Experiment No.

Date :

FLYWHEEL

AIM

To determine the moment of inertia of the flywheel.

APPARATUS

Flywheel, weight hanger, slotted weights, stopwatch.

A flywheel consists of a massive wheel W with a strong axle AB mounted on ball bearing of two fixed
support. There is a peg on the axle near the wheel. One end of a cord is loosely looped over the peg and
its other end carries a weight hanger. P is a pointer fixed on the axle close to the rim of the wheel.

PRINCIPLE

Let the cord be wound round the axle ‘n' times with a mass ‘m' at its free end. Let the mass ‘m' be
at a height ‘h' above the ground level. If the mass is allowed to move down, the wheel will rotate ‘n'
times before the mass is released from the axle. Let the wheel execute ‘N' rotations more before it
comes to rest. Then the moment of inertia of the flywheel about the axis of rotation is given by,
𝑁𝑚 2𝑔ℎ
𝐼= ( )
𝑁+𝑛 𝜔2 − 𝑟 2
-where w is the mean angular velocity of the wheel after the mass is released and r is the radius
of the axle.

4𝜋𝑁
ω= .
𝑡
-where t is the time taken for N rotations.
PROCEDURE

The radius ‘r' of the axle is measured using vernier calipers. A mass ‘m' is suspended from the free
end of the cord. The length of the cord is adjusted such that the mass just touches the ground. A
reference mark is made on the wheel so that this mark is against the pointer P as the cord slip off the
peg. This mark helps to count the number of rotations of the wheel. The cord is wound round the axle
‘n' times without overlapping. The height (h) of the mass above the ground level is measured. The mass
is then allowed to move down. When the mass just touches the ground (the cord is released from the
peg), the stopwatch is started.

The number of rotations ‘N' made by the wheel before it comes to rest is counted. When the
wheel comes to rest, the stopwatch is stopped and the time taken for ‘N' rotations is noted. The mean
angular velocity and hence moment of inertia can be calculated.

The experiment can be repeated by changing the values of ‘m' and ‘n' and the mean value of
moment of inertia is calculated.

RESULT

Moment of inertia of the flywheel =

OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS

To find the radius of the axle using vernier calipers

Value of one main scale division =

Number of divisions on the vernier =

𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛
Least Count = =
𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑒𝑟

Trial MSR VSR VSR × LC Diameter = MSR + [ VSR × LC] Mean diameter
No. (cm) (divisions) (cm) (cm) (cm)

Diameter of the axle, D =

𝐷
Radius of the axle, 𝑟 = =
2
To find the moment of inertia of the flywheel

Number of
Time taken by the
Number rotations of the wheel to come to rest
Mass, Height, of wheel after the 4𝜋𝑁
Trial after the detachment ω= 𝐼
m h windings detachment of the of peg from the axle 𝑡
No. (kg m2)
(kg) (m) of the peg from the axle
cord, n Mean, 1 2 Mean, t
1 2
N (s) (s) (s)
Experiment No. :

Date :

CONVEX LENS

AIM

To determine the focal length of the given convex lens by u-v method.

APPARATUS

Convex lens, stand for mounting the lens, illuminated wire gauze, white screen, meter scale.

PRINCIPLE

A convex lens is an optical device which converges a parallel beam of light to a point by means
of refraction. The point at which the light beam is converged is called the focus of the convex lens. The
distance between the focus and optic centre of the convex lens is called its focal length (f). The distance
between the lens and the object is called object distance (u) and the distance between the lens and the
image is called image distance (v). The focal length of the convex lens is related to object distance and
image distance by the equation,
1 1 1
+ =
𝑢 𝑣 𝑓
𝑢𝑣
f=
𝑢+𝑣
PROCEDURE

The object (illuminated wire gauze) and the lens are placed at a known distance. The screen is
now placed nearer to the lens on the opposite side of the object. The light is then switched on and the
screen is slowly moved in the opposite direction until a point is reached where the image of the wire
gauze is clearly seen on the screen. Now the distance between the lens and the screen is measured
using a meter scale. Knowing the object distance and image distance, the focal length of the convex can
be calculated using the formula,
𝑢𝑣
f=
𝑢+𝑣
The experiment is repeated for different values of object distances and the mean value is taken as the
focal length of the convex lens.

The power of the convex lens is the reciprocal of the focal length.

RESULT

(i) Focal length of the given convex lens by u-v method =

(ii) Power of the lens =
OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS

u-v method

Trial No. u v 𝑢𝑣 Mean f

f=
(cm) (cm) 𝑢+𝑣 (cm)
(cm)

1
Power of the lens = =
𝑓
Experiment No. :

Date :

OHM’S LAW

AIM

To determine the resistance if the given wire and hence verify Ohm’s law.

APPARATUS

Dc source, ammeter, voltmeter, rheostat, key, resistance wire, connection wires.

PRINCIPLE

Ohm’s law states that at constant temperature, the current (I) flowing through a conductor is
directly proportional to the potential difference (V) between its ends.

VαI

V = IR
𝑉
R=
𝐼
The constant of proportionality R is called the resistance of the conductor. The unit of resistance is
called ohm (Ω).

PROCEDURE

The connections are made as shown in the figure. A voltmeter is connected in parallel with the
resistance wire and ammeter is connected in series with the wire. When the key K is closed, current
passes through the resistance wire R. The rheostat is adjusted to a finite value on the ammeter. The
ammeter reading and the corresponding voltmeter reading are noted. Rheostat is adjusted for different
values of currents and in each case, the voltmeter readings are noted. In each case, the value of R is
calculated and it can be seen that R is constant. This verifies Ohm’s law. The average value of R gives the
resistance of the given wire.

RESULT

(i) Ohm’s law is verified.

(ii) The resistance of the given wire =
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS

Trial No. Current, I Voltage, V 𝑉 Mean R

R=
(A) (V) 𝐼 (Ω)
(Ω)
Experiment No. :

Date :

LAWS OF RESISTANCES

AIM

To verify the laws of resistances for series and parallel combination.

APPARATUS

A meter bridge, galvanometer, two resistances, resistance box, a jockey, a rheostat, key, battery
eliminator, connecting wires.

PRINCIPLE

When two resistances R1 and R2 are connected in series, the resistance of the combination RS is
given by,

RS = R1 + R2.

When R1 and R2 connected in parallel, the resistance RP of the combination is given by,
1 1 1
= + .
𝑅𝑃 𝑅1 𝑅2

PROCEDURE

Connections are made as shown in the circuit diagram. Remove some keys from the resistance
box to get suitable value of resistance R. Obtain the null point D on the meter bridge wire by sliding the
jockey between ends A and C. Note down the resistance R and lengths AD and DC in the observation
table. Calculate the experimental value of the equivalent series resistance (RS) of combination of
resistances. Repeat the experiment for four more values of resistances R. Obtain the mean value of
unknown resistance.

Repeat the same steps by connecting resistances R1 and R2 in parallel as shown in figure and
calculate the experimental value of the equivalent parallel resistance (RP) of combination of resistance.

The theoretical and experimental values are compared and it is found that these two values are almost
the same.

RESULT

The laws of resistance is verified for series and parallel combination of resistances.
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

Series Combination

Parallel Combination
OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS

Trial Resistance, R 𝑙 100 − 𝑙 𝑅𝑙 Mean 𝑅𝐸

𝑅𝐸 =
No. (Ω) (cm) (cm) 100 − 𝑙 (Ω)
(Ω)

SERIES
COMBINATION

PARALLEL
COMBINATION

Theoretical value of resistance in series, 𝑅𝑆 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2 =

1 1 1
Theoretical value of resistance in parallel, = + =
𝑅𝑃 𝑅1 𝑅2
Experiment No. :

Date :

RESONANCE COLUMN

AIM

To determine the velocity of sound in air at room temperature.

APPARATUS

Resonance column apparatus, tuning forks, rubber hammer, meter scale.

PRINCIPLE

If ℓ1 and ℓ2 are the first and second resonance lengths with a tuning fork of frequency f, the velocity of
sound in air at room temperature is given by the formula,

𝜈𝑡 = 2𝑓 ( ℓ2 − ℓ1 )

PROCEDURE

The resonance tube is initially adjusted so that the length of the air column above water level is very
small. The tuning fork is set into vibration by hitting it with a rubber hammer. The vibrating tuning fork is
held very close to the mouth of the tube and the tube is gradually raised until the sound heard is
maximum. The first resonant length ℓ1 of the air column is measured with a meter scale. The tube is
further raised keeping the vibrating tuning fork close to its mouth. When the maximum sound is heard
again, the second resonant length ℓ2 of the air column is measured. If f is the frequency of the tuning
fork, the velocity of air at room temperature is calculated using the relation,

𝜈𝑡 = 2𝑓 ( ℓ2 − ℓ1 )

The experiment is repeated with tuning forks of different frequencies and resonant lengths ℓ1 and ℓ2
are measured in each case. Then, velocity of sound in air at room temperature is calculated in each case
and mean value is found.

RESULT

Velocity of sound in air at room temperature =

OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS

Trial No. Frequency, 𝑓 ℓ1 ℓ2 𝜈𝑡 = 2𝑓 (ℓ2 − ℓ1 )

(Hz) (cm) (cm) (m/s)

Velocity of sound in air at room temperature =

Experiment No. :

Date :

METER BRIDGE

AIM

To determine the resistance of the given metal wire and hence to find the specific resistance of the
material of the wire.

APPARATUS

Meter bridge, voltage source, resistance box, metal wire, galvanometer, jockey, screw gauge and meter
scale.

PRINCIPLE

The principle of working of a meter bridge is the same as the principle of a Wheatstone's bridge. A
Wheatstone bridge is based on the principle of null deflection, i.e., when the ratio of resistances in the
two arms is equal, no current will flow through the middle arm of the circuit. Consider the diagram of
the Wheatstone bridge as shown in the figure. It consists of four resistance P, Q, R and S with a battery
of emf E. When the bridge is balanced, no current flows through the galvanometer and terminals B and
D are at the same potential. The balancing condition for Wheatstone's bridge is given by,
𝑃 𝑅
= .
𝑄 𝑆

The unknown resistance X of the meter bridge can be calculated using the equation,
𝑅𝑙
𝑋 =
(100 − 𝑙)
.

PROCEDURE

The connections are made as shown in the figure. A resistance of 1 ohm is introduced in the resistance
box 𝑅 . The jockey is moved along the wire AB till the bridge is balanced and galvanometer shows no
deflection. The balancing length ℓ corresponding to the unknown resistance 𝑋 is measured. The
unknown resistance 𝑋 can be calculated using the equation,
𝑅𝑙
𝑋 = (100 − 𝑙)
.

The experiment is repeated for different values of 𝑅 and balancing length ℓ is measured in each case.
The value of unknown resistance 𝑋 is calculated in each case and the mean value of 𝑋 is found. The
diameter of the wire is measured accurately using a screw gauge and radius of the wire 𝑟 is determined.
The length 𝐿 of the wire is measured using a meter scale. The specific resistance of the material of the
wire calculated using the equation,
𝑋𝜋𝑟 2
𝜌= 𝐿
.
RESULT

(i) Resistance of the given metal wire =

(ii) Specific resistance of the material of the wire =
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS

To find the resistance of the given metal wire

Trial No. 𝑅 Balancing length, ℓ 𝑅𝑙 Mean 𝑋

𝑋 =
(Ω) (cm) (100 − 𝑙) (Ω)
(Ω)
To find the radius of the given metal wire

Pitch of the screw gauge =

Number of divisions on the head scale =

Least count of the screw gauge =

Zero Error =

Zero Correction =

Trial No. PSR Observed HSR Corrected HSR = Total Reading =

(mm) (divisions) Observed HSR ± Zero PSR + [corrected
Correction HSR × LC]
(divisions) (mm)

Mean diameter of the wire =

Radius of the wire, 𝑟 =

Length of the wire, 𝐿 =

𝑋𝜋𝑟 2
Specific resistance of the material of the wire, 𝜌 = 𝐿