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Lab 2

The experiment aims to determine the center of gravity, center of percussion, and radius of gyration of a wooden pendulum while demonstrating the effects of striking the pendulum at various points. Using a specific apparatus, the experiment involves measuring oscillation periods and observing horizontal reactions when hitting the pendulum at the center of percussion versus other points. The results confirm theoretical principles of pendulum dynamics, highlighting the significance of proper striking to minimize horizontal reactions.

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M javed Iqbal
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© © All Rights Reserved
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5 views

Lab 2

The experiment aims to determine the center of gravity, center of percussion, and radius of gyration of a wooden pendulum while demonstrating the effects of striking the pendulum at various points. Using a specific apparatus, the experiment involves measuring oscillation periods and observing horizontal reactions when hitting the pendulum at the center of percussion versus other points. The results confirm theoretical principles of pendulum dynamics, highlighting the significance of proper striking to minimize horizontal reactions.

Uploaded by

M javed Iqbal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Mechanical Vibration Lab ME 329L

EXPERIMENT NO 2

Center of Gravity, Center of Percussion and Radius of Gyration

OBJECTIVE:
➢ To show how to find the center of gravity and radius of gyration for wooden pendulum.

➢ To show the effects of not hitting the center of percussion.

➢ To show that hitting the pendulum at the calculated center of percussion produces a zero

or small horizontal reaction.

Apparatus Description:

Figure shows the Center of Percussion module (TM163) mounted on the TM160 Vibrations Test
Frame. This module also includes a stopwatch to record the period of oscillation, and simple tools
to adjust sphere and mass positions. This product includes a metal pendulum to provide the
percussion force (a ball) and a wooden pendulum to absorb the impact. The wooden pendulum
forms a suspended mass, similar to a bat held underhand. A cradle fixes to the top of the Test

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, AIR UNIVERSITY, A&ACK


Mechanical Vibration Lab ME 329L

Frame. The cradle suspends the fixed metal rod pendulum and heavy sphere beside the wooden
pendulum.

Self-aligning bearings hold the metal pendulum to allow rotational movement only.

Hardened steel knife edges rest on a smooth surface on the cradle suspending the wooden
pendulum. They allow the wooden pendulum to pivot freely while also allowing some visible
horizontal movement, necessary to see any reactions.

The equipment includes an additional fixing or ‘stop’ that you may fit and use as a reference
when adjusting the swing angle of the metal rod pendulum.

You find the center of gravity of the wooden (compound) pendulum to calculate its radius of
gyration and center of percussion. You then use the sphere of the metal pendulum to simulate a
ball hitting the wooden pendulum at positions above, below and at the center of percussion,
noting any reaction. The wooden pendulum has a mass with adjustable position. This allows you
to change its center of gravity position for a range of tests. Details of the parts:

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, AIR UNIVERSITY, A&ACK


Mechanical Vibration Lab ME 329L

Theory:
Center of Gravity: A crucial notion in physics and engineering, the center of gravity
(COG) denotes the point at which an object’s total weight is deemed to be
concentrated. It represents the average position of the gravitational force acting on
an object.

Radius of gyration: The radius of gyration refers to the distance from the axis of
rotation where the total mass (or area) of an object could be considered to be
concentrated, without altering its moment of inertia. Mathematically expressed as:
k=√I/A

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, AIR UNIVERSITY, A&ACK


Mechanical Vibration Lab ME 329L

Center of Percussion: The point on a rigid body where a perpendicular impact force
produces zero net torque around the center of mass is known as the center of
percussion. This indicates that the body will translate but not rotate. It is
Mathematically expressed as:
d=I/m.r
where:
• I is the moment of inertia of the object about the pivot point,
• m is the mass of the object,
• r is the distance from the pivot point to the center of mass.

Procedure:

Part 1: Finding the Center of Gravity and Radius of Gyration.


• First of all, we balanced the pendulum horizontally on a knife-edge support.
• Then pointed where the pendulum balanced, is the center of gravity.
• Then we measured the distance (l) from the pivot point (knife-edge) to the center of gravity.
• Next, we suspend the pendulum from the pivot point and allowed it to oscillate freely as a
physical pendulum.
• Then we measured the time period (T) of small oscillations using a stopwatch.

Part 2: Effects of Not Hitting the Center of Percussion.


• We calculated the distance from the pivot to the center of percussion.
• Then we stroked the pendulum at a point above the center of percussion using a ball.
• & observed the horizontal reaction force at the pivot (using the movement of the pivot point).
• We repeated by striking the pendulum at a point below the center of percussion.

Part 3: Hitting the Center of Percussion.


• In this part, we Stroked the pendulum precisely at the marked center of percussion.
• & observed the horizontal reaction force at the pivot (using the movement of the pivot point).
• Then we compared the results with those from Part 2.

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, AIR UNIVERSITY, A&ACK


Mechanical Vibration Lab ME 329L

Calculations:

Part A:

Part B:

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, AIR UNIVERSITY, A&ACK


Mechanical Vibration Lab ME 329L

Graphs:
(1): Variation of period with distance from the pivot.

(2): Variation of radius of gyration with distance from the pivot.

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, AIR UNIVERSITY, A&ACK


Mechanical Vibration Lab ME 329L

Result Analysis:

Finding the Center of Gravity and Radius of Gyration:


• The distance of the mass from the pivot was directly proportional to the measured oscillation
period.
• The values of the calculated radius of gyration exhibited minor variations across the
different distances, with a range of roughly 0.0331m² to 0.0537m².
• The data trend indicates that with an increasing pivot distance, both ℎ h and the effective
radius of gyration increase, which is consistent with theoretical expectations.
Effects of Not Hitting the Center of Percussion:
• As the mass moves further from the pivot, the effective radius of gyration increases.
• When the pendulum is hit away from the center of percussion, a considerable horizontal
reaction occurs at the pivot, resulting in undesired lateral movement.
• The movement's direction (noted as L or R) shows that the pivot responds with a force in
various directions based on where the pendulum is hit.
Hitting the Pendulum at the Center of Percussion:
• The theoretical center of percussion is the point where a pendulum can be hit to reduce the
horizontal reaction at the pivot.
• The expected behavior is confirmed when the pendulum is struck at the calculated center
of percussion, causing the horizontal reaction force at the pivot to approach zero.
• This demonstrates the theoretical principle that at the center of percussion, the pivot does
not move horizontally, allowing for smooth oscillatory motion.

Conclusion:
The experiment effectively illustrated:
• Finding the radius of gyration and center of gravity through measured oscillation periods.
• The importance of striking the pendulum at its center of percussion to reduce horizontal
reaction forces.
• Experimental confirmation of theoretical principles regarding pendulum dynamics.

Calculations:

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, AIR UNIVERSITY, A&ACK


Mechanical Vibration Lab ME 329L

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, AIR UNIVERSITY, A&ACK

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