Properties of Threaded Rod Torsion Pendulums

ORAL

Abstract

Threaded rod torsion pendulums provide an inexpensive and reasonably low-mass approach to the study of torsion pendulums in AP Physics. Characteristics such as the relationship between the torsion constant and the length and diameter of the torsion rod can be easily determined with the use of threaded rods. They can also be used for the study of damping and driven effects in torsion systems. Since the rotational inertia of a torsion pendulum is central to its behavior, the use of threaded rod systems increases the facility with which this concept can be studied.

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Authors

  • Alexandra Atalis

    Lake Highlands High School

  • Bruce Gnade

    Grand Valley State University, STC, Health Physics Society, The University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, PIEAS, Pakistan, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX and PIEAS Pakistan, Rutgers University, Department of Physics, Texas A\&M University, College Station, TX 77843, Waxahachie Global High School, Waxahachie, TX, University of Texas at San Antonio, Tohoku University Institute of Materials Research, University of Alberta Department of Physics, Istanbul University Department of Physics, Geophysical Institute, Tohoku University, Japan, Planetary Plasma and Atmospheric Research Center, Tohoku University, Japan, Solar-Terrestrial Environment Laboratory, Nagoya University, Japan, Austin Community College, Dallas Baptist University, Angelo State University, Lake Highlands High School, Baylor University, Waco, TX, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, Fort Worth, TX, Success High School, Fort Worth, TX, Dept. of Math., Univ. of New Mexico, Depts. of Materials Science and Engineering and Chemistry, University of Texas at Dallas