Cube and Sphere Period Comparison with Same Wire and Restoring Force Constant?

In summary, the experiment involves studying an oscillator called a "torsion pendulum" and comparing the periods of a suspended sphere and a suspended cube. The restoring force is the torsion constant of the wire and the inertial term is the rotational inertia of the suspended mass. The rotational inertia of a sphere is Is = 1/10M_sD^2 and the rotational inertia of a cube is Ic = 1/6m_S^2. The expected ratio of their periods, Tc/Ts, can be calculated assuming D = S, ms = 0.20kg, and mc = 0.9kg. The moment of inertia and angular frequency can be determined, but the value of the restoring force constant
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Homework Statement



In the experiment, you will study an oscillator called a "torsion pendulum."
In this case, the restoring "force" is the torsion constant of the wire that
suspends the weight X and the inertial term is the rotational inertia of the
suspended mass. You will compare the periods of a suspended sphere and of a
suspended cube. The rotational inertia of a sphere is Is = 1/10M_sD^2 where
ms is the mass of the sphere and D is its diameter. The rotational inertia
of a cube is Ic = 1/6m_S^2 where mc is the mass of the cube and S is the
length of its side. If the cube and the sphere are suspended from the same
wire, what is the expected ratio of their periods, Tc/Ts?
Assume that D = S
ms = 0.20kg
and mc = 0.9 kg


Homework Equations



T=1/f, omega = 2pi*f

The Attempt at a Solution



so for this one I know that I can get the moment of inertia and get the
angular frequency but I don't know what the restoring force constant k is.
is that constant require or would it cancel out later on?
 
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First work it out symbolically.
 

1. What is moment of inertia?

Moment of inertia is a physical property of a rigid body that quantifies its resistance to rotational motion. It is measured by the distribution of mass around an axis of rotation.

2. How is moment of inertia calculated?

The moment of inertia is calculated by summing up the products of the mass of each particle in a body and the square of its distance from the axis of rotation.

3. What is the unit of measurement for moment of inertia?

The unit of measurement for moment of inertia depends on the system of units used. In the SI system, it is measured in kilograms per square meter (kg/m²).

4. What is the significance of moment of inertia?

Moment of inertia is an important concept in physics as it helps to determine the rotational behavior of objects. It is used in various applications such as designing machines and predicting the motion of celestial bodies.

5. How does moment of inertia affect an object's rotational motion?

The higher the moment of inertia of an object, the more difficult it is to change its rotational motion. This means that objects with higher moment of inertia will require more force to rotate and will rotate at a slower rate compared to objects with lower moment of inertia.

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