYSICS INERTIAL BALANCE INQUIRY LAB


PURPOSE
To use the inertial balance to discover the relationship between
mass and the period of the inertial balance. To predict the mass of an
unknown sample without using a gravitational scale.
METHODS
For our lab, we had an inertial balance that swayed side to side.
We taped a small piece of white paper on the edge of the balance and
then placed a Vernier Inc. sensor in front of the paper. The Vernier Inc.
sensor tracks the paper while alongside tracking the movement of the
inertial balance and calculates the position of the paper in a given
amount of time. The Vernier Inc. tracks and collects the change in
position for a given time period and imports the data onto the
Loggerpro software. The software graphs the data collected in to a
position vs. time graph. In our case, since the inertial balance moves
side to side, the white paper will move from being farther and then
closer to the sensor for a while. Thus in the graph provided by the
Loggerpro software, it will appear to look like a sine or cosine graph
since the papers position/distance is constantly oscillating.
Our objective was to find a relationship between mass and
frequency, which is also the period. Thus we needed a wide range of
masses to test without causing the inertial balance to bend.
First, we started off with light objects like clamps and lighter
chunks of metal and then progressively began to add heavier objects.
In order to minimize the amount of error, we tried to place the objects
in the center to maintain its center of mass. Then we nudged the scale
for each separate trial and waited for the Vernier Inc. sensor and
loggerpro software to collect and organize the data. We repeated this
process for approximately 10 trials. Afterwards we organized the data
into a scatter chart. We graphed mass vs. period to see the correlation
between mass and period. The period is calculated by taking the time
and dividing it by the number of complete oscillations in that time
period.
DATA
Objects
3" clamp
2" clamp + CC
2"+3" clamp
2 clamp + AA
3" clamp + CC
3" clamp + BB
3 clamp + AA
2" clamp + B

Mass (g)
468
528
642
670
822
830
964
(unknown)102
3

Time (s)

Interval (# of
oscillations)
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

Period (sec/interval)
8
8
7
7
6
6
5
5

0.625
0.625
0.714285714
0.714285714
0.833333333
0.833333333
1
1

2" clamp + G
2" clamp + E

1059
1152

5
5

5
5

1
1

Period vs. Known Masses (Raw Data)


1.2
1

f(x) = 0x + 0.29
R = 0.96

0.8
Period (sec/interval)

0.6
0.4
0.2
0
400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

Mass (g)

ANALYSIS

Manipulated Period vs. Known Masses


1.2
1
0.8
Period (sec/interval)

f(x) = 0x + 0.3
R = 0.98

0.6
0.4
0.2
0
400 600 800 10001200
Mass (g)

MANIPULATED DATA

1100

1200

Mass
(g)
468
528
642
670
830
822
964
1023
1059
1152

Time
(s)
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

Interval
8
7.5
7
6.5
6
6
5.5
5
5
4.5

Period
(sec/interval)
0.625
0.666667
0.714286
0.769231
0.833333
0.833333
0.909091
1
1
1.111111

Manipulated Period vs. Known Masses


1.5
1
Period (sec/interval)

0.5
0
400

f(x) = 0x + 0.29
R = 0.99

600

800 1000 1200

Mass (g)

Mass
(g)
468
528
642
670
822
830
964
1023
1059
1152

Time
(s)
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

Interval
8
7.5
6.8
6.5
6
5.8
5.2
5
4.8
4.5

Period
(sec/interval)
0.625
0.666667
0.735294
0.769231
0.833333
0.862069
0.961538
1
1.041667
1.111111

CONCLUSION
For our last trial, we placed an object
with unknown mass. We calculated its
period and then used the equation we derived from above to solve for its
mass.
Mass (g)

Time (s)
-

Interval
5

Period
5

The equation is y = .0007x + 0.2942. y is the period and x is the mass.


1. We plug in the measured period into y.
1 = .0007x + .2942
2. Solve for x.
x = (1 - .2942) / .0007
= 1008.285714 g
3. Compare predicted mass to actual mass.
Actual Mass: 1023 g

Predicted Mass: 1008.285714 g


Percent Error = |Accepted Observed| *100 /
Accepted
= |1023 1008.285714|*100 / 1023
= 1.44% Error

The unknown mass was 1023 g while our predicted mass was 1008 g.
The percent error was 1.44%. Some possible sources of error were the
placement (its center of mass) of the object on the inertial balance.
In this lab we are determining the frequency for a different range of
masses. One main factor that affects the frequency of an inertia balance is
the rotational inertia, which depends on the placement of the object. For our
lab, being placed at its center of mass would be most ideal because the
rotational inertia is minimized. For example, if you took a weight and placed
it at the end of the bat, it would be harder to swing it because the rotational
inertia has increased. However if you put the weight on the same side as you
swing it, it is much easier to swing because the rotational inertia is not as
high. A change in position changes (an uneven balance of mass) the
rotational inertia and thus affects the frequency. Thus because our balance
was small and rather difficult to clamp a metal bar with an even distribution
of weight throughout, we found it difficult to place the objects at its center of
mass. Especially for the objects with greater mass and longer length, it was
difficult to center the object with a small clamp. Not placing the objects at its
center of mass will most likely reduces the frequency because an unevenly
mounted object makes it more difficult to swing the object side to side even
though mass remains constant. Thus even if mass does not change, our data
shows fewer oscillations per time interval because of inaccurate clamp
placement.
Another source of error was the inconsistency of when we started the
loggerpro software and when we actually started shifting the object. After a
certain time period, the distance the inertial balance shifts from side to side
gradually gets smaller and smaller, making it harder to determine whether a
full oscillation has occurred in those areas. We could improve this by nudging
the inertial balance with greater force so longer distances can be traveled,
and thus a clearer graph will be displayed.
QUESTIONS
1. Why is the inertial balance unaffected by gravity?
Inertial balance is unaffected by gravity because the motion of
the object on an inertial balance is horizontal and ignores the
gravitational force that is vertical.
2. How do the periods of the inertial balance change as the mass is
increased?

Mass is the measure of inertia. With the inertia balance, we are


comparing different masses and their resistance to change; smaller
frequency implies greater resistance.
The frequency decreases as mass increases, meaning an object
with larger mass will vibrate from side to side fewer times in a given
time period. Thus as mass increases, it takes longer time to complete
one complete oscillation; the period increases as mass increases.
3. Assume you place an unknown mass on your inertial balance and find
it has a period of 0.50 seconds. What would be the mass of this
unknown?
The equation we derived was: y = .0007x + 0.2942. Because
the unknown mass has a period of 0.50 seconds, we plug .50 seconds
into y and solve for x.
.50 = .0007x +.2942
x = 294 grams
4. If a mass of 225 grams is placed on the inertial balance, how long
would it take to complete 30 vibrations?
The equation we derived was: y = .0007x + 0.2942. Because
the object has a mass of 225 grams we substitute x with 225 grams
and solve for y to find the period.
Y = .0007(225) + .2942
Y = .4517 sec/interval
30 vibrations
.4517 sec
X
Interval = 13.551 seconds = 14
seconds
5. Would the results of this experiment differ
if it was done on the moon?
The results would not be different. The inertial balance is
independent of gravity and is meant to find mass. Mass is constant
everywhere, even on the moon.

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