Parallel Axis Theorem Experiment

[bobdylan]

Homework Statement

I am currently working on a physics experiment to confirm the parallel axis theorem. To do this, I have the following setup:

In this experiment I change the distance between the centre of the rotating disc and the central axis. I record the time for 5 complete rotations and use this to calculate the moment of inertia. I also measure the mass and the radius of the rotating disc. I then plot the moment of inertia against the square of the radius and this produces a straight line graph with a non-zero intercept.

How can I now use this data to confirm the parallel axis theorem?

Homework Equations

and

The Attempt at a Solution

[/B]
I think the graph should be of the form:

Itotal = Iapparatus + Idisk + mr^2

Is this correct?

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[BvU]

Hello Robert,

Itotal = Iapparatus + Idisk + mr^2

Is correct. Now you need something to relate the time for five revolutions with $I_{\rm total}$.