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1
OSMANIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
^ryJu 4
Call No. Accession No.
Author
Title
.*3t marked
This book should be returned on or before the <**
ELEMENTS OF
PROPERTIES OF MATTER
WITH TYPICAL NUMERICALS SOLVED
I FOR DEGREE CLASSES ]
by
D. S, MATHUR
S . C H AW-D & C
DELHI NEW DELHI JULLUNDUR
LTJCKNOW - BOMBAY
SPECIAL FEATURES
1. Detailed and simple treatment, with each step fully explain-
ed.
2. 336 illustrative diagrams given.
3 A large number of typical numerical problems solved, (in-
cluding those set in the various University Examinations),
covering 150 pages or more, of the book,
4 Illustrative solutions, with the use of logarithms, shown on
the margin to the left in the first two chapters.
5. Useful appendices, on Differential and Integral Calculus,
together with those on important Trigonometrical Relations
and the use of Logarithms, included, as also Logarithmic
Tables and Tables of Important Constants.
Published by
S. CHAND & CO.
for Shyam Lai Charitable Trust,
16B/4, Asaf AH Road, New Delhi
( All profits from this book are spent on charities-)
S. CHAND & CO.
Ram Nagar NEW DBLKI
Fountain DBLHI
M*i Hiran Gate JULLUNDUB
Hazrat Ganj LUOKNQW
Lamington Road BOMBAY
First published October, 1949
Seventh Edition July, J962
Price : Rs, 9-00
PublMed by 0. S. Sharma, for a. unana <s uo. t Kam Wagar, New Delhi and
Printed a* Rajendra Ravindra Printer*, (P) Ltd., Ram Nagar, New Delhi- 1.
CONTENTS
PA<
Chapter I Units and Dimensions. 1-
Units Fundamental and Derived Units Principal Systems of Units
Dimensions Dimensional Formulae and Equations Uses of Dimen-
sional Equations Limitations of Dimensional Analysis Solved Ex-
amples Exercise I.
Chapter II Motion along a Curve The Projectile. 20-
Rotation Angular Velocity Angular Acceleration Couple Work
done by a Couple Relation between Couple and Angular Acceleration
The Hodograph Velocity in the Hodograph Uniform Circular
Motion Centripetal Force Centrifugal Force Practical Applications
of Centripetal and Centrifugal Forces Other Effects and Applications
of Centrifugal Force The Projectile Motion of a Projectile in a non-
resisting medium Horizontal Range of a Projectile Maximum Height
attained by a Projectile Angle of Projection for Maximum Range
Range on an Inclined Plane Resultant Velocity of a Projectile at a
given instant Solved Examples Exercise II.
Chapter Moment of Inertia Energy of Rotation.
III 48
Moment of Inertia and its Physical Significance Radius of Gyration
Etpression for Moment of Inertia Torque General Theorems on
Moment of Inertia Calculation of the Moment of Inertia of a Body
Its Units etc. Particular Cases of Moments of Inertia Table of Mo-
ments of Inertia Routh's Rule Practical Methods for the Determina-
tion of Moments of Inertia Angular Moment and Angular Impulse-
Law of Conservation of Angular Momentum Laws of Rotation Kine-
tic Energy of RoUtiQri Acceleration of a body rolling down an in-
clined" riline uraphical Representation of Plane Vectors Precession
The Gyrostat Gyroscope The Gyrostatic Pendulum Case of a
Rolling Disc or Hoop Gyrostatic and Gyroscopic Applications
Solved Examples Exercise III.
Chapter IV Simple Harmonic Motion. Ill
Definition Characteristics Linear S.H.M. Equation of Simple
oj#a
Harmohic Motion ComposKrfcm of Two Simple Harmonic Motions
(Graphicat^Qd Analytical JtXEftoas) Composition of two equal circular
motions in oppis^ite directing Energy of a Particle in simple Harmo-
nic Motion A vehkge Kinetv and Potential Energies of a Particle in
S. H.M. Solved ExaSlpl^s Exercise IV.
Chapter V Measurement of Mass The Balance. 146
Mass and Weight The Common Balance Essentials or Requisites of a
Good Balance Faults in a Balance Determination of True Weight
Correction for Buoyancy Solved Examples Exercise V.
Chapter VI Acceleration due to Gravity. 160
Acceleration due to Gravity The Simple Pendulum Borda's Pendu-
lum-^ Compound Pendulum -fnterchangeability of the Centres of Sus-
pension and Oscillation Centre of Percussion Other points, collinear
with the e.g., about which the time-period is the same Conditions for
Maximum and Minimum Time -periods Bar Pendulum Owen's modi-
fication of the bar pendulum Kater *s Reversible Pendulum Kater' s
Method of Coincidences Computed Time BesseVs Contribution Errors
in the Compound Pendulunfand their Remedies Other Improvements
due to Bessel Conical Pendulum Steam Eogine Governor Other
methods for the determination of # Variation of the value of g~~ -
Determination of the value of g at Sea Local and Temporal Changes in
the value of g Gravity SurveyGeophysical Prospecting Solved
Examples Exercise VI.
(v/)
1'AOES
Chapter VII Gravitation. 224273
Historical Kepler's Laws Note on Newton's deductions from Kepler's
laws Newton's Law of Gravitation Determination of the Gravita-
tional Corstant Density of the Earth Qualities of Gravitation Law
of Gravitation and the Theory of Relativity Gravitational Field In-
tensity of the Field Gravitational Potential Potential Energy Gra-
vitational potential at a point distant r from a body of mass m Velo-
city of Escape Equipotential Surface Potential at a point Outside
and Inside a Spherical Shell Gravitational Field Inside a Spherical
Shell or a Hollow Sphere Potential and Field Intensity due to a Solid
Sphere at a point (p Inside the Sphere and (//) Outside the Sphere
Intensity and Potential of the Gravitational Field at a Point due to a
Circular Disc Intensity and Potential of the Gravitational Field at a
point due to an Infinite Plane Inertial and Gravitational Mass
Earthquakes Seismic Waves and Seismographs Seismology Seismo-
graphs GG litzin's Seismograph Determination of the Epicentre and
the Focus Modern Applica ions of Seismology Solved Examples
Exercise VII.
Chapter VIII Elasticity. 274-341
Introductory Stress and Strain Hook 's Law Three Types of Elasti-
city Equivalence of a shear to a Compression and an Extension at
right angles to each other Shearing stress equivalent to an equal
linear tensile stress and an equal compression stress at right
angles to each other Work done per Unit Volume in a Strain
Deformation of a Cube Bulk Modulus Modulus of Rigidity Young's
Modulus Relation connecting the Elastic Constants Poisson's Ratio
Determination of Young's Modulus Determination of Poisson's
Ratio for Rubber Resilience Effect of a suddenly applied load-
Twisting Couple on a Cylinder (or wire) Variation of stress in a
twisted cylinder (or wire) strain energy in a twisted cylinder (or wire)
Alternative expression for strain energy in terms of stress Torsional
PendulumDetermination of the Coefficient of Rigidity (r\) for a Wire
Determination of Moment of Inertia with the help of a Torsional
Pendulum Bending of Beams Bending Moment The Cantilever (/)
Loaded at the free end (/*) Loaded uniformly Limitations of the Simple
Theory of Bending Strongly bent beams Transverse vibrations of a
loaded cantilever Depression of a beam supported at the ends (/) when
the beam is loaded at the centre 07) when the beam is loaded uniformly
Searle's Methodfor the comparison of Young's Modulus and coefficient
of Rigidity for a given material. Strain energy in a bent beam-
Resilience of bent beams Columns, Pillars and Struts Critical load
for long columns (/') When the two ends of the column are rounded or
hinged (//) When the two ends of the column are fixed (///) When one
end of the column is fixed and the other loaded. Elastic waves (/) Com-
pressional waves Impact coefficient of Restitution loss of kinetic
Energy on Impact Relative masses of colliding bo dies Solved
Examples. Exercise VIII.
Chapter IX Hydrostatics. 342366
Fluids Liquids and Gases Hydrostatic Pressure Hyprostatic Press-
ure due to a liquid Column The Hydrostatic Paradox A liquid
transmits Pressure equally in all directions Pascal's Law Thrust on
an Immersed Plane Centre of Pressure Particular Cases of Centre of
Pressure Change of Depth of Centre of Pressure Principle of Archi-
medesEquilibrium of Floating Bodies Stability of Equilibrium-
Roll ing and Pitching of a Ship Determination of Metacentric Height
Pressure due to a Compressible Fluid or a Gas Measurement of
Atmospheric Pressure Correction of Barometric Reading Change of
Pressure with Altitude Solved Examples Exercise IX.
ChapterX Flying machines Jet planes, Rockets and Satellites 367393
Flying machinesThe kite The Airplane- Different parts of an Air-
plane and thiif functions Jet propulsion -Thrust supplied by the jet
(wV)
PAGES
Efficiency of thejetEffect of smaller cross-section of the jet Rocket
planes Rocket fuel Specific impluse Shape of the Rocket The
Multi-stage Rocket Take off of ttie rocket Salvaging of the various
stage rockets Satellites Conditions for a satellite to be placed in
orbit Launching of the satelliteStability of the rocket during flight-
Form of the satellite Weight and size of the satellite Material of the
frame of the satellite Duration of satellite's existence Other essentials
Return of Artificial satellite uses of an artificial satellite Exercise X.
Chapter XI Friction and Lubrication Principle of Virtual Work and its
Simple Applications. 394417
Static Friction Laws of Friction Sliding Friction Angle of Fric-
tion Cone of Friction Acceleration down an Inclined PUne Rolling
Friction Friction and Stability Friction, a necessity Simple Prac-
tical Applications of Friction Rope Machines (/) The Prony Brake-
(//) The Rope Brake -'Hi) The Band Brakes Mechanism of Friction*-
Lubricants Principle of Virtual Work (f> Case of a body in equi-
librium on a smooth Inclined Plane undet the action of a force (ii) Cast
of equilibrium of a body on a rough Inclined Plane (Hi) Case of equili-
irium of a system of two or mare connected bodies (/v) Relation between
Equilibrium and potential energy (v) Tension in a Fhwheel Solved
Examples Exercise XL
Chapter XII Flow of Liquids Yi|S&i& &^ *&S 453
<
Rate of Flow of a liquid Lines and Tubes of Flow Energy of tnlP
Liquid -Bernoulli's Theorem and its important Anjpiications^-Impor-
tant Applications of Bernoulli's Equation Viscosity Coefficient of
-
Viscosity Fugitive Elasticity Critical ^VclochyPoiseuille's Equation
for flow of liquid through a tube Experimental Determination of rj for
a liquid Poheuillfs method Motion in a Viscous Medium Determi-
nation of Coefficient of Viscosity of a Liquid Stoics' Method
Rotation Viscomster Variation of Viscosityxrf a Liquid with Tempera-
tureComparison of Viscosities Ostwald Viscometer Determination
of Viscosity of Gases Rankine's Method for the determination of the
Viscosity of a Gas Solved Examples Exercise XII.
Chapter XIII Diffusion and Osmosis. 454 474
Diffusion Pick's law Relation between Time of Diffusion and Length
of Column Experimental Measurement of Diffusivity Graham's Law
for Diffusion of Gaie s Effusion Transpiration and Transfusion
Osmosis and Osmotic Pressure La^s of Osmotic Pressure -Kinetic
Theory of Solutions Osmosis and Vapour Pressure of a Solution
Osmosis and Boiling Point of a Solution Osmosis and Freezing Point
of a Solution Determination of Percentage of Dissociation of an
Electrolyte Determination of Molecular Weight of a Substance from
Elevation of Boiling point or Depression of Freezing-point of a Solution
of the substance Solved Examples Exercise XIII.
-
^tapter XIV Surface Tension Capillarity. 475
Molecular Force Molecular Range Sphere of Influence
Tension Explanation of Surface Tension Surface-Film and Surface
Energy Free Energy of a Surface and Surface Tension Pressure""
umerence across a Liquid Surface Drops and Bubbles Excess Pres-
sure inside a Liquid Drop Excess Pressure inside a Soap Bubble
Determination of the Surface" tension -pf "g BubbleWork done in
blowing a Bubble -Curvature, Pressure and Surface Tension Layer of
Liquid between two plates Shape of Liquid Meniscus in a Capillary
Tube Angle of Contact Measurement of the Angle of Gontact Rise of
Liquid in a Capillary Tube Rise of liquid in \
i uoe of insufficien t
Length Rise of liquid in a Conical Capillary Tube Energy required
to raised liquid in a Capillary Tube Rise of a liquid between two
Parallel Plates Force between Bodies Partly" Immersed in a Liquid
Shape of Liquid Drop on a Horizontal Plate Experimental Deter-
mination of Surface Tension, (Different Methods) - Surface Tension of
(vm)
PAGSB
Liquid Interfaces Factors affecting Surface TensionExperimental
Study of the Variation of Surface Tension with Temperature Surface
Tension and Vapour Pressure over a Liquid Surface Effect on Evapora-
tion and Condensation Solved Examples Exercise XIV.
Chapter XV -Gases Kinetic Theory. 532575
The Kinetic Theory Introduction Kinetic Theory of Gases Pressure
Exerted by a Perfect Gas Value of c Relation between c and I
1
Deduction of Gas Laws on the basis of the Kinetic Theory Kinetic
Energy of a Molecule Value of the Gas Constant Van der Waal's
Equation Mean Free Path of a Molecule Viscosity of Gases Produc-
tion of Low Pressure Exhaust Pumps Exhaust Pumps and their charac-
teristics Different Types of Pumps -The Common Air Pump Rotary
Oil Pumps (Gaede and Hyvac types) Molecular Pumps Diffusion Con-
densation Pumps (Gaede and Waran types) - Other methods of Producing
Vacua Measurement of Low Pressures- Manometers and Gauges
Common Mercury Manometers The Bourdon Gauge -Mcleod Vacuum
Gauge Improved modifications of Mcleod Gauge The Pirani Resis-
tance Gauge Thermocouple Gauge- lonisation Gauges a-ray lonisa
tion Gauge The Knudsen Gauge Solved Examples Exercise XV.
APPENDICES
Appendix I Important Trigonometrical Relations 576577
Appendix 11 Logarithms 578 580
Appendix III -Differential Calculus 581-588
Appendix IV Integral Calculus 589-596
Constant Tables 597- 600
/. Densities of Common Substances 597
//. Elastic Constants 598
///. Coefficients of Restitution 598
/ V. Coefficients of Viscosity 598
V. Molecular Elevation of Boiling Points of Solvents 599
r/, Molecular Depression of Freezing Point of Solvents 599
F/7. Surface_Tensions of Important liquids 599
VIII." Molecular Constants (.00
Logarithmic and Antilogarithmic Tables 602-605
Index 606
CHAPTER I
UNITS AND DIMENSIONS
1. limits. The Physicist always seeks to reduce his physical
concepts and conclusions to measurable quantities, in the spirit of
Lord Kelvin's very shrewd and apt remark that 'when you can mea-
sure what you are speaking about and express it in numbers, you know
something about it, but when you cannot measure it in numbers, your
9
knowledge is meagre and unsatisfactory , a remark which is at once a
challenge and an inspiration to men of science to sift and clarify
their ideas and notions until they become quite precise and clear-cut.
Now, measurement inevitably involves comparison with a
chosen standard or unit of a similar kind so that, the first essential
;
step to be taken is the selection of a suitable standard or unit in
.accordance with the nature of the physical quantity to be measured,
und the second, to determine its value in terms of the chosen unit.
In other words, to form an exact idea of the magnitude of a physical
quantity, it is neq^sary to express (/) the standard or unit in which
.
the quantity is metipured and (ii) the number of ti^s the quantity
*
contains that unit.
Thus, for example, when we speak of a distance as being equal
to 5 miles, we mean that the standard or unit in which it is measured
is the mile, and that the distance in question is five times this unit.
If we choose the yard (which is I/ 1760 of 1 mile) or thfe foot (which
is 1/1760x3 of 1 mile) as our unit, the same distance will be equal
to 8800 yards or 26,400 feet respectively, i.e., its numerical value
will be 1760 times or 1760x3 times 5. Thus, the larger the unit, the
smaller the numerical value of the quantity and the smaller the unit, the
;
larger its value. Or, the numerical value of a quantity is* inversely pro-
portional to the magnitude of the unit selected as the standard. It
follows, therefore, that the product of the numerical value of the
quantity and the magnitude of the unit in which it is expressed is a
constant. Thus,
5 X I^
Or, in general, if n t and /I 8 be the numerical values of a given
,
physical quantity, corresponding to the units xt and x, respectively,
we have
2. Derived Units. For measuring different
Fundamental aijtf
kinds of qu^$Jrefes, ^^itmst obyiously have different kinds of units. Ij
these be selected in any arbitrary manners they will be quite unrelated
to each other, and their use will create difficulties and complication)
in actual practice. They are, therefore, all based on some funda
mental units, so as to be interdependent and properly related t<
each other, the guiding principle in their choice being to D
(a} they are well-defined and of a suitable size,
2 PBOPBBTIES Off MATTER
(b) they are easily reproducible at all places,
(c) they are not subject to any secular changes (ie^
to changes
with time),
(d) they do not readily or appreciably vary with varying physica*
conditions, like temperature, pressure etc., and, if they
do r
their manner of variation is perfectly correctly known.
The fundamental units chosen, and internationally employed f
are those of mass, length and time which C. F. Gauss, in 1832, termed
as absolute units*. The reason why these alone are chosen as the
'fundamental' units, and not any others, would seem to be that they
represent our elementary scientific notions and cannot be
derived
from one another nor can they be resolved into anything more basic
;
or fundamental. All other units in Mechanics can be derived from
Thus, the units of
9
them and are, therefore, called 'derived units .
area and volume are derived units, for they can both be derived from
the unit of length, the former being the area of a square, and the
latter, the volume of a cube, each of unit length. Similarly, the
unit of velocity is a derived unit and is the velocity of a body
which covers unit distance, or length, in unit time, and so en.
3. Principal Systems of Units. There are three principal
systems of units in vogue, viz.,
(/) the Centimetre-Gramme-Second system or
the C G.S. system,
(ii) the Foot-Pound-Second system
or the F. P. S. system and (/w) the
Metre-Kilogramme-Second system or the M. K. S. system.
(i) The C. G. S. System. In this system, the unit of length is
the centimetre, that of mass, the gramme and that of time, the
second.
The Centimetre is one-hundredth part of a metre, 'which is the
distance, ata temperature ofOC, between two lines on a platinum-iridium
bar, preserved at the International Bureau of Metric Weights and
Measures at Sevres, near Paris. Originally intended to be one-
thousand millionth part of the longitude of the earth from the north
pole to the equator, passing through Paris, it is found, however, to
be slightly smaller.
The International Bureau of Weights and Measures has con-
structed a line standard metre, known as the Prototype Metre, copies
or replicas of which have been supplied to various Governments.
The Gramme is one-thousandth part of a lump of platinum-indium,
called a Kilogramme, made by Borda, in accordance wjth a decree of
the French Republic, and also preserved at Sevres. It is equal to the
mass of water, whose volume is one cubic centimetre, at 4C, when it has
its maximum density, (viz., I gm./c.c.)
The Second, or the mean
solar second, as it is called, ig
1/24 x 00 X 60/A, or 1/86400//? part of the mean solar day, which is tht
average value, for one year, of the solar day, or the time which elapse*
between two consecutive transits of the Sun across the meridian, at any
place on the Earth's surface.
*In connection with the measurements of the earth's- maenetk field
carried out by him at Gottingen.
TJUTTS ATffD DIMENSIONS 3
Another unit of time, used in Astronomy, is the mean siderial
second, which is 1/86400*// part of the siderial day, or the true period
of revolution of the Earth on its axis, i.e., the interval which elapses
between two consecutive passages of a fixed star across the meridian.
(ft*) The F. P. S. System. Here, the unit of length is the foot,
the unit of mass, the pound and the unit of time, the second.
The Foot w one- third of the distance between two transverse lines,
ata temperature of62F, on two goldplygs in a bronze bar*, kept at the
Standards Office of the Board of Trade, London.
The Pound (avoirdupois) is the mass of a platinum-indium cylinder,
marked "P S., 1844, I Ib." also kept at the Standards Office of the
Board of Trade, London. %
And, the Second, or the mean solar second, is the same as defined:
above.
Other units, derived from those given above, are called the
,
Board of Trade units or the B. O. T. units.
It may aswell be mentioned here that we generally choose our
units to smt the quantity to be measured. Thus, for example, for the
measurement of very small lengths or distances, we have successively
smaller units of length, v/z., the micron (//) = 10~ 3 mm., the milli-
micron (m ) = 10 6 mm. and the Angstrom unit (A. U. or, simply, A}
fl
= U)- 7 mm. and, for the measurement of very large distances, like
;
those of interbteller space, we have correspondingly larger units, like
the light year, or the distance covered by light in vacuo, (with a
10
velocity of 2 9.) x 10 cm. /sec.) in one full year. Similar being the case
with the units of mass and time.
(iii) The M.K.S. System. This is a comparatively new system,
very much akin to the C.G.S. system, in which the units of length,
mass and time are the Metre, the Kilogramme and the Second
respectively.
The fir.^t system is the one invariably used in scientific work all
over, the second is more or less confined in its use to ojily Great
Britain and the third is now being increasingly adopted m
electrical
engineering etc., where it is found to be more convenient and useful
4. Dimensions. Dimensional Formulae and Equations.
(a) Dimensions. The units of mass, length and tiine are
denoted by the capioal letters, [M], [t] and [T}\, which merely iri&h
cate their nature and not their magnitude. And, since the unit of are*a
is. the product of two unit length*, we have the unit of area repre-
sented by [L] x fJL] or [L 2 ] and, similarly, the unit of volume, being
;
the product of three unit lengths, is represented by [L] x [L] x [L] or
[L ]. We express this by saying that the unit of area is of two dimen-
8
sionsjf. in length, and the unit of volume, of three dimensions
in length.
This bar has now also been replaced by a platinum-indium one.
tThe square brackets merely indicate 'dimension of\ Once this is under-
stood, theymay as well be orrutted, as we shall quite often do.
lt
*
J Which is the abbreviated form of exponent of dimension', but is -now
commonly used and well understood.
4 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
Since neither the unit of area nor that of volume depends upon mass
and time, their dimensions are said to be zero in both mass and time
and we may, therefore, represent these units as L1 T* and L* M M
Z* respectively.
f
"The dimensions of a derived unit may thus be defined as the
powers to which the fundamental units of mass, length and time must be
raised to represent it" Thus, if a derived unit depends upon the wth
power of a fundamental unit, it is said to be of n dimensions in that
fundamental unit. For example,
,
.
velocity
=
and hence the dimensions of the
^
distance or length
----- --------
unit
fL 1
\-T J
of velocity are
- LT .
1 in length and 1
in time. Since independent of mass,
it is its dimension in mass is
zero, and we may, therefore, represent it by MLT~ l
.
Again, since deceleration = ~ the dimensions of the unit
f
of acceleration are
M- L 7- 1
^
== M
, , r rr .
LI-*, and
,
so on.
It will thus be seen that the dimensions of a physical quantity
are obtained by simply defining it in terms of those physical quanti-
ties whose dimensions in mass, length and time are known, the value
of a derived unit depending upon the values of the fundamental units
from which it is derived. Thus, if we take a yard as our unit of length,*
2
instead of a/oof, the units of area and volume will respectively be 3
and 3* times as big as their uptits itt the ordinary system. So that,
the dimensions of a physical quantity show how its nature and the value
of its unit depend upon the fundamental units chosen.
(b) Dimensional Formulae
and Equations. A dimensional formula
is an expression, showing how and which of the fundamental units enter
into the unit of a physical quantity. Thus, all the expressions in the
Table opposite, indicating the relation between the derived and
fundamental units, are dimensional formulae. For example, the
dimensional formula for work is ML*T~*. But when we put it in the
form, W = ML
2
r~ f it is called a dimensional equation for work.
,
This idea of dimensional formulae for physical quantities, as
we know it today, was first clearly given by Fourier, in the year
1822, although it originated initially with Newton, who refers to the
principle of similitude in his famous and well celebrated Principia,
(II,Proposition 32).
The student is no doubt aware that in Physics we come acrooo
two types of quantities, viz., variables and constants, which may
both be dimensional or non-dimensional (i.e., dimensionless). Thus,
we have
Dimensional Variables. These are quantities like accelera-
(/)
tion, velocity, force and most of the others which the Physicist has to
deal with, at every step. These are, so to speak, his 'current coin'.
(0^ Dimensional ConstantsQuantities
which have a constant
value jmd yet have dimensions are called dimensional constants. As
TOITS AKD DIMENSIONS 5
examples of these may be cited G, the Gravitational Constant, and c,
the Velocity of Light in vacuo, whose dimensions are M~ 1 L*T~** and
MLT~ l
respectively.
Non-dimensional Variables. These are quantities which are
(Hi)
variables and yet have no dimensions as, for example, specific ;
gravity, strain or an angle, (see Table below).
Here, we also meet with groups of dimensional variables (with
or without dimensisnal constants) such that their dimension is zero in
each of the fundamental quantities, i.e., in length, mass and time. Thus,
for example, the
quantity t\/ gjl has no dimensions and so also the ;
quantity up//?, called Reynold's number, can be shown to have zero
dimensions in mass, length and time. Such quantities were given
the name 'numerics' by James Thomson.
(to) Non-Dimensional Constants. These are mere numbers like
-
3, 2, TT etc.
Thus, numerics, pure numbers and quantities like heat, electri-
city,temperature and dielectric constant have no dimensions in MLT.
The following Table shows at a glance the dimensional
formulae for some important physical quantities.
Physical quantity Dimensional formula
1. Area = (length)
5
M*L*T, or simply [L ] 8
2. Volume - (length) 8 ML*T, or simply [*]
3. Velocity = length/time r, or MLT-\ or [LT~ l\
4. Acceleration = velocity/ time *
j
^ or M*LT *
or [LT~*]
5. Momentum
= (mass x velocity) MxL/T, or [MLT- 1]
6. Force = (mass x acceleration)
= rate of change of
momentum
7. Work* (force x distance
or length)
8. Couple* = (force x length) MX (LIT XL 2
) [ML*T~*]
'
9. Kinetic Energy*
2
(i mass x velocity ) MX IL*IT*] = [AfL*/T*] or [ML*T~*]
10. Potential Energy*
(mass x acceleration
due to gravity x
distance)
11. Power, (or rate of doing work)
= work/time
12. Density = mass /volume MIL*, or [ML~*T] or [ML~]
13. Specific gravity=a mere ratio. No dimensions
1 4. Pressure = force/area MLT~*IL*, or
15. Stress = force /area MLT-*IL*. or
*See Solved Example 1 (6), page 13.
be noted that the demensions of couple, kinetic energy and
*It will
potential energy are the same as those for work, because they arc mutually
convertible and energy is just work. Same is the case witn pressure and s/re$5.
6 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
Physical quantity Dimensional formula
16. Strain
**
change of length or volume
original lengttTor volume
volume No dimensions.
^length
length volume
=a mere number.
1*1. Coefficient of Elasticity
= stress/strain
18. Coefficient of Viscosity MLT-* LT-*
fo rce velocity
L*
'
L
=-
~~
area "distance
19. Surface tension =force/length, MLT~*IL, or
= = [M LT~*] or [MT-*]
or, energy /area
20. Frequency I/time 1/T T- 1 , or [AfLT- 1 ]
21. Angle '
length /length
-
a number. No dimensions.
5. Uses of Dimensional Equations. A careful examination
of the dimensional equations of the various physical quantities
involved in a relation, i.e., an analysis of their dimensions, is of great
help to us in more ways than one, the process beim* known as
distnensionai analysis. Its three chief uses are the following :
(a) conversion of one system of units into another,
(b) checking the results arrived at,
and (c) deriving a correct relationship between different physical
quantities.
Let us consider these in some detail.
It is seen
(a) Conversion of one system of units into
another.
that a physical quantity is expressed in terms of an appropriate unit
of the same nature, its value being equal to the product of a number
and that particular unit. Further, as shown in 1, its value remains
the same on all systems of units. This affords us an easy method
of changing over from one system of units to another.
Thus, suppose there is a physical quantity of dimensions a, b
and mass length and time
c in respectively, /.e., whose dimensional
formula is
a b c
L T M Then, if its . numerical* value be HJ in one lystem
in vvhich the fundamental units are M Lt
L x and T19 it is clearly equal
tonAM'LfTf].
Also, if its numerical value be w a * n Another system of funda-
mental units M 2,
L 2 and T2 it is equal to n^MJLfTJ] in this
,
ystem.
So that, n&
whence, l
~M
AKB DIMENSIONS
-=
So thad;, knowing the fundamental units in the two systems
ind the numerical value of the quantity in one of them, its numerical
value in the other system can be easily determined. Care must,
however, be taken to apply relation (i) above, after expressing
the given quantity in absolute units. Let us consider an example
or two.
(1) To convert a poundal, (the unit of force in the F.P.S. system),
into dynes, (the unit of force in the C.G.S. system). /
We know that force has dimensions MLT~* and that
i Ib. =453-6 gms., and 1 ft. = 12 x 2-54 <w.=30-48 cms. So that,
M units in F.P.S. system = 453 6 M units in C.G.S. system,
L units in F.P.S. system = 30'48 L units in C.G.S. system,
and T units in F.P.S. system= T units in C.G.S. system,
the fundamental unit of time being the same, viz., the second, in the
two systems,
.-. MLT-* poundals = (453-6M)(30-48 L)T~*.
~ . ,
7
453-6MX 30-48
---
= Ur, 1 poundal =*
^ ,>
log 453*6
.r-*^
4840-
<-,
2-6567
tct-i '
MxLx -r
log 30-48 1
Antilog 4- 1407
= l'382xl0 4 s=s 1-382 x 10* units in the
C.G.S. system.
Thus, 1 poundal l-382x 10* dynes. </ =
(2) To convert one Horse Power, (F. P. S. system), into Watt*
(C.G.S. system). We know that
1 H. P. == 550 ft. Ibs.jsec.
= 550 X 32-2 ft. poundals sec. I
and g = 32-2 /*. /sec. y 2
Again, as shown in Ex. (1),
M units in F.P.S. system = 453-6 M units in C.G.S. system,
L units = 30-48 L
and T units .
= T -
Since the dimensional formula for power is AfL2 r~8 we have ,
= 550x32-2(453-6M)x(30-48L) xr-.
H.P.
F P - 550 x 32
H.P. 2x
32-2
X 30 48L x r--
453 6M -
- '
(
'
2
) -
8
.
M
*This ratio
at in
that
t, " the
iv F.P.S. system,
MJM^ if ^ bei.e.,
the unit of mass in the C.Q.S. system
the ratio 'gram to the pound" is called
conYcrsion
ion factor,
factor.
8 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
Checking the results arrived at. This depends upon what
(b)
10 the principle of homogeneity of dimensions, again due to
called
Fourier, according to which the dimensions of all the terms on the two
sides of an equation must be the same. This follows at once from the
fact that it is not possible to compare twa physical quantities of
different natures, and that only quantities of the same nature can be
added up together, their resultant being also of the same nature.
If, therefore, in a given relation the terms on either side have the same
dimensions, the relation is a correct one, but if they have not, there is-
a flaw somewhere, which must be diligently sought out.
Let us again take a couple of examples :
(1) To check the accuracy of the relation, t = 2ir^i]if9 for a
simple pendulum.
Here, the term / on the lef hand side has only one dimension in
fc
time, or the dimension of t is [ T], its dimensions in both mass and
length being zero.
And, on the right hand side, 2ir has na dimensions, being just a.
number / has one dimension in length, or its dimension is [L], those
;
in mass and time being zero and the dimensions of g, the accelera-
;
tion due to gravity, are LT~ 2 that in mass being zero.
,
Hence the
dimensions of the term, 2n y7// =
^HUlF* or \/~f* [T], = i.e.,
it has
only one dimension in time, the same as the term on the left
hand side. The relation / =
2n\/l/g is, therefore, a correct one.
(2) To check the relation S = ut+\ at*, for the distance covered
in t seconds by a body, having an initial velocity u and an acceleration a.
Here, the dimension of the term S on the left hand side is one
in length, or [L], and taking the terms on the right hand side, we have
(/) dimensions of u (velocity)
LT* 1 =
(U) dimensions oft (time) = T
(Hi) dimensions of J (a number)
= Nil
(iv) dimensions of a (acceleration) = LT~*
and (v) dimensions of f 2 (time 2 ) = I* 2 .
.-, dimensions of the term, ut -f \at* = LT~* x T+LT-* x T*r
= L+L,
i.e., the dimension of each term on the right hand side is the same as
that oj the term on the left hand side ; hence the given relation i
correct.
A similar dimensional homogeneity will be observed in the case
of any other relation, representing a physical phenomenon. The
method of dimensions has thus a very definite mnemonical value*
and enables the beginner to resolve his confusion between two alter-
native possibilities occurring to him regarding a particular half for-
gotten formula, as, for example^whether the time-period of a simple
pendulum is1given by t 2?r\/^ or by f =
2n^/l/g, or whether the
formula iirr gives the surface area or the volume of a sphere etc., etc.
* value at an aid to memory.
i.e.,
UNITS AND DIMXHIONS 9
(c) Deriving a correct relationship between
different pftysical
quantities. The principle of homogeneity of dimensions also enables
us to deduce a relationship between different physical quantities, or,
at any rate, a preliminary form of such a relationship For, knowing
the factors on which a physical quantity may possibly depend*, and
this requires a little physical insight and a certain amount of 'horse
sense' an expression for it can be obtained in terms of these factors,
such that the dimensions of the terms on the two sides of the
expression are the same, the only acceptable form of the relationship-
being the one which remains true irrespective of the system of units
employed. A few examples will illustrate the point.
(1) To deduce an expression for the time-period of a simple pendu-
lum.
The factors on which the time-period (/) may possibly depend^
are the following :
(i) the mass of the bob (m),
(ii) the length of the pendulum (/),
(Hi) acceleration due to gravity (g) and
(iv) the angle of swing of the pendulum (6).
Let / be proportional to ma , /*, g
c
and 6d So that, .
t=K.m a l*y
where Kis a constant of proportionality.
6d ,
Taking dimensions of the terms on either side of the sign of
equality, we have
[T] = [Ma ][L*][LT~*Y = M*L*Le T-*<. r* and having no
Or, T = M*Ld + c T- 2e . 1 dimensions.
Since the dimensions of the terms on the two sides must be the
same, we have, equating the indices of L and T, M ,
a = 0, b+c = and 2c = 1,
whence, c = | and b \ =0, or b =
. .
Therefore, = K.I*. g~~*.
t
Or/ t^KVlfg. +J
The value of K can be found out experimentally f, and comes to
2ir ; so that, the required relation is t = 2?r
\fTfg.
It will easily be noted, from the above, that
(/) the time-period of the pendulum is independent of its mass,
a fact we know to be true by actual experience ;
and (ii) the expression t^/gjl has no dimensions, as
9
it is equal to the
dimensionless constant K
and is thus a numeric.
9
An important deduction emerges from this latter point, viz.,
that if two pendulums having different lengths, (^ and /t ), oscillating
* It is
absolutely necessary to take into account all possible major
factors on which our result may reasonably be expected to depend, though one
or more of these factors may get eliminated later. The method, however, ceases
to give any worthwhile result if the number of variables included is more than
six.
K
tThe value of can be determined easily by substituting in the relation
obtained, the observed value of /, for known values of / and #.
10 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
at two different places, where the values of the acceleration due to
gravity are ol and g+ respegtively, take time TA and T a to describe
equal arcs, they may have
i.e., the value of the non-dimensional expression or the numeric
may be the same for both.
And, if this be so, it means that the two pendulums pass
through exactly the same phase for the same value of r\/g]T. This is a
case of what is called dynamical similarity, and all
moving systems of
this type are said to be
dynamically similar.
A very interesting and a classic example of this principle is the compari-
son of the speeds of fully grown animals with those of their young.
Very reasonably, taking the density of the two animals to be the same and
theirmuscular strengths directly proportional to the cross-section of their limbs,
we have the ratio between their densities equal to one and similarly that between
their strengths per unit area of cross-section of their limbs, also equal to one ; so
that, if subscripts 1 and 2 refer to the adult animal and to its young respective-
ly, we have
ratio of their densities, i.e., ^
L>i
/^ =1
I L, z
f
md also ratio between their muscular strengths per unit area, i.e.,
From these two relations then, we easily get
X = 17'
L-\ L"i
where L^IT^ is the speed of the full grown animal and L 2 /Tt9 that of its young.
The speeds of the two animals are thus the same, a result which, at first
sight, appears to.be simply ridiculous. And yet it is an actual fact, the shorter
strides of the young being taken faster than the longer ones of the adult.
(2) To deduce a relationship for the velocity of sound in a material
medium, the temperature of the medium remaining constant.
The velocity K may depend upon (/) the elasticity of the medium
E and (ii) the density of the medium, p ;
so that,
V = K.Ea ^ b >
where K is a constant.
Again, taking dimensions of the terms on both sides, we have
>
(" v elasticity stress/ strain
m
MOLT-* =|
j^j.
I r*r*
ro . I
ii 1 /".
rn
I
^-rilrJzl
force /area
J \
'
a ratio
l^and density mass/ volume.
Since the dimensions on the two sides must be the same , it
clear that a+b = 1, and
;
a3b =
2a 1, =
whence, a = \ and b = a = - J.
Hence, V=
Or, 'V^
UNITS AND DIMENSIONS
The value of K is again determined by experiment, and i*
found to be 1 in this case ;
so that, V 5= \/~Ejp
So far only simple cases have been considered. In other cases
the method used above may not always be applicable. Let us con-
sider one such typical example by way of illustration of the method
adopted in such cases
(3) To obtain a relation between the distance travelled by a bod)
in time t, if its initial velocity be u and acceleration a.
Let the distance covered by the body in time t be represented
by S = K.ua .ab .t c Then, taking dimensions, we have
^
J
Or, [L] = La T~* x Lb T~*b x T = c
Since the dimensions on the two sides must be the same, we
have
a+b ==
l...(i) ; a2b+c = ; or, a+2b~~~c = ...(&']
These two equations alone are not enough to give us the values
of a, b and c. Hence we proceed as follows :
Suppose the body has no acceleration. Then,
S =
K'u a t c where K' is another constant.
,
Taking dimensions, we have
L = La T~*Tc = L a Tc ~ a ,
whence, * a = 1 ;
and ca = 0, or c = a = 1,
K' . ut. S = ...(A)
Now, suppose the body has no initial velocity. Then,
S = K" ab t c where K" is yet another constant,
,
Again, taking dimensions, we have
L == L T-b 26 T = Lb Tc -*b
c
.
b = 1 ; and c 2b = 0, or c = 26 => 2.
Hence S = K".at*. ...(B)
therefore, a body has both, initial velocity as well as
If,
acceleration, its equation of motion contains both the expressions,
(A) as well as (B) so that, we have
;
svhere the constantsK' and K" can be determined experimentally,
and are found to be equal to 1 and \ respectively. Thus, the re-
quired relation comes to be S t//-f-|a/
2 = .
In addition to the three chief uses of dimensional analysis, dis-
cussed above, mention may also be made here of a couple of others.
Thus,
(iv) it is helpful in selecting experiments likely to give some useful
information and avoiding others. In this connection, Lord Rayleigtfs
remark is worth quoting. Says he, 'I have often been impressed by
the scanty attention paid even by original workers in Physics to the
great principle of similitude. It happens not infrequently that
results in the form of 'laws' are put forward as novelties on th*
12 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
basis of elaborate experiments which might have been predicted
a priori after a few
minutes' consideration.' How true, indeed !
(v) it is a powerful aid to mathematical analysis,
Then, again,
when the problem .happens to be a, complex one and when no experi-
ments to solve it are possible. Even if the number of variables
involved in the problem be a large one, dimensional analysis does
help obtain at least a partial solution of it.
^Limitations of Dimensional Analysis. It will be readily seen
from the examples, given above, that the method of dimensional
analysis is after all not quite so simple or straight in its application,
except in obviously easy cases. Very helpful, as far as it goes, it has
also its own limitations. Thus, for example :
(i) Its one obvious drawback is that it giveslittle or no informa-
tion about pure numerics (like t^/yjlin Ex. 1) and non-dimensional con-
stants (like K
in Ex. 2), involved in various physical relations, and
which, therefore, have to be determined by separate calculation or
experiment.
(ii) Then, again, since at best only three equations
can be ob-
tained by equating the dimensions of [Af], [L] and [T}\ the method is
of no avail in deducing the exact form of a physical relation which
happens to depend upon more than three quantities. For, clearly, of a
given number of quantities involved, the indices of only three can be
expressed in terms of the rest, thus leaving us with a relation between?
the remaining number* of non-dimensional groups of terras so that, ;
what we may ultimately succeed in obtaining is just an equation in
terms of an undetermined function.
It will thus be clear that, while the method of dimensional
analysis remains unrivalled and almost unique, in so far as conversion
from one system of units into another and checking the correctness
of physical relations are concerned, its use is not quite so safe or
certain when it comes to establishing a definite or exact relationship
between a given set of physical quantities and, particularly so, in the
hands of beginners.
More often than not, the success of the method depends upon
the proper choice of dimensional constants (like G or c), which have to
be introduced as additional variables. And, it needs a trained,
subtle and intuitive mind, with the solid background of a mature
and a comprehensive knowledge of the subject, to decide, on the basis
of analysis or experience or perhaps just on that of some sort of
inspiration of the moment, what particular variables to select, and
how, when and where to introduce them. A very apt illustration in
support of these remarks is perhaps Raleigh's explanation, by the
method of dimensions, as to why the sky is blue.
That the colour of the sky is due to the scattering of light by
suspended drops of moisture and dust particles etc. (of molecular
size) in the atmosphere is fairly well known. From this basic fact,
Raleigh proceeds as follows :
*v/z., the given number of quantities minus three.
UNITS AND DIMENSIONS 13
Let A t be the amplitude of the scattered wave. Then, the possi-
ble factors on which it may depend are
(/) Af the amplitude of the incident wave of light,
(it) I, the linear dimension of the scattering particle,
(Hi) r, the distance from the particle,
And (iv) \, the wave-length of light.
So that, expressing A s in terms of all these variables, we have
A g **K.Afl*r*K,
where K is a constant of proportionality.
Or, taking dimensions, we have
L = L* . U . If .
U,
for, obviously, the dimensions of all these quantities are the ame.
viz., L, and those of 0, K=
We, therefore, have
; = a+b+c+f.
Now, we know that the araflfjtude of the
scattered light is
</) directlyproportional to that of t$e incident light and (//) inversely
proportional to its distance from the scattering particle. This at
once gives us a 1 and c = 1. =
And, therefore,
i+bl+d, whence, d = 16.
1 ._
A, = K A, V r* A
"* = K.
So that, .
1
Now, as Rayleigh remarks, 'from what we know of the dyna-
mics of the situation** / varies directly as the volume of the scatter-
ing particle. And, therefore, 6=3.
Hence A s
=K .
'
2
. Or, A s oc I/ A
2
.
And since intensity oc (amplitude)*, we have
4
intensity of scattered light, Is oc I/ A .
It thus follows, as a natural consequence, that the wave-length of blue
light being roughly half that of red light, the in tensity of scattered blue light
is sixteen times that of scattered red light and that the sky, therefore, appears to
us to be blue.
The student will appreciate how, in capable hands, the method of dimen-
sional analysis can be made to yield results beyond the pale of elementary
analysis.
SOLVED EXAMPLES
1. Deduce the dimensions of (a) the
Coefficient of Viscosity, and ( the
Constant of Gravitation (G).
Obtain a formula for the time of swing af a simple pendulum from a know-
Ledge of the dimensions of the physical quantfp Involved. (Punjab)
(a) We know that the coefficient of viscosity (17) of a liquid is given by
the relation, *?
w jpr/8v/, =
vhere P isthe pressure difference between the two ends of the capillary tube ;
% its radius ; /, its length and v, the rate of flow of the liquid through it, or the
>olume of liquid flowing out per second
*v/z., the ratio of the respective amplitudes of the incident and reflected
ight.
n PEOPEETIES OF MATTER
Therefore, taking dimensions of all these quantities, we have
dimensions of P ML" 1 !"* =
[see Table on page Si
M r*
=
^
v IT" 1
[v rate of flow = volume/time.
/ - L
and and, Bare z^ro. [Both being numbers.
Hence, dimensions of coefficient of viscosity TJ, are
(b) We know that the value of G, the Garvitational Constant, is given by
the relation, G^CQd*IM.m.l. ,
where C
is the restoring couple per unit twist of the wire; B, the angle of twist oj
the wire ; d, the distance between the centres of the near large and small balls ; M
andm, the masses of the large and small balls respectively and /, the length of the
torsion rod, (Cavendish's experiment).
Therefore, taking the dimensions of the quantities involved, we have
dimensions of C (couple) = 2
T~* [See Table on page 5- ML
9 (angle) =
d 1
= L2
M = M
m = M
Hence dimensions of G are or
For answer to the second part of the question, see page 9, (Ex. 1).
Find the unit of length if one minute be the unit of time ; one stone,
2.
the unit of mass, and one pound-weight, the unit of force. (g 32'2 ft per sec 2 ).
We know that 1 Ib. wt. = g poun dais 32'2 poundals, and that the di-
2
mensions of force are MLT~~ .
Now, M units in the new system (14M) units in the ordinary system,
1 stone *= 14 Ibs.
[v
T ,, ,, ,,
= (607) units in the ordinary system,
and let L ,, ,, ,, ,,
= (xL) units in the ordinary system.
log 32*2 - 1 5079 Then, 32'2 MLT~ =14MxxLx[6QT]~* units
Z
in this system
2 log 60 = 3-5564 = 14M.*L.60~ r- units 2 2
5-0643
14 = Or, 32-2- And/. x= ^8283.
Jog 1J461 JJf. 14
Antilog 3*9182"
Or, the unit of length in the new system would be xL
-
8283 =8283xL, i.e., equal to 8283/h [since [I] = l ft.
3. If the acceleration due to gravity be represented by unity and one
second be the unit of time, what must be the unit of length ?
In the ordinary system, in which the unit of length [L] 1 cm., and that =
of time [71 = 1 sec , we have
unit of acceleration, [dimensions LT~*] 1 cm. /.sec. , and acceleration! = 2
due to gravity equal to 981 cm./sec*.=9B\ LT~*.
If the unit of length, in the new system, be LI, we have
L acceleration due to gravity, on this system, == 1 xL x sec 2 L{T~* 9
'
. =
the unit of time being the same, i.e., 1 second, in this system also.
I^T-
2
981 IT- 2 .
[1.
Or, LI 981 L ; that is L l 981 cms., since L 1 cm.
Thus, the unit of length in the new system is equal to 981 cms.
4. Given that the unit of power is one million ergs per minute, the unit of
force is 1000 dynes and the unit of time, 1/10 sec., what are the units of ma**-
and length?
Here (a), unit of power, [dimensions ML*T~*] 1000,000 Srgslmt.
= 1000,000 16Q ergs per $rc~
(b) unit of force, [dimensions MLT~*] IQQQ dynes,
and (c) unit of time [dimension T] 1/10 sec.
UNITS AND DIMENSIONS
/. multiplying (a) by (c), we have
unit of power x unit of time = unit of work.
- [ML T-*][T] = ML*T~*.
2
_ 1000,000 x J_ _ 10* '
60 10"""" 6
Dividing this unit of work by the unit of force, we have
unit of distance or length ~ , x , = ~~-cms.
JQQQ
Now, from (b) we have
unit of mass MIT' 2
-f
^ = MLT~* x
^ F v maw
rv iii7 ' force =1000 dyne&
of
- 1000x(l/10)
2
1000x3 r r *,,
^!
.
Or.iniro/mai*- 6
5/3 lOQxS* and im/^/arc.-
Therefore, the units of mass and length, in the given system, are 6 ,gms. and"
5/3 cms., respectively,
5. If the fundamental units are the velocity of light in air, the acceleration
of gravity at Greenwich, and the density of mercury at 0C, find the units or
mass, length and time. (Velocity of light - 3 x i0 10 cm \see ; acceleration of gravity
at Greenwich = 9 81 x 10 cm.isec- =
2 2
density of mercury 13*6 gm. per c.c.).;
Here, (a) unit of velocity, (dimensions LT~ l )=3 x 10 10 cm.fsec.
(b) acceleration, ( Lr- 2 )=9*81 x 10 2 cm.jsec.*
(c) ,. density, ( ML~ 3 = 13*6 gm.jcm*
)
log 3 *=0'4771
j
/. dividing (a) by (b), we have
8 log 10 3xl0 10
^ 3xl0
8
=8000p| mlt
t
=
8 477 1 j
f time > ( 7) 9 X1 x 1
2
9" 8"P
'
-09917
1
log 9*81 !!L . _!.
Antilog 7*4854 j
Substituting this value in (a), we have
7
3'058 x 10 |
mit Of length, (L) ^LT~ l .T.
j
=3 x 10 10 x 3-058 x 10 7 =9 174x 10" cms.
log 13-6= 1-1 335 And, from (c), we have
of mass, (M) = ML-
j
17
log(9'174x 10 ) ; unit 3
xL 8
--- =13'6x(9-174x 10 17 )
3
.
=53 8878
Antilog 55-0213 Thus, the required units of mass, length and time are-
rosixio 65 1 051 x 10 65 gms., 9'174x 10 17 cms. and 3'058x 10 7 seconds,
respectively.
6. of length and force he each increased four times, show that
If the units
the unit of energy increased sixteen times.
is
We have unit of energy = unit of force x unit of distance.
If now, the units of force and distance be made four times each, they
would be 4[MLT~*] and 4L respectively, and, therefore, the new unit of energy
would be 4Afr- x4L=16AfL T- which is sixteen times ML 2 r~ 2 , the ordinary
a 2 J 1
,
unit.
Thus, we see that by increasing the unit of force ^md length four times each,
the unit of energy is increased sixteen times.
1. Show by the method of dimensions that the relation, C=nnr 4 j2l for
the couple per unit twist of a wire of length /, radius r and cefficient of rigidity
, is a
correct one.
Let us take the dimensions of the terms on the two sides of the sign of
equality and see if they are the same. Thus,
dimensions of C (couple) =* ML 2
r~*
n (rigidity}
= ML^ 1 T" Z [same as for elasticity ~
r* (radius? L*
/ (length) L
and. " and 2, being numbers, have no dimensions.
16 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
Therefore, the dimensions of the term wirr*/2J are
1 ML
\AT IT-* v f*
XL _
JL
*he same as for C, on the left hancTside.
Hence, the relation C wrr*/2/ is a correct one.
8. Test by the method of dimensions the accuracy of the relation
tf = 2 \Afc* +?*)/# f r tne time-period of a compound pendulum.
be -correct, the dimensions of the terms on either side of
If the relation
the sign of equality must be tne same.
Let -us put the relation as t = 2A / _ 4.
V lg g
Now, the dimensions of / = [T]
K* = [L K being the radius of gyration.
2
],
I - [L]
Therefore, the dimensions of the term on the right hand side are
Thus, we see
-V2^" vri+5 *"
that the dimensions of the terms on either side are the same,
viz., [T]. The relation is, therefore, a correct one.
9. Find the dimensions of velocity and acceleration. Assuming that
-when a body falls from rest under gravity the velocity v is given by Kg*W 9 where
h is the distance fallen through, g, the acceleration of gravity and K, p and q are
Constants. Show, by a consideration of the dimensions involved, that v^K\/gh.
(London Higher School Certificate)
'For answer to part one of the question, see Table on page 5.
We are given that v = Kg*hP. Taking dimensions, therefore, we have
dimensions of v = ^- =* LT~ l .
dimensions of h9
,, K = 0, for it is a constant or a mere number.
Therefore, the dimensions of the term,
Since dimensions on both sides of the sign cf equality must be the tame,
AVC have
Or, p+q 1 and -2p = 1, whence, p i and 0= i.
KgW Kg* . A* JSTV^-
Or, v = K^/giT
10. The frequency of vibration (n) of a stretched string is a function
of the tension (T), the length (/) and the mass per unit length (p). Prove that
"~ /
JLet n DC Ta/V. Then, taking dimensions, we have
!// ** M*L*T~*- 9 or T~\
>
dimensions of
TTKITS AND DIMENSIONS 17
Dimensions of J a
, (force)*
= [MLT~*]* M*L*T-** 9
,t /*, (length)* - /A
r rami* rM"\ c =JV/a
., fr " cf
" pe >
U^/J -LrJ -
dimensions of the term T L*P =
a c
M a
l*T- Za
.L b .M Lr c t
Or, y-i .
jv/f
+
Since dimensions of n must be the same on both sides, we have a 4 c ;
c = Oand 2a = 1, or 2a = 1 i.e a = i, and hence i-f c=0, or c= , |.
Also |4-A-(~i) = 0, or f-h&~h4 = 0, i.e., l-t-6 = 0, or 6 1.
Therefore, Ta l
b c
T1
i
. /- 1 .
p
_if = 1
/
V "p-F
A /
And hence n oc
11. The time of oscillation (n of a small drop of liquid under sur-
face tension depends only on the density (/>), the radius (a), and the surface
1 _l
tension (T). Show that the period of oscillation is KP^ . a 2 .T *, where K
Is a numeric.
Let t = K?
a
a b T*. So that, taking dimensions, we have
dimensions of t T,
a* --=
\L\
b = ZA
7^ = [/V/r- ]^
2
= M C
T~ ZC , [See page 5.
and K has wo dimensions, being a numeric.
dimensions of the term K?ab T c ~= ML-* aU>McT-* c .
Or. = M a + cL-* a +*T- 2 c.
Since the dimensions of the terms on both sides must be the same, we
have
/j-hc^O; -3a+Z> = 0, and -2c -1.
Or, c = J and /. a = i and ^ f .
Hence //iff f/m^ c/ oscillation of the drop, t = X"p2 . a* . T *
12. Explain the Principle of Homogeneity of dimensions in a physical
equation.
Assuming that the mass M
of the largest stone that can be moved by a
flowing river depends on K, the velocity, p, the densitv of water and on g, show
that M varies with the sixth power of the velocity, of flow in the river.
(Punjab)
Let M depend upon K a
, P* and g c .
So that, M = KV &&g a c.
[K being a constant*
Taking dimensions, we have
dimensions of M = [MJ
L
[
1 T T I
=
and *T has no dimensions, being a mere number.
18 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
Af La :r-aAf*Zr'& r~ w . Or, M= ,
5/fK* ffo dimensions on both sides must be the same, we have
a-36+c 0, 1) = 1, and -a-2c = 0, or a-\- 2c = D,
So that, 0+c = 3 and 0+2c = 0. And .*. c = -3 and & ~ 6r
Hence M = JCKV*- 8 .
Or, M oc K f
.
Le. 9 the mass M varies with the sixth power of the velocity offlow.
EXERCISE 1
1. If 10000 gms. be the unit of mass, 60 sees., the unit of time, and the
acceleration due to gravity (981 cms.lsec*.), the unit of acceleration, what
would be the unit of energy in ergs 1 Ans. 3'465 x 1C 12 ergs.
\j) Convert by the method of dimensions, 4*2 x 10 7 ergs into foot -poun*
dals (1 //. = 30'48 cms., and 1 Ib. =453'6 gms.). Ans. 96 6ft. poundals*
*
3. Deduce the dimensions of (/) specific gravity, (a) surface density and
(Hi) angular velocity.
Show that the kinetic energy of a body of mass m, moving with a velo-
2
city v, is given by kmv , where k is a constant.
4. Test, by the method of dimensions, the accuracy of the following
relations :
2
(i) v u2 2aS, connecting initial velocity u, final velocity v, accelera-
tion a and distance S covered by a body.
(//) S = ut + Jflf
a
connecting distance S with initial velocity u, time t
and acceptation a of the body,
/\
(in)
_ V
p=
where v is the w^aw density of the earth t r, its radius
4^0 *
g the acceleration due to gravity and (7,
y the gravita-
tional constant.
5. that the excels pressure (p) inside a soap bubble depends
Assuming
on (() the surface tension (T) of the soap film and (//) its radius (n, show, by
your knowledge of dimensions, that it is directly proportional to the former and
inversely proportional to the latter.
[Hint Simply show that p^k.Tfr, whence it follows that p varies directly
as T and inversely as r.j
6. A drop of liquid in another liquid of the same density
is suspended
but with which it is drop is distorted fiom the spherical
immiscible. If the
shape and released, deduce, by dimensional methods, a formula for its period
of oscillation (/), given that the latter depends on surface tension T, density?
and drop-radius r.
_
Ans. tk \I P -JL~, where fc is a constant.
/Ch Convert, by the method of dimensions, a pressure of Impounds wt.
per square inch into dynes per sq. cm. Ans. 7*912 x 10 4 dynes Jem 21
.
8. Show that when bodies of geometrically similar form and of the same
material, differing only in dimensions, vibrate in the same manner, the vibra-
tions being due to,the elasticity of the material, their periods are proportional
to their dimensions.
Proceeding in the usual manner, show that t
. tfE, where I /*
_
klj
the linear dimension of the body, p, 1/5 density and E, the elasticity of the material.
Since p and E are the same for all bodies, t varies directly as /.]
^ Calculate, by the method of dimensions, the number of foot-pounds
in me calorie. 7 2
(Given that 1 ca/0rie=4'2x 10 ergs ; #=32/r./,sec ; 1 /^.=453'6' .
gms., and 1 iwcA=2'54 cms.). Ans. 3'1 15.
10. If in a system of units, the unit of length be 1 mile and that of time,.
1 hour, what will be the value of ? y
Ans. 14*88 miles Isec.*
11. The time of oscillation / of a small drop of a liquid under surface
tension depends upon the density d, radius r and surface tension S. Prove-
dimensionally that t oc
\J *. (Punjab, 1947),
V S
UNITS AND DIMENSIONS 19
12. Explain what you mean by the dimensions of a physical quantity;
calculate the dimensions of Young's modulus.
Assuming that the period of vibration of a tuning fork depends upon the
length of the prongs, and on the density and Young's modulus of the material,
find, by the method of dimensions, a formula for the period of vibration.
(Calcutta, 1950)
- 1
Ans. [ML" 1 ! 2 ] ; t oc iVdIY,
(where the period of vibration ; /, the length ; dt the density and Y, the value
/ is
of Young's Modulus for the material of the fork.)
*13. Using the method of dimensions, obtain an expression for
(/) the acceleration of a particle moving with a uniform speed v, in a
circle of radius r ;
(//') the tension Tin a uniform circular wire of radius r and mass per m
unit length, rotating in its own plane with an angular velocity o>, about am axis
passing through its centre and perpendicular to its plane ;
(*ii) the mass M
of a planet round which a satellite completes its orbit of
radius r, in a time-interval T.
Ans. (i) K.v*lr ; (ii) K.mrW, where Ki$ a constant ; (///) M oc r*!GT 2
.
*14. Obtain an expression for the height h to which a liquid, of density p
and surface tension Twill rise in a capillary tube, of radius r, given that /zocl/r.
T
Ans. h~k. ------ , (k being a constant).
r -
P g
*15. Assuming that the viscosity 73 of a gas is proportional to the mean
free path X of us molecules, show that, if the temperature be kept constant, it is
independent of the density p of the gas.
[Hint. First obtain an expression for ?), in terms of p, X, c, (the root
mean square velocity of the molecules) and />, the diameter of a molecule.
Then, since r, oc x, we shall have 73 fc.p.c.X, (where A: is a constant). Again,
since p is inversely proportional to X, / e., p=A;'/X, (where &' is another cons-
tant), we shall have f\=k.k'c^ showing that ?j is independent of p.]
*16. Show that if the linear dimensions of the whole of Cavendish's or
Boys' method fjr the determination of G be changed, the sensitiveness of the
apparatus remains the same.
*17 Show that the volume of a liquid, of coefficient of viscosity *j, flowing
4
per second through a tube of circular cross-section is given by K=--wpr /8r</. where
p is the excess pressure between the ends of the tube, r, its radius and /, its
length.
*18. If the resistance of a liquid to the motion of a body through it with a
2
velocity v, be proportional to v , show that it is quite independent of the visco-
sity of the liquid.
*19. A Nicholson's hydrometer of mass w, floating in a liquid of density p,
is given a slight downward displacement and then released. Obtain an expres-
sion for the time-period Tof its oscillation. (Assume the area of cross-section
of its neck to be a.) Ans 7=2" Vm/tW
*20. A (/-tube of uniform cross-section contains mercury up to a height
h in either limb. The mercury in one limb is depressed a little and then released.
Obtain an expression for its time-period of oscillation. Ans r
[Hint Just put T=*k.d*tfg and show that
where T is the time-period of oscillation of mercury and d, its initial displace-
ment, K being the usual const airtof proportionality. For small values of rf, a=0
and experiment gives K=* w\/2. Substitute their values and obtain the
result.]
Note. The questions marked^ith an asterisk are of rather an advanced
character and may be attempted whin some confidence has been gained with
others.
CHAPTER II
iviOTION ALONG A CURVE THE PROJECTILE
7. RotationSuppose we have a rigid body, with a fixed
axis, within or without it. Then, if a force be applied to it, it cannot
move bodily, as a whole, relatively to the axis, i.e., no motion of
translation is possible but it simply moves round or rotates about
;
the axis, such that every particle of it undergoes the same angular
displacement. A body, so rotating about a fixed axis, is said to per-
form rotatory or circular motion.
The force, producing rotatory motion about the fixed axis,
called the axis of rotation, is said to have a moment about that axis,
which is measured by the product of the force and the perpendicular
distance between its line of actio-i and the axis of rotation. Obviously,
therefore, if either of these be zero, the moment, or the turning tendency
of the force,will be zero, for the prod'ict of the force and perpendi-
cular distance between the axis and the line of action of the force is,
then, zero.
It* fie rotation produced bs anti-clockwise, the moment of the
force is said to ba positive, *ad if it b3 in the clockwise d ration, the
moment is said to be negative. And, since th^ m
>m3nt of a force is
a vector quantity, it follows that if a number of forces act simultane-
ously on a body, the algebraic sum of their individual msmints about the
given axis of rotation will be equal to the moment of their resultant
about it.
Angular Velocity. Let a body rotate about a fixed axis
8.
through 0, (Fig. 1). Then, the particles composing it, at any distance
from 0, such as at A, B C, etc., complete
9
one rotation in the same time i.e., they
describe the same angle in the same time,
and, therefore, the angle described by
them per unit time is the same. This
angle described by a rotating body per
unit time is called its angular velocity and
isusually denoted by the Greek letter a>.
Thus, if the rate of rotation of a
body be
uniform, i.e., if its angular velocity be
constant, and it describes an angle 9
*
(radians) in tima / (seconds), we have
angular velocity of the body, a> 6/t.
=
If the body makes n rotations in time /, the angle described
by
it is equal to 2irn. Or, =
27T/I.
And, therefore, its angular velocity 01
2irn/t.
=
If, however, the velocity be not constant, it may, at a given
instant, be expressed in the fornotai =
d0/dt, where d0 is the small
angle described by it in the small iAryal of time dt<
MOTION ALONG A CUBVE THE PBOJECTILE 21
Now, although the angle described by all the particles of the
body in a given time t is the same, the linear distances ^travelled by
them are different. Thus, the particles at A, B, and C, (Fig. 1), cover
the linear distances AA', BB' and CC' respectively, (which are arc$
of radii OA, OB, OC), depending upon their respective distances from
the axis of rotation through O.
If OA =rl5 OB = r and OC = r ? t,
clearly, arc =r
A A' |~v arc
= radius* angle
,,
_ '2
uu '
Q
r U u
l 9
subtended by it.
and CC = r 8. 3
.-. linear velocity of A = rrf't, that of B = r 0/f, and that of t
C= v //.
Or, in general, linear velocity v of a particle at a distance r from
the axis of rotation is r6/t.
Or, v = roj, [v 0\t
= o>.
i.e., linear velocity = distance from the axis of rotation x angular
velocity.
9. ^Angular Acceleration. If the angular velocity of a rotat-
ing body be not constant, it is said to have an angular acceleration,
which is defined as the rate of change of angular velocity. It is
usually denoted by the symbol dwjdt. Thus, if the angular velocity
of a particle about a given axis changes from to a/ in time /, its >
rate of change of angular velocity, or its angular acceleration is,
co)/f, or dw/dt, ifdfo>be the change
clearly, (a/ in angular velocity
in time dt.
Now, if the distance of the particle from the axis of rotation be
r, itslinear velocity changes from ru> to ro/ in time t, and, therefore,
rate of change of its linear velocity, or its linear acceleration, is given
by
r
rww\ da>
~
a _/o/ ~
= roj(
" ~~ T '
'
t ~dt t
Thus, linear acceleration = distance from axis of rotation
X angular acceleration.
10. Couple. When two equal, opposite, parallel and non-
collinear forces act on a body, (Fig. 2), bringing about rotation, (with
no motion of translation), they are said to
constitute a couple, the turning moment of
the couple be.ng measured by the product of
one of the forces and the perpendicular distance
between them, or the arm of the couple, as it is
called.
Thus, moment of a couple, C
= one of the forces x arm of the couple. Fig. 2.
The moment of the couple (also sometimes referred to as the
torque), acting upon a body is quite independent of the position of the
,
axis of rotation. For, if the t w^P*ces F and F, (Fig. 2), constitut-
ing a couple, act at points P andK, and if the axis of rotation passes
through P, there is no moment IS the force acting at P about it and
the moment oi the force acting mt Q is FxPQ, and therefore, the
22 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
moment of the couple is FxPQ. And, if the axis of rotation passes
through any ojher point 0, the moment of the couple about it is
equal to the algebraic sum of the moments of the forces P and Q
about it, i.e., equal to (FxOQ)-(FxOP)=FxPQ, as before.
The same will be true for any other position of the axis.
11, Work done by a Couple. Work is done by a couple in
rotating the body on which it acts, the amount of work done being
equal to the product of the couple and the angle of rotation "of the
body, as will be clear from the following :
Let the axis of rotation a body, acted upon by a couple,
of
pass through P, the point of application of one of the forces, consti-
tuting the couple, (Fig. 3).
Now, if the body rotates through an
angle d&, the point Q moves through a
distance PQ.dQ, where PQ is the perpendi-
cular from P on to the line of action of the
force T7 acting at Q.
, Therefore, the work
done by this force is equal to FxPQ.dB.
And, since the point P does not move, no
Fig. 3.
work is done by the force at P. Thus,
the work done by the two forces, i.e., by
the couple, in rotating the body through an angle dO, is equal to
Hence, work done by the couple in rotating the body through
the whole angle is obtained by
integrating this expression, for the
limits 6 = and = 0.
Or, work done by the couple in rotating the body through
the whole angle Q is given by
W -P F.PQ dd =F.P0 1
. d0.
Or, W= F.PQ f e T = F.PQ.8.
Now, F.PQ is the moment of the couple C, acting on the body.
"
^ix work done by the couple in rotating the body through angle $, i.e.,
W as C.0 = couple x angle of rotation.
Now, in one complete rotation, the body describes an angle 2tr;
co that,
work done by the couple in one full rotation of the body =2?rC.
And .-.work done by the couple in nfull rotations of the body*=*ZvnC.
12. Relation between Couple and Angular Acceleration. When
the resultant couple acting on a body is not zero, it produces an
angular acceleration in the body. Let us deduce the relation bet-
ween the two.
In Fig. 3, the couple C, acting on the body, causes it to rotate
about the axis of rotation through P.
Breaking up the couple and tHjk body into small elements, let
ah element SC of the couple cause tilrotation of an element of mass
8m of the body situated at Q. Thei^ince couple = force x distance,
MOTION ALONG A CURVE THE PROJECTILE ^
the farce acting on the mass w
at Q is == 8C/r, where r is the arm 01
the couple. And, since a couple consists of two equal, opposite and
parallel forces, it follows that
an equal, opposite and parallel force if
also acting at P.
acceleration of
Again, since force mass X acceleration, the linear
the particle 8m at Q~8C/r.Sm. But, if angular acceleration of th
particlebe dw/dt,its linear acceleration is also equal to
[see 9].
SC da) n ~ ~ dot z,
.c. -sr- =r ,-j~. Ur, SC ~j-.r .dw.
Or, C= (da>ldt)Z.r*.8m.
Now, J?r a .Sm == /, the moment of inertia of the body about the
axis of rotation, (see 27).
Or, Couple =
moment of'inertia X angular acceleration.
13. The Hodograph. When a body describes a curvilinear
path, so that its motion is accelerated and also changes in direction,
its acceleration and its path may easily be determined by means of
what is called the hodograph of its motion.
The hodograph may be defined as an auxiliary curve, obtained by
joining the free ends of a moving vector representing the velocity of a
moving particle along any path.
For instance, if a point P moves along a curve ABC, [Fig. 4 (a)]
such that its velocities are v,, v 2 and v s ..respectively at A, B and
,
.
C etc., then, if we take any point O and draw straight lines, i.e.,
vectors, Oa. Ob and Oc, [Fig. 4 (&)], representing the velocities of Pat
A, B and C, in magnitude as well as in direction, the curve passing
through a, b and c is the hodograph of the motion of P,
(a)
Fig. 4.
Now, different cases arise :
If the point P be moving with a uniform velocity along tfa
(/)
same direction, the points a, b, c, etc. will all lie in the same plac<
and the hodograph will, therefore, be a single point.
(ii) If the point P be moving with a variable velocity, but in the
sapie direction, the hodograph will be a straight line, passing through
0, For example, in the case of a body falling freely under the action
of gravity, the hodograph will b a vertical line, passing through O
24 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
(tit) IfP be projected with a horizontal velocity, the patfo
described will be a parabola, (see
20), and both the direction and
magnitude of the velocity will change. The horizontal velocity will
throughout remain constant and equal to the initial horizontal velo-
city, because the acceleration due to gravity acts vertically down-
wards. The points, a, &, etc. will, thfrefore, always be at the
,
same horizontal distance from O, and the
hodograph, in this case,
will thus be a vertical line, not
passing through O.
(iv) If the path of P be a closed curve, the
hodograph will also-
be a closed curve. For
example, if P moves in a circle with a uniform
speed v, the hodograph will also be a circle of radius v, because all the
lines, Oa, Ob, Oc< etc. will be of the same
length v. If on, the other
hand, it moves in a circle with a variable speed, the hodograph might
be an oval curve about the point O.
14.Velocity in the Hodograph. An important property of the
hodograph is that the acceleration of P at
any point on the curve
ABC is represented, in
magnitude as well as in direction, by the velo-
city of the corresponding point on the hodograph, as can be seen fronu
the following :
Let A and B be two points, close together,
[Fig. 4 (a)], and let
P move from A to B in time t lt such that its velocity v v at A is changed
l h
to V 2 at B.
Further, let another point/? describe the hodograph abc, [Fig. 4
(b)}, while P describes the curve ABC.
clearly, the point p moves from a to b in time t, and its
Then,
velocity therefore, equal to ab/t.
is,
But, since oa represents the velocity of P at A and ob, that at
B, ab represents, in accordance with the law of triangle of velocities,
the change in velocity of P in time t, we
and, therefore, the of change
of velocity, or the acceleration of P, is represented by abjt i.e., by the
velocity ofp in the hodograph.
We
thus see that, at any instant, the acceleration
of P is given by
the velocitv,ofp in the hodograph of its motion.
IS/ Uniform Circular Motion. The above affords us a very
simple method of determining the acceleration of a body, moving in a
circle.
LetP move in a
circle,with cei.treOand?
radius r, with a uniform
speed v, [Fig. 5 (a)].
Then, the hodograph is
also a circle, of radius v,
[Fig. 5 (b)}.
Now, the velocity
of P at any instant is
at right angles to the
radium of its circular
Fig. 5. path, passing through P,
Therefore, oa is perpendicular to OA aaJ ob is perpendicular to O
*nH / AOB as / aob as B fin circular measure).
MOTION ALONG A CTTBVE THE PROJECTILE
If P takes time t to describe the arc AB, its velocity v
= r0/t, whence, 6 =
vt/r.
And, the velocity of the corresponding point p, in the hodo-
graph, is abjt = v&jt.
Since the velocity of/; in the hodograph gives the acceleration -
of P in its actual path, we have acceleration ofP
v0 __ v vt v2
= x =
__
t t r j
And, since a6 is small, it is, in the limit, perpendicular to oa, or
parallel to AO.
Thus, the acceleration of Pis v 2 /r and is directed along the radius
-
or towards the centre of the circular path in which it is moving.
Further, since v = r.aj, (where o> is the angular velocity of P),
we have
acceleration of P, also = r 2 .o> 2 /r = roA
Alternative Method. The acceleration of a body, executing
a uniform circular motion may also be found out directly as follows :
Let a particle move with a uniform linear velocity v, in a circle
of radius r, (Fig. 6), and let it cover the small distance from A to B
in a small interval of time bt, describing an angle
80. Then, clearly, its angular velocity, o = 86 //. $"
The direction of the linear velocity is at
every point, tangential to the circle at that point
and is, therefore, represented by the tangent AC
at the point^, and by the tangent BD at the
point B, whtre AC BD.
Now at A, the entire linear velocity is
along AC, there being no component of it along
AO, which is at right angles to AC. And,
revolving the velocity at B into two rectangular
components, one along AO and the other, at
right angles to it, we have the component along
or parallel to AO, represented by BE v sin 8n, =
and the component at right angles to AO, pj g 5.
represented by BF= v cosSti.
If 80 be very small, sin 80 = 86 (in radians), and cos 8$ = 1.
So that, component BE, parallel to AO = v.S0,
and component BF, perpendicular to AO = v.
Thus, if B be very close to A, there is no change in the velocity
of the particle along the perpendicular to AO, for it remains the same
v, but an additional velocity v 80 is acquired by it along AO. And,
since this velocity is acquired in time 8t, the acceleration imparted
to the is
particle Vo>, where
v.80/8t }
=
Ml** =,.. the angular velocity
of the particle.
:26 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
V V^
Or, acceleration of the particle s= tto = v, = .
Now, because the magnitude of the velocity remains the same
at every point on the circular path of the particle, it follows that the
acceleration must be acting in a direction perpendicular to the direc-
tion of the velocity at that point, i.e , along the radius of the circle, or
else it will also have a component along the tangent at the poiit, or
along the direction of the velocity at that point, which will, there-
fore, no longer remain constant.
Since this acceleration acts along the radius of the .circle, or
towards the centre of thecircle, it is called radial or centripetal
meaning centre-seeking acceleration, (from 'peto* I seek).
Thus, centripetal acceleration = , or, = -- = rco 1
.
And, if n be the number of revolutions made by the particle
per unit time, we have w = 2irn.
centripetal acceleration, also = r.(27r/i)
a = 47rVr.
Even if the path be not exactly a circle, but any other curve,
the value of the acceleration is v 2 /r, where v is the linear velocity, and
r, the radius of curvature of the path at the point considered.
16.
CentrigetgLEttcce. According to Newton's first law of
motion, a body must continue to move with a uniform velocity in a
straight line, unless acted upon by a force. It follows, therefore, that
when a body moves along a circle, some force is acting upon it, which
continually deflects it from its straight or linear path and, since the ;
body has an acceleration towards the centre, it is obvrous that the
force must also be acting in the direction of this acceleration, i.e.,
along the radius, or towards the centre of its circular path. It is called
the centripetal force, and its value is given by the product of the mass
of the body and its centripetal acceleration. Thus, if be the mass m
of the body, we have
centripetal force = mv<o = wv 2 /r, or, = mrof *=* AnWrnr.
Numerous examples of centripetal force are met with in daily
life. Thus, in the case of a stone, whirled round at the end of a
(/)
string whose other end is held in the hand, the centripetal force is
supplied by the tension of the string ; (') in the case of a motor car or
a railway train, negotiating a curve, it is supplied by the push due to
the rails on the wheels of the train and (Hi) in the case of (a) the
planets revolving round the sun, or (b) the moon revolving round the
earth, by the gravitational attraction between them.
If this force somehow vanishes at any point in its circular path,
the body will fly off tangentially to it at that point, for it will no
longer be compelled to move in the circular path.
17. Centrifugal Force. The equal and opposite reaction to
the centripetal force is called ihe centrifugal force, because it tends to
bake the body away from the centre, (from fugo* I flee). Centripetal
force and centrifugal force being just action and reaction in the sense
MOTION ALONG A OTTBVH THJB PBOJBOTILB 2T
of Newton's third law of motion, tfio>4mmerical values of the two are
the same, viz., mv*/r mrof = 47rWftr. =
Thus, in the case of a stone, whirled round at the end of a string,
not only is the stone acted upon by a force, (the centripetal force),
exerts an equal
along the string towards the centre, but the stone also
and opposite forc3, (the ce^tjfcfugal force), on the hand, away from the
centre, also along the string.
- 18. Practical Applications of Centripetal and CentrjfugalJorcS>
1. Road Curves. The centripetal force being directly propor-
tional to the square of the linear velocity of the body and inversely
the radii of curvature
proportional to the radius of its circular path,
of road curves must be large and the speed of the vehicles negotiating
them slowed in order to
down, the value of the centripetal force
keep
required within reasonable limits.
2. Rotating Machinery. The centrifugal force being proportional
to w 2 where n is the number of rotations made by the body per
,
second, the spokes of a wheel, joining its outer revolving parts to
the axis of rotation, experience an outward force, away from the
centre, and are, therefore, in a state of tension, and may give way
if
the value of n is very large. So is the case with the parts of other
outer revolving parts to its axis
rotating machinery, connecting its
of rotation. In other words, there is a limit set to the value of n by
the tension these connecting parts can withstand. This fact is
like
always kept in view while designing highly rotating machinery,
armatures of motors and dynamos etc.
Let us, as a specific example, discuss the case of a belt or a
string rotating at a high speed over a pulley
etc.
Let the string rotate in a circle of radius'r , (Fig. 7), andJet its angular
velocity be o>. Consider a small portion AB of the string, of length / and
subtending an angle 20 at the centre O
of the circle. This portion is obviously
subjected to a tension T, at either end, by the
rest of the string as shown. Resolving these
tensions T and T at A and B into two rec-
tangular components along and at right
angles to PO, (where PO passes through the
mid-point of AB), we find that the compo-
nents T cos at right angles to PO are equal
and opposite and thus neutralise e?ch other,
but the components T sin $ along PO act in
the same direction. So that, we have
resultant tension on portion AB of the string Fig. 7.
= 2Tsin in the direction PO.
And, the centrifugal force acting on portion AB of the string
8
mass of AB x r , in the direction OP.
If m be the mass per unit length of the string, clearly,
mass of AB = mx /.
And .*. centrifugal force acting on portion AB of the string
mx/xr<w*, in the direction OP 9
For equilibrium, therefore, 2T sin 9 m/ro = rn.2r0.ri* 1
. clearly,
p.*
If B be small, we have sin B 0. So that,
2T & m.2rQ.r<** 9
whence, T mrV.
28 PBOPBBTIES OF MATTER
It will thus be seen that due to the centrifugal force, the tension in the
string is very Hgh. Indeed, if the rapidJy rotating chain or belt be pushed off
the pulley, it will run along like a rigid hoop. *
The same is true about other rotating bodies which are always under
a state of elastic stress. It is this stress which sets a limit to the speed up to
which the flywheels can be rotated safely. Again, it is as a consequence of
this stress that the tyres of racing cars get stretched and there is a danger of
their being cast off the rims and flung out, at very high speeds.
3. Revolution of Planets and the Length of the Year. In the case
of a planet revolving round the sun, it is the gravitational force of
attraction between the two which supplies the centripetal force,
necessary to keep it moving in its neatly circular orbit. Now, the
gravitational force between two bodies is directly proportional to the
product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of
the
distance]
bet ween them so that, if m and
; be the masses of the M
planet and the sun respactively and r, thj distance between them (or
the radius'of the planet's orbit round the sun), we have
'
M,
grarfationa! pull = '"f .G = *-.
2 pttin
'-
r^ r La constant.
k k
Or, '
4n 2n 2 rm = -,
2 whence, n 2 == 23.--
^ = -
1 A / T
Or, n
2?r
-A/ m
V mr*
o
\V /~mr^
"mr*
= 2ir
A
-,- = ,^
K: MG
where t is the time taken hy one revolution of the planet round the sun,
or the length of the year for that planet.
3
Thus, / varies as \/ r i.e., the smaller the value of r, or the
,
smaller the distance of the planet from the sun, the smaller th3 valuo
of /, or the length of the year, for it. A planet will, therefore, have a
shorter year if nearer to the sun than when at a distance from it.
4. Banking of Railway Lines and Roads. When a railway train
goes round a level curve on a railway track, the necefesary ceiitiipetal
force is provided only by the force between the flanges or the 'rims of
the wheels and the raits, the normal reaction Of the ground or the
track acting vertically upwards and supporting its weight. This
results in a grinding action between the wheels and the rails, result-
ing in their wear and tear. Not only that, it may also prove dangerous
in the sense that it may bring about a displacement of the rails and
hence a derailment of the train.
To avoid these eventualities, the level of the outside rail is raised
a above that of the inside one. This is known as the banking of
little
railway lines, and the angle that the track makes with the horizontal
is called the angle of banking.
With the track thus banked, i.e., with the outer
rail thus raised
above the level of the inner one, the reaction R
acts perpendicularly
to the track, as before, but is now inclined to tlie vertical at an angle
MOTION ALONG A CURVETHE PBOJECTILE 29
equal to the angle of banking and its horizontal component (and not
the lateral thrust of the wheel flanges on the outside rail) now supp-
lies the necessary contripetal force to keep the train moving along the
curve, thereby eliminating all unnecessary wear and tear.
Thus, if 6 b3 tha angle of banking (Fig. 8), and R, the normal
reaction acting psrpendiculaily to it, we have
vertical componet of R = R cos $,
and horizontal component ofR = R sin 6.
The former component balances the weight mg of the train and
supplies th'j required ceritripstal force mv /r where v is
2
the latt ?r t
the speed of the train atid r the radius of tha curve it negotiates., So
that, Rsin = mv jr
8 2
and R cos $ = mg.
R sin Q wv 2 /r
v8
Or, tan 9 = ~
rg
Or, =
rg
The angle of banking thus
dopends upon the speed (v) of the
train and the radius (r) of the curve
of the track. Obviously, therefore, a
track can be banked correctly only
for a particular speed of the train, in practice, naturally for its
average sp3od. At higher or lower spe3ds than this, thore is again a
lateral thrust due to the wheel flanges on the outer or the inner rail
of the track respectively.
Cleanly, the angle that the track makes with the horizontal is
equal to 0, i.e., equal to th3 a*igb of inclination of the train with the
vertical, (Fig. 8).
Further, it will be readily seen that if the distance between the
Tails be d and the height of the outer rail above the inner one be A,
we also have sin 9 = --y .
a
Or, sine of the angle of banking
__ height
~~
of the outer rail over the inner one .
distance between the rails
Similarly, in the case of a car moving round a level corner, the
centrifugal force is largely provided by the friction between the road
and the tyres of the wheel. That is why, when the road is slippery
and the frictional force not enough the car begins to slide or skid.
Here, too, therefore, ,the roads are *banked\ the slope being generally
steeper outwards, more or less like a saucer the outer parts being
meant to be used at higher speeds and the inner ones, at lower speeds.
30 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
Again, an aeroplane, in order to turn, must also bank, the
centripetal force here being supplied by the horizontal component of
the lift L, (Fi. 9).
The sameapplies to a cyclist,
when negotiating a curve or a
corner, and he has to lean inwards,
(/.e., towards the centre of the
curve), by an angle =tan- 1 v 2 /rg ;
so that, the faster his speed and
the sharper the curve, the more
must he lean over. This will be
clear from the following :
Let Fig. 10 represent a cyclist
turning to the left in a circle of
radius r, at a speed v. Then, the
normal reaction R of the ground
acts vertically upwards, with the force of friction F between the
ground and the tyres and the centrifugal force wv /r in the direc-
2
tions shown,
where R = mg and F= 2
/??v /r.
Then, for equilibrium, clearly, we have
moment of mg about P equal and opposite
to moment of /nv 2 yr about P.
Or, mgxPQ =
mv
Or, mg x PG.sin = . PG.cos 6,
sin 9 v1
whence,
- ~ = tan
A
=
cos 6 rg
In other words, in order to keep himself in equilibrium,,
the cyclist must lean inwards from the vertical at an angle
= tan- 1 (v 2 /rg).
If he were to remain vertical, his weight would act through P,
having no moment about it, so that the moment of mv /r about P
2
would remain unbalanced. In fact it will be readily seen that the-
system of forces acting on the cyclist form two pairs of couples, one
due to F and mv 2 /r and the other due to R and mg. So that, in the-
event of the latter couple vanishing (i.e , if the cyclist were vertical),
the former alone will remain operative, resulting in the cyclist toppling
over.
Further, since the maximum value of F =
itfng, (where M is the-
coefficient of friction between the ground and the tyres), the cyclist
will skid when mv 2 /r >
nmg, or when v*>urg.
Thus, skidding will occur (i) ifv is large, i.e., if the speed of the
cyclist is large. (ii) if n is smallf i.e., if the road is slippery and (Hi]
tfris small, i.e., if the curve is sharp.
MOTION ALONG A CT7BVE THH PROJECTILE 31
Similar conditions apply in the case of a motor car or any other*
vehicle. For, here too, if we imagine it to be turning to the left r
(Fig. 11), the various forces acting
on it are the normal reactions Rl
and R t the frictional forces Fl and
,
F2t its weight mg and the centrifugal
force mv*/r, as shown, the whole
system being in equilibrium.
Obviously, in the event of
the car being about to be upset, it
will be moving on the wheels on
one side only, so that the normal
reaction on the wheels on the other
side will be zero. say R l 0. ;
So =
that, it will overturn as soon as the
moment of mv 2 /r about P is greater
than the opposing moment of mg
about P.
mv z
i.e., as soon as .GQ > mg .
PQ,
mv 2
Or, when Jt > mg.d,
where h is the height of the e.g., <7, of the car above the ground and?
2d, the distance between the two wheels.
For the car to be upset, therefore, we have v2 > '--.
The car is, therefore, not likely to bo upset if 2d, the distance
between the two wheels is large and if /i, tho height of the
e.g.
from the ground is small.
Again, the maximum value of the total frictional, force
So that, as before, skidding will occur when wv 2 /r > iimg.
Or, when v 2
> urg.
To avoid skidding, therefore, while taking a turn at a fast
speed, the corner must be cut so as to move along a comparatively
flatter curve than that of the actual turning.
J&. Other Effects and Applications of Centrifugal Force.
1. Rotation of the Earth- Its Effect. As we know already,
the earth rotates or spins about its axis once during a day. It is
this rotation of it which is responsible for its getting flattened at the
poles and its bulging out at the equator, a direct consequence of the
centrifugal force m<u*R acting on each particle of mass m of it, where
to is its angular velocity about the axis of rotation and R, the distance
of the particle from this axis. The value of a> is obviously the same
for each: particle, but the distance R increases from zero for particles
at the poles to a maximum for those at the equator. The centrifugal
force pulling the earth outwards, as it were, is thus zero at the
32 PBOPBBTIES OF MATTER
and the maximum at the equator and it is this force which has made
the earth (behaving like a plastic body) to bulge out at the equator
and to flatten at the poles, thus bringing about an incr3ase of about
13 miles in its equatorial, as compared with its polar radius.
This
of the rotation of the earth had been first predicted
effect
by Newton and was duly verified by a French expedition to Lapland
under the leadership of Maupertius. whose undue pomposity provok-
ed Voltaire into making the caustic remark that he behaved as *
though he had flattened the poles himself/
2. The Centrifuges. These are simple devices used to separate
ou f substances of different densities suspended in a liquid, by rapidly
/
rotating the liquid, when particles, whose density is greater than that
of the liquid, are driven away from the axis of rotation, whereas
those, with a density lower than that of the liquid, are drawn inwards
towards it. Thus, for example, in the familiar cream -separator, when
the vessel containing milk is rotated fast, the cream, being lighter,
collects in a cylindrical layer round about the axis, whence it can be
easily drawn off.
Since the centrifugal force (wo>V) increases with r, the pressure
on the rotating liquid progressively increases as we move away from
the axis, with the result that, on a heavier particle, the centrifugal
force outwards is greater than the inward thrust of the liquid,
whereas, on a lighter one, the reverse is the case. The problem is
more or less akin to the sinking or floating of a body in a liquid at rest,
depending upon the difference in the magnitude of the forces acting
on the two sid^s of the body, the inward thrust on it corresponding to
.the upthrust in the case of a stationary liquid.
Since centrifuges have as h><*h speeds of rotation as 40,000
revolutions (or more) per minute, the difference between the outward
and inward forces acting on the heavier and lighter particles exceeds
more than a thousand times the difference between their weights, so
that quick and effective separation results. Sediments, precipitates
and bacteria etc., may all be thus separated speedily.
is the centrifugal drying machine,
Another familiar example
just a cylindrical vessel, with perforations
which is in its walls. When,
with damp clothes placed inside it. it is rotated fast, the centrifugal
force acting on them forces the water out through the perforations
.and the clothes thus get dried up quickly.
3. Also known as the Turbine Pump,
The Centrifugal Pump.
it consists of three essential p^rts, viz., (i) an outer drum-shaped
'casing\ having an inlet near its axis and an outlet near its periphery,
(//) a paddle
wh*el (i.e., a hollow wheel, fitted with vanos) called the
'impeller', which can be rotated inside the casing, and (Hi) the
is transmitted from the driving motor
'spindle'* through which energy
to the impeller.
If the casing be filled with water and the impeller rapidly rotat-
ed, sets the water into similar rapid rotation, which, due to its
it
outer wall of the
centrifugal force, exerts high pressure a<?a nst the
;
forcing the water out through the outlet at the periphery into
casing,
MOTION ALONO A CtJBVl THU PROJBOTILB 33
the rising discharge-tube connected to it. At the same time, there
is decreased pressure near the axis, so that the atmospheric pressure
forces fresh water in, from the reservoir, through the inlet. This is
then again flung out through the "outlet, in the manner explained, and
the process goes on repeating itself over and over again.
The pump starts working only when the casing is full of water,
but, once it has started working, it gi ves a continuous supply of water,
unlike the ordinary piston pump, where we get only an intermittent
supply.
Further, as there are no valves to operate, the pump can be used
safely even if the water contains sledge or any other suspended mat-
ter, including sand or small-sized stones etc,,
20. The Projectile Motion of a Projectile in a non-resisting
medium. Before Galileo's time, it was supposed that a body thrown
horizontcally, travelled in a straight line until it had exhausted its
force and then fell vertically down. It was he who first showed that
it must take a parabolic path*, realizing, as he did, die physical in-
dependence of its horizontal and vertical motions, so that each could
be considered separately.
Such a body, subjected simultaneously to a uniform horizontal
motion and a vertical uniform acceleration, is called a projectile, &nd
the path it describes is called its trajectory. Let us study its motion
in some detail.
Let a body be projected upwards with a velocity w, at an angle
6 with the horizontal. Then, resolving u into two rectangular com-
ponents, along the verticalf and along the horizontal, we have (/) t he
vertical component (along (7*7) = us in 9 and (//) the horizontal com-
ponent (along OX) =
u cos 6. The latter component, being perpendi-
cular to the direction of gravity, is not accelerated, and hence
dx
at
= u cos 0.
Since at / = 0, x = 0, we have
x =s. ut cos 9 ... (/)
And, because the vertical component is subjected to a downward
acceleration due to gravity, we have
** ~~~
gt
dt*
integrating which, we have - ~ gf+Cj,
where Cl is a constant of integration.
= dy
Now, at t 0, , s= u sin 6 ;
so that C =
1 u sin 9.
dv
= u sin 6gt.
J
*He dropped objects from masts of moving ships, which fell vertically iq
relation to the ship but along parabolic paths in relation to the sea.
f /.<?,, along the dirftfjpg in which th<? force due to gravity acts,
34 PROPERTIES OF MATTBB
Integrating this again, we have y ut sin 8 ]
where C8 is another constant of integration.
Since y =* at t = 0, we have Ct = 0.
Or, y^utsine Igt*. ... (i7)
Now, from relation (/),
v y we have t
w cos 6
Substituting this value of t in relation (), we have
*-
j = w, .sin Q\g.
J (
~
A}
U CO^ \ tl C05 0/
1
V2
This is clearly an equation of the second degree in x and the
degree in y and thus represents a parabola, with its axis vertical,
first
The trajectory of the particle is thus & parabola.
21. Horizontal Range of a Projectile. Clearly, the time taken
by the body to reach the maximum height = u sin 0/g*, its vertical
velocity being u sin 0.
And, since time of ascentis equal to time of descent the total ,
time taken by the body for the whole flight 2u sin dig. =
During this time, the horizontal distance covered by the body,
with its uniform horizontal velocity u cos Q is given by
2u sin 6 2u 2 .sin Q.cos 6 u*.sin 20 ..
U COS A
6. = = ~ r
['' 2 sin
.
n .
cos Q=*sin 29.
g g g
This horizontal distance covered by a projectile is called its hori-
zontal range, or, more usually, simply, its range. Denoting it by R,
therefore, we have w 2 sin 20/g. R=
22. Maximum Height attained by a Projectile. We have the
kinematic relation, va w8 =
2aS where the symbols have their usual
t
meanings.
Here, a g (the body being projected upwards), and, at the
highest point, obviously, v = 0. So that, if the maximum height
attained by the projectile be h, (i.e., S~h). we have
0--( sin 6)* = 2.(-~g)./j, f v the initial, upward
7v2 c/2 *
/) velocity here is u sin $
whence, h ** -^ . L and not u.
2g
23. Angle of Projection for Maximum Range. It is obvious
that for a given initial velocity (u) of the body, its horizontal range
(R) will depend upon its angle of projection (d).
Now, the horizontal range ^R, as we know, is given by
D u*.sin 20
~^g .
Putting x for R, we have x
g
*We have the kinematic relation, v w-f at, where u is the initial velocity
(here equal to u sin 9), a== g and v, the final velocity, equal to 0, (at the highest
pointj. So that, - u sin Q~gt ; or, gt *u sin fl. Or, t * u sin Qlg.
MOTION ALONG A CTJBVE THB PBOJJROTILB 35
It is thus clear that the value of for maximum (horizontal) range
of the projectile would be that for which sin 20 1, i.e., when =
28 =90, and, therefore, =45.
Thus, for maximum range, the angle of projection should be 45
N.B. The following interesting result follows, howevw. from the relation
R= u* sin 2$/g,
We know
that the sine of
an angle is the same as- that of
its supplement. And, therefore,
sin 2$ ^ sin (180-25),
from which it is clear that the
projectile will have the same
range (not the maximum), for
the angles of projection $ and
(90~0), the two paths taken
being, however, different, and
called the high (H) and the low
(L) trajectories respectively, as
shown in Fig 12, in view of the
different maximum heights at*
tained by the body.
Fig. 12.
24. Range on an Inclined Plane. We have seen above,
(20),
that the equation to the trajectory of a projectile is
y=x tan 0$g. ~.~ _ .
a f
Let us consider a plane inclined to the horizontal at an angle a,
(Fig. 13) ; so that, y =. x tan a.
Now, to obtain the range on the inclined plane, we must deter-
mine the point where the trajectory of the projectile will meet the
plane and to do this, we must ;
solve the above two equations. So
that, substituting y =x tan a in
the equation for the trajectory, we
have
v
x tan a = x tan J. ^^-
M- COS 8
g* tane - tan
Or,
M^J = -
2(tqn 6 tan a).u* cos* 6
_
Fig. 13. ^
And, therefore, substituting Ms value of x irry = x tan a,
wre
,
have y
2(tan
------- ----
0tan a),w cos 2 B
i
2
.tan a.
,
pp tbat f
the range R is clearly given by the relation,
36 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
ac P!^J?ITJ^ a
l
<w2 c
*_6~]*
r2(tan Qtan y.)tan a.u*co$* 6 1*
2
r 2(tan Q tan a).u 2 cos
2
n -tan*
= - ~ "I
[1
., ^
a]
Now, (14 fan
2
a) = sec 2 a = n .
cos z a
jv
_ T2(/^ 0-tan
L
' -- ---
a) w 2 ros*
--
I 2/
Jy
I ,
CL/o (A*
a p _ 2 (' flW ^ tan a ) " 2 coja *
<Ji XV ~ --- ' ~ ----- * ~ - ~
g cos a.
Resultant Velocity of a Projectile at a given instant.
25. The
vertical and horizontal components of the
velocity of a projectile, t
sees, after its projection, are clearly dyjdt and dxjdt. So that, its
resultant velocity v, at the instant, is given by the relation,
dt \dt
Or, putting the values of dy/dt and dxjdt from above, ( 20), we have
v = i/usmti-gty+fa casoy.
Or, v = ^u*-2ugt.sinT+g*t
2
.
1
[/ jw tf+co^ 2 = 1.
And, the angle, p, say, that this resultant velocity makes with
the horizontal, is obviously given by
dx u
tan p
dy - 6~gt -
sin ,
tan e
.
- gt
* * ,
/ 4-?
Or, P=^- 3
N.B. For small values of t, tan (3, and, therefore, p is positive ; but, for
large values of acquires a negative value. >4/H/, obviously, when (3=0, //re
/, it
/><?*/>> /5 moving horizontally, i.e., at the very peak of the parabola. In this case,
since tan p = 0, v/e have
Let this value of f be denoted by /'. Then, we have
gt' -- aw t
6 sin
cos
tan 0= ---
Or, ^' j/ 0, whence, /' ~ .
Clearly, the vertical distance covered by the body at an instant t is given
+
by
.y
= A, the maximum
y** ut la/*.
height attained by the body, when f * f
'
~ ~
I/ C/H /Q
K
Substituting these valuss in the above relation, we have
h = w j/ $.r'~t^'
3
, F
'
initia
|
P ward velodt y
I SB M5i fl.and a =
j?,
MOTION ALO&Q A CtTEVE T?H1S P&OJEdTlLU 37
u sin 9
= u sin
.
2 2 2 2
a-,.
w stn Q u
_ ---sin* -
.
^
QJ- fi
i
ssr
sin $
2# 2#
the same result, as obtained above in 22 (page 34).
Again, the horizontal range may be easily obtained by equating the \alue
of>toO.
Let f - /*, when y 0. Then, we have, from above,
= u sin Q.t"-lgt"*.
"
Or, u sin 0.f -=
\gt"\ Or, w j/ = \gt".
*
* - * 2w J//l
Or, */ 2u sin 0, whence, / =,- .
#
Now, as we know, the initial horizontal velocity u cos 0.
And, therefore, the horizontal range R is given by the relation,
RD = A
u cos O./* u cos
2 2
= u- 2 sin
-
cos 6 u' . sin 20
- --
,
[v 2
.
cos = Mfl 20.
o o
the same result as obtained before in 21, (page 34).
And, finally, if we substitute this value of /, (i.e , t" = 2u sin 0/0), in the
expression for tan p above, we have
- 2 " '"" 9
tan f)
= (on 6 -^r- to -
ff
-
14 COS #
Or, tan p = ran 0-2 /an ^-tan o,
showing that the projectile comes back to the horizontal surface at the same
angle at which it was projected upwards. And, it is a further simple deduction
that its tangential velocity at this moment is the same as at the instant of projection.
It ijmst be emphasized again, however, that the above treat-
ment applies to the motion of a projectile, only in a non-resisting
medium, i.e., in vacuo. The presence of a medium, like air, offers a
frictional resistance to its motion, which depends, to a great extent,
upon the velocity of the body and is, for moderate velocitiesf direct- ,
ly proportional to the square of the velocity, in accordance with the
law of resistance given by Newton, in the year 1687. This alters the
very character of the trajectory of a projectile, which no longer
remains a parabola but becomes what is called a ballistic curve**, with
its descending part much steeper than its ascending part and the height
and range of the projectile considerably reduced, particularly at high
initial velocities.
At higher
altitudes, well above the average level of the earth's
surface, however, the air pressure, and hence also the air resistance,
becomes much smaller and, therefore, if a projectile be shot up to
such great maximum quite possible to obtain a high
heights, it is
range for it. perhaps the most probable explanation of the
This is
long range German canon, usad with such conspicuous success in the
historic Great War, and which could fire shots to a maximum height of
about 54 kilometres and hence had a range of about 130 kilometres.
*
Another possible value of t" is 0. We reject it, however, as it refers to
the time when the body is just starting on its trajectory.
fFor example, from a velocity of a few metres per second to about the
velocity of sound, in the case of air,
** Ballistics is the special name given to the science of the motion of
38 PROPERTIES OF MATTfiR
SOLVED EXAMPLES
1. A
particle, moving in a circle of radius 105 cms., has its velpcit
increased in one minute by 120 rotations per minute. Calculate (i) its linea
acceleration (//) its angular acceleration.
Change in velocity of the particle in 1 min. = 120 rotations per min.
= 120/60
= 2 rotations/5^*
Now, in 1 rotation, distance covered = 2nr.
,, 2 rotations ,,
= 2x2*r = 2x2x*x IQScms.jsec.
change in velocity of the particle per /sec.
minute=420 x n cms
Or, change in velocity per second 420x^/60 = 7rr cms. /sec.
Or, rate of change of velocity = 7 x 22/7 cms. /sec*. 22 cms. jsec 1 .
i.e., linear acceleration, a 22 cms. I sec*.
Now, linear acceleration, i.e., a r.du/dt,
where r is the radius, and dajdt, the angular acceleration.
So that, angular acceleration, d&jdt a/r.
=
log 22 = 1-3424 - .
,. = 22 =
_ __
A
log 105 = 2 0212 ^r d^jdt' *2095
,. ,
radian/ sec.
Antilog 1*32 1 2Hence, the linear and angular accelerations of the particl<
= 0*2095 are 22'0 cms. and '2095 radianjsec 2 ., respectively.
/sec*,
2. If the Earth be one-half its present distance from the Sun, how man:
days will there be in one year ?
Let the present distance of the Earth from the Sun (i.e., the radius of its
orbit round the Sun) be R. =
So that, half its present distance from the sun would be R/2.
=
If a t and a* be the accelerations (linear) of the earth in the two cases res
pectively, we have
If v t and v 2 be the linear velocities of the Earth, corresponding to" these
two values of the acceleration, we have
= -* and a = -1 - - ?&!
- Or =
80 that '
2^7*
a
T '
'
%" x 5? I"
Vl 1
_ a
XT = 2"R , f. = circumference
*~*- - of Earth's orbit
JNOW, i oZc~
365
P* aay. \ i.e.,
- -
~.
time taken
~ -
.
-
And, therefore, = ^2v t =
-^- per day.
Vt -V2.
Now, circumference of the Earth's orbit, in the second case = 2n.R/2
And, since one year is the time taken by the Earth to go once round the
Sun, we have
log 365 - 2-5623 ..(/) one year, in the second cave
log 2 - 0-3010
| log 2 - OJ_505
6'45f5 ..(//)
Subtracting (//) from (/)
we have 2*1108
Antilog 2*1108 Hence, the number of days in one year, when
- 129*0 the earth is half its present distance from the Sun,
to 129,
MOTION AL6tfG A OURVli -TfiE PEOJECTlLli
3. Assuming that the Moon revolves uniformly in a circle round the
Earth s centre, calculate the acceleration due to gravity at the Earth's surface
from the following data :
Radius of the Earth = 6'4 x 10 cms. 8
Radius of the Moon's orbit = 3*84 x 10 10 cms-
Period of rotation of the Moon = 27*3 days.
(The force of gravity on a particle is
inversely proportional to the square
of its distance from the Earth's centre).
(Oxford & Cambridge Higher School Certificate)
Here, velocity of the Moon, v = ^ircui? feence of he orbit
time taken
time taken
& 2*x3-84xl0 10
cms. Isec.
273x24x60x60
.. acceleration of the Moon towards the centre of the Earth 2
v /r
where r is the radius of the Moon's orbit
10 2
1
r2*rx3;84xl0
; X ]
L27 3x24x366oJ 3-84 xlO 10
4*2 x 3-84 xlO 10
& ~ iay.
(27-3 x 24 x 3600)'
If the acceleration due to gravity on the earth's surface be g cms.Jsei
we have and *m **
(radius of" Earth)* (radius of Moon's orbit)
8
log 4
"
6021 ^ Moon's 2
i
(radius of orbit)
2 log rr 0-9944 2
3 log 3-84 =1-7529 * (radius of Earth)
3 log 10 10 =30-0000
33-3494 Or, g F
(')
L (6-4 xlO ) 2
8
0-8062 J'
log 6-4
8 log 10 =8-0000
= 1-4362
log
log
27-3
24
3600
= 1-3802
= ^5563
\
6-4 x 10* J K- A
L(27'3x24x3600) J
2
log
V
;
1(
:
15 1789 I
** __ 4ir^x_(3-84xl0 '
2x15-1789 (6*4 x "iOx 27 3x 24 x 3600) 2
:
=30'3578..(/0| 2
Subtracting (//) from (/), 980-9 cms./sec .
we have 2-9916
Hence, acceleration due to gravity at the Earth's
surface = 980 9 cms.lsec.
Antilog 2-9916
= 980-9
4. The radius of curvature of a railway line at a place when the train is
moving with a speed of 20 miles per hour is 800yds., distance between the rails
being 5 ft. Find the elevation of the outer rail above the inner rail so that there
may be no side-pressure on the rails. (Bombay)
= 20x1760x3 ~ 88 f ,
Here, we have v 20 m.p.h.
60x60 T '
800x3 = 2400 ft.
j^ ^
rg
_ 88
3x3x2400x3T
x 88 _ 10800
_ -0112.
i -0112 38-33'.
5ft. and sin 38*33' -0112. [0 being imall.
And .*. h == dsinQ.
Tbtrefore, tbt wtw rail ihpul4 b ralitd '6120 fecftt* above tbt innw
*U PROPERTIES OF MAtff fift
5. A
stone of mass 10 Ibs. is revolving in a vertical circle at the end of 2
string, 8 bag, the other end of which is fixed. When the stone is at the top o]
ft.
the circle, the velocity is 16ft. per sec. Assuming g to be 32 ft./sec 2 ., find the
stretching force in the string when the stone is (/) at the top, (//) at the bottom
(iiV) at a level with the centre.
Here, mass of the stone, m= 10 Ibs. ; radius of the circle, r = 8 ft..
and velocity at the top of the circle 16 ft. (sec.
(/) Therefore, force acting outwards, i.e., upwards along the string, or alone
OA, (Fig. 14),
A
-*
2
_A
= mv = 10x16x16 =320 . ,_
poundah.
,
;
r o
And, downward force due to weight of the stone
= mg 10x32 = 320 poundah.
.*. resultant stretching force along the string
. 320-320 = 0.
(/"/) By the time the stone reaches the bottom
of the ciicle, it has acquired additional kinetic
energy due to its having fallen a vertical distance
16/f (the diameter of the circle).
,
Therefore, kinetic eneigy ot the stone at the
bottom of the circle--- |mi 2 4- tngh.
= [xlOxl6xl6i+[10x32xl6] [v h = 16/r,
=-1280-1-5120 = WWft.poundals.
This should be equal to \mvf, where V L is the velocity at the bottom of
the circle. So that,
| mVl
2 = 6400. Or, mv t2 = 6400 x 2 = 12800.
Or, rz 2 = 12800/10 = 1280. [v m= 10 Ibs
Now, centrifugal force acting downwards along the string, />., along OB
mv 10x 1280
- and, therefore,
- 1600 poundah.
f, g
And the downward force due to the weight of the stone is equal to
10x32 = 320 poundah (as before).
.-. total stretching force in the string = 1600^320 = \92Qpoundals.
= 1920/32 = 6Qpounds weight.
Here, the additional K.E. acquired by the stone
(///) is due to the fall
through a distance 8/f., the radius of the circle, and is
= 10x32x8 = 2560 ft. poundah.
.-. total K.E. of the stone = i/wv 2 -h2560 = Jx lOx I6x 164-2560.
= 1230+2560 = WWft.poundals*
2
Obviously, this must be equal to imr a , where v, is the velocity of the
stone, in this position.
2 = vt 2 ** A5 768.
Jmva 3840, whence, ^?/
centrifugal force acting outwards along the string, i.e., along OC
= ?>". "xl . 10x96 = 960poUndah.
r o
960/32 = 30 Ibs. wt.
And, since the weight of the stone is acting vertically downwards, it is
acting at right angles to this centrifugal force and has no component along it.
Therefore, the stretching force in the string, in this case, is equal to 960 poundals
or 30 Ibs. wt.
6. Four masses, each of 10 Ibs., are fastened together with four strings,
each 3 ft. long, so as to form a square. This square rotates in a horizontal plane
on a smooth table at a speed of one revolution per second ; find in pounds-weight
tbt tension in tte string. (Cambridge Higher School Certificate)
MOTION ALONG A CTTRVE THE PROJECTILE 41
Let /fh, mi, wa and m, be the four masses
of 10 Ibs. each, forming a
square, as shown in Fig, 15.
The radius of the circle in which they rotate will obviously be equal to
Om = l 0w 2 -=- Om$ Ow 4 r, where is the
point of intersection of the diagonals of the square. /^3/2 ,
p %
If P be the mid-point of m l w 4 we have
'
OP = Pnii = 3/2 //.
So that,
- +
V( v
Let rbe the tension in each string, when the
square is rotating on the smooth table.
Then, representing T, in magnitude and
we have Fig. 15.
direction, by the straight line Pm^
force acting along Om^
=\/T*~+'f 2 ~ 2 = V2T.
\/2T
This, clearly, represents the centrifugal force acting along Otn^
NO.V, the centrifugal force acting along m^O is also equal to mra\ i.e.,
where m is the mass of
wij
- 10 Ibs., r - 3/V2 //.,
** 120 n 2
So that,
ITT
^21 = ^ and to = 2n, because the
square makes one revolu-
lo ? 15 = M76i Or, 2T == 120X* 2 tion per sec., i.e., des-
2 log n = 0^9944 whence, T 60?r 2 poundals.
,
cribes an angle of 2n
:
2 1 705 radians per sec.
log 8 = 0-9031 = --
Ha. wt.
Antilog 1 2674
= 18*51 = - = 18'51 Ws. wt.
8
The tension in each string
is, therefore, equal to 18 51 Ibs.
wt.
7. A certain string will break under a load of 50 k.gms. A mass of 1
k.gm. is attached to the end of a piece of the string, 10 metres
long, and is rotated in a horizontal circle. Find the greatest
number of revolutions per minute which the weight can make
without breaking the string.
Here two cases arise, viz.,
(/) when the fixed end of the string, is itself the
centre of the circle in which the load is rotating, i.e., the
radius of the circle is the length of the string, [Fig. 16 (/)], and
when the string hangs vertically and a circular
(/O
motion given to the load at its end, the circle described
is
being in the horizontal plane, [Fig. 16 (//)].
First am?.The centrifugal force, acting on the
string is given by
(W
r
Fig. 16.
Now, the maximum value of F is 50 k. gm. wt. (given).
= 50 x 1000 x 980 dynes. where m is the
lOOOxv 2 mass of the load
- ____ V* =
So that, 50 x 1000X980 -y^ 1 k.gm.
Therefore, 10 metres*
7000 cms. I sec. 1000 cm*.,
7000x60cws./ and v
420000 cm$./wto/e.
PROPERTIES OP MATTER
Mow, the distance covered by the load in 1 rotation
log 42000 = 5*6232 2nxlOOO = 2x3-1416x1000.
log 6283 6283-2 cms. 6283 cms., say.
=1-7982
Antilog 1-8250" number of revolutions made by the load per minute
66-83 without breaking the string = v/2*r = 420000/6283
66 83. =
Or, the number of complete rotations made by the load is 66 per minute.
Second case Here, two forces are acting on the load, viz.,
.
(/) wv 2 /r, (centrifugal force) horizontally=mr^\ since v = rco, where v
and co are the linear and angular velocities
of the load respectively, and r, the
radius of the horizontal circle in which it
rotates.
(//) mg, (weight of the load) verti-
cally downwards.
Obviously, for the load to be in
steady motion, the resultant of these two
must act along the string, as shown in
Fig. 17. Fig. 17.
Let $ be the angle, that the resul-
tant force F (the tension in the string) makes with the vertical. Then,
rco'
tan Q=~ -
..(1)
tng 8
Now, r=AB sin = 1000 sin e,
m 1 k. gm. = 1000 gms.
The maximum value of the tension of the string, i.e.,
T=50x 1000x980 dynes.
If n be the number of rotations made by the load per minute, the angular
velocity = 2nnper minute.
2nn nn
Or,
'60
- per sec.
Substituting the values of r and w in relation (1) above, we have
2
,^ fl -* 2
-10005/*0
:V sin
Or, 10 '
9g
Or,
But, from the figure, we ha
1000 g 9
cos =
|
F 50x1000x980 50x980*
' g_ g ___ '
10 50x980
__ 1
'
"50x980
9x50x980
V9x5x980
Hence, Dumber of rotations 66*83 per minute ; or, number of complete
rotttioni made by the loed per minute is 66.
MOTION ALONG A CtfRtE THI PROJECTILB
S. A particle of mass m is attached to a fixed point by means of a string
bf length / and hangs freely. Show that if it is projected horizontally with a velo-
city greater than V*#/ it will completely describe a vertical circle.
Let OB, (Fig. 18), be the string, fixed at Oand suspended freely, with
a mass m at B. Let it be given a horizontal velocity u, when at rest at B. It
will naturally move along an arc of radius /,
the length of the string. Let B' be its position
on the arc at a given instant, when its velocity
is v.
Then, clearly, v
2
= u*-2gh,
where h is the vertical distance through which
the mass has been raised up.
The weight mg of the mass is acting verti-
cally downwards at B', and the centripetal force
mv 2 //, along the string, in the direction B'O.
The component of mg, acting along the
string in the direction OB', i.e , opposite to that
of th? centripetal force, is thus clearly mg.cos 0, =
.'. If T be the tension of the string B
we have - -- = T mg cos 0.
Fig. 18.
mv*
Or,
I
-f mg cos Q. (I)
oc OB-CB l-h
Now, cos 8
OB OB' I
substituting the values of v* and cos in relation (I) above, we have
m(u*~2gh) ,
1 -f **
I
Or, (II)
At the highest point on the circle, i.e., at A, when the mass completes
half the vertical circle, we have h 21. =
This will clearly become equal to zero, if u* = 5#/.
2 h
Now,A, at v u*-4gl. ['. 2/, here.
Obviously, therefore, if the mass is to continue in motion along the circle,
the tension T should not vanish, i.e., should not become zero, which means that
u 2 >5gl. For this value of u 2 , its velocity at A will also not vanish, and hence the
mass will describe a complete circle of radius /.
Thus, the condition necessary for the mass to complete a vertical circle is
that if>5gl, or that u
9. Assuming the law of Gravitation, and taking the orbit of the Earth
round the Sun, and of the Moon round the Earth as circular, compare the masses of
the Sun and the Earth, given that the Moon makes 13 revolutions per year and that
the Sun is 390 times as distant as the Moon.
Let mass of the Sun be t> M mass of the Earth Af*.
and mass of the Moon = m, M
And, let distance of the Moon from the Earth be ~ JR,
*ft that _. __ Sun _ . wm 300 IL
** PROPERTIES OF MATTEtt
Then, force of attraction between the Sun and the Earth
where G is the gravitational constant.
centripetal acceleration of the Earth = /?-c?- -
t
mais (6
__ Ms_ G
~ '
(390 R)*'
Similarly, force of attraction between the Earth and the Moon
~
And .'. centripetal acceleration of the Moon J\
2. u
jrJ
**-
/TJ
-G
^
</v
. G.
Let co^
and co w be the angular velocities of the Earth and the Moon res-
pectively. Then, clearly,
centripetal acceleration of the Earth is also = 390 R.& e *.
and ,, ,, 3t Moon ,,
= Rw 2 OT .
2
[Mj/(390 R)*]G ^ 390.tf.ov
Or, " *z
'
(390)2 ~Me c)
Now, the Earth goes round the Sun only once in one year ; and, therefore,
angular velocity of the Earth 2x per year.
And the Moon goes round the Earth 13 times in one year so that, ;
angular velocity of the Moon = 13 x 2rr /?er year.
Mr
Or >
if*- -2r--i3v-
3
r.e., Mass of the sun : Mass of the Earth : :
(390) :
(13) .
10. show that in the case of a liquid, rotating with a uniform angular
velocity, (/) the pressure varies directly as the distance from the axis of rotation
and (//') the free surface of the liquid is a paraboloid of revolution.
(0 Imagine a closed, vertical^ cylindrical vessel, just full of a liquid of
density p, to be rotating about its axis with a uniform angular velocity co.
Now, consider a ring of the liquid,
of radius x, width $x and vertical height
8/r, with its centre at O on the axis of
f>+6f> rotation, (Fig. 19). Then, if the pressures
in the liquid at distances x and x+8x
from the axis of rotation be p and (p+8p)
outwards and inwards respectively, we
have
resultant inward thrust on the ring
and centrifugal force outwards on the
where m is the mass of the liquid in the ring.
Clearly, m-= volume of liquid in the ring x p=2
So that, centrifugal force outward on the ring = 2KX$x.$h.p.(**.x [v r=;c, here,
And, therefore, />.2rrx.8/z
= 2nx$x S/j.p.w 2 .*.
whence, &p pcAx.&e. =
Integrating this expression, we have
MOTION ALONG A CURVE THE PBOJBOriLl
Or, p = ip
where C is a constant of integration.
This is then the expression for the pressure at a point distant x from the
axis of rotation in a rotating liquid.
The value of C is obviously equal to that of p at x = 0, i.e., equal to the
pressure at 0, which, as we know, is zero at the surface of the liquid, but
increases with depth as in the case of a liquid at rest.
(//) Consider a particle P in the liquid surface, of mass m, whose co-
ordinates are (x, y) with respect to the axes and t (Fig. OX
20;, the liquid OY
being supposed to be rotating with a
uniform angular velocity co in the direction
shown, about OY.
The
forces acting on this particle
P are, (/) its weight mg,
clearly, vertically
downwards, and (//) 'the centrifugal force
wto 2 *, outwards. The resultant R of
these two forces must act at right angles
to the liquid surface, since there is no
flow of the liquid taking place, and,
obviously, it is counter-balanced by the
thrust due to the rest of the liquid on P.
If, therefore, be the angle that the Fig. 20.
centrifugal force makes with the tangent at P, we have
tan = =
mg
Now, obviously, tan = slope at P dyldx.
dx
.
.
Or, ,-^.dx.
Integrating this, we have
-~~
/*=/-- \x.dx.
Or,
*~-2T +Cf
where C is again a constant of integration.
Since y = 0, when x = 0, we have C = 0.
And, therefore, y**-* whicli is the equation to a parabola.
The free surface of a uniformly rotating liquid is thus clearly a para-
boloid of revolution.
EXERCISE II
!. A particle of masswhirled uniformly at the end of a string,
1 Ib. is
2ft. long, and makes 3 revolutions in 1 2 sees. Find the tension in the string.
Ahs. 15-43 Ib. wt.
2. A half-pound weight is being whirled in a horizontal circle at the end
of a string, 2 feet long, the o'her end of the string being fixed. If the breaking
tension of the string is 112 Ib. w/., find the greatest speed which can be given to
the weight. Ans. l\91ft./sec.
3. At what angle should a cyclist lean over, when negotiating a curve of
132 //. radius at 15 miles p*r hour. Ana. 6* 32'.
4. A person skating on ice at the rate of 20 ft. per se< ond describes a cir-
cle of 20 ft. radius. What is, his inclination to the vertical ? Ans. 32*0,
46 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
5. A round a curve of 1000 ft, radius and the distance
train is going
between the rails is 5 feet. By how much should
the outer rail be raised above
the inner one, so that a train running at 45 miles per hour may exert no lateral
thrust on the outer rail ? Ans. 8'094*.
6. A stone is suspended from the roof of a railway carriage by means of
a string 5 //. long. The angle through which the mass moves from the vertical
is 10, when fhe train moves along a curve of radius 600 //. Calculate the speed
of the train. Ans. SSl/f./iec.
7. Assuming that the Moon describes a circular orbit of radius 3*84x 10
metres in 27'3 days and the outer satellite of Mars describes a circular orbit of
radius = 2*35 x 10 7 metres in 1*26 days, find the ratio of the mass of Mars to the
mass of the Earth. (Cambridge University)
Ans. '1076: 1.
8. A curve on a railway line has a radius 1 600 //., and tne distance
between the inner and outer rails is 5 //. If the outer rail be 6" above the inner
one, calculate the maximum speed of a train going along the curve, so that no
side thrust is exerted on the outer rail. Ans. 48 89 mileslhr.
9. Calculate the increase in leagth of an elastic string of original length
10 /f., at the end of which a stone of mass -5 Ib. is whirled at the rate of 4 re-
volutions per second, if a load of 25 Ibs. increases the length of the string by 2%.
Ans. '8576 //.
10. A merry-go-round is revolving in a horizontal circle of radius 3ft. at
the rate of 7 revolutions in 11 seconds. A child of weight 20 Ibs. rides a wooden
horse suspended by a vertical string. Find the tension in the string and its
inclination to the vertical. Ans. (i) 36 Ib. vr/., nearly, (//) tan' 1 3/2.
[Hint : See solved example 1 (second case, page 42.)]
11. A sea-plane of total mass 1000 Ib. (including the pilot) rounds a
pylon in a circular arc of radius half a mile at a speed of 300 mp.h. Draw a
diagram showing the forces acting on the sea-plane, and calculate the resultant
force at right angles to its direction of motion exerted upon it by the air.
Assuming that the pilot weighs 12 stones, calculate the force with which he is
1
pressed against his seat during the "turn/ (Cambridge Higher School Certificate)
Ans. 8x 10* poundals 30 stone-wt.
:
12. Calculate the angle at which a curve of radius 352 //. should be banked
so as to avoid side-slip when a motor car is travelling round it at a speed of
W m.p.h. Ans. 9 45'.
13. A
road over a bridge has the form of a vertical arc of radius 60 //.
What isthe greatest speed in m.p.h. at which a car can cross the bridge without
leaving the ground at the crest of the road ? Ans. 30 m.p.h.
14. A skater is moving on one foot in a circle of radius 20//. at 10 m.p.h.
At what angle with the vertical will the line passing through his centre of gravity
and the edge of his skate be inclined ? Ans. 18 35'.
15. In a 'loop-the-loop* railway, the cars, after descending a steep
incline,run round the inside of a vertical circular track, 20 ft. in diameter,
making a complete turn over. Assuming there is no friction, find the minimum
height above the top of the circular track from which the cars must start.
Ans. 5ft.
16. A symmetrically loaded lorry weighs 5 tons, and the height of its
centre of gravity is 5ft. above the ground in a vertical plane midway between
the wheels. The breadth of the wheel base may be taken to be 6ft. 3 in. If
there is no side-slip, what is the maximum speed at which the lorry can take a
curve of msan radius 6 yards without beginning to overturn ? Ans. 1 3 m.p.h.
[Hint : It will overturn only when the moment of the centrifugal force about
the wheels on one side is greater than the moment of the weight about them, (see
13, case 4, page 31).]
17. , An India rubber band has a mass of 4 gm* per metre when* stretched
on the circumference of a wheel of 10cm. radius, the stretching force being
MOTION ALONG A OTTEVJB THB PROJHCTILB 47
20,000 dynes. Find how many revolutions per second the wheel must make to
that the band may not press upon the wheel. Ans. 1 1*3.
[Hint : See 18, case 2 t page 27.]
18.Discuss the possibility of a motor cyclist riding round the inside
surface of a vertical cylinder. (Cambridge Scholarship)
19. Explain why a motor-cycle combination (side car on left) is liable to
overturn when taking a left hand corner at speed. Assuming that the centre of
mass of the combination is 2 ft. from the ground and 1 ft. to the left of the
motor cycle, calculate the maximum speed 6f the combination in a circle of
radius 50 ft Assume that the road surface is horizontal and that there is no
.
skidding. (Oxford Scholarship)
Ans. 19" 3 m.p.h.
20. A closed cylindrical can of radius a and height h is first filled with a
fluid of density p. It isthen rotated with angular velocity < about its own
axis, held vertical. Prove that the total thrust on the top of the. can will he
CHAPTER III
MOMENT OF INERTIA ENERGY OF ROTATION
26. Moment of Inertia and its Physical Significance Radius of
Gyration. We know that, according to Newton's first law of motion,
a body must continue in its state of rest or of uniform motion along a
straight line, unless acted upon by an external force. This inertness
or inability of a body to change by itself, its position of rest, or of
uniform motion, is called inertia*, and is a fundamental property of
matter. Thus, it is by virtue of its inertia that a body, at rest,
resists or opposes being put into motion, and a body, in linear or
translatory motion, opposes not only being brought to rest but also
any change in the magnitude and direction of its motion And, we
know, by experience, that thegreater the Tpass_of a bqdy^ the greater
_inertiaj)r opposition to the desired _chaiige for, the greater is the
its ;
force requireJToTTa "appFed for the purposeT^ The mass of a body is
thus taken to b2 a measure of its 'inertia for translatory motion'-, as it
is this that opposes the acceleration,
(positive or negative), desired to
be produced in it by the applied force.
Exactly in the same manner, in the case of rotational motion
also, wefind that a body, free to rotate about an axis, opposes any
change desired to be produced in its state of rest or rotation, showing
that it possesses 'inertia* for this type of motion And, obviously, the
greater the couple or torque, (see 28), required to be applied to a
body to change its state of rotation, i.e., to produce in it a desired
angular acceleration, the greater its opposition to the desired change,
or the greater its 'inertia for rotational motion' It is this 'rotational
.
inertia' of the body which is called its moment of inertia** about the
axis of rotation, Him name being given to it on the analogy of the
moment of the couple, which it opposes.
It will thus be seen that the moment of inertia of a
body, in the
case of rotational motion, plays the same part as, or is the
analogue
of the mass of a body in he case of translatory motion ; and we
may,
therefore, for purposes of analogy, describe the moment of inertia of
a body, in rotational motion as the 'effectiveness of its mass.'
Or,
pushing the analogy a little further, we may define mass as the
'coefficient of inertia^ for translatory motion', and the moment of
inertia, as the 'coefficient of rotational inertia'.**
Yet, with all this seaming similarity, there is all the difference
between the two cases. For, in the case of translatory motion, the
*That is why the comparative slackness or sluggishness of the
people SF
Eastern countries, a consequence of climatic conditions is dubbed by the
9
Westerners as the 'Inertia of the East.
**It is also sometimes referred to as the 'Spin inertia' of the
body
its axis of rotation.
fThe m^ss of a body being usually referred to as its inertia coefficient,
48
MOMENT Off INBHTIA BNEEGY Of ROTATION 49
inertia of the body depends wholly upon its mass and is, therefore,
measured in terms of it alone. In the case of rotational motion, on
the other hand, the rotational inertia, or the moment of inertia, of
the body, depends not only upon the mass (M) of the body but also
upon the ^Jfr^jv? ditifw' (K-) of its particles from the axis of rota-
tion, and is measured by the expression MK*, (see next Article).
This 'effective distance' (K) of the particles of a body from its
axis of rotation is called its radius of gyration about that axis, and
is equal to the root mean square distance of the
particles from the axis,
i.e., equal to the square root of their mean square distance (not the
square of their mean distance) from it. Or, to give it a clear cut .
definition, the radius of gyration of a body, about a given axis of nota-
tion, may be defined as the distance from the axis, at which, if the whole
mass of the body were to be concentrated, the moment of inertia of the
body about the given axis of rotation would be the same as with its
actual distribution of mass.
Now, it is obvious that a change in the position or inclination of
the axis of rotation of a body will bring about a corresponding
change in tho relative disfcancas of its particles, and hence in their
9
'effective distance , from the axis, i.e., in the value of the radius of
gyration of the body about the axis And, so will the transference of a
portion of the matter (or mass) of the body from one part of it to
another, or a change in the distribution of the mass about the axis,
the total mass of the body remaining the same, in either case.
Thus, whereas the mass of a body remains the same, irrespective
of the location or inclination of the axis of rotation, the value of its
radius of gyration about the axis depends upon
(/) the position and direction of the axis of rotation, and
(ii the distribution of the mass of the body about this axis ;
so that,
its value for the same body is diifererit for different axes of rotation.
Further, it follows, as a converse of the above, that the radius
of gyration of a body about a given axis of rotation gives an indica-
tion of the distribution of the mass of the body about it and hence,
also, the effect of this distribution of mass on the moment of inertia
of the body about that axis.
"""27. Expression for the Moment of Inertia. Suppose we have a
body of mass M, (Fig. 21), and any axis YY'.
Imagine the body to be composed of a large
number of particles of masses m v m 2 m 3 ,
at distances
etc., r,, r2 , r s ...etc from the axis
YY'. Then, the moment of inertia of the
particle m l about YY is mj^, that of the
particle m a is JW 2 r aa , and so on ; and, there-
fore, the moment of inertia, /, of the whole
body, about the axis YY', is equal to the
sum of 2
, w^
/w 2 ra 8 r 2
3 8 etc, ,
W
Thus, / sss
m^f + #ya * +W 2
3 r 3 -f . . .
ss=
JEVwr*. Twhere is the mass and Ml M
r ** MY* the summation 2'Mr 1 for tL
r\
Ur > * & M Lwhoie body,
K beinjj tlie radius of gyration of the body about the axis YY',
5C PBOPBKTIBS Ot MATTER
28. Torque. If we wish to accelerate the rotation of a body,
free to rotate about an axis, we have to apply to it a couple. The
moment of the couple, so applied, is called torque, and we say that a
torque is applied to the body.
Obviously, the angular acceleration of all the particles, irrespec-
tive of their distances from the axis of rotation, is the same, but because
their distances are different from the axis, their linear accelerations
are different, (the linear acceleration of a particle being the product
of the angular acceleration and the distance of the particle from the
axis of rotation).
If, therefore, dwfdt be the angular acceleration of the body, or
its particles, we have
linear acceleration of the particle distant rt from the axis r^dwldt,
,, ,, ,, ra ,, r^dcoldt.
and so on.
Hence, if m be the mass of each particle of the body, the forces
on the different particles are mr^d&jdt, mr2 .d^jdt etc., and the t
moments o these forces about the axis of rotation will, therefore, be
x rl9 (mr2 .da>ldt) x rz and so on.
Therefore, total moment for the whole body
= (mrv da)ldt) X ^ + (mr2 .da}jdt) x r
f + ......
= (d&ldt).mr*. [d&fdt being constant.
But Zmr 2 =
/, the moment of inertia of the body about the
axis of rotation. And, therefore,
moment for the whole body = I.d^ldt.
This must be equal to the torque applied to the body.
So that, torque = Ldaj/dt.
It will at once be clear that this relation corresponds to the
familiar relation, force =m
x a, in the case of linear motion, where
m is the mass and a, the acceleration of the body.
Thus, in the case of rotatory motion, torque, moment of inertia
and angular acceleration are the analogues of force, mass and linear
acceleration respectively in the case of linear or translatory motion.
Now, if dwjdt =s 1, clearly, torque = /.
Or, the moment of inertia of a body about an axis is equal to the
torque, producing unit angular acceleration in it about that axis.
Incidentally, the expression for torque, obtained above, fur-
nishes us with a method of deducing an expression for the moment of
inertia of a particle of mass m, about an axis, distant r from it.
For, if F be the force applied, we have
torque = F x r.
torque is also
MOMENT OF INEBTIA ENERGY 0V BOTATlOH 81
torque Fx r \
And, therefore, ... (0
Now, F -a m x a,
where a is the linear acceleration of the particle.
And, since a =
dvjdt, (where v is the linear velocity
of the
particle), we have F = m.dvjdt.
Again, since v == ro>, where co is the angular velocity of the
particle, we have
Now, the component, (drldt).a), plays no part in the rotation of
the body and may, therefore, ba
ignored so that, F mr.dco/dt. ;
=
Substituting this value of F in relation (/) above, we have
T
/== mr.(dcoldt).r
\ ,'
L = mr*. t
dwjdt
Thus, the moment of inertia of a particle of mass m, about an
axis distant r 2
from it, is equal to wr .
29.General Theorems on Moment of Inertia. There are two
general theorems of great importance on moment of inertia, which,
in some cases, enable us to determine the moment of inertia of a
body about an axis, if its moment of inertia about some other axis
be known. We shall now proceed to discuss these.
The Principle or Theorem of Perpendicular Axes.
(a)
() For a Plane Laminar Body. According to this theorem, the
moment of inertia of a plane lamina about an axis, perpendicular to the
plane of the lamina, is equal to the sum of the moments of inertia of
the lamina about two axes at right angles to each other, in its own
plane, and intersecting each other at the point where the perpendicular
axis passes through it.
Thus, if /,, and / be the moments of inertia of a plane lamina
about the perpendicular axes, OX and OF, which lie in the plane of
the lamina and intersect each other at '0,
(Fig. 22), the moment of inertia about an
axis passing through O and perpendicular to
the plane of the lamina, is given by
/ - 4+V
For, considering a particle of mass m
at P, at distances x and y from and OY OX
respectively, and at distance r from 0, we
-have
/ *= Zmr 8 , lm = Zmy* and 7y
So that, *= my*+Zmx*.
/.+/,
Zmr*. [v y*+x*
Rg. 22.
Or, /.+/,:=/.
52 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
(ii) For a Three-Dimensional Body*. Suppose we have a cubical
or a three-dimensional body, shown dotted in Fig. 23, with OX, OY
and OZ
as its three mutually
perpendicular axes, represent-
ing its length, breadth and
height respectively.
Consider a mass of the m
body, at a point P, somewhere
inside it. Drop a perpendi-
cular PM
from P on the xy
plane to meet it in Join M .
OM and OP, and from M
draw MQ parallel to the x-axis
Fig. 23. and MN, parallel to the j-axis ;
also, from P draw PjR, parallel to OM. Then, clearly, the co-ordinates
of the point P are
x ;= ON = QM ; y = OQ = NM and z = MP = OR.
Since the plane xy is perpendicular to the z-axis, any straight
line drawn in this pLane is also perpendicular to it, and, therefore,
OM and PR are bath perpendicular to the z-axis, (v PR is drawn
parallel to OM).
Obviously, therefore, /. OMP is a right angle, because OM is
parallel to PR and PM is parallel to OR. Hence, we have
OM +MP* = OP*.
2
Or, =r where, OP = r.
(0
But OAP = QM>+OQ*. a right
is
angle, being the
Or, OM = * +>>
1 2 2
.
angle between
the axes x and y.
Therefore, substituting the value of OJf2 in relation (/) above,
we have x*+y*+z
2 =A ... (ii)
Join PN and PQ. Then, PN and PQ are the respective normals
to the axes of x and y. For, /_PMN is a right angle, being the
angle between the axes y and z, and, therefore,
PN = MN*+PM* = +z2
j>
2 2
.
So that, x*+PN* = x +j> +z = r 2 2 2 2
. [From (//) above
Or, ON +PN* = r 2 2
, l\- x - OM
from which it is clear that /.PM? is a right angle, and, therefore,
PN is perpendicular to the x-axis.
Similarly, in the right-angled &PMQ, we have
*Not strictly included in the Q.c. (Pass gr Geacral) course.
MOMEtf 1? 0# INERTIAlfilfBlItGUr Off ROfATIOl*
Now, moment of inertia of mass m at P, about the z-axis
=*mxPR 2 =* m.OM\
because PR = OM is the perpendicular distance of the mass from
the axis.
.*. moment of inertia of the whole body about the z-axis, i.e.,
I = Zm.OM 2
.
Or, /, = Zm(x*+y*).
Similarly, the moment of inertia of the body about the y-axis, i.e.,
L = Zm.PQ 2
.
p-' PQ is the J_ dis-
Or
ur - Zm
Sm (xX +
4-z tance between ^e
2 2
/ Z \
'
'* '\
mass and the axis. > L
And, the moment of inertia of the body about the x-axis, i.e. 9
Or
4=
_
Zm.PN\ p.-
P-V is the 1
dis-
tance between the
Ur '
T
'* * m(y
~~ ymlv*-\-7%\ ^ Z > L mass and the axis.
/. adding up the moments of inertia of the body about the
three axes, we have
Or, Ix +lv+Ia --
Hence the sum of moments of
inertia of a three-dimensional
the
body about its three mutually perpendicular axes, is equal to twice the
summation Z"mr 2 about the origin.
^f) The Principle or Theorem of Parallel Axes. This theorem
(due to Steiner) is true both for a plane laminar body as well as a
three-dimensional body and states that the moment of inlertia of J
body about any axis is equal to its moment of inertia about a parallel
axis, through its centre of mass, plus the product of the mass of the body
and the square of the distance between the two axes.
(/) Case
of a Plane Laminar Body. Let C be the center of mass
of a body of mass M, (Fig. 24). and Ic ,
its moment of inertia
about an axis through (7, perpendicular to
the plane of the paper.
Now, let it be required to deter-
mine the moment of inertia / of the body
about a parallel axis through 0, distant
r from C.
Consider any particle P of the body,
of mass m at a distance x from 0.
9
Then, the moment of inertia of the Fi S- 2 *-
body about is given by
I = Zwjc2 . [Since OP =1
.
From P drop a perpendicular PQ on to OC produced, and join
PC. Theri,
OP 1 ss=
CP*+OC*+20C.CQ. [By simple geometry.
And .% m.OP 2 = w.CP*+w.0C +2m.0C.C#, 2
Emx* = 2m.CP*+2m**+%rZm.CQ. [v OP * a? & OC - r.
Hence / Ic +Mr*+2r2m.CQ. [v
64 PROPERTIES OF MATTBft
Now, since a body always balances about an dxis passiiig
through its centre of mass, it is obvious that the algebraic sum of the
moments of the weights of its individual particles about the centre of
mass must be zero. Hence, here, Emg.CQ, (the algebraic sum of
such moments about C) and, therefore, the expression Sm.CQ is
equal to 0, g being constant at a given place. Consequently,
2r.Zm.CQ = 0.
So that, / = Ic +Mr*.
(ii) Case of a Three-Dimensional Body. Let AB be the axis
about which the moment of inertia of a body (shown dotted)
is to be determined, (Fig. 25).
Draw a parallel axis CD through
the centre of mass G of the body,
at a distance r from it.
Imagine a particle of mass
m any point P, outside the
at
plane of the axes A B and CD and
let PK and PL be perpendiculars
drawn from P on to AB and CD
respectively and PT, the per-
pendicular dropped from P on to
Fig. 25. KL produced.
Put PL = d, LK = r, LT = x and Z.PLK = 6.
Then, if / be the moment of inertia of the body about the axi
AB and Ic its moment of inertia about the axis CD (through G), wa
clearly have
/ = 27w.PI 2 = Zm.d*.
Zm.PK* and If =
Now, from the geometry of the Figure, we have
PK* = PL*+LK*-2PL.LK cos PLK.
= d*+r*2d.r cos 0.
And, in the right-angled &PTL, we have
cos PLT = LT/PL,
where /_PLT == (180 PLK) = (180 ). So that,
cos (180- 0) =*=
x/d.
Or, ^ ,
cos & = x)d,
whence, d cos Q = x.
Substituting this value of
"
d cos in the expression ftor PXT
above, we
And, therefore, / = Em.PK* = Zm(d*-} r 2 +2rx).
= Jc +Mr*+2rZmx,
because mr* =
Mr 2 where is the mass of tHe whole
,
M
body and r,,
the distance between the two parallel axea and hence a constant..
Clearly, Zmx
=
0, being the total moment about an axis through
the centre of mass of the body.
We4 ^therefore, have / a /^-f Mr*,
the same result as obtained above in case (/) for a plane laminar
body*
MOMENT OF INERTIA ENERGY OF ROTATION 00
Calculation of the Moment of Inertia of a Body. Its Units
r- 30.
etc. In the case of a continuous, homogeneous body of a definite
geometrical shape, its moment of inertia is calculated by first obtain-
ing an expression for the moment of inertia of an infinitesimal mass
of it about the given axis by multiplying this mass (m) by the square
of its distance (r)from the axis, (see page 51) and then integrating,
this expression over the appropriate range, depending upon the shape
of the body concerned making full use of the theorems of perpendicular
and parallel axes, wherever necessary.
In case, however, the body is not homogeneous or of a definite
geometrical shape, the safest thing to do is to determine its moment
of inertia by actual experiment, as explained later, in 34 and in
Chapter VIII.
Now, it will be seen that since the moment of inertia of a body
about a given axis is equal to MK* 9 where M
is its mass and K, its
radius of gyration about that axis, its demensions are 1 in mass and 2
in length, its dimensional formula being [ML 2 ]. If the mass of the
body and its radius of gyration be measured in the C.G.S. units, i.e.,
its mass in grams and radius of gyration in centimetres, the moment
of inertia of the body is expressed in gram-centimetre2 (i.e., in gm.- ,
cm 2 .). And, if the two quantities be measured in the F.P.S. units,
i.e., the mass of the body in pounds and its radius of gyration in
feet, the moment of inertia
expressed in Pound-feet*, (i.e., in Ib.-fP)
is
And, finally, it carefully noted that since the moment
must be
of inertia of a body, about a given axis, remains unaffected by reversing
its direction of rotation about that axis, it is just a scalar quantity.*
Thus, the total moment of inertia of a number of bodies, about a
given axis, will be equal to the sum of their individual moments oi
inertia about that axis, in exactly the same manner as the tota'
mass of a number of bodies will be equal to the sum of their indi-
vidual masses.
Note. The argument is sometimes advanced that since the moment o
inertia of a body changes with the direction of the axis of rotation, it is not i
scalar quantity; and, since it is independent of the sense or direction of rota
tion about that axis, it is not a vector quantity either, and that it is what i
called a 'tensor'.
The author begs to differ. For, the term, 'moment of inertia of a bod)
has hardly any meaning unless clear mention is also made of the axis of rotati
of that body. And, once the axis of rotation is fixed, the moment of inertia
the body, about that particular axis* becomes a scalar quantity, being independe
of the sense of rotation about that axis. Indeed, it would be misleading to cz
it a tensor ; for, the fact is that the moment of inertia and the products of inert
(see below), at a point, together constitute the components of a symmetric tens
of the second order, which simply means that, knowing the system of momer
and products of inertia at a point about any three mutually perpendicular axe
we can, by means of certain simple, transformations, obtain their values for ai
other set of three mutually perpendicular axes at tbat very point.
A general tensor, of the second order, in three-dimensional space, has,
general, nine components, say, Cn , C,,, Ctl , CM CM CS1 , Ct? Ctl But, f
C, , , , .
a symmetric tensor, C, a = =
C21 , C18 CM and CS i
=
C)8 so that it has only s
,
distinct components, viz., three moments of inertia and three products of inert
about the three perpendicular axes. \\ \\ ( ^
J O '*
*
Scalar quantities are those which possess only magnitude \ but no direc
tlon,e.g. 9 mass, time etc. On the other hand, vector quantities are those whicl
possess both magnitude as well as direction, f ., acceleration, velocity, force, etc.
66 pjtopUBTiEis otf
us, if x, y 2 be the co-ordinates of a
t particle of mass w, at /*, in Fig. 23.
We have
(/) moments of inertia about these three perpendicular axes respectively
given by
Ix ="
2m(y
2
+ z) 2
,
Iv = 2m(z*+x
2
), /0 = 2Vtt[# -h}>
2 2
), and
(//) the products of inertia about these axes defined by
Pys 2tnyz, P*x 2mzx, Pxy = 2mxy,
Then, /, /, 70, Pv g, Pey- and Pxv are the six components of the
symmetric tensor at point P.
It will thus be seen that it is, at best, only a half-truth to say that the
moment of inertia of a body about a given axis is a tensor.
11. Particular Cases of Moments of Inertia.
Cv^/1. Moment of Inertia of a Thin Uniform Rod :
(i) about an axis through its centre and perpendicular to its
length. Let AB, (Fig. 26), be a thin uniform rod of length /and mass
M, free to rotate about an axis CD through its centre O and per-
pendicular to its length. Then, its mass per unit length is MIL
Consider a small element of length dx of it, at a distance x from O.
Its mass is clearly equal to (M/l).dx, and its moment of inertia about
the axis through O (M/l).dx.x
z = .
The moment of inertia / of the whole rod about the axis is,
therefore, obtained by integrating the above expression between the
limits x = 7/2 and x = +//2 or between .v=0 and jc=//2 and ;
multiplying the result by 2, to include both halves of the rod.
C Thus, 7=2 f//2
M- x*.dx.
*.
, T t
!
JO /
_ Mr
"~
*n//;
/ L 3 Jo
i
~TL -i
-
f
Flg 26. 01= F) ~"
2M
/
/3
24
= M|8
12
'
(//) about an ixis passing through one end of the rod and per-
pendicular to its length. The treatment is the same as above, except
that, since the axis here
*
CD
passes through one end B of the
y
'
rod, (Fig. 27), the expression for T
the moment of inertia of the ele- ('"
-
ment dx of the rod is now to be %
integrated between the limits,
\x= 0, at B and x /, at A.
=
Thus, if 7 be the moment of F te- 27 -
inertia of the rod about CD, we have
== F M - .*
*
f A = Af^ pcv~ 7
r .lfit
Jo / / LS Jo
Af /
3
Ml 2
r
*
y" 3^"
MOMENT Otf UN1BT1A JEHB&Glf OF ROTATION ft<9
Or, we could have arrived at the same result by an application of the
principle of parallel axes, according to which the moment of inertia of the rod
about the axis through B is equal to the sum of its moment of inertia about a
parallel axis through its centre of mass and the product of its mass and the
square of the distance between the two axes.
TK
Thus,
T
I - M /2
+L M~
,./ Y - MI /
2
+,M/
2
2. Moment of Inertia of a Rectangle.
(/) about an axis through its centre and parallel to one of
its
sides. Lot A BCD be a rectangle, and let / and b be its length and
breadth respectively, (Fig. 28). Let the axis of rotation YY' pass
through its centre and be parallel to the side or BC. AD
If M be the mass of the rectangle, (supposed uniform), its mass
per unit length will be MIL
Consider a small strip, of width dx of the rectangle, parallel to
the axis. The mass of the strip will obviously be (mjl).dx t an,
therefore, the moment of inertia of }
c
the strip, about the axis YY' will be /\. j ;r
...
*jo.. a# , ,..
,;.
The whole rectangle may be
supposed to be composed of such like
strips, parallel tothe axis, and there-
fore, the moment ofinertia / of the
whole rectangle about the axis YY' is
obtained by integrating the expression Fig. 28.
(Af//).dx.JC
2
for the limits x=0 and x=//2
,
and multiplying the
result by 2.
7=2A
r f
;/ 2 M , ,
= 2Af f//2 2 , 2M- r x3 ~|//2
i.e.,
Jo /
. .x*.dx -H x*.dx
/Jo
~i/
L
^r~
3 Jo
_ Ml
3 2
Ur, 1 _2M
- -
/
- -
; 2| 12
It will be seen at once that if b be small, the rectangle becomes
a rod, of length /, whose moment of inertia, about the axis YY'
passing through its centre and perpsnclicular to its length, would be
M/ 2 /12, fas obtained above, 31, case 1, (/')].
(//")
about one side. We majr proceed as above (in case we want
an independent proof) except that the expression (Mjl).dx.x z may
here be integrated for x and x /. =
Thus, the moment of =
inertia of the rectangle about the side or BC is given by AD
SB (V
M,~,x*.dx = M
- 2 ,
,--
[
1
I
x 2 .dx.
.
Jo /
, /Jo
i^ M Mi 2
3
r x 3 -iC i/ /
Or,
Alternatively, proceeding on the basis of the previous article, we may
apply the principle ofparallel axes, according to which the moment of inertia of
the rectangle abouc side AD or BC is given by
/ =* MJ. about. a I! axis through its cent re +M / -^ V
) (^
/
or,
,M
'-+-"'
Ml 8
r Ml* 2
'
Off MATTES
(Hi) about an axis passing through its t$nit& and perpendicular
to
plane. This may be obtained by an application of the principle of
its
perpendicular axes to case (i) above, whence the moment of inertia
of the rectangle about an axis through its centre 0, perpendicular to-
rts plane, is equal to its moment of inertia about an axis through r O
parallel to its breadth b, plus its moment of inertia about a perpendi-
cular axis through O, parallel to its length /,
Ml*
i.e.,
_
1- +-~ _ 12
The above equally valid in the case of thin (/..,
relation is
laminar) or thick rectangular plates or bars, no stipulation with
regard to its thickness having been made in deducing it. And, after
all, a thick rectangular plate or bar may be regarded as just a pile of
thin (or laminar) plates or bars, placed one above the other.
* The same argument will hold good in all other cases of a similar
type, [see cases (iv) and (v) below],
(/v) about an axis passing through the mid-point of one side and
perpendicular to its plane.
(a) Suppose the axis of rotation passes through the mid-point
of Ap EC, (Pig. 28). Then clearly, in accordance with the prin-
or
ciple of parallel axes, we have
moment of inertia about this axis, i.e.,
I = moment of inertia about a parallel axis
through its centre + M
x (//2) 2 ,
where //2 is the distance between the two parallel axes.
*M ( " ~
"""12" 4 12
_ - -"=--
12 12
'= M
or.
(T+-H>
(b) Similarly, if the axis of rotation passes through the mid-
point of AB or DC we have>
a
b
f v the distance between
'
^
"2 } L ^e two axes is now 6/2.
fl
Or,
3. Moment of inertia of a solid uniform bar of rectangular cross-section,
about an axis, perpendicular to its length and passing through its middle point,*
Let ABCDEFGH (Fig. 29) be the rectangular uniform bat of
length /,breadth b and thickness d, whose moment of inertia about the
am XX', passing through its centre and perpendicular to its length, is desired.
"This is really covered by case 2 above, but is given here for a clearer
understanding of the student.
OF INERTIA EttEftOY 0*
Imagine the whole bar to be made up of a large number of thin rectan-
the face
feular sheets, parallel to CDEHand perpendicular to the axis XX', pass-
ing through the centre of mass
of each sheet Consider one JT
such sheet, (shown dotted),
of mass m, of length and
4*
^ ^_
MfffUJlJ'K / and d respectively,
and centre of mass O, through
which the axis XX' is passing
perpendicular to its plane.
Then, the M.I. of this
sheet about XX' = its mass
x (/
2 2
-f</ )/12, as can be seen
from the following : H
Let PQ be an axis through
O\ in the plane of this sheet, and
Fig. 29.
parallel to its breadth CH or DE. ,
Take a thin strip of width dx of this strip, parallel to, and at distance x
Jrom, the axis PQ Then, mass of the strip =
(w//).</Jcand, therefore, its moment
of inertia about the axis is PQ
(mil) dx.x\
moment of inertia / of the whole sheet about PQ is given by
2f
if//2
7/ 2 m
.
__ 2m [U2
ftf x\dx
Jo '
Jo
#
T VJo
2m 7/2
" 2m
I r 8x3'
Ml 2
Or,
12
Similarly, the moment of inertia of the sheet about an axis through O,
in its own plane and perpendicular to PQ, i.e., parallel to its length or wiL DC EH
be Md 2
/12.
Therefore, by the principle of perpendicular axes, the moment of inertia
of the sheet about the axis XX' through O and perpendicular to its plane
ml 2
+ _ m /Pd
md 2 "~
."" 12 12" V 12
Hence, moment of inertia of the whole bar about the axis XX'
mass of the bar x f
V 12
Or.
M being the mas.
of the bar.
1. Moment of Inertia of a Thin Triangular Plate or Lamina about
one side. iittABC, (Pig. 30), be a th?n, triangular plate or lamina,
of surface density or mass pet
unit area, p, whose moment
of inertia is to be determined
about the side BC.
Then, if the altitude
the plate be AP H, = it*
area =* J base x altitude
[v BC
and, therefore,
Fig. 30.
its mass M *.. (i
Off MAfTUft
Now, let us imagine the triangular plate to be made up of a
number of thin strips, parallel to BC, and placed side by side and, ;
let us consider one such strip DE of width dx, at a distance x from
t
the base BC. Then, clearly, the area of this strip, (which may be
considered to be almost rectangular, its width being infinitesimally
small) =5 DE,dx. And, therefore,
mass of the strip = DE.dx.p ....... (#)
New, in the similar triangles AQD and APB, we have
whence, DQ = BP. -fr .
ri
Similarly, from the similar triangles AQE and APC we t
have
M-=^ = 4' whence Q* -*>.--.
And, therefore, DQ+QE = BP.-^+PC. 4-
ri ri
Or, = (BP+PC). .
= .
mass of the = a~A ~.dx.p.
strip
H [From (//) above]
Now, clearly, moment of inertia of strip DE about the side 5C
h
-= mass of the strip xx*=a. -
.dx.f.x*.
Hx
g
And, therefore, moment of inertia of the whole triangular
plate about BO is equal to the of this expression, between the
limits x = and x = //. So integral
that,
M.L of the plate about BC, i.e., I = Pa. (*~\*.&.dx.
_
~ a.p rff.x 3 x4H \ H _ a.p / /?*
~| ~
#l~3 ~4"Jo T~T"y "jtfA
^ 7T"w = ""12""
~ff( i2~~)
_H
But ^ a./f p. = Af, ffte maw of the plate. [Sec (/) above.
.-. M. I. of the triangular plate about side BC, i.e ,
I = '-r
MOMENT OF INBBTIA BK1BGY OF BOTATIOH 61
$. Moment of Inertia of an Elliptical Disc or Lamina. (?) about
oneof its axes. Let XYX Y' be a thin
f
elliptical plate or lamina, of
mass M, and surface density (ic. 9
mass per unit area), P, and let its
major axis XX and minor axis YY'
f
be equal to 2a and 2b respectively,
(Fig. 31).
Consider a strip PQSR of the
plate of width 1 dx, parallel to the
minor axis YY
and at a distance x
from it. Then, if 2y be the length of ~y
the strip, its area is clearly equal to -
Fig. 31.
2y.dx and, therefore, its mass equal to 2y>dx.?.
then, M, I. of the strip about the minor axis
Obviously,
YY' =
2y.dx.p.x* and, therefore, M. L of the whole elliptical plate
;
about the axis YY' is equal to twice the integral of the above
expression, between the limits x 0, and x a. =
Or, denoting it by =
Iv ,
we have
a
2y.*x*.dx = 4P [ y.x*.dx (I)
Now, with the centre of the ellipse as the origin, and with the
co-ordinate axes coinciding with its major and minor axes respectively,
we have 2+ /,>
= 1> as the equation to the ellipse ; whence,
fa = !- -ii.
or y* - l
bz a*
So that, y = b ^/i^x^ja^T
Substituting this value of y in relation (I) above, we have
= 4P
Jo
...(II)
Now, putting x = a sin 8, we have T- = a cos 6.
aQ
Or, dx = a cos 0. d9.
Substituting these values of x and dx in expression (II) above,
we have
/2
.a cos 6.dd.
cos
Or,
or MATTIE
PTC/2
lo
f 2 1 1
cos 40
.dg.
2 1-2
I,
sm
pfi.t;
*2| 'Jo
7T
1 TT
^ ~
2 2"
Now, Tr.a.b.p = Af, the mass of the elliptical plate.
I,
= M.a 2 /4.
Similarly, the moment of inertia (Ix ) of the elliptical plate about
the major axis XX' is given by the expression,
I, Mb*/4. =
(//) about an axis passing through
the centre of the plate or lamina
and perpendicular to its own plane The axis in this case will pass
of the
through O, (Fig. 31), and will be perpendicular to the plane
paper, (or the plane of its two axes, XX' and 77') Hence, if /be .
the moment of inertia of the elliptical plate about this axis, we have,
by the principle ofperpendicular axes,
0, !-
^fff Moment of Inertia of a Hoop or a Circular Ring.
(i)
about an axis through its centre and perpendicular to its
plane. Let the radius of the hoop or circular ring be 7?, and its mass,
M, (Fig. 32).
Consider a particle of it, of mass m. Then, the moment of
inertia of this particle about an axis through the centre of the hoop, O
and perpendicular to its plane, will obviously be mR 2 .
And, therefore, the moment of inertia /of the entire hoop about
the axis will be ZmR*.
^ m* 2 P-' 2'^=Mand R is the same
Or,
-r
I = MR .
I for all particles.
(ii)about its diameter. Let it be required to determine the
moment of inertia of the hoop about the diameter AB, (Fig.
Obviously, the moment of inertia of the hoop
will be the same about all the diameters.
Thus, if / be the moment of inertia of the
hoop about the diameter AB, it will also be
its moment of inertia about the diameter
CD, perpendicular to AB.
Then, by the principle of perpendicular
axes, its moment of inertia about the axis
through the centre O, and perpendicular to
its plane, is equal to the sum of its moments
of inertia about the perpendicular axes AB
and -CD, in its own plane, and intersecting
MOMENT of INBBTU--BNBEQY of BOTATKW 63
And, therefore, 7+7 MR 2
. Or, 2 7 MR*. [Seecaie (0.
Or I = MR 2
/2.
'
1. Moment of inertia of a Circular Lamina or Disc.
(i) about an axis through its centre and perpendicular to its
plane. Let M
be the mass of the disc and R, its radius. Then, since
the area of the disc is 7T.R 2 its mass per unit
,
area will be
Consider a ring of the disc, distant x
from O, i.e., of radius x and of width dx,
(Fig. 33). Its area is clearly equal to its
circumference, multiplied by its width, or
equal to 2wx x dx, and its mass is thus
Hence, moment of inertia of this ring
about an axis through O and perpendicular
to its plane Fig. 33.
M.2<xx.dx 2Mx*dx
Since the whole disc may be supposed to be made up of such
like concentric rings of radii ranging from to jR, we can get the
moment of inertia / of the disc by integrating the above expression
for the moment of inertia of the ring, for the limits x=0, and x=/Z.
...
*,T
MJ. ofr*u A-
the dzsc .
Or, I = MR 2
/2.
(//) about its diamet-er. Let AB and CD be two perpendicular
diameters of a circular disc of radius R and mass Af, (Fig. 34).
Since the moment of inertia of the disc
about one diameter is the same as about
any other diameter, the moment of inertia
about the diameter AB is equal to the
moment of inertia about the diameter CD,
perpendicular to AB. Let it be /.
Now, we have, by the principle of
perpendicular axes, M.L of the disc about
AB+its M.L about CD
= its L about an M axis through
O and perpendicular to its plane.
- MR* = MR
2
n
Or, ,/+/
r
. .
27T
-%-OT, -g-.
MR*
Or,
about a tangent to the disc in itsi&vn plane. Let
(ii)
be AB
tangent to the circular disc of radius and mass M, about whichRit*
64 PROPERTIES Off MATTER
moment of inertia is to be determined, (Fig. 35). Let CD be a
diameter of the disc, parallel to the tangent AB. The moment of
A inertia of the disc about this diameter is, clearly,
equal to MR-J4.
So that, by the principle of parallel axes, we
have
MJ. of the disc about AB = MJ. of the
disc about CD+MR*.
= MR +MR* =
2
Or, I MR 2
D about a tangent to the disc and perpendi-
(iv)
Fig. 35. cular to This tangent will obviously be
its
plane
parallel to the axis through the centre of the disc and perpendicular
to its plane, the distance between the two being equal to the radius
of the disc. Hence, by the principle of parallel axes, we have
M.L about the tangent = M.L about the perpendicular axis+MR*.
Or, = ;: MR 2
.
Moment
of Inertia of an Annular Ring or Disc.
(/) about an axis passing through its centre and perpendicular to
its plane. An annular disc or ring is just an ordinary disc from
which a smaller co -axial disc is removed, so
that there is a concentric circular hole in
it. Let 7? and r be the outer and inner radii
of the disc, (Fig. 36), and M, its mass. Then,
clearly,
face-area of the annular disc face-area =
of disc of radius R face -area of disc of radius
r,
And .. mass per unit area of the disc
= M/7r(#
2
r
2
).
p. 2$
Imagine the disc to be made up of a
number of thin circular rings, and consider one such ring of radius x
and of width dx.
Then, face-area of this ring =27ix.dx,
and its mass = M
__
And, therefore, its moment of inertia about an axis through O
, ,. ,
x .
x .
= 2Mx - ,
9
= 2Mx3 -
and perpendicular to its plane
-
ax.x*
rnz^TW
The moment of inertia of the whole annular disc may, therefore,
be obtained by integrating the above expression for the limits x r =
and x =
R, Or, moment of inertia of the disc about the axis through
O and perpendicular to its plane
f
*
2^*> dX ~ 2M f*
jrr *-r*)- (W=
MOMENT OF OTBBTU ENERGY 0! ROTATION
-
-
r (IP-r)
2M mp+ r*).(/l_rn
^IrSjL r ~J
Or, I -M
It follows at once from the above that if r = 0, i.e., if there is
no hole in the disc, or that it is just a plane, (and not an annular)
disc, its moment of inertia is MR /2. 2
[Case 7 (/), above.
.Again, if r = R, i.e, t we have a hoop or a circular ring, of radius
its M.L = ^ ^ MR * above.
R, and t [Case 6 (/),
A *
(it) about its diameter. Obviously, due to its symmetrical shape,
the moment of inertia of the annular disc about one diameter will be
the same as that about any other diameter. Let it be 7. Then, the
sum of its moments of inertia about two perpendicular diameters will,
by the principle ofperpendicular axes, be equal to its moment of inertia
about an axis through O and perpendicular to its plane, i.e., equal to
MGR2 +r 2
)/2.
*
M( * 2 + r *> /* 2/- Aff/P+l
/-j-7 =
)
Or
ur, 74-7- i.e., LL
- -
,
-
,
-= - -
--
whence,
Now, if r = 0, i.e., if the disc be a plane one, we have
M.L of the disc about a diameter = MR 2
/4:. [Case 7 (//), above.
= R, we have a hoop or circular ring of radius R, and
442
Or, if r
its moment of inertia about its diameter
= -- -
.-- = MR*
r--.
.
[Case 6
.....
(//)
u
above.
in its own plane. The tangent
(Hi) about a 'tangent, being
parallel to the diameter of the ring or disc, and at a distance R from
it, we have, applying the principle of parallel axes,
M.L about the tangent = M.L about the diameter -{-MR*.
Or, I = M +MR* = M
(iv) about a tangent, perpendicular to its own plane. The tan-
gent, in this case, is parallel to the axis through the centre of the ring
or disc and perpendicular to its plane, the distance between the two
being equal to jR. Hence, by the principle of parallel axes, we have
M.L about the tangent = M.L about the perpendicular axis+M/? 2 .
Or I -**
9. Moment of inertia of a Solid Cylinder.
(i)
about itsown axis, or its axis of cylindrical symmetry. A
cylinder is just a thick circular disc, or a number of thin circular
86 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
discs, piled one upon the other, and, therefore, its moment of inertia
about its axisis the same as that of a circular disc or lamina &bout an
axis through its centre and perpendicular to its plane, i.e., equal to
MR /2, where M
2
is its mass and R, its radius. [Case 7 (i) above.
(ii)
about an axis passing through its centre and perpendicular to
itsown axis of cylindrical symmetry. Let M
be the mass of the cylin-
der, R its radius and /, its length, (Fig. 37). Then, obviously, if it be
homogeneous, its mass per unit length will be M/l. Let YY' be the
axis, passing through its- centre and perpendicular to its own axis
XX' about which
,
the moment of inertia is to be determined.
Imagine the cylinder to be made up of a number of thin idiscs
and consider one such disc at a distance x from O, and of thickness dx.
Obviously, the mass of the disc is
(Mjl).dx and its radius, equal
to R ;
so that, its
moment of inertia
about its diameter
is equal to mass of
/.Jj U~. ,.l-~-l. SI 4---J
the disc x(radius)^.
-?*' f
'
And, its mo-
iftent of inertia
Fig. 37. about the axis YY' 9
by the principle of parallel axes, = M ,
Therefore, the moment of inertia of the whole cylinder about
the axis YY' may be obtained by integrating this expression for the
limits x =
and x =
//2 and multiplying the
result by 2. Thus,
MJ. of the cylinder about the axis YY f
2M = J!_l
-i +-*-J Jx3J
Or,
(HI) afeowf a diameter of one of its faces. It is an easy deduction
from the above ;for, by the principle of parallel axes, we have
M.I. of the cylinder about the diameter of one face
MR* .Ml* .Ml* MR* Ml*
4,
I. M \*
MOMENT Off INERTIA ENERGY Of ROTATION 67
M
4T Moment of Inertia of a Solid Cone.
(i) about
its vertical axis. Let mass of the cone be M ,
its vertical
height, h and radius of its base, R, (Fig. 38).
Then, its volume
z
^nR h. =
And, if p be the density of its material, its
mass M = knR*hp, whence, p =- ---..-
TT/v II
Imagine the cone to be made up of a
number of discs, parallel to the base, and
placed one above the other. Consider one
such disc at a distance x from the vertex,
and of thickness dx.
If r be the radius of this disc, we have
r = x tan a,
[where a is the semi-vertical angle of the cone.
And, volume of the disc = z
7ir .dx. Fig. 38.
its mass = 2
7rr .c/x.p.
Now, moment of inertia of the disc about the axis y pass- AO
ing through its centre and perpendicular to its plane, i.e., about the
vertical axis of the cone, is clearly equal to
its mass
^ ts radius ? .
And, therefore, the moment of inertia of the whole cone about its
vertical axis AO will be the integral of this expression, for the limits
x = and x = /?.
/. ., J/.7. of bhe cone about its vertical axis is given by
h
- [
Jo
'*-]* ~
2 .5 Jo
4
7TP./? A5
5
Or, substituting the value of p from above, we have
=
1
7t~R*.h.2h*
'
T == "
10
(ii) about an axis through its vertex and parallel to its base.
Again, considering the disc at a distance x from the vertex of the cone,
we have
r2
M.I. of the disc about its diameter = 2
7rr .Jx.p. . .
4
And, therefore, by the principle of parallel axes, its moment of
inertia about a parallel axis XX
passing through the vertex of th
1
',
cone
r*
08 *ftoEfeTiB$ oir
Therefore, the moment of inertia of the whole cone about the
axis passing through the vertex and
parallel to the base, i.e., about
XX', is obtained by integrating this expression for the limitSj x =
and x = h. Thus,
M.I. of the cone about XX*
>
tan* a fh
-f* 4 ^
**.</* +irPtoi
, 9 fh
of* ^^
'0 J
4 A*
4
f
A5 R* hb
^ TTP /? ,
Or, substituting the value of P, we have
M.L of the cone about XX' = ^ ,- ,
/i*
, .
-
5
-
3MR*
.
Or,
_
1= --+ 3Mh-
r Moment of Inertia of a Hollow Cylinder.
((-/) aftowf itsown axis. A hollow cylinder may be considered to
consist of a large number of annular discs or rings of the given inter-
nal and external radii, placed one above the other, the axis of the
cylinder passing through their centre and being perpendicular to
their planes, (Fig. 36).
The moment of inertia of the hollow cylinder about its own
axis is, therefore, the same as that of an annular disc of the given
external and internal radii
about an axis through its cen-
tre and perpendicular to its
2 2
plane, i.e., equal to M(R
-fr )/2,
where M is the mass of the
cylinder, R and r, its external
and internal radii respectively.
Alternative Proof. Let M Fig. 39.
be the mass of the cylinder ; R and r, its external and internal radii
and /, its length, (Fig. 39).
Then, face-area of the cylinder = Tr^ r 3 f
).
And, volume of the cylinder = 7r(7? r
2 2
)/ ;
its mass per unit volume =
M
BO that,
^ -^
Now, imagine the cylinder to be made up of a large number of
thin co- axial cylinders, and consider one such cyluvfer of radius x and
thickness dx.
MOMENT 0* INERTIA ENERGY OF ROTATION 69
Then, its face area = 27tx.dx 9
its volume =
and its mass = M
/j? 2_^/x27rx.a.x./
, ,
/m~ -jr-
Since all its particles are equidistant from the axis, its moment
-. 2Mx.dx 2 Jf **.</*
..
of inertia about the axis
, .
., .
= ,
--
~2 f
.x 3 == -
D2
(A r-) (K r2)
And, therefore, the moment of inertia of the whole cylinder may
be obtained by integrating the above expression for the limits, x r
and x s= jR.
Or, J/.7. of the cylinder about its axis, i.e.,
*M_[ R
8
CR
t 2M.X ,
_
~
a
x a
Jrr
| (j?2-Z7 ) (^^H7^J r
5Jf r^-iJ 2jj/
n^- 14 )"
^
(R* V-OL 4 Jr 2
(^ -r2) -']
Or,
an axis passing through its centre and perpendicular to
its own axis. As be-
fore, let M be the
mass of the cylin-
der, /, its
length,
and/? andr, its ex-
ternal and internal x
radii respectively ;
and let YOY'bz the
axis through its cen-
tre 0, and perpendi- V
cular to its own axis Fig 40.
XX', (Fig. 40).
Then, face-area of the cylinder = 7r(jR a
r f ),
and its volume = 7t(R z
r 2 )/.
8 a
its mass per unit volume == Jf/7r(J? /
)/.
Imagine the cylinder to be made up of a large number of
annular discs of external and internal radii R and r, placed one by
the side of the other, and consider one such disc at a distance x from
the axis YY and of thickness dx. Then, clearly,
f
,
surface area of the disc
= 7r(/?
2
~~r a ),
its volume = 7r(jR
2
r*).t/x, and .-.its mass = Jf.rfx//.
Now, moment of inertia of an annular disc of external and
internal radii, jR and r, about its diameter, is equal to its massx
2
+
+R* r )/4. [Case 8 (),
.-. M.I. of the disc about its (}i$iter
70 PROPERTIES OT MATTJBH
And, therefore, its moment of inertia about the parallel axis
YT' is,by the principle of parallel axes, given by
M ,w^c
.
l
x (R*+r ) * ~
~l
M ,
,dx.x.
And, clearly, therefore, moment of inertia /, of the whole cylin-
der, about the axis IT', is twice the integral of this expression, for
the limits, x = and x = 7/2.
tip.
i.e.,
-
2P
2Jff//2P 7?2 + ,-a
-
i \ --dx+x*.dx \~ -.
/
JO L J L "3 Jo
2 2
Or, I = 2Afr(/? -fr )/
"
/
L 4x2
It follows, therefore, that if r = 0, i.e.> if the cylinder bo a
solid one, we have
M.L of the cylinder, (solid), about an axis through its centre
and perpendicular to its own axisM(R 2 /4 + F/12). [Case 9, (//) above.
^2r Moment of Inertia of a Spherical Shell.
(/)
about its diameter.
First Method. Let ABCD be the section of a spherical shell
through its centre O and let the mass of the shell be and its M ,
radius R, (Fig. 41).
2
Then, area of the shell is equal to 47T/? ,
and
.*.mass per unit area of the shell = MI&nR 2 *
Let it be required to determine its
moment of inertia about the diameter AB.
Consider a thin slice of the shell, lying
between two planes EF and OH, perpendi-
cular to the diameter AB 9
and at distances x
and (x-\~dx) respectively from its centre O.
Fig. 41. This obviously a ring of radius
slice is
PE, and width EG, (not PQ, which is equal
to dx).
area of this ring => its circumference X width.
=*= 27T.PEXEG,
and, hence its mass == its area XM tin R*.
=c 2n.PExEGxM/4>7rR*. ... (/)
Join OE and OG, and let COE . and l_EOG * d0.
Then, PE = OE.cos OEP R cos
[v LOEP - iCOE - e.
Similarly, OP = R sin Q
Or. x -* J? $m e, ['' OE - J? ni/ O/ - *.
MOMENT OF INERTIA ENERGY OF ROTATION 71
Now, differentiating x with respect to 0, we have
dxjde = R cos g t
Or, dx = R cos Q.dB *= PE.df). [v X cos o JP&
And, G == 0".rf0 = #.^0. I
''
flrc = radius* angl*
subtended by the arc.
L
mass of the ring = 27r.P.^.rf0.M/47r#
2
. [from (/).
Hence, moment of inertia of the ring about AB, (an axis passing
through its centre and perpendicular to its plane), is equal to its
mass x (its radius) 2 i.e., =-M *.PE\ where PE = 2
(R*-x*).
,
ZK
/. moment of inertia of the ring about AB =-AJ\
-V > .(R
2
x\
And, therefore, the moment of inertia /, of the whole spherical
AB =
"
shell about twice the integral of D .(R
2
x 2 ), between the
AjK
limits, x = and x = R.
'-
ie I
l -
~ M 2
R3 -
y< ~~
2
i.e.,
-^
.
^ y
Second Methad.~Let M
be the mass of the shell and R, its radius.
Consider a particle, of mass m, anywhere on the shell. Then, since the
thickness of the shell is negligible, the distance of the particle from the centre
of the shell is the same as the radius of the shell, i e., R.
Obviously, therefore, the summation / for all the particles of the shell,
,
about its centre 0, is given by the relation,
TAll particles being at distance R
/o
-2mR*. Or, /.
- a
MK
rom Q an d = M. Jm
[j
Now, /be the moment of inertia of the shell about one diameter, it
if
will be the same about any other diameter also, from the sheer symmetry of tha
shell. Hence, in accordance with the principle of perpendicular axes for a three
dimensional body, [29 (a), (//), page 52] the sum of the moments of inertia of
the shell about its three mutually perpendicular diameters must be equal to
twice the summation / for all its particles, about their point of intersection,
,
i.e., the centre of the shell O ; so that,
/+/+ / 2/o,
"
-
Or, 3/ - 2MR*, [V / 9 - MR .
whence, I -- MR*.
about a tangent. Obviously, a tangent, drawn to the shell
(ii)
at any point, must be parallel to one of its diameters, and at a
distance from it equal to J?, the radius of the shell. Hence, applying
the principle of parallel axes, we have
A/./, of the shell about a tangent
=
its M.L about a diameter -{-MR
2
.
Or, / | MR*+MR* =*
JMR*.
71 OF MATTBH
13. Moment of Inertia of a Solid Sphere.
(i) about its diameter. Let Fig. 42 represent a section of the
sphere through its centre O.
Let mass of the sphere be M
and its radius, R.
t
Then, clearly, its volume 47T# 3 /3. =
And .*. its mass per unit volume
Consider a thin circular slice of the
sphere at a distance x from the centre O t
and of thickness dx.
This slice is obviously a disc of
radius \/ R* x 2 and of thickness
, dx.
.-.
surface area of the slice = TT^/^-X^ = Tr(R* x 2
), and its
volume area x thickness == 7t(R* x 2 ).dx.
And, .-. its mass = its volume x mass per unit volume of the
sphere
Now, the moment of inertia of /Af5 disc about ^4. (an axis
passing through its centre and perpendicular to its plane)
= its mass x (radius) 2
1
2.
moment of inertia of the disc AB
;#"' * ."(I)
/. moment of inertia /, of the sphere about the diameter AB is
equal to twice the integral of expression (1) between the limits x =
and x =R.
"
"*"
3 5 Jo
3M
Or,
Now, the moment of inertia of the sphere about one diameter
is the same as about another diameter, so that we have the moment
of inertia of a solid sphere about any diameter given by I =c MR*.
Alternative Meth6d. Let M be the mass of the sphere and p, the density
of its material.
Imagining the whole sphere to be made up of a number of thin, concen-
one inside the other, and considering one such shell of
tric spherical shells,
radius x and thickness dx, we have
surface arm of the shell
MOMBNt OP INERTIA INjBRQY OF ROTATION 73
and /. volume of the shell = 4*rx*.djc and its mass = 4*x*.dx.p.
.'. moment of inertia of the shell about a diameter
|x(its tfttm)x(its radius)* $.4nx*.dx.pxx* npx* dx, [case 11 (/),
And, therefore, the moment of inertia /, of the whole sphere, about its
diameter, is obtained by integrating the above expression between the limits.
x and x = R.
(
R 8
-J rw L
--T" P
8
U
f x ~]R
Jo --3
8
-"'-T-Tr-P-*
R* 8 _.
t 437^3/3
= the v0///w? of the sphere ; and, therefore, 4rtR*?l3 = M, its
M.L of the sphere about its diameter, /.*., I
= 2,MR/5.
(n) fl&0w/ a tangent. A
tangent, drawn to the sphere at any
point, will obviously be parallel to one of its diameters and at a
distance from it equal to R, the radius of the sphere.
Therefore, in accordance with the principle of parallel axes, we
have M.L of the sphere about a tangent
= its M.L about a diameter + MR*.
Or, 1-2 MR*/!> -f- MR* = 7MR 2
/5.
x^14. Moment
vx of Inertia of a Hollow Sphere or a Thick Shell.
(/) about its diameter A hollow sphere is just a solid sphere
from the inside of which a smaller concentric solid sphere has been
removed. And so, the moment of inertia of the hollow sphere is
equal to the moment of inertia of the bigger solid sphere minus the
moment of inertia of the smaller solid sphere removed from it, (both
about the same diameter). If R bs the radius of the bigger sphere
and r, that of the smaller sphere, i.e., if and r be the external and R
internal radii of the hollow sphere, and p, the density of its material,
we have
volume of the bigger sphere = ^TtR
3
,
and .. its mass =
and, smaller =a -J-Trr
3
and =
.-. volume of hollow sphere = ^(J? 3- r8 ) and its mass
And /. M.L of the bigger sphere about its diameter
and M.L of the smaller sphere about the same diameter
- H7rr*.p).r*.
.-. M.L of the hollow sphere about that diameter
rr.p).^
... (1)
Now, mass of the hollow sphere, M= i.7r(jR
8
r s ).p.
47r(JR -r ),p,
s
Or, 3Af And .-. p
!l
rftOFEBTlBS Of MATTER
Substituting this value of p in relation (1) above, wo have
moment of inertia / of the hollow sphere about its diameter
*
_ -1
6
' w '
Or
Ur '
i_A
l
5
M J^'-. iV1 *
(R-r)
Alternative Method. As in the case of the solid sphere, so also here, we
can imagine the sphere to be made up of a number of thin, concentric spherical
shells, and considering one such spherical shell of radius x and thickness dx, we
have, as before, mass of the shell = 4nx*.dx.p. fp being the
.-. ML of the shell about a diameter = &Anx*.dxj.&.
6 (
density of the
material of
.**.</*.
|.7r. P [ the sphere.
Hence, the moment of inertia of the whole sphere about its diameter is
the integral of the above expression, between the limits, x r and x = R. =
fR o
Or, M.L of the sphere about a diameter i.e., I = I -- TC p.x*.dx.
8 I"* 8 r x *-R
But r 8 ).p Af, the mass of the sphere. [See case above.]
^(R* (/)
I = --.
(ii) about a tangent. Again, as in the case of a solid sphere, the
tangent to the sphere, at any point, will be parallel to one of its dia-
meters, and at a distance equal to its external radius R from it.
Hence, by the principle of parallel axes, we have
M.I. of the sphere about a tangent
= its M.L about a diameter -{-MR*.
Or, I = 5
~r 5 )/(R 8 -r 3 )"l+MR 2 .
["-|-M(R
Moment of Inertia of a Flywheel and Axle. A flywheel
15.
is a targe heavy wheel, with a long, cylindrical axle, passing
just
through its centre. Its centre of gravity lies on its axis of rotation^
so that, when properly mounted over ball-bearings (to minimise
friction), it may continue to be at rest in any desired position.
Let M be the mass of the flywheel, and
m, that of the axle ;
and let R and
be their respective radii.
r
Then, for our present purpose, we may regard the flywheel to
'
be a disc, or a small cylinder, from which a smaller, concentric disc or
cylinder, equal in radius to that of the axle, has been cut off. In
sther words, we may take it to be an annular ring, (or hollow cylin-
ier) with an outer radius equal to R> and an inner radius equal to r,
iose moment of inertia is to be determined about an axis passing
ough its centre and perpendicular to its plan*.
MOMENT OF INERTIA ENERGY OF EOTATION 75
The face area of this wheel or annular disc is clearly equal to
the area of the whole disc of radius R minus the area of the disc of
radius r.
a
face area of the wheel ==7r#
i.e.,
a
7rr =7r(jR
2
r 2 ).
And, if its mass be M, clearly,
mass per unit area of the w/zee/=Jf/7r(JR 2 r 2 ).
Now, consider a thin circular ring at a distance x from tho
centre, and of width dx.
Then, face area of the ring=its circumference x its width=27rx.dx.
2
And, therefore, its mass == 27rx.dx.M/7r(R*r ).
Now, s.ince the moment of inertia of a ring about an axis
through its centre and perpendicular to its plane is equal to its
2
mass x (radius) ,
we have
= f R M *
M. I. of the wheel about its axis j _.
-
,- ^ .2nx.dx.x*.
TT(R*-1
2M
2
-r') 4
ALL of the wheel about its axis
M ., M
Or, v ,
.
,
.
z> JL
The axle, again, just a disc, (or solid cylinder), and its
is
moment of inertia about its axis is, therefore, just the same as that
of a disc or a cylinder about its axis, i.e., = its massx(radius)
2
/2.
So that, M.L of the axle = w.r / 2 2
-
Hence, M.L of the. wheel and axle = M.L of the wheel -\-M.L of
the axle.
Or, I - [M(R+r)/2]+iM 2
/2.
32. Table of Moments of Inertia. The values of moments of
inertia for the cases discussed above, together with some other impor-
tant ones are given in the Table below for ready reference of the
student, the mass of the body being taken to be M, in all cases.
FBOPKETIBS OF MATTE*
AXIS
MOMENT
BODY and Direction)
OF
(Position INERTIA
3. Thick uniform rectangu- Through it* mid-point
lar bar,of length / and and perpendicular to its
thickness d. length.
4. Thin triangular plate or About one side.
lamina, of altitude H.
5. Elliptical disc or lamina, (/) About one of the or
of major and minor axes axes, (major or minor).
2a and 2b. (ii) Through its centre
and perpendicular to its
plane.
6. Hoop or circular ring, (/) Through its centre
of radius R. and perpendicular to its
plane.
(ii) About a diameter.
(i//j About a tangent in
its own plane.
(iv) About a tangent, per-
pendicular to its plane. 2MR*
1. Circular lamina or disc, (/) Through its centre
of radius R. and perpendicular to its
plane.
(//) About a diameter.
(///) About a tangent, in
its own plane. 5MR*I4
(iv) About a tangent per-
pendicular to its plane.
8. Annular ring or disc of (/) Through its centre
outer and inner radii R and perpendicular to its
and r. plane.
07) About a diameter.
(/i7) About a tangent, in its
own plane.
(iv) About a tangent per-
pendicular to its plane.
9. Solid cylinder of length (/) About its axis of cy- MR*/2
/and radius R. lindrical symmetry.
(ii) Through its centre
and perpendicular to its axis
of cylindrical symmetry.
(///) About a diameter of
one face.
10. Solid cone, of altitude h (/) About its v*rtical
and base radius R. axis.
(//) Through its vertex 3MJK* 3MfP
and parallel to its base.
11. Hollow cylinder, of (/) About its own axis,
length / and external and (i.e.,about its axis of cylin-
internal radii R and r. drical symmetry).
(i7) Through its centre
and perpendicular to its
own
Of INE&TiAENBRGY 6f 77
33. Routh s Rule. This rule states that the moment of inertia
of a body about any one of the three perpendicular axes of symmetry
passing through its centre of mass is given by
(i) the product of
its mass and one-third of the sum of the squares
of the other two semi-axes, in the case of a rectangular lamina or para-
llelopiped ;
the products of its mass and one-fourth of the sum of the
(//)
of a circular or an ellipti-
squares of the other two semi-axes, in the case
cal lamina ;
(til)the product of its mass and one-fifth of the sum of the squares
a
of the other two semi-axes, in the case of a sphere or spheroid.
Quite a few of the cases, dealt with in the proceeding pages, may be
easily deduced by an application of this rule. Thus, for example,
(/) moment of inertia of a uniform rec-
(angular lamina (of mass M, length /and breadth
) about an axis passing through its centre O
and perpendicular to its plane
12
for, here, the two semi-axes of the lamina are
clearly, //2 and 6/2 respectively, (Fig. 43).
78 PKOPERTIJES OF MAtTBR
(it) Moment of inertia of a uniform
-"*"-'--
circular lamina or disc, (of mass
radius R), about an axi, passing through its
and M
enire and perpendicular to its plane is equal to
#-;'"
because here the two semi-apes of the lamina or
disc are obviously R and R> (Fig. 44).
And,~again, moment of inertia of a uniform
elliptical lamina, (of mass M,
and with 2a and 2b t
as its major and minor axes respectively), about
Fig. 44. a perpendicular axis passing through its centre,
is equal to
because (a) and (6) are the two semi-axes of the
lamina, (Fig. 45).
(///) moment of inertia of a solid sphere, (of
mass A/and radius R) about its diameter is equal
to
because here the two semi-axes of the sphere are Fig. 45.
R and R.
34. Practical methods for the Determination of Moments of
Inertia. The
principle underlying the experimental determination of
the moment of inertia / of a body, about a given axis, is to apply a
known couple C to it and to measure the angular acceleration doj/dt
produced in it. Then, from the relation,
(2
C= Ldwldt, we have / = ,
,
. ,
**
u to I at
whence, /may be easily calculated.
(/) Moment of Inertia of a Flywheel.
First Method. The flywheel, whose moment of inertia is to be
determined, is mounted on ball-bearings (to minimise friction), and
its axle is arranged to be in the hori-
zontal position at a convenient height
from the ground, (Fig. 46).
r
j~:...J:r _. T_-
trn A small loop at the end of a
small piece of fine cord is then slipped
on to a tiny pag on the axle and the
mg entire length of the cord wound evenly
round the latter, with a suitable mass
; m suspended from its free end, and
Fig. 46. properly held in position,
As the mass is released and allowed to fall under the
action of its own
weight, the cord starts unwinding itself round the
axle, thereby setting the wheel in rotation. The length of the cord
is so adjusted that the moment the mass reaches the
ground, the
of it gets just unwound from the axle arid off the slips
Hbviously, the rotation of the wheel, (with the descent of
MOMENT OF INERTIA- ENERGY OF BOTATION 79
the mass), is due to a couple T.r. where T is the tension in the cord
and r, the radius of the axle*.
If, therefore, / be the moment of inertia of the flywheel about
its axis of rotation and dwjdt, the angular acceleration produced in
it, we have Ldw/dt = T.r.
The downward force due to the weight of the mass, when
it has
no acceleration, is mg but when it has a vertical acceleration a, the
;
force due to it is equal to m.a., and this must clearly be equal to
mg-T.
Or, m.a = mgT 9 whence, T= m.(g a),
/.dot/at m.(gd)r.
But dw/dt = tf/r, And .-.
I.a\r
= m(gd)r. [v a =
r.da>jdt]
~~
Or, / =, mr\ (g = wr - -1 ...(1)
The time-interval between the release of the mass and the slipping of
the cord from the axle is r rpfully noted. Let it be and let the ,
distance through which the m
falls down during this interval be S.
i
Then, since the mass starts from rest, we have
S = -I
a 2S/t
2
at 2 , whence, = .
So that, substituting this value of a in relation (1) above, we
have
whence /, the moment of inertia of the flywheel about its axis of
rotation, can be easily calculated.
Second Method. Proceeding as above, the loss of potential
energy af the falling mass is equated against the gain in kinetic energy
of the wheel, the K. E. of the mass itself and the work done against
friction. Thus, \vheri the mass falls through distance S, the potential
energy lost by it is equal to tng.S. And, if a> bo the angular velocity
of the wheel at the time, the K.E. gained by it is | 7oj 2 the K.E. ,
2
acquired by the mass being \ wv where v is its velocity on descend- ,
ing through distance S.
.. mg.S = J 7o>
2
-f lmv*+the work done against friction. (2) . .
To determine the work done against friction, we note the num-
ber of tunn made by the whoel before coming to rest, after the mass
has been detached from the axle. Then, obviously, the kinetic energy
2
| 7o> of the wheel, is used up ia overcoming; the fricuional forces at
,
the bearings. If the couple due to friction t>3 G and the number of
turns made by the wheel before coming to rest be n, work done by
Ms couple is equal to STTH xC, (v work done = couple xangle and t
the angle, described by the wheel in one rotation is equal to 2v). So
that, i 7o>
a = 2nnC. Or, C= 2
7co /47rfl.
The couple due to friction being thus determined, we can easily
calculate the work done against friction during the descent of the
*If the cord be appreciably thick, half of its thickness, added to t!
radius of the axle, gives the effective value of r.
90
mass through distance 5. For, clearly, the number of turns madt
by the wheel during the fall of the mass through this distance is
S/27rr and, therefore, the total angle turned through by it is equal
;
to 27r.5/27rr S/r. =
Hence, work done against friction is equal to C.S/r
.*. our energy equation (2) now becomes
Or
Now, if/ be the time taken by the mass to fall through the dis-
tance S, its average velocity = Sjt ;
and since average velocity =
(initial velocity -{-final velocity) l'2 t
we have
final velocity, v = 2#/f. Or, v* = 45 2 // a .
[ the initial velocity is zero, the mass starting from rest.)
2
Substituting this value of v in expression (3) above, we have
Or 1
_
"~
2S( 1
Alternative Calculation. Let the number of rotations made by the"wheel,
before the cord and the mass slip off from the axle, (i.e., after the mass has
fallen through a distance S), be N.* Then, taking the fractional force to be uni-
form, and the work done against it p? r rotation of the wheel to be w, we have
werk done against friction during AT rotations of the wheel = N.w.
Thus, our energy equation (2) becomes
mg.S = J It**+ Jwv +JV.w.
_
2
.(5) .
Now, after the detachment of the mass from the axle, the wheel cornea
to rest after n rotations, and, therefore, work done against friction during these
n rotations of the wheel n.w and this must obviously be equal to i /a> the ,
K.E of the wheel at the instant that the mass gets detachedfrom it. Thus,
n w =i /eo
2
whence, w 2
J 7w /.
__
,
Substituting this value of w in equation (5) above, we have
mg.S - J
Or.
*This is obviously equal to the number of turns of the cord on tb* axle
it the very start.
MOMENT OF INERTIA ENERG* OF ROTATION
Of,
.. "
whence, [Smce v
Or, by dividing both the numerator and the denominator of this expression by
w 8 we have
,
(2mg 5/6>*)~ _
Now, the angular velocity of the wheel at the instant that the mass gets
detached from it is and becomes zero when the wheel conies to rest, after
, ,
time t'> say. Hence, if the fractional force uniformly retards the rotation of the
wheel, its average angular velocity, during this interval of time f, may be taken
, , ,
to be equal to (to4-0)/2, i.e., equal to co/2. And, since the wheel makes n rota-
tions before coming to rest, it describes an angle equal to 2w in time t',
co/2 2rc/i//', whence, co = 4-nnjt'.
So that, substituting this value of co in relation (6) above, we have
(n+N)ln
1
wX'S?" )
Or, ..(7)
whence /, the moment of inertia of the flywheel, about its axis of rotation, can
be easily calculated.
Accurate value ofu>. In the above treatment, the angular velocity w of
the wheel has been obtained on the supposition that the factional force remains
constant during the time t' that the value of o> falls to zero, after the detach-
ment of the mass from the axle. Obviously, this is by no means a valid assump-
tion, because, as we know, the frictional force decreases with increase of velo-
city so that, the value of/, the moment of inertia of the wheel, deduced on
;
the basis of the above calculations, cannot possibly be quite accurate.
If we aim at accuracy, therefore, we must adopt a sensitive method for
determining the value of w, and the one method, which at once suggests itself,
is to make use of a tuning fork, as explained below :
A
tuning fork, of a k no wit frequency is arranged horizontally, (Fig.
,
47), with a slightly bent metallic style, attached to one of its prongs, such that,
when desired, it can be made to
lightly press against, or taken
off, a strip of smoked paper,
wrapped round 'the rim of the
wheel.
Now, with the style
kept off the paper-strip, the
mass m is allowed to fall down,
thus setting the wheel in rota-
tion, and just a second or so
before the mass is due to get
detached from the axle, the Fig. 47.
tuning fork is set into vibration
{by smartly drawing a bow across it), and the style pressed lightly on to the
strip, taking care to take it off soon after the detachment of the mass. A long
wavy curve is thus traced out by the style on the smoked strip. The mean wave-
length A of this wave is then determined by dividing the tota distance occupied
by the wavy curve by the total number of waves constituting it.
Since one wave is traced out by the style_j!uring one vibration of the
prong or the fork, we have linear distance covered by the wheel during on*
vibration of the fork x. So that, distance covered by the wheel during *
vibrations of the fork
- if*.
Again, since n vibrations are made by the fork in one second, it foliowi
that distance covered by the wheel in 1 second, i.e., the linear velocity v n\. =
But v ~ -Rco, where R is the radius of the wheel and , its angular velo-
city ; so that, we have ,/fo ~ n\; whence, to = n\jR.
Thus, knowing /t, X and R, we can easily calculate the value of w for the
wheel.
This value of co, substituted in relation (6) above, then gives a much
more accurate value of /, the moment of inertia of the flywheel about its axis of
rotation,
Note. The student may, as an interesting exercise, show that expression
(4) above can also be reduced to the same form as expression (7). This may be
easily done by remembering (/) that when the wheel makes one full turn, the
mass descends through a distance 2^r, tne circumference of the axle, and,
therefore, when the mass descends through a distance 5, the number of rotations
made by the wheel is equal to S/2rcr so that, S/2-nr = and further (11) that
;
N ;
t = 25/v 25/ro, where o> = 4-nn/t', (see page 81).
(//) Moment of inertia of a disc about an axis passing through
its centre and perpendicular to its plane ~
(a) Disc suspended by two parallel threads. The disc, with a
metal axle, is supported on two cords, wound uniformly on the axle
on either side, (Fig. 48), On releasing
the disc, it begins to fall down until the
whole cord is unwound from the axle, say
through a distance S.
Then P E. lost by the disc
clearly,
mg.S, where m
the mass of the disc and
is
the axle. This energy will obviously be
gained by the disc in the form of kinetic
energy of rotation and translation. Fig- 48.
be the angular velocity acquired by it after falling through
If a}
2
this distance *S, its K.E. of rotation will clearly be |/o> where 7 is ,
its moment of inertia about an axis passing through its centre and
parallel to the axle, (i.e., perpendicular to its plane) and its kinetic ;
2
energy of translation will be \mv .
mg.S = i/o>
2
+ Jwi> 2
, (v being its final linear velocity),
[v o>
2 = v /r 2 ,
2
where r = radius of the disc.
Or, |/v
2
/r
= 2
mg.S-lmv*,
whence, / = (mgS Jmv
2
).2r /v
2 2
.
Now, average velocity =
S/t, where t is the time taken by the
disc in falling through distance S ; and, therefore, velocity v of the
disc =z 2S]t, and .-. v 2 452 // 2 So that, = .
__
~~
.
_ mr
VS
Or, / SB m
MOMENT Off ItfERTlA EtfEBOY Off BOrATtON 83
(b) Di c mounted on axle t rolling on inclined rails. Here, the
disc, of mass M and moment of inertia I, is allowed to roll down along
inclined rails, as shown in Fig. 49. Let it
acquire a linear velocity v and an angular
velocity o>, when it descends a vertical
down a distance S along
distance h, as
the rails.
it rolls
/'<&*' h
Then, clearly, loss
ofP.E. of the disc
=
K.E. of translation gained by disc
K E. of rotation gained by disc.
+
Or, Mgh = \M v 2 f /oA Fig. 49.
So that, Mgh = ~ Mv *+ -r
2
L ^
r*
r where r= radius of the axle
LAnd .-. o,=v 2 /r 2 .
Or, /.
2
= M(gh-\v*) whence, /
9
= ~ .
(*A-Jv)
Or, / -
^ (*gh-v*).
Or, substituting the value of v =~ 2S/t, (see page 82), where / is
the time taken by the disc to cover the distance S, we have
whence the value of /, th3 moment of inertia of the disc can be easily
calculated.
Note : For other methods for the determination of moment of inertia, see
underjbrsional Pendulum, (Chapter VIII)
35. Angular Moment and Angular Impulse. In the case of
linear motion, the momentum of a body, as we know, is the product
of its mass and velocity. On the same analogy, we have, in the
case of rotational motion, the product of the moment of inertia and the
angular velocity as the angular momentum bfa rotating body.
Thus, angular momentum = /.<o,
where I is the moment of inertia and o>, the angular velocity of the body
about the axis of Dotation.
For, suppose we have a body, rotating about an axis with a
velocity w. Then, all its particles will have the same angular velocity
o>, but their linear velocities will depend upon their respective dis-
tances from the axis of rotation, being equal to the product of the
angular velocity and the distance from the axis. Thus, the linear
velocity of a particle, distant r x from the axis, will be r^ of that ;
distant r g from the axis will be r 2 cu and so on.
And, therefore, if m
be the mass of each particle, we have,
linear momentum of the particle, distant rt from the axis, equal to
m.^w and, therefore, the2 moment of its mttmentim about the axi
would be m.rl .cuxr=m.rl .oi. Similarly, the moment of momentum
a
of the particle, distant rg from the axis, would b3 w,r4 .cu and so on
84 PBQPERTltS.Oir MATMft
Therefore, the moment of momentum of the whole rotating body
about the axis = wr1 2 a>+wr22ai+' .........
[v ZVwr = /.
2
i:mr*a>=/.a>,
where / is the moment of inertia of the body about the axis of
rotation.
Thus, the angular momentum of a rotating body about its axis
of rotation is the sum of the moments of the linear momenta of its
particles about that axis. For this reason,
it is also referred to as it*
moment of momentum about the axis.
Now, we have Ldt*>\dt
= C. Or, I.dw = C.dt,
where C the torque or the couple acting on the body.
is
Integrating this with respect to t, between the limits and t,
we have
angular momentum, I co = 1
C.dt,
JO
an expression which is true, however C may vary with time.
If C be constant, we have 7.o> = I C.dt =~ C.t t
which gives the angular momentum acquired by the body in time t,
If t be very small and C quite large, the expression I C.dt
stands for the angular impulse given to the body, which again be*
comes equal to C.t, if C be constant.
36. Law of Conservation of Angular Momentum. Just as we
have the law of conservation of momentum for linear motion, we
have, for rotational motion also, the law of conservation of angular
momentum, which states that the angular momentum of a rotating
body about an axis remains constant, if no external torque be applied
to it.
For, suppose the angular velocity of a body is changed by d<# 9
by a torque C, applied to it for a very small interval of time dt.
Then, we have C.dt I.d<*>,
where / ia the moment of inertia of the body about the given axis.
Hence, C = l.dw/dt, assuming /to remain constant.
If, however, /also change*, we have C d(Ia>)ldt, =
i.e., the torque is equal to the rate of change of angular momentum.
Obviously, therefore, if C 0, i.e., if there be no external
torque applied to the body, dw/dt or d(Ia>)jdt is also equal to zero, or
the rate of change of angular momentum remains constant.
It is obrious from tha above that in the case when / is not con*
stant, and no external torque ia applied to the body, the angular
velocity must change in the inverse ratio to /, in order to keep its
angular momentum constant.
This may be clearly seen by whirling round a stone tied to one
end of a string, whose other end is held in the hand. On stopping the
Application of any force to it, /.*., on removing the external torque,
MOMENT Of IHBBTIA ENERGY OF EOTATION 85
the string besrins to wind its If on the hand, with continuously in-
creasing velocity, because as the distance of the stone from the hand
decreases, its moment of inertia about its axis of rotation also
decreases, resulting in a proportionate increase in its angular velocity.
Another good illustration is provided by an acrobat executing a
somersault. we know, he instinctively curh himself up in
For, as
air, thereby decreasing his moment of inertia and consequently
incr .Basing his speed of rotation. But, before his feet touch the ground,
he slows it down by straightening himself up and increasing his mo-
ment of ineitia.
37. Laws of Rotation. Corresponding to Newton's three laws
in the case of linear motion, we have also three laws of rotational
motion, viz.,
1. Unless an external torque be applied to it, the rate of rotation
of a rigid body, about a fixed axis in it, remains unaltered.
An obvious example of this is the constant rotation of the Earth
about its axis. The force of attraction due to the Sun is certainly
there, but it acts at the centre of the earth and hence produces no
effect on its rotation.
2. The rate of change of rotation of a body, about a fixed axis
in it, is directly proportional to the external torque applied and takes
place in the direction of the torque.
3. If a torque be applied by one body upon another, an equal
and opposite torque is applied by the latter upon the former, about the
same axis of rotation. In other words, a change in the angular
momentum of one body brings about an equal and opposite change in
the angular momentum of the other body.
It is useful to remember that the moment of inertia (I), in
rotational motion, corresponds to mass, (m), and the angular velocity (w)
to linear velocity (v), in the case of linear motion.
The following Table gives the linear and rotational analogues at
a glance :
86 PROPERTIES OF MATTEB
38. Kinetic Energy of Rotation __
(a) Kinetic energy of a body about an axis through its centre of
mass. Suppose u e h ive a body of mass
r
rotating about an axis AB, M
parsing through its centre of mass O, (Fig. 50).
It, obviously, possesses kinetic energy due to
its motion this energy of the body is called its ;
energy of rotation, because it is due to its motion
of rotation.
Imagine the body to be divided up into a
large number of small particles, of masses m lt
w2 w ,
3, etc., at distances r l9 r2 , rs .... etc.,
respectively from the axis AB. Then, we have
linear velocity ofm = rlW = v1 ;
of w =
a
r 2 co = v of w3 = = v and
so on,
.-. kinetic energy of mass m 1 = of
mass MI = J W 2
v2 2
;
of mass w 3 = Jw 3 v3 2 *nd so on.
Or, . of the body =
= W[w/ +"V a4"V'3 1
i
......
--=
\<JMK\ [v 27mr 2 MK*.
iw*mr*
K.E. of the body = |MK 2
pa>
co
2 =[
MK* 2
,
.
- /.
Or,
where /is the moment of inertia of the body about axis AB.
= then, obviously, K.E. of the body = \ /.
Now, if aj 1,
Or, / - 2 #..
rAw, /A^ moment of inertia of a body, rotating with unit angular
velocity, is equal to twice its kinetic energy of rotation.
(b) K.E. of body which is not only rotating but whose centre of
mass has also a linear velocity v. A body which is rotating as well
of kinetic
as moving forwards with a velocity v, has both types
rotation, because of its motion of rotation
energy, viz., {/) energy of
about a perpendicular axis through its centre of mass, and (//) energy
of translation ^bez&use of its linear motion. 2And, clearly,
therefore,
we have K.E. of rotation of the body == $ /w ,
and its K.E. of translation = } Mv*.
.-. total K.E. of the body - K.E. ofrotation+K.E. of translation,
because w2 = v^/r
1
where r is the radius of the body.
s ?
Or, total kinetic energy of the body =| Jf v [(X /r*)+l].
39. Acceleration of a body rolling down an inclined plane.
Let a body of mass M roll freely down an inclined plane, of incli-
nation a to the horizontal, (Fig. 51), The plane is supposed to
be rough enough, so that thero may be no slipping, and hence
no vork done by frict on. ;
MOMENT OF INERTIA ENERGY OF ROTATION 87
Then, if v be the velocity acquired by the body after traversing
a distance S along the plane, we have
vertical distance through which
it has descended = S.sin a.
And, therefore,
P.E. lost by the body = Mg.S. sin a.
This must, obviously, be equal to
the K.E. gained by the body.
Now, K.E. of rotation of the body
i/w2 = Fig. 51.
where w angular velocity about a perpendicular axis through
is its its
centre of mass.
And, its K E. of translation = {Mv*^
because its centre of mass has a linear velocity v.
total K.E. gained by the body = f 7o> +| Mv*.
2
= I Mv\(K jr*) + l]. 2
ISee 38.
Since gain in K.E o r the body is equal to the loss in its P.E., we
have
iMV<[(K
2
lr
2
)+l] = Mg.S sin a.
Or, Mv*[(K
2
lr )
2
+ }] =r 2Mg.sin a S.
Or,
2
v*(K +r")lr* = 2g.sina.S,
whence,
2
v' = 2(r
2 2
/K +r
2
).g sin a.S.
Comparing this with the kinematic relation, v
2 = 2aS, for a
body starting from rest, we have
acceleration of the body down the plane, i e. t
a = (r 2 /K 2 +r 2 ).g sina.
Or, the acceleration is
proportional to r l j(K 2 +r 2 )
for a given angle
of inclination a.
This show that
(/) the greater the value of K, as compared with r, the smaller the
acceleration of the body coming down the plane and, therefore, the
greater the time it takes in rolling down along it and vice versa.
(//} the acceleration and, therefore, the time of descent is indepen-
dent of the mass of the body.
Thus, a solid sphere, for which
2
2r 2 /5, will roll down K =
faster than a disc, for which 2
K =
r 2 /2, and, similarly, a disc will
roll down faster than a hoop, for which 2
is equal to r .
2
K
K
Since 2 for a hollow sphere about the diameter is greater than
that for a solid sphere of tho same mass and radius, they can be dis-
tinguished from each other by allowing them to roll down the plane,
Obviously, the solid sphere will roll down faster than the hollow one.
The same test may be applied in the case of a hollow and a solid
cylinder etc.
Some particular cases :
(0 Case of a Spherical Shell. Let a be the angle of inclination of the
plane, down which* the spherical shell is rolling and let the velocity be v when U
has moved a distance S along the plane, (Fig. 51) ,
88 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
Clearly, the vertical distance covered by the shell 5 s in .
loss in P.E. of the shell == Mg.S sin a.
%
This loss in\?E must be equal to the gain in E. of the shell, for no K
work is done by friction, as there is no slipping.
Now, K.E of the shell - j- h^ + \Mv* JMff'w'-f J Mv. =
- r'^+iMv 2
W.f [v A:* |r
8
for a shell.
.
=
-}MrV + iMv = JAfv 2 + JAfv a 2
.
t
2Mv*--3Afv
__
5Mv*
.
^
Since #fl/Vi m K.E. of shell = loss in its P.E.,
we have 5Mv~/6 Mg.S.sln a, Or, 5r* = 6# 5.J//I a.
Or, v
2 = ... fltf a =*
2(| j/w a)^
Comparing it with the relation, v = 2a S, (when // =
2
0), we find that the valua
of acceleration a of the shell, down the pla*ie = ^g sin a.
Case of a SaMd.) Shere.
(ii) We
know that the acceleration (a) of a body
down an 2 2
inclined plane =(/ ~JK + r ) g sin a, where A' is the radius of gyration of
the body, and a, the angle oi inclination of the plane.
,*. a = (r/4'' 2
4-r
8
) g sin a. [v K* - |r
9
, in this case*
= (r r r
z
!
7 z
)g sin a = *..g sin a.
Thus, the acceleration of a solid sphere down the inclined plane is equal
to -
sin .
40. Graphical Representation of Plane Vectors. We are %
already familiar with the two types ot physical quantities, viz.,
(i)
scalar and (//) vector, the former poswssmij only magnitude, but
no direction and the latter, possessing both magnitude and direction,
;
(see foot note on pai^e 55). Theso latter can, as we know, be
represented by a straight line, drawn to a chosen scale, whose length
and direction respectively represent the magnitude and direction of
the quantity.
other quantity, either derived from a vector, or obtained
Any
by combining a vector with a scalar quantity, is also veetorial in
nature. Thus, for example, the acceleration of a body, depending
upon the velocity of the body, (a vector quantity), is also a vector
quantity.
The vector quantities referred to above are, strictly speaking,
and must be clearly distinguished from what are called
linear vectors,
plane vectors, a term applied, in rotational dynamics, to such
quantities as angular velocity, angular momentum and torque etc ,
which are all directional in the sanso that they are confined to one
plane.
Such a plane or two dimensional vector is also represented by a
straight line, drawn normal to its plane of rotation, or parallel to its
axis of rotation, its clockwise or anticlockwise rotation being indi-
cated, according to an agreed and established convention, by the
straight line being directed towards, or away from, the observer
respectively.
Further, corresponding to the parallelogram law for the compo-
we have, here, a modified form of it to deter-
sition of linear vectors,
mine the resultant of two plane vectors, viz., that
"if there be two plane vectors acting simultaneonsly on a body in
two different planes, such that they can be represented in magnitude and
MOMENT OF INERTIA ENERGY OF ROTATION
direction* by the two adjacent sides of a parallelogram, drawn perpendi-
cular to those planes, their resultant is represented completely by the
diagonal of the parallelogram, passing through their point of intersec-
tion, this diagonal representing a plane vector in a third plane, per-
pendicular to itself."
Thus, if OA and OB,
(Fig. 52), represent two couples, in two
different planes, actingsimultaneously on a body, whero OA and OB
are drawn perpendicular to those
planes, their resultant is given
completely by the diagonal OC of
the parallelogram, which repre-
sents a couple in a third plane, per-
pendicular to itself.
And, obviously, what is true
about the composition of couples
is equally true for the composition
of any other plane or two-dimen- Fig. 52.
sional vector quantities.
41. Precession. Just as in the case of linear motion, we may
have a constant acceleration acting on a body, without changing its
constant speed, (e g. t
the centripetal accele-
ration acting on a
body, moving with a
uniform speed in its
circular orbit), so also,
in rotational motion,
we may have a constant
anS^ar acceleration
r----r ----- ---; -~~Jt
acting on a body, hav-
ing a constant angular
speed. This is rendered
possible bv the plane of
rotation changing direc-
tion at a given rcte ,
without, in any way,
Fig. 53. affecting the rate of
rotation of the body about its axis of rotation, or axis of spin, as it is
also sometimes referred to. This change in the plane of rotation is
called 'precession', and is caused by a couple or torque, called the
precessional torque, acting: in a plane, perpendicular to the immediate
or instantaneous plane of rotation (or spin) of the body. In other
words, the axis of the at instant, perpendicular to
torque is, any given
the rotation-axis of the body, as will be clear from the following :
Let DD, (Fig. 53), be the edge of a disc, with its plane revolv-
ing aboutits geometric axis, with an angular velocity w. Then, if its
moment of inertia about this axis be /, its angular momentum will
clearly be lw. Let this be represented by the straight line OA,
drawn perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the disc.
*{n accordance with the convention, stated abpv$.
fO PROPERTIES OP MATTER
Now, let the axle of the disc also rotate, i.e., let there be a pre-
cessional motion, about an axis, perpendicular to the plane of the
paper at a (prece:?sional) rate so that, after a small interval of
;
time dt, the disc takes up the position D'D', making an angle <f>.dt
with its original position Its angular momentum, again equal to
/co, is now represented by the straight line OA\
The change in the angular momentum of the disc is thus repre-
sented vectorially by A A' =
/to <j>.dt. [ arc = radius x angle.
This change has, clearly, been brought about in time dt, and
therefore,
rate of change of momentum of the disc = I w.<f>.dtjdt = 7o>.0.
And, since the of change of momentum of a rotating
r ite body
is equal to the torque applied to it, we have
TI - ICO (f),
where 7^ is the torque applied to the disc.
So that, the rate of precession, ---
TJfw. <f>
since the change in the angular momentum of the disc is
Now,
along AA', it is clearly parallel to its plane of rotation, or perpendi-
cular t its axis of rotation, and A A' is thus the axis of the torque
(
>
applied. In other words, the axis of the torque lies along OX.
Thus, we see that if the axis of rotation of a body be along OY
and the axis of the applied torque along OX, the body 'precesses'
about the third mutually
perpendicular axis OZ. This
will be readily understood
from Fig. 5*, which shows
the disc 7/2
perspective.
Here, OY is the axis
of rotation arid,
therefore,
XOZ is the plane of rota-
tion ;
OXis the axis of the
torque or couple applied,
and, therefore, YOZ
is the
plane of the torque and, since
the axle of the disc turns to-
wards OX, i.e., about the
axis OZ, the plane of pre-
cession is XOY. In other
words, the axis of rotation
(OY) turns in tins plane,
which is, clearly, perpendi-
cular to the two planes, its direction of rotation (towards
first
OX, here), depending upon the direction of rotation of the disc and
that of the torque or the couple applied.
42, The Gyrostat. A gyrostat is just a disc or a flywheel, having
a large moment of inertia, rotating at a high speed about an axle,
passing through its centre of mass, and mounted, as shown in Fig. 54,
so that the wheel and the axle are both free to turn, as a whole, o-bout
any axis, perpendicular to the axle itself,
MOMENT OF INERTIA ENERGY OF ROTATION 91
As explained above in 41, if a torque or couple be applied to
the wheel, with its axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the
wheel, the wheel 'precesses' about the third mutually perpendicular
axis, at a processional rata, given by T /Ia), where Tl is the</> }
torque or couple applied, /, the moment of inertia of the wheel about
it rotation-axis and o>, its angular velocity about this axis.
Clearly, therefore, for a given torque (Tj) applied to the wheel,
the precessional rate is inversely proportional (?) to the moment of iner-
tia of the wheel about its axle, and (//) to the angular velocity of the
wheel so that, the larger the moment of inertia of the wheel about
;
its axle, and the higher its angular velocity, the smaller the rate of
precession of the axle, and vise versa.
The following simple experiment will beautifully illustrate the
above results :
Take afairly larse awl heavy disc, (Fig. 55), free to rotate
about axis YY' passing through its centre, and fitted inside two
its
sockets at the ends of the horizontal diameter of a bigger ring, sus-
pended by nvans of a string vertically above its centre of gravity.
(/) with the disc quite stationary, a weight Mg be
Now, if
suspend fd at the torque due to it will tilt the ring, the end Y'
Y',
moving down and the
end Y moving up, / e ,
the ring will turn about
OX.
But ,
if instead of
suspending the weight,
the ring bo simply
pushed horizontally at
y, from in front or
behind, it will turn
about OZ.
(//')
Let the
disc
be now setrota- into
tion about its axle, in
the direction shown, y
with the weight Mg
kept properly supported,
so as to exert no down-
Fig 55.
ward pull at y. It will
be found that the ring
remains quite steady and a twist, given to the string either \\ ay,
hardly produces any tendency in it to rotate about OZ, as it certainly
would, if the disc were stationary.
(///) \With the disc in motion let the weight Mg be released, so
as to exert a downward pull at Y
r
thus producing a torque about
9
OX. It will be found that the ring at once rotates about OZ, with
the end Y' slightly tilted downwards. On pushing the ring horizon-
tally at y, as before, the axle, instead of turning more rapidly about
OZ, as might be expected, simply gets tilted a little, raising the
weight Mg slightly upwards, clearly showing thereby that the horizontal
92 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
rotation of the axle YY' opposes the torque due to Mg, which, therefore,
descends comparatively slowly now. So long, however, as the down-
ward descent of the weight continues, just so long does the rate of
rotation of the axle about OZ also continue to increase, thereby in-
creasingly opposing the torque duo to the weight, until a stage is
reached where the two exactly balance each other. After this, the
downward descent of the weight naturally ceases, and the ring con-
at a constant rate, with the axle YY slight-
OZ f
tinues to turn about
ly tilted.
(iv) found that the greater the moment of inertia of
It will be
the disc about rotation-axis or the axle, and the higher its angular
its
velocity about it, the smaller the rate of rotation of the axle about
OZ, i.e.. the smaller the processional motion about it.
(v) Since the torque or a couple is needed to produce this proces-
sional motion of the rotation-axis of (he disc, it is clear that a rotat-
ing body offers resistance to a processional motion of its axis. This
resistance to a processional motion is called gyrostat ic resistance, and
is equal and opposite to the prccessional torque.
43. Gyroscope. In a majority of cases, a body, subject to
preccssional motion, is supported at a point, away from the vertical
line through its centre of gravity.
A
gravitational torque or couple thus acts upon the body, which,
in its stationary condition,simply tends to rotate it into a position of
a lower potential energy, ie., simply tends to lower its centre of
gravity. But, if the body be rotating obout some axis, this gravita-
tional torque supplies the necessary processional torque equal in value
to its own, provided there is no other couple acting on the body. The
rate of precession <, maintained by this gravitational torque jP 2 is ,
given by the relation,
where /and o> stand, as usual, for the moment of inertia of the body
and its angular velocity about its axis of rotation.
Such a body is called a gyroscope, its motion being appropriately
ter m ed
'gyroscop ic
'
Thus, consider a heavy disc D, revolving with a high angular
velocity o> about its physical axis POQ, itself resting on a vertical
pivot at P, (Fig. 56).
Then clearly, its weight Mg, acting vertically downwards at its
c g'i O, exerts a gravitational torque T z on it,
ft
JL y given by T = Mg.OP =
Mg.l. [Putting OP
- /].
9 So that, if be the rate of precession of the
//Q\\ | (/>
;
disc maintained by it, we have
~ "LaT
-""
putting 7 MK
2
where,
K
is the radius of
gyration of the disc about the axis POQ.
Hence, if t be the time-period of its pre-
cessional motion, i e. if it takes time t to
9
complete itsone full cycle of processional mo-
Fjg. 56. tion, we have
MOMENT OF INERTIA ENERGY OF ROTATION 93
' " - * 2ir '
gltK'.w
"f gl'
This precession, once started, can be maintained, at this very
rate, by the gravitational torque alone. A higher rate of precession
than this will make axis POQ rise and a lower rate will make it fall.
This rise and fall of the axis of rotation, or its oscillation up and
down about its position of dynamic equilibrium, accompanied by a
correspondingly changing preccssional rate, is termed nutation.
Further, there is a centrifugal force acting on the disc along
POQ and an equal centripetal force in the opposite direction QOP t
their net effect, if they act along the same line, being to increase the
fricticnal resistance at the pivot P. If, however, their lines of action
be different, we have yet another couple T 3 formed by them, aptly,
known as the centrifugal torque.
In order to prevent the disc, or a precessing body, in general,
from moving outwards from the centre of precession, it is necessary
that the centrifugal torque on it must be balanced by an equal and
opposite centripetal torque, this balancing effect being supplied by
part of the gravitational torque, the remaining pan of it r producing
precession. Thus, if T 3 be the centripetal torque and l\ and T a ,
the gyrostatic and gravitational torques, we have
*2 T3 T1T " " (11/ \
where the different torques are given their proper sings, (i.e., anti-
clockwise, positive and clockwise, negative), all acting in the same
direction in the case shown.
A general rule to determine the sense of the torque, producing
precession in a given direction, is given by Lanchester's rule, which
may be stated as follows :
If the gyrostat be viewed from a point in its own plane, with the
line of sight perpendicular to the axis of the given precession* it is seen
to describe an ellipse, the sense of whose path gives the direction of the
precessional torque, with the line of sight as its axis.
44. The Gyrostatic Pendulum. A gyrostatic pendulum is a
small and heavy disc or gyrostat (Z)), revolving with uniform angular
velocity (co) about a light rigid rod,
(SD) as axis and precessing about the
vertical (SO) at a uniform rate (<^) as
shown in Pig. 57.
Obviously, there are the three
following torques acting on the pen-
dulum.
(/) A
gyrostatic torque, Tj, duo
to the gyrostat or disc D possessing two
simultaneous rotatory motions.
Since the plane of rotation of D /'
is always perpendicular to the rod (
SD t
its rate of precession < is the same
*
as the angular velocity of SD 9 i.e^
equal to vji For, in time dt, SD
traoas out an are v.dt, where v is its
velocity in the horizontal circle pt|, 57.
OF
of radius r, which is described by it in its processional motion about
SO or, the angle described by it in time dt is equal to v.rfr//, and
;
hence the angle described by it in unit time is clearly equal to
== v//. Thus,
(v.dtfi-dt <
v//.
But, we know that T
<
= -^- So that T"1 >
= ~7
'
la) Iw I
.. ---
whence, 1/1
= -
, = -----
*
where the ra^to of gyration of the gyrostat about the axis SD.
# is
To determine the direction of this torque, let us apply
Lanchester's rule, i.e., let us look at a point B on the edge of the disc
along LB, where LB is perpendicular
to both and #Z), when B OD
that
clearly appears to move in the anticlockwise direction, indicating
the direction of the T
torque l is anticlockwise.
If t be the periodic time of precession of the disc or the gyrostat,
we have v.t =
27rr, or v 2irr//.
=
So that, substituting this value
of v in the relation for T 1 above, we have
T = l MK*a>.2vrjt.L
And, since r/l = MI 0, we have
2
:- +Jf .o>. sin 0.(27r//),
T!
direction anticlockwise.
sign indicating that
the its is
-f-ve
(ii) A gravitational torque T ?,
clue to the weight Mg of the
gyrostat acting vertically downwards at D, (where its whole mass is
supposed to be concentrated).
Clearly, the moment
of this gravitational torque = MgxBO =
MgJSD sin = Mg.l where BO is the perpendicular distance
sin 0,
between Mg and an equal and opposite reaction at S /, the length ;
of the rod SD and 0. the angle that it makes with the vertical.
So that, T 2 = Mg. I sin 0,
the ve sign indicating that its direction is clockwise.
(Hi) A centripetal torque T 3
due to the centrifugal force Jfv 2 /r, ,
acting on the gyrostat, outwards along OD.
And, the moment of this torque T3 is obviously equal to
a
where the perpendicular distance between Af v /r and an equal
SO is
and opposite reaction at S. Or, since SO=l cos Q, we have
Mv
= --
-
*
Icosfi
3
- ~
. icos v ,
the ve sign again indicating that the direction of the torque is
clockwise.
Or, substituting the value of v=27rr// [see (/) above], we have
Tt cos ,
*f co, 9 =-
~*-g)\ I
(?1 )'.
I
^=sin i
or r=/ sin 0.
* t
MOMENT OF INERTIA ENERGY OF ROTATION
Hence 3
= -M 2
.jm 0. cos
Now, from relation (1), (page 93), we have
Or, T2 +T 3 =T 1
.
So that, substituting thoir values, we have
- Mgl sin e +M1* . sin e . cos 6 (
^ )
=MK w.sin 2
(-y-
Or, -/+/ 2
cos e
( ^Wo, (-^L).
[Dividing by Af s//i throughout.*
Now, putting (2irjt)p, we have
-glip 2 cos0^pK 2 w.
!
2
Or, /?
2 2
/ coy ~pK2 w - /= 0,
which is a quadratic equation in p.
T,
,
Therefore, Pn
which, obviously, gives two values of J9.
To decide between the two values, we put w=0, so that there
is no rotation of the disc about SD and the whole arrangement t
reduces to a conical pendulum, with
_^ l_^
P ~~ ~
4
2/ 2 .
coils
c
^l-~-a.A /* gi4
V ^/
^ COs
cos*
I--A.\ I
^" ^/ /
7g
cw
1
fl*
"^
2?r
But, since 2?r// naust necessarily be positive for a conical
pendulum, the negative value^becomes inadmissible and, we, therefore,
have
It follows, therefore, that, in the expression for p above, only
the positive value must be taken. So that,
p ~~~~
whence '
45. Case of a Rolling Disc or Hoop. A simple and a familiar
example of gyroscopic motion is that of a thin circular disc or a hoop,
set- rolling over a plane horizontal surface. If its velocity be large
enough, it continues to roll along a straight path in a stable vertical
position. But, as its velocity decreases, due to friction between it
and the horizontal surface, its plane inclines progressively to one side
and its path becomes curved towards the 'side of few', the curva-
fcure of the path constantly increasing with the decrease in its velocity
PROPERTIES 0? MATTER
so that it follows a spiral path, until, finally, it f&llajtat on the surface.
Let us study this motion of the disc in some detail.
Let D be the
circular disc, (Fig.
58), of mass M and
radius r, rolling
along a horizontal
surface with v, as
the linear velocity
of its centre 0, and
with its plane AB
inclined at an
Fig. 58. 6 to the
angle
vertical. Then, the three torques acting on it are :
(i) Gyrostatic torque T ls due to its simultaneous
rotation about
its point of contact and about E such that 7^=7.60. $, where 7 is its
t
moment of inertia about the axis OE through its centre and per-
pendicular to plane co, its angular velocity about the same axis
its ;
and <f>,
its rate
of precession.
Now, I=MK*, where K is its radius of gyration about OE,
o>=v/r and <=v//. [See 44 (/).
V V v> T V
So that T=--if*: 2 =z-MK* ~-MK* -?-
tan
where r//=tan 0, and the ~ve sign of Tx shows that the torque is
clockwise.
(ii) Gravitational torque T 2, due to its weight Mg, acting verti-
cally downwards at O, such that
"v in the right-angled
&OCB
_,_ CB CB
also acting in the clockwise direction.
(Hi) Centrifugal torque Ta ,
due to its rotation about ,
such
that
v in the rt.-angled
Mv* AOCE
.. OC=, . r cos $, cos Qa/l.
I COS B
and in the rt, -angled
AOCB
where EC=a. cos 0=OC/r.
Or, Mv* .
~= Jl/v
2
.
the ve sign again indicating the clockwise direction of the torque.
Substituting these values of Tlf T, and T s in relation (1), (page
93) we have, for equilibrium,
8
v
Jtf.r sin $(Mv*.tan g)*=MK*. -r . tan 0.
Or, Mg.r sin o+Mv*.tan JfA^.-r-. tan 9
v*
Or, Jlfjf.r
*F'
MOMENT OF INERTIA ENERGY OF ROTATION 97
Or, v* tan g +K*. . tan 0= gr. sin g
Or, Or, v
v*tang(l+=gr.sing.
Or, vl+*r.o0. Or, c
9
whence the angle of 'lean of the disc for a given velocity v of it is
clearly given by
c
p/"
and its velocity by v2 =i rv/- a
for equilibrium in the leaning
position.
Now, for the critical velocity v c , i.e., the minimum velocity at
which the disc can move along a straight path, with its plane vertical,
clearly, 0=0, so that cos = 1.
=
And, .-. in this case, v^=_
For a value of v less than v c the upright position would ob-
Or, v,
Y~ ja/TT-
,
viously be unstable for, on the slightest displacement, it will be
;
tilted over by the force of gravity until attains the value given
above, (by expression A), corresponding to the leaning position.
Now, for a (uniform) disc, K =r z 2
/2. Hence,
=
for a disc,
?/2r- V
And, for a hoop, vc
Let us now calculate the radius of curvature R of the path of
the disc on the horizontal surface. It is clearly equal to EBR.
And, in the right-angled triangle EOB, we have
sin g = OBjEB = r/R ;
so that, r = R sin g.
R= == ^7- ^-~~. LTV sin g = \/icos
v g.
2
sin g y lcos 2 o
Or, substituting the value of cos deduced above, we have
V
n ^_
which, with the substitution of the appropriate value of AT, gives the
radius of curvature of the path of the disc or the hoop along the
horizontal surface.
46. Gyrostatic and Gyroscopic Applications. The tendency of a rapidly ro-
disc or wheel to preserve its axis of rotation
tating (and, in fact, any rigid body),
endows a gyrostat with a stability of direction, which is made use of in a
PROPERTIES OF MATTER
number of ways for the steadying of motions. Among the more important
and familiar applications of this may be mentioned the following :
(0 The Gyrostatic or the Gyro-Compass. It is a special type of compass
used in aeroplanes and ships, and, more particularly, in submarines. In
essentials, it consists of a disc or a flywheel, of a large moment of inertia, (/ <?., a
gyrostat), suspended in fnctionlcss gimbals inside a supporting frame, which is
kept rotating at a high speed by means of an electric motor about a horizontal
ax's, lying in t^e geographic meridian (i.e., in the vertical plane passing through
the geographic north and south of the earth) Its directional stability and the
conservation of its angular momentum make its axis always lie in the direction
of the metndian, i.e., along the geographic north and south. And. since the
arrangement is such that the disc or the flywheel has three degrees of freedom,
irrespective of any porsition of the supporting frame, a movement of the latter
produces no deflecting toque or couple on it, and this particular direction of its
axis continues to be maiatain^d in space all the time, despite any changes in the
direction of the ship or the submarine, or any tossings or pitchings of it. It is,
therefore, preferred to the ordinary magnetic compass and is more dependable
than the latter, in view of the additional advantage of its remaining altogether
unaffected by any type of magnetic diturbanccs.
The Pendulum Gyro-Compass. The above arrangement, with a small
rnass, suitably suspended below the rota-
ting disc or flywheel, constitutes what
is the pendulum Gyro-compass,
called
the small mass supplying the necessary
restoring torque to bring its axis back:
to its original direction, should it get
displaced due to some disturbance. In
the absence of this simple but ingenious
device, the instrument would lack its
restorative action, due to the inherent
G stability of a gyrostat in any position.
The essential features of the
construction of the Pendulum Gyro-
compass will be clear from Fig 59,
where the rotating disc or gyrostat D
has its axle PQ mounted in a horizontal
ring R, free to rotate about the axis EF
inside a vertical ring C which, in its
** turn, rotates freely about the axis AB
Fig. 59. within a frame work M, carried on
horizontal gimbals, (of which GG forms one pair), to ensure the fullest freedom
of movement.
The horizontal ring R has a stirrup S, fixed rigidly to it, which is loaded
with a weight W, immediately below O, the centre of the disc or the gyrostat.
It can be shown that this arrangement would be stable, at any given
place, only along true north and south, i.e., when the end P points truly north,
any accidental displacement of it calling into play a directive force, restoring it
back to its original direction.
(//') Rifling of barrels of Guns and Rifles. This is another well-known
application of the directional stability of a rapidly revolving body. For, it is
found that if a shot or a bullet be given a rapid *spin\ about an axis along its
direction of motion, its uniformity of flight is greatly improved by making it
less responsive to small deflective forces during its passage through air. This
is achieved by 'rifling* the barrel, i.e., by cutting spiral grooves inside it so that
the shot or bullet is first forced to move along these, before it emerges out into
the air, thus acquiring the necessary 'spin* to ensure an almost uniform linear
motion.
(///) Riding of Bicycle and Rolling of Hoops or Discs. These are both
cases of what is called 'statical instability for, neither of the two, at rest, can
;
possibly remain in equilibrium in the position in which it does, when it is in
motion. Here, again, it is the gyroscopic action that does the trick, by appro*
priately deflecting their axes of rotation and thereby changing their planes of
rotation, to counterbalance the disturbing effect due to gravity.
MOMENT OF INERTIA ENERGY OF ROTATION 99
Thus, when a person rides a bicycle, without holding its handle, he has
simply to tilt to one side in order to turn to that side ; for, by so doing, ho
produces a couple about the horizontal direction of motion of the front wheel
of his bicycle, which, here, acts as a rotating gyrostat. This couple, then, turns
the axle of the wheel about the vertical, and hence its plaie of rotation, into the
desired direction.
The same is true about a hoop or a disc, projected, with its plane vertical,
to roll over a horizontal surface, which we have discussed fully in $45, above. As
explained there, so long as its linear or translational velocity remains above a
certain critical value, it continues to advance along a straight path, but as soon
as its velocity falls below this critical value, its plane gets inclined to the vertical,
or it begins to 'lean' from the veitical and its path gets curved towards
its 'side of lean'. And, then, as its velocity goes on progressively decreas-
ing, due to friction, the curvature of its path goes on increasing corresponding-
ly, so that it follows a more or less spiral path until, finally, it falls flat on the
surface.
(iv) Precession of the Equinoxes. The earth, as we know, is not an
exact sphere, but bulges out slightly at the equator, (or has the shape of a
'flattened ellipsoid of revolution") Further, the Sun and the Moon do not usually
He in its equatorial plane but rather in the plane of the ecliptic, which is inclined
at an angle of 23 5 to the former, with the result that the gravitational attrac-
tion due to the Sun and the Moon, on this equatorial bulge gives rise to a
torque, bringing about the precession of the axis of the earth, which, acting
as a gigantic top*, describes a comrr, relative to the fixed stars, e.g., the pole star,
similar in manner to the cone described by the axis of a precessing top, due to its
M>e/>/tf, the phenomenon being spoken of as the 'precession of the equinoxes'.
Tins couple on the earth due to the attractive force of the Sun and the Moon
is, however, very small, so that it takes 25,800 years for the earth's axis to des-
cribe the complete cone, at which rate of rotation, the star Vega will be the pole
star in about 12,000 years hence.
It is interesting to observe that atoms too have the mechanical proper-
tiesof tops, and, at least in one special case, their gyrostatij moment has been
demonstrated experimentally by Einstein and De Haas.
(v) Other Recent Applications. The modern aircraft appliances, like
the automatic pilot, the artificial horizon and the turn and bank indicators etc., all
depend for their ction on gytoslatic principles.
The function of all these instruments is to record the effects of a change
of orientation between a relatively fixed plane, provided by a fast rotating gyro-
stat, serving as the reference or the datum plane, and some other movable plane
in the machine, and this they do with a degree of precision which makes their
indication far more safe to rely upon than mere human judgement, howsoever
trained or mature.
SOLVED EXAMPLES
1. A flywheel
of mass 500 k. gins, and 2 metres diameter, makes 500 re-
volutions per minute. Assuming the mass to be concentrated at the rim, calculate
the angular velocity, the energy and the moment of inertia of the flywheel.
(/) No. of revolutions made by the flywheel = 500 per minute.
Angle described in one rotation =2n radians.
.'. angle described by the wheel per minute
= 2 Tr.500 ,,
And ,, ,, ,, , second 2 ir.500/60.
= 50ir/3 radians.
Or, the angular velocity of the flywheel
(o>) =
50:r/3 radiansfsec*
(ii) Moment of inertia / =* 2
MK .
Here, mass M = 500 x 1000 gms.
And K, the radius of gyration = 1 metre or 100 cms.
*A *top\ in Physics, is the name given to a rotating body, either com-
pletely free to move, or fixed at the most at just one point with absolute freedom
of rotation, and it must not, therefore, be confused with the toy that goes by
that name.
fin the clockwise direction, as seen from the north*
100 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
because the mass is concentrated at a distance, equal to its radius from the axil
of rotation, which passes through its centre.
moment of inertia of the flywheel == 500 x 1000 x(100) 2 .
= 500 x 1000 x 10000 5 x 10 gm-cm*.
(iil) The energy possessed by the flywheel is due to its rotation, i.e., it
2
possesses only rotational energy, which is equal to i/w .
9 = 9-0000 Or ener*y of the flywheel =
log 10
>
log 1250 = 3-0969
2 log n = 9944- -.
'
y
13-7903
log 9 =0 9542 _ 5 X 1 X 1 250^
T
12 8361 9
Antilog
'
6857x10* 6857xlO u ^r^.
-
I
xlO 11
'
68 57
2. A
flywheel weighs 10 tons, and the whole of the weight may be con-
sidered as concentrated at a distance 3 ft. from the axis. What is the amount of
energy stored in the flywheel when rotating at a speed of 100 revolutions per
minute ? (Punjab, 1934)
log 5 ==0 6990
=
'
Here, M == 10 tons = 10 x 2240 Ibs.
log 2240 3*3502 i to 100 x '2r> ""
"' radian f/min.
log 100 =2*0000 100x2rr/60 = 107T/3 radians/sec.
2 log * =09944 and K = 3ft. (Given)
:
7 0436 Since K.E. of rotation of a body
log 32 = 1-5051
= * x ^ = 4 M/C 2
we have 2
co
2
,
Af;ir> ^"^8^" JRT.E. of the flywheel
Antilog 5 5385 = ^x
~ , ]0x 2240x 3 x (lOTr/3) 2 2
.
"5 x 224 x 9 x 100 x 7i 2 /9 fi.poijgals.
34 55 x 10- I
2
5x2240x9xlOOxnr
- - " -
9x32
Or, kinetic energy stored up in the flywheel 34*55 x 10* ft. -Ibs.
3. A
flywheel of mass 100 k. gins, and radius of gyration 20 cms. is
mounted on a light horizontal axle of radius 2 cms., and is free to rotate on bearings
whose friction may be neglected. A light string wound, on the axle carries at its
free end a mass of 5 k. gins. The system is released from rest with the 5 k. gms.
mass hanging freely. Prove that the acceleration of this mass is g/2001 cm. /sec 2 .
If the string slips off the axle after the weisht has descended 2 metres, prove
that a couple of moment 31*8 k. gms. wt.-cm. (approximately) must be applied in
order to bring the flywheel to rest in 5 revolutions (Cambridge H. S. Certificate)
(0 The mass of the flywheel (M) = 100 k. gms. =100 x 1000 gms.
and its radius of gyration (K) = 20 cms.
So that, its moment of inertia (I) = MK = 100xlOOOx20 2
2
.
= 100x1000x400 4 X 10 gm.-cm*. 7
Let angular acceleration of the flywheel be d&l dt.
Then, linear acceleration of the mass of 5 k. gm.^r.d^Idt t uhere r is the
radius of the axle.
Or, acceleration of the mass, i.e., a r.da>ldt,
=
whence, d^jdt a\r 0/2.
on the flywheel =* Ld^fdt.
rotational couple acting
= 4xl0 7 xa/2w.H>/.-cw. 2xl0 7 xa^m. wt.-em.
This must, obviously, be equal to the couple applied to the wheel by the
tension in the string.
If Tbe the tension in the string, the couple due to it =7>.
If the mass of 5 /r. gms. had no acceleration, the tension in the string
1
would be equal to its weight == 5 x 1000 x^ dynes.
But, since it has an acceleration a, we have
ma mg T.
'
Or T m(g ).
MOMENT ot IHBBTU ENEBGY off ROTATION 101
couple applied to the wheel T.r m(ga)r.
= 5 x 1000(#-- a) x2 dynes-cm.
Now, = Tr. /.rfco/cfr
2xl0 7 a 5xlOOOte-a)x2 - 10000^-100000.
Or f 2xlO T a-HOOOOa = 10000^. Or, a(2x!0 + 10000) = #x!0 7 4
,
whence, a - - i?x 10* = j?x 10*
T' Or
" */ 2001
(Tx fQ7
=*
Thus, the acceleration of the mass #/2001 cw./sec*.
(//) the weight has descended 2 metres, it has lost some P.E. Thii
When
must be equal to the gain in K.E. of the wheel and the weight ; so that,
K.E. of the wheel +-K.E. of the weight = P.E. lost by the weight.
Now P.E. lost
by the weight =
work done by it in falling through 2 metres
distance = mgh, (where h = 2 metres = 200 cms ) = 5 x 1000 x 981 x 200 ergs.
.*. K.E. of the wheel and the weight
= 1000000x981=981 x 10 6 ergs.
This must, therefore, be the work that the couple applied to the wheel
must do in order to stop it. If C be the couple required for the purpose, we
have
work done by the couple = CO, (where o s the angle of rotation).
Since the wheel comes to rest after 5 revolutions, it describes an angle
= 2^x5 radians.
work done by the couple = 2ir x 5 x C. And, .'. 2rc X 5 x C =981 x 10*.
,.
Or C
- * -'"
981x10
* " 981 ,_, . 981 xlO 5 10 5
2 log 10 = 2-0000 10 * io
a
log ir - 0-4972,
,
- = -
k.gm.wt.-cm.
1000x7r
ADtilog^ ^1-5028
j =, 31 .
83 ^m .^ cm .
Hence, a couple of moment 31 '83 k.gm.wt-cm. will bring the flywheel to
rest in 5 revolutions.
4. A flywheel of weight 200 Ibs. which may be regarded as a uniform disc
of radius 1 ft. is set rotating about its axis with an angular velocity of 5 revolutions
per second. At the end of 40 sees., this velocity, owing to the action of a
constant frictional couple, has dropped to 4 revolutions per second. What constant
couple must now be applied so that in further 20 sees., the angular velocity will be
8 revolutions per second.
Find the total angle turned through during the minute.
(Cambridge Higher Secondary School Certificate)
Here mass of the flywheel, M =2000 Ibs. and its radius r lft.
Since it is a uniform circular disc, its moment of inertia about its axis,
/.*.,
/ = j Mr - a
i.200./
2
100 Ib.ft*.
Us angular velocity, to start with = 5 revolutionslsec. = 2rrx5 radians/sec*
and ,, i, after 40 sec. 4 revolutions [sec. = 2::x4 radiansjsec.
.-. change in angular velocity in 40 ,,
= 2nx52n x4 = 2n radians/ sec*.
rate of change of angular velocity = 2rc/40 = 7t/20 radiansjsec 2
.
Or,
= re/20 radiansjsec*.
angular retardation, i.e., dujdt
Now,
*
couple = I.d^ldt.
.*. frictional couple acting on the wheel = 100x7r/20 = STT poundal-ft.
Again, the velocity of the wheel is now desired to be raised from 4 to I
revolutions per sec., in 20 seconds.
f % initial angular velocity * 2rcx 4 radians/sec*
102 fBOKBRTlES Oft
And, final angular velocity in 20 = 2rc x 8 radians! sec.
sees.
change in velocity in 20 = 2n x 8 2* x 4 = STT radians fsec.
sees.
rate of change of velocity = 8?r/20
1
And, .. 2r;/5 radiansl sec .
Or, angular acceleration, /<#
= 2^/5 radians
</cosec. J
And, the couple required to produce this acceleration
= 100x2^/5 = 40-npoundal'ft. [ v couple = Ldujdt.
total couple required to be applied
log 45 1-6532 = this couple of 40rc 4 a couple of SK (to overcome fric-
log TT
= 0-4972
\
tional couple)*
Antilog^2-T504 i
Or, total couple required = 40:r-}-5rr = 45?r ^14\'4 poundal-ft.
= 141-4 '
Now, let the angle described by the wheel in the first 40 sec. be Oj
S " C n
Then, from the relation d- r -f 1-
^./
2
,
we have
[~ J g^
*
G!
==
(27ix5)x40~}. .
(40)
2
- 400nr-407r = 360rr radians.
2
And, if 0, be the angle described by the flywheel in the next 20 sees., we
have, as above,
2
0,
- (27tx4)x20-f
*
(20)
2
- 160^f 80rr = 2407T radians.
^
.*. the total angle turned through by the flyweel in one full minute
=,
X 4 3
= 3607T+2407T = 600 radians.
since a rotation through 2* radians means one revolution, a rota-
Now,
tion through 600:r radians means 600^/2^ 300 revolutions. =
Thus, the flyweel makes 300 revolutions during the minute.
5. A pulley of radius 2 ft. has hanging from it, a rope with masses of 60
Ibs. and 52 Ibs. attached to its two ends, the masses being kept at rest initially by
holding one of them. If the moment of inertia of the pulley
be 320 Ib -ft 2 ., what will be the velocity of the masses, when
they have moved a distance of 6 ft. from their position of
rest ? It may be assumed that there is no slip between the
rope and the pulley and that friction at the axle of the
pulley is negligible.
Here, obviously, the motive force, i.e., the force
which makes the masses and the pulley move, is the
weight of the excess mass of (60 52) or 8 Ibs. wt. at one
end of the rope = 8x32 = 256 poundals. (Fig. 60).
When the masses have moved through a distance
of 6//., the loss oj potential energy suffered by this excess
mass is clearly == 256x6 = 1536 ft. poundals.
This loss of P.. of the excess mass is equal to the
gain in the K.E. of the system consisting of the two
masses and the pulley.
Let v be the velocity of the masses at this instant.
Fig. 60. Then, K.E. of the two masses
== 4.112.V = 56v ft. poundals.
i (60-{-52)v
2 2 2
i/w = Jx320xv /r - ix320xv /4
= 2 2 2 2
And, K.E. of the pulley
= 40v ft. poundals. [v - v/r and 2
co r 1ft.
.-. total'gain in K.E. of the system
= 56v 40v = 96v ft. poundals. 2 -- 2 z
Since gain in K.E. of the system loss in P E. of the excess mass.
we have 96v
2
1536. = Or, v
2
1536/96 =16. =
whence, v = ^16*" 4 /'-/ 5ec -
Thus, the velocity of the masses when they have moved through a dis-
tance of 6ft. will be 4ft.jsec.
MOMENT OF IN&RTII ENERGY off fcofATlON 103
6. A flywheel of mass 65*4 K. gms. is made in the form of a circular disc
of radius of 18 cms. ; it is driven by a belt whose tensions at the points where it runs
on and off the rim of the wheel are 2 K. gms. and 5 K. gms. weignt respectively. If
the wheel is rotating at a certain instant at 60 revolutions per minute, tincl how long
will it be before the speed has reached 210 revolutions per minute. While the fly-
wheel is rotating at this latter speed, the belt is slipped off and a brake applied.
Find the constant braking couple required to stop the wheel in 7 revolutions.
(Cambndge Higher School Certificate)
(/) Here, obviously,
tension 7\, where the belt runs on the rim = 2K. gms. w/.
and r,, ,, off ,, ,,
=5 ,,
/. the resultant tension in the belt (5-2) K. gms. wt. = Tt -7\ =
=-3 K. gms. wt.1000x981 dynes.
3x =
.*. moment ~ 3 x 1000 x 981 x 18 dynes-cm.
of the couple due to this tension
And, if dujdt be the angular acceleration of the wheel, the couple acting on the
wheel .
= l.d<*ldt.
Now, / = M.r 2
X 1000 x!8 2 ;/2 = 65400x18x9 gm cnr.
/2 = (65'4
.'. moment of the couple = 65400 x 1 8 x 9 x dujdt dynes-cm.
This must be equal to the moment of the couple due to tension in the
belt. Hence,
3x1000x981x18.
65400xl8x9x</o>/</f
~ 3x1000x981x18
,
,. - < a ,
Or, dldt~ 65400xJ8x9 S radians Isec*.
Now, we ave the relation, a = c^-f (r/co/J/)/
<.> [See page 85.
.(/') .
where w 2 the final angular velocity t^, the initial angular velocity
is c/u>/Jf ,
; ;
the angular acceleration and t the time. t
Here, a> a = 210 rev. I mm. = 210x27t/60 = Jr. radians/ sec.,
^ = 60 = 60x2rc/60 = 2rr
2
and d&ldt 5 radians/sec .
.'. from relation (/) above, we have In = 2x-\~5t. Or, 5* = 5/.
whence, t == K ~ 3*142 sees.
So that, the flywheel will obtain a speed of 210 revolutions per minute
after 3' 142 seconds.
(//) Let the angular retardation produced in the wheel by the braking
couple be dte/Ut, the angle turned through by it before coming to rest being
equal to 7x2rc ~
14^ radians.
Then, applymg-the relation oj^-wj = 2(d>ldt)$,
2
ISee page 85.
we have O a -(77r) 2 = 2(d<*fdt) x 14nr. Or, 2^.d^dt = -~49^ 2 . ['/ = 14*.
Or, d<*Idt
- -49r; 2
/287T
==
-7^/4 radians I sec\
Or, the angular retardation required = 77T/4 radiansjsec*.
Now, since couple = Ld<^ldt, we have
braking couple required, C = J x 65400 x 18 x 18 x 7rr/4 dynes-cm.
log 327-25145 !
^ n 65400x18x18x77:
63-17993 Or ' C==
log !
2x4x981
65400x18x18x7
I
" 2X4X981X1000
~ "'" "'"^
log ,o 0= 4 i
327 x 63rt _
^; oi 17736 59 37 j^ g tnSt
= 5937 1090
Hence, the required braking couple 59 37 K. gms. wt.-cm.
7. A flywheel, which can revolve on a horizontal axis weighs 900 ibs. and
its radius is r ft, A rope is coiled round its rim and a weight of 90 Ibs. hung from
its free end, turns the wheel by its descent. Find the speed at which the weight is
moving after descending 20 ft. from rest.
104 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
Let the acceleration of the weight be a ft. per
mass of the weight suspended,
sec*., and let M .be the
(Fig. 61).
Then, if T be the tension in the string, we have
M.a=(Mg-T). Or, T^M(g-a) = 90(32 -a) pom dais
Now, moment of the couple acting on the wheel due to
tension Tin the rope = T.r.
'
T.r =
90(32-ra). r poundal-ft.
Also, rotational couple on the flywheel =* I.d^/dt.
Here. 7 JAfr
8
=
J.900.r
2 =
f Considering the flywheel to .
450r 2 =
^ be a uniform circular disc of .
And dujdt =a\r. \jnass Mand radius r.
2
.'. rotational
couple on the wheel-=450r (a/r)=45Q a.r poundal-ft
We have couple due to tension T rotational couple.
90(32-0) r = 450 a.r. Or, 90(32-) = 450 a.
Or, 2880-90 a = 450 a. Or, 540 a = 2880.
Fig. 61. whence, a = 2880/540 - 16/3 // /sec*.
If v be the velocity of the weight after it has descended 20//., we have
log 640-2-K062 v
2 - 2
= 2.aS.
log 3=0 4771 Or, v'-O =2x(16/3)x20. [v S = 20 ft.
1 x 2-3291 Or,
2
v - 640/3,_
1-1645 whence, v = ^640/3
= 14-61 ft. /sec.
Antilog
-14-61 Therefore, the speed of the weight would be 14'61 ft. /sec.
8. A
sphere of mass 50 gms., diameter 2 cms., rolls without slipping
with a velocity of 5 cms. per sec. Calculate its total kinetic energy in ergs.
Here, mass of the sphere, M=
50 gms. and radius of the sphere, / 1 cm. 9
=
Now, moment of inertia of the sphere (solid) is given by
/ = J.Mr
2
=-
|x50xl
= 2Qgm.-cm*.
As the sphere rolls, it rotates about its own diameter as axis as well as
its centre of mass moves with a velocity of 5 cms /sec. It has, therefore, both
kinetic energy of rotation as well as kinetic energy of translation ; and, there-
fore, its total energy is the sum of both.
Now, K.E. of rotation = }/ <o 2 = J/.v 2 - |x 20x 5 /l 2 = 250 ergs, [v o>=v/r. 2
//'
2
And KE of translation = iMv = |x50x5 2 -25 x25 = 625 ergs. 2
.*. total kinetic energy of the sphere =250 + 625 = 875 ergs.
9. A flywheel of mass 10 K. gms. and radius 20 cms. is mounted on an
axle of mass 8 K. gms. and radius 5 cms. rope is wound round the axle and A
carries a weight of 10 K. gms. The flywheel and the axle are set into rotation by
releasing the weight. Calculate f ) the angular velocity and the kinetic energy of
the wheel and axle and (//) the velocity and kinetic energy of the weight, when the
weight has descended 20 cms. from its original position.
Theflywheel, here, (Fig. 62), is just a hollow circular disc or cylinder, (as
it has been cut in the centre for the axle to pass
through) its moment of inertia about its axis, there-
;
2 2
fore, is equal to MtR + )/2, where is its mass and R
/'
and r its outer and inner radii, (r being the radius of
M
the axle). (See page 78).
Now, M
for the flywheel, is equal to 80 K.gms.
or 80 x 10 gms., and R and r, equal to 20 cms. and 5 cms.
8
respectively ; so that, the moment of inertia of the wheel
=80xl03x(20M-5 )/2 = 80xl0 3 x425/2.
2
= 1 7000x10"= llxlW gm.-cm*.
And, the axle is just a disc or cylinder whose
moment of about its axis
inertia is equal to Mr*,
where M is its mass and r, its radius.
[See pp. 63 & 66.
So that, moment of inertia of the axle
= ix8x!0 x5 = 10'xl0 = 10 w.-cm
3 2 2 5 8
.
/. total moment of inertia of the wheel and e /
axle,
I - 17xlO+ 10
,
Or, * 171 x lO'^m.-cw
s
. 1
.
MOMENT 01 INERTIA ENERGY OF ROTATION 105
When the weight descends through a distance h, it loses potential energy
* mgh, and this loss in P E. of the weight is, obviously, equal to the
gain in
K.E. of the wheel and axle and the weight itself.
Now, since m = 10 x 10 3 gm. g t 981 cm.jsec and h
2
20 cms., . =
we have loss in P.E. of the weight = lOx 10 8 x981 xlO 1962xl0 5 ergs. =
If to be the angular velocity of the wheel and axle, when the weight has
descended through 20 cms., the velocity v (linear) of the weight will be rco,
where r is the radius of the axle ; i.e., v = 5w. [ . r = 5 cms.
.'. K.E. of the wheel and axle = I L o> 2 = i x 1 71 x 10 5 x w 2 =* 855 x 10* x w 2 ergs.
and, K.E. of the weight = Jmv 2 = Jx 10 x 10 3 x(5o>) 2 =125x 10 2 Xo> 2 ergs.
.*. total gain in K of the wheel and the axle and the weight.
.
-=855xlO*Xco 2 -J-125xl0 3 xco 2 = 8550x I0 3 xo> 2 -fl25x 10 2 x<A
= (8550+ 12:>) x 10 2 x w 2 = 8675 x 10 8 .o> 2 ergs.
Since total gain in K.E. of the wheel and axle and the weight is equal to
the loss in P.E. of the weight, we have
log 1962 =
3'2927 8675 xlO 3 co 2 = 1962x10'. .
log 8675 =
3_9383 _ 1962 xlO __ 1962*10*""
2 ~~
6
Or,
JxT'3544 8675 XlO 3 """"8675
T :
6772 whence, 10 x
v/1 962/8675".
-
Antilog
= -4755
= 10x-4755.
4 755 radianslscc.
Or, angular velocity of the wheel
and axle, i.e., co = 4'755 radians/sec.
and linear velocity of the weight, i.e., v rw =-- 5o> = = 5 X 4 755 = 23'
Now, of the wheel and axle is given by
i/.w
a = }xl71xl0 xo)*. 5
= 855xl0 x(4-755) - 4 2
19'34x 10 7 ergs.
And, K E. of the weight is given by
i /iiv= i m(5w) - Jx 10*.(5x4 755)*
2 2
= 5xl0 x25x(4755) 3 2
.
= 28 '27 xlO 5
<?/'#*.
Thus, (i) the angular velocity and kinetic
energy of the wheel and axle are 4 755 radians/sec.
and 19 34 xlO 7 ergs and (//) the velocity and
kinetic energy of the weight are 23-775 cms. I sec.
and 28'27x 10 5 ergs respectively.
If the pulley in an Atwood's machine be of moment of inertia 1500
10.
e.g.s. and radius 5 cms., what should be the acceleration of the system in
units
which the weights at the two ends of the string passing over the pulley be 200 and
250 gms. respectively ? (Given that g = 981 cm. /sec 2 .)
Let a be the acceleration of the system and v, the velocity of the
weights, when they have moved a distance S cms. from the starting position,
(Fig. 63).
Then, clearly, v
8
-w a = 2aS. Or, v
a = 2aS. [v w=0.
And /. a = 2
v /25.
Now, loss in P.E of the heavier weight M, falling
through distance S = Mg.S = 250 x 981 x S ergs,
and, gain in P.E. of the lighter weight m
= mg.S = 200 x 981 x S ergs. ^^
o?n
.*. net loss in P.E. of the system
=
200 gm.
(250x981x5) -(200x981x5) 50x981x5er^.
This must be equal to the gain in K.E. of the pulley
as well as the weights themselves.
Clearly, gain in K.E. of the pulley } 7w*
2
| /.v //*
2 = =
v v =
rw, where w is the angular velocity and r, the
.
|M|
radius of the pulley. ZSOgm.
Fig. 63.
106 PROPERTIES Otf
Or, gain in K.E. of the pulley = 8
} 7.v /25 * 2
Jx 1500x v /25 ~ 2
30v ergs.
And, gain in K.E. of the two weights = iMv 2
-fimv
2
= 2
i(Af-f m) v ,
= ix450xv = 2
225
.*. total gain in #.. of the pulley and the weights,
Since this gain in K.E. loss in P.E. of the system and the weights,
2
= 50x981x5
we have 255v 50x981x5. Or, v
255
log 327 = 2 5145 Now, the acceleration of the system, i.e., a
2
v /25.
log 5 = OJ5990
32135 * 50x981x5^327x5
"25"5x25 17
log 17= 1-2304
:
Antilog l 983f 96-18 cms. I sec*.
= 96-18
Or, the acceleration of the system of weights is 96-18 cms I sec*.
11. A narrow uniform metal bar, metre long, weighing 3 K. gms., rotates
1
once per second. What is the K.E., if the axis of rotation passes through (i) its
centre of gravity, (//') one extreme end ?
Here, M =3 K.gms. = 3 x 1000 = 3000 #mj., and / = 1 metre = 100 cms.
/. M.L of the bar about an axis through its e.g.
- M/ /12 2 8
3000x(100) /12^m. cm
1
.
And, its M.L about an axis through one end f
- M/ /3 - 2
3000x(100)
f
/3#. cm
2
.
Angular velocity of the bar o> = 2n radians/ sec. it is 1
['.' rotation/sec.
Now, . of a rotating body = Jf o>*.
. of the bar in case (/)
=
ix[3000x (100)*/12]x (2n)\
Jx[30DOx 10000/12] X4n
2
500X 10000 Xn z = 5xl g
X
Aad, its ^T.E. in case (//)
= J(3000x 1 0000/3) x4*
8
.
2000 x 10000 xn = 2
20 x 10 6 xn ergs.
12. Find the moment of inertia of a homogeneous circular cylinder of
length 2/, radius of cross-section r, about (/) the axis of the cylindrical symmetry ;
(//) a generating line ; (*//) a diameter of cross-section at a distance x I, and 21 (or
0) from one base.
(/) The moment of inertia of the cylinder about the axis of cylindrical
symmetry is the same as that of a disc about an axis
passing through its centre and perpendicular to its plane,
(for a cylinder is nothing but a thick disc), and is equal
to MR*I2, where M
is the mass of the disc or cylinder and
R, its radius.
.'. ifMbc the mass of the cylinder, and r, its
radius of cross-section, (Fig. 64), we have moment of inertia
of the cylinder about its axis of cylindrical symmetry equal to
2
A/r /2.
line is parallel to the axis of
The generating
^ (11)
symmetry, passing through the e.g. of the cylinder, and
is at a distance r from it. Therefore, by the principle of
parallel axes, moment of inertia of the cylinder about the
generating line is equal to its moment of inertia about the
axis of symmetry plus massa of thea cylinder x (distance from
the axis) 1, i.e.,
- iMr + Mr - 3Mr
2
/2.
MOMENT OF INERTIA ENERGY OF ROTATION 107
(Hi) (a) The moment of inertia of the cylinder about
an axis, passirg through
its centre and perpendicular to its length g\
= 2 a
[v =--
A
M[(4/ /12) f(r /4)] length 2/.
A
(6) Since an axis at a distance x from
one base is at a distance (lx) from the axis (/-.r
k
through the centre, we have, by the principle
of parallel axes,
M.I. about this axis =* I. about a M
parallel axis through the centre-f M(l x)*.
- Mf(/ /3)i
2
2 2
M[(4/ /3)f (r /4H (x*-2lx}\. Fig, 65.
(c)Similaily, by the principle
of parallel axes,
M.I. about the diameter of cross-section
= M[(/
2
/3) + (r /4)]-f
2
M/ 2 - A4[(4/ /3) + (r /4)].
2 f
13. Find the moment of inertia of a sphere about a diameter.
You
are given two spheres of the same mass and size and appearance, but
one of them is hollow at the centre and the other is solid throughout. How will
you find which is hollow and which is solid ? (Delhi)
For answer to first part, see 31, (case 13), pages 72.
The moment of inertia of a solid sphere about its diameter is, as we
know, 2M/T/5, where M
is its mass and R, its radius, and that of a hollow sphere
r )], where R and r are Us outer and inner radii respectively,
5 5 3 8
2/5[A/(7? /
)/(/
R and M being the same in the two cases.
.".the radius of gyration for the solid sphere ~ \/ 2R t
/5 t and the radius of
gyration for the hollow sphere is
e= \/2/5[/2 6 -r >/\rt ) J
/)], their masses being the same.
Since acceleration of a body rolling down an inclined plane is given by
= / n na v-\ f a being the inclination
(R*IR*+K~) g sm
> .
a a,
[ of lhc plane> (pagCf .) .
it is clear that the greater the value of A'
2
as compared with R*, the less the
acceleration of the body.
a
Now, K\ for the solid sphere 27? /5,
= 2 rT^j- 5 *1
and j* t for the hollow sphere . i> 3 ~__~"Y
~ 2 * [l-r /K ]_
5
"
5 5
2 ri-r*/*'!
>[l--r /#<J 5 3
5 U1 -''
3
/* J
8
Obviously, r /K < r //^
a 3 3 3
And /. -
(1
5
r //?
6
) > (l-r
j
_r 5
//^
'
5
So that, the fraction, .-_ 3 ,-
> 1.
2
And .'. K*
^-
. 7? /fl quantity greater than 1.
2
Or, K* for a hollow sphere is greater than 2/? /5.
2
Thus, the fraction (R-jR'+K hollow sphere than for a solid sphere
)
is less for a
and, therefore, the acceleration of the hollow^sphere is less than that of a solid
sphere. In other words, the solid sphere will come down the inclined plane
faster than the hollow sphere, and the two can thus be easily distinguished from
each other.
EXERCISE III
1. Define Moment
of Inertia and Radius of Gyration. Explain their
physical significance. State the laws of (i) parallel and (//') perpendicular axes
and prove any one of them. (Bombay, 1945)
108 JteottBfcTite oir
radius r
Calculate the moment of inertia of a thin circular disc of mass
2.
about its diameter (ii) about a parallel axis to the diameter and
add M
(/)
tangential to the disc. Ans. Mr /4 ; 5Afr"/4 f
2
Define Moment of Inertia of a body about an axis. Show that the
3.
moment of inertia of a body about an axis through the centre of gravity is less
than that about any other parallel axis.
A uniform circular disc of radius r is free to oscillate in a vertical plane
about an axis perpendicular to it and distant x from its centre. Calculate the
periodic time. (Madras, 1950)
Ans. / - 2^(r* + x*)l2gx.
A
flywheel of mass 2 I tons and diameter 8//. makes 250 revolutions
<4)
per minute. Find (/) its angular velocity (ii) its energy (Hi) its moment of inertia.
Assume its mass to be concentrated at the rim.
Ans. (/) 25n/3 radians/sec, (ii) 3 07x 10 7 ft. poundals. (Hi) 89600 Ib.-ft*.
5. Show that the acceleration of a disc rolling down an inclined plane
of angle is 2g sin 0/3, while that of a ball is 5g sin Q/7.
( oP A uniform rod 4 //. long and weighing 9 Ibs., revolves 60 times a
minute^about one end. Calculate its kinetic energy. Ans. 29 61 //. Ibs.
I. A
hoop of mass 5 k. gins, and radius 50 cms. rolls along the ground
at the rate of 10 metres per second. Calculate its kinetic energy in ergs.
Ans. 5x10* ergs.
8. Explain clearly what you understand by 'Moment of Inertia' and
'Angular momentum*. State the principle of conservation of angular momen-
tum, illustrating your answer by an example.
Find the moment of inertia of a circular lamina about a tangent in its
plane. (Patna, 1949)
Ans. 5Afr/4.
9. A solid spherical ball rolls on a table. What fraction of its total
kinetic energy is rotational ? Ans. 2/7th.
10. Show that the K.E. of a uniform cylinder or disc of mass Af, rolling
so that its centre has a velocity v ii f Mv 2 In the case of a sphere, show that
.
the K.E. would be 7Mv /10.
2
II. A thin hollow cylinder, open at both ends and of mass (a) slide t M
with a velocity v without rotati tg, (b) rolls without slipping, with the same speed
Compare the kinetic energies it possesses in the two cases. Ans. 1 2. :
12. Define radius of gyration, (//) moment of inertia. Find the
(/)
moment of inertia of a circular dire about the axis perpendicular to its plane.
A circular disc of mass m and radius r is set rolling on a table. If <o is
its angular velocity, show that its total energy E is given byj
E=i mr 2 .co a .
(Punjab, 1950)
Derive an expression for the kinetic energy of a body rotating about
an axis.
A is in the form of a uniform circular
flywheel disc its radius is 2 ft., ;
and mass 2 Find the work which must be done on the flywheel to increase
Ibs.
its speed of rotation from 10 to 20 revolutions per second. (Madras B.A., 1947).
Ans.
Five masses, each of 2 k. gms., are placed on a horizontal circular
14.
disc, (of negligible mass) which can be rotated about a vertical axis passing
through its centre. If all the masses be equidistant from the axis and at a dis-
tance 10 cms. from it, what is the moment of inertia of the whole system ?
( Hint.: M.L of each mass about the axis = Mr 9
,
}
i and .. total M.I. of the system r
C =
sum of the MJ. of the masses. ) Ans. 10 8 gm. cm*.
15. Define 'Moment of Inertia' and 'Radius of Gyration.' State the law
of parallel axes* and prove it.
IIOMIHT 01 IHERTIJL ENERGY OF ROTATION 109
A is mounted so as to rotate about art horizontal
wheel of radius 6 cms.
axis through its centre. A
string of negligible mass, wrapped round its circum-
ference carries a mass o! 2W
gms. attached to its free end. When let fall, the
mass descends through 100 cms. in the firsts seconds. Calculate the angilar
acceleration of the wheel and its moment of inertia. (Bombay, 1947)
2
Ans. Angular acceleration *. radians I sec ;
. M-L 8*748 x 10 4 gm.-cm*.
16. What is meant by moment of inertia of a body ? Show with neces-
sary theory how the moment of inertia of a flywheel may be determined.
(Allahabad, 1948)
17. The
free end of a string wrapped round the axle of a flywheel, of
2
moment of inertia 27*61 xl0 #w.-cw ., carries a weight of 5 k.gms., which is
5
allowed to fall. What is the number of revolutions per second made by the
wheel, when the weight has fallen through 1 metre ? The kinetic energy of the
weight may be neglected. Ans, 3.
18. the wheel be mounted on an axle of half its
If in question 17,
moment of inertia (i.e., 13-80 cm 2 .) and radius 5 cms., and the K.E. of
xWgm.
the weight be taken into account, what will be the number of revolutions per
second made by the wheel ? Ans. 2-413.
19. Masses of 95 gm. and 105 gm., hanging freely are connected by a
light string which passes over a pulley of mass 20 gm. when icleased, the system
moves with an acceleration of 46 7 cm. per sec 2 Calculate a value of g if the
.
mass of the pulley is (a) neglected, (b) taken into account. Regard the pulley as
a simple disc of moment of inertia i Mr 2 and assume that no kinetic energy is
,
lost in friction. (Northern Universities Higher School Certificate)
Ans. (a) 934 cm.se<r 2 ., (b) 980-7 cm.sec~*.
20. (a) Four spheres, each of diameter 2a and mass m, are placed with
their centres on the four corners of a square of side b. Calculate the moment of
inertia of the system about one side of the square. 1951) (Punjab,
(b) A flat
thin uniform disc of radius a has a hole of radius b in it at a
distance c from the centre of the disc, [c <(-/>)]. If the disc were free to ro-
tate about a smooth circular rod of radius b passing through the hole, calculate
its moment oi inertia about the axis of rotation.
(Punjab,
Ans. (a) m(4a' + 5i>
2
) ; (b) M
where M is the mass of the disc.
21. Describe the experiment to determine the moment of inertia of a
flywheel. Derive the formula used in the experiment, without
neglecting the
friction at the bearings of the flywheel.
(Allahabd, 1948 ; Gujrat, 1951)
22. A flywheel, which can turn about a horizontal axis, is set in motion
by a 500 gm. weight hanging from a thin string that passes round the angle.
After the wheel has made 5 revolutions, the string is detached from the axle
and the weight drops off. The wheel then makes 7 revolutions before
being
brought to rest by friction. The radius of the axle is 2-0 cm., and at the instant
when the weight drops off the angular velocity of the wheel is 10 radians
per
sec. Assuming that the work done against friction in each revolution is always
the same, calculate the moment of inertia of the flywheel about its axis of
rotation. (Oxford and Cambridge Higher School Certificate)
Ans. 3 59xlO*#m.cm 8 .
23. A pair of rails is supported in a horizontal position and the axle of
a wheel rests on the rails. A thread is wrapped round the axle and a
weight
hung on the end of the thread. As the weight falls the wheel moves along the
rails. How would you determine the moment of inertia of the wheel with thii
arrangement ?
24. A
circular disc, starting from rest, rolls (without
slipping) down an
inclined plane of 1 in 8, and covers a distance of 5*32
//. in 2 sees. Calculate the
value of V. Ans. 31*92 ft [sec*.
25. Two gear Wheels, of equal thickness, of the same material and
having
radii in the ratio 2 : 1, are mounted on
parallel frictionless spindles, but are
separated so as not to metii with ono another. The larger vbeel is sot
spinning
110 PROPERTIES Of MATTER
at a speed of 10 rev. per sec., and the wheels are then brought into mesh. What
is the resulting speed of each wheel ? (Cambridge Schorlaship Examination)
Ans. 8-9 and 17-8 rev. sec* 1 .
26. What do you understand by the term "precession ? Show that if
the axis of the torque applied to a body be perpcnJicular to its axis of
rotation, the body precesses about an axis perpendicular to either of the first
two axes.
27. What is (/) a gyrostat and (//) a gyroscope ? Describe suitable experi-
ments to illustrate their action.
What is meant by the term nutation ?
28.
Explain the theory underlying a gyw static pendulum and obtain an
expression for its time-period.
29. Discuss in detail the case of a thin disc or hoop set rolling over a
plane horizontal surface and obtain expressions for (i) its critical velocity, and
(it) the radius of curvature of its path on the surface.
30. Write short notes on the following ;
(i) Gyro-compass, (ii)f'endulum Gyro-compass, (Hi) Rifling cf barrels of
funs and (jy) 'Precession of the Equinoxes.
CHAPTER IV
SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION
47. Definitions. A simple harmonic motion is a particular case
of periodic motion, i.e., a motion which repeats itself over and over
again after regularly recurring intervals, called its time-period, and is
so called becauss of its association with musical instruments. Common
in nature, it is in fact th^ most fundamental type of periodic motion,
as all other periodic motions, (harmonic as well as non -harmonic),
can be obtained by a suitable combination of two or more simple
harmonic motions.
If the acceleration of a body be proportional to its displacement
from its position of equilibrium, or any other fixed point in its path and
be always directed towards it, the body is said to execute a simple har-
monic motion, (written, for short, as S.H.M.).
Now, a simple harmonic motion may be (/) linear, or (//) angular,
according as the body moves along a linear path, under the action of
a constraining force constantly acting upon it, or rotates about an
axis, under the action of a constant torque or couple.
The time-period of a body, executing a 5. H. M., is quite inde-
pendent of the extent of its motion to either side of its mean posi-
tion, (i.e., of its amplitude), and the motion is, therefore, said to be
isochronous.
Mathematically, a linear S.H.M. may be regarded as the projec-
tion of a uniform circular motion, or of a rot at ing vector, on the dia-
meter of the circle, or any other fixed line in the plane of the circle,
this circle being refer red to as the circle of reference, and may, in many
a case, be purely imaginary.
Thus, if a particle P (Fig. 66), moves with a uniform speed v
along a circle of radius a, and another particle M, along the diameter
YOY', such that when P is at X, M
is at O,
and, as P starts along the circle in the anti-
clockwise direction, M
starts along OK, so that
when P reaches Y, M
also reaches Y. As P
continues to travel further along YX', M
starts back towards O.
And, when Preaches X', M reaches O.
As Pnow traverses the lower half of the
circle along X'Y' 9
Mproceeds downwards _
along OY', so that both Pand M
reach Y' Y
together and, finally, when P travels further
;
Fig 66.
on along Y'X, Mstarts back along Y'O, reaching its mean position
whe& P reaches X.
Thus, the particle M
moves along the diameter YOY' from O to
F, from Y to Y' and back to O (i.e., completes one vibration), in
the same time in which P moves once round the circle, such that, at
111
112 PROPERTIES OP MATTE!
any given instant, the line joining the positions of? and M is perpendi-
cular to the diameter TOY',
or, the position of on the diameterM
YOY' corresponding to the position of P on the circle of reference, at
any instant, is given by the foot of the perpendicular from on to YOY'. P
This particle M
is said to be performing a linear S.H.M. along
obviously, the projection of the particle P, moving
uni-
YOY', and is
the circle XYX'Y', or is the projection of
formly along of reference
on the diameter YO Y of the circle.
OP 1
the rotating vector
If the motion of M
be due, not to P, but to any other force
along its path, the circle of reference will, as indicated above, be purely
an imaginary one. Further, the path of M
need not necessarily be
straight and may as well be curved.
Since a force acting on a body is proportional to the accele-
ration it produces in it, it is obvious that the force acting on a body
executing a 8. H. M. must correspond to
the changes in its accele-
ration. In other words, it must also be proportional to the displace-
ment of the body from its mean position and must always be directed
towards it.
Some familiar examples of simple harmonic motion.
(a) Linear.
(/)
The up and down oscillations of the piston of a cylinder, con-
gas, when suddenly pressed down and released, (see
a solved
taining
example 1).
Tli 2 oscillations of mercury or water contained in a U-tube,
(//)
when the column in one limb is depressed and released, (see solved
example 7).
(Hi) The vertical oscillations of an elastic string (or a spiral
spring) suspended from a rigid support and loaded at its lower end, (see
solved example 10).
(b) Angular.
(/) The oscillations of a pendulum, provided the amplitude be
small, (see Chapter VI).
The oscillations o^ a magnet suspended in a magnetic field,
(//)
(see solved example 8).
(Hi) Torsional oscillations, in general, (see Chapter VIII).
48. Characteristics of a Linear S.H.M.
1. Amplitude. The maximum distance covered by the body
on either side of its mean or equilibrium position is called its ampli-
tude. It is, obviously, equal to the radius of the circle of reference.
Thus, the amplitude of the particle M, in the case above, is OY
*=OY'=a, the radius of the circle XYX'T.
2. Displacement.The distance of a body from its mean posi-
tion, at instant, measured along its path, gives its displace-
any given
ment at that instant.
Thus, the displacement of M, in the position shown, (Fig. 66), is
equal to OM, orj, such that
OP sin $. Or, y**a sin 0. (where
SIMPLE HAEMONIO MOTION 113
If a> be the angular velocity of P and t, the time taken by it in
traversing the distance OP along the circle, i.e., in describing the
angle 0, we have 0=tof so that, y=a sin wt.
;
This relation, giving the value of the displacement of a body,
executing a S.H.M., in terms of its amplitude and the angular velo-
city of the rotating vector, (or of the particle in the circle of reference)
is referred to as its equation of motion. Thus, the equation of motion
of M along YOY' is represented by y= a sin cot.
If we consider the motion of a particle W alon? the diameter XOX',
such that both P and AT are together at X
and as P goes round the circle in the
anticlockwise direction, N
starts along XOX', so that when P reaches Y, N
reaches 0, and when P reaches X', N
also reaches X', and when P goes along
the lower half of the circle, N
starts back along X'O, reaching O when Preaches
F', and finally both arrive together at X, then the motion of ATalong XOX' is
also a S. H. M. And its displacement ON x is clearly given by
ON = OP cos o.
Or, x a cos 0. [ v ON = x and OP = a.
its equation of motion is x a cos cot. [v = o>f.
Theposition of the particle M
executing a S.H.M. along the
diameter YO Y may at any time, be found with the help of its dis-
f
placement curve, which is a graph, showing the relation between the
time that elapses since the particle was at its mean position O, and its
displacement from O during this time.
DISPLACEMENT CURVE
Fig. 67.
Let time be represented along the horizontal axis AB and dis-
placement along the vertical axis DC, (Fig. 67).
Let the circle XYX'Y' be divided up into an equal number of
parts, say 8, representing equal intervals of time T/8, where T is
the
time taken by tho particle P to go once round the circle. Let these
intervals of time be also marked along the axis AB, taking A as the
origin or the starting point. Then, the perpendiculars drawn from
the points on the circle on to XOX give the displacements of
1
M
along YO Y', corresponding to the intervals of time represented by
them, as shown in tabular form below :
114 PROPEKTIES OF MATTER
Ordinates equal to these perpendiculars are then erected at the
corresponding points on AB. Thus, the ordinate/? represents the
displacement of M
after a time T/8 of its starting from O; the ordi-
nate a, after time T/4 the ordinate q after time 5 T/8, and so on.
;
The extremities of all these ordinates are then joined and a smooth
curve AJKLB is obtained, which is a harmonic or a sine curve, be-
cause it is of the same form as would be obtained for the relation
between angles from to 360, and their sines, the maximum value,
viz., J, being at 90, and 1 at 270 and the least,
i.e., zero at 0,
180 and 360. The displacement curve shows at a glance how
the displacement of the particle M
changes along the diameter YOY'
and its value can be readily obtained from the curve at any given
instant.
3. Velocity. The velocity of the particle is clearly given M
by the component of the velocity of P, along the diameter YOY
1
,
(Fig. 68).
Now, the velocity of P is v in a direc-
tion tangential to the ^circle at P.
Representing it in magnitude and
direction by the straight line PK, we may
resolve it into two rectangular components
PN and PM along and perpendicular to
the diameter YOY as shown. The com-
1
ponent PN represents the* velocity of M
Fig. 68. along YO Y'.
Now clearly, component PN = v cos <f>
= v cos wt.
Since cos tf>
= OQjOP - V QP-y/*.
[v
f
= OM
we have component PN = v vV 2
>*/<*
=
[v v-
velocity of M
Or,
=
Alternatively the velocity of M
may be obtained by differentiating its
is rate of change of displace-
displacement y with respect to (because velocity
t
ment). Thus, since y
= a sin <*t, we have
dyfdt
= av.cos of. Or, dy\dt =*a<*.Va*-y*la = oW-/-
Or velocity of M
-= wv/^ -^ 2 2
-
Thus, the velocity of M
would be different at different points
or distance from its
alone its path, depending upon its displacement,
a maximum when y is a minimum, and a
mean position O, being
minimum, when y is a maximum.
So that (0 wheny =0, i.e., when M is at O, (or, its displacement
is zero), its velocity
= wV^ ~= w a ^ v ^ e same as ^at f**
2 - > ;
and '() wheny = a, when M is at Y or T,
i.e.,
its dis- (i.e.,
= ^ >-0 = 2 2
is maximum), its velocity
-
placement w-v/fl fl
varies inversely as its displacement.
Or, the velocity of the particle
It will thus be readily seen that the velocity
of varies from a M
maximum (v) at to a minimum (zero) at 7, then increases from zero
SIMPLE HABMONIO MOTIOtf 115
to v at 0, decreasing to zew again at 7', and again becoming v when
it comes back to O. In other words, at time 0, it is maximum at ;
tima 274, a minimum at 3T/2, a maximum at 32^/4, again a mini-
; ;
mum, and finally at time T, again a maximum, as shown in the table
below, where the velocities of M
are shown at different times.
If, therefore, a graph be plotted botween time and velocity of
the particle M ,
we get the velocity curve of the particle, shown in
Fig. 69, where time is
shown along the hori-
zontal axis and velocity
along the vertical axis. t
The curve obtained is
a cosine curve, for it is r#- T/2
of the same form as the
curve plotted between
TIME *-
angles from to 360*
and their cosines. Fig. 69.
It should be noted that the maximum value of the velocity of the
is aa> or v, and occurs when it passes /Ys mean position to either
particle
side, or when its displacement is zero ; and its velocity is zero, when it
has attained its maximum displacement on either side.
4. Acceleration. As in the case of velocity, so also here, the
acceleration of M
is the resolved part of the acceleration of P along
YOY', (Fig. 67). Now, the acceleration of P is v /a or # o> /tf, or aa>
2 2 2 2
,
and is directed towards O. Resolving it into two rectangular com-
ponents, along PM
and MO, we have the component along equal MO
to auP.sin $ or == aw 2 .yla z
aj y. =
And, as is clear from the figure,
it is directed towards 0, the mean or equilibrium position of M.
Thus, acceleration of M= &*y,
the negative sign being put to indicate that it is directed toward 0, in a
direction opposite to that of y, its displacement.
Alternatively, we may obtain the acceleration of by differentiating its M
velocity with respect to time, for acceleration is the rate of change of velocity.
Thus, since dyjdt =
au.cos <of, [see page 114.
we have d*yldt =*
2
a^-sin^t = ^.a sin cof = 2
>>,
Or, acceleration of M = o>V
Or, we may put as acceleration of
it M= MJ>*,
2
where co *= M, a constant of proportionality.
Or, acceleration ofM oc y.
*Sinrilarly, in the case of angular S.H.M we , shall have angular accekra*
= /*,0, where
tlon of the particle is its angular displacement.
So that, here, angular acceleration oc Q.
116 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
Thus, we see that the acceleration *of the particle is propor- M
tional to y its displacement from O, and is always directed
t
towards it.
Obviously, this acceleration has its. maximum value, aof, the
same as that ofP, at the extreme positions Y and Y', where y ~ a, and
its minimum value, i.e., zero, at O, where y 0. =
It should be noted that the constant of proportionality /z
is
2
equal to o> or the square of the angular velocity of the particle
,
P in
the circle of reference.
Further, if y =
1, acceleration of p,. Thus, M= may be
defined as the acceleration per unit displacement of M.
Tabulating acce]eration of M against time, we have
Time 774 T/2 3r/4
A , .. o
Acceleration i
(min) (max) (m/|f>) (nmx) (min)
If, therefore, a graph bo plotted between time and acceleration,
we get the accelera-
tion curve of the
particle, as shown in
Fig. 70, which is of a
type similar to the
displacement curve ,
(Fig. 67), but is reci-
procal in form, for
acceleration is directed
in the opposite sense
Fig. 70.
to displacement.
5. Time-Period and Frequency. The time taken by the particle
M, in completing ono vibration, (or one cycle), i.e., in going from O
to Y, Yto Y', and finally back to O, is called its lime-period, period
of vibration or periodic time, usually denoted by the letter T.
Obviously, it is the same as the time-period of tho particle P, i.e.,
equal to the time taken by P in making one full round of the circle,
(from X back to X), or in describing an angle 2ir. Therefore,
27T 2?r 2-7T rv to =
**, the acceleration
of M per unit displace-
l~ mei
ment.
whence,
Or, time-period of M= acceleration per unit displacement'
The number of vibrations made by the body per second is called
the frequency of vibration of the body, and is denoted by the
IIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION 117
letter n. Clearly, therefore,
frequency, n l/T = \/u /27T.
_ y acceleration per unit
""" displacement
27T
6. Phase. The term,
'phase' applied to a vibrating particle,
has a meaning similar to the ono associated with it when, we talk of
the 'phases of the moo:i. Just as tho phase of the moon i.e., whether
1
it is a crescent, (or new moon), half moon or full moon tells us about
its position etc., so also th3 phase of a paroicle, executing a S.H.M.,
enables us to form an idea about its state of vibration.
Thus, the phase of a vibrating particle, at any given instant, may
be defined as its state or condition as regards its position and direction
of motion at that instant. It tells us in what stage of vibration the
particle is.
is indicated either (i) in terms of the angle 0, described by
It
the rotating vector, measured as a fraction of the whole angle 2-/T
that it describes in one full rotation, or (//') in terms of time t that
has elapsed since the particle last passed its mean position, in the
positive direction, measured as a fraction of its time-period T.
Thus, taking O as the starting position of the particle M
(Fig. 66), if its phase be zero, it indicates that the particle is at O,
tending to move towards Y. And, if the phase be Tr/2, or T/4, it
indicates that it is at Y, the position of the maximum positive dis-
placement for, the radius of the circle of reference, or the rotating
;
vector, has, up to this instant, described one-fourth of the total angle
2-7T, i.e., an angle 2?r/4 or Tr/2 or that one-fourth of the time-period,
;
i.e., T/4, has elapsed sinco the particle last passed its mean position
O in the positive or upward direction, towards Y.
Hence, when we talk of a 'phase difference' between two simple
harmonic motions, we mean to indicate how much the two are out of
step with each other, or by how much angle, (measured as a fraction
of 2?r), or by how much time (measured as a fraction of T), one is
ahead of the other.
Now, because the phase of a vibrating particle merely indicates
itsactual stage of vibration, it is clear that two vibrating particles, if
they happen to be in identical stages of their respective vibrations,
at any given instant, will be said to be in the same phase, at that
particular instant, irrespective of their amplitudes and velocities
being the same or different.
Thus, for example, they will be in the same phase, if they both
simultaneously attain their maximum displacements, positive or
negative or, when the two pass through their respective mean posi-
;
tions at the same time and in the same direction. Similarly, if one
of the particles attains its maximum positive displacement simulta*
neously with the other particle attaining its maximum negative dis-
placement, or when the two cross each other simultaneously in
opposite directions at their mean positions, they are said to be |n
opposite phases,
US PROPERTIES OF MATTEE
7. Epoch or Initial Phase. We have deduced the reiatioii
y =
a sin ojt for the displacement of the particle executing a M ,
S.H.M., [ 48, (2)] on the assumption that the starting position of
the rotating vector is OX, or that the starting point of the particle
in the circle of reference is X, i.e., we start counting time when P
crosses the axis of x at X.
Sopaetimes, however, the starting position of the rotating
vector, or the position of the particle P in the circle of reference, is
fixed, not in some standard position, as on the axis of x or y, but
anywhere, in an arbitrary manner, such as at P', (Fig. 66), i.e., the
time is counted from the instant when P is at P' t such that the
angle XOP' = e.
Then, clearly, POP' cot 6+e. Or, =(wf-e). = =
So that, y a sin = =
a sin (a>te), where cot is the phase
9
angle of P. This angle e is called the 'epoch' or the 'initial phase
of the particle. It may also be measured, in terms of the time
taken by the particle P in describing this angle, i.e., by the time
It should not be confused with 'phase' ; for, whereas the 'phase*
of the particle continuously changes with time, its epoch or initial phase
remains the same all through.
49. Equation of Simple Harmonic Motion. Let y be the
displacement from its mean position of a particle, executing a S.H.M.
Then, if v be its velocity at that instant, we have
v = dy/dt.
= dSy =
2
n si dv dv dy dv
,, ,
So that, acceleration of
1 .
the particle
i
-
,
= .
x *,
- = V.T
Now, acceleration is also given by n.y, where /* is the cons-
tant of proportionality and is equal to o> 2 (o> being the angular ,
velocity of the rotating vector, or the particle in the circle of
reference).
Thus, d 2yjdt 2 = aA.y. fthe negative sign indi-
Or, v.dvldy = -a>\y, {
eating that acceleration
and displacement (y)
dv = - a>*.y.dy.
'
i' , a , ,/ i
whence, v. { are oppo ^ tely directed!
Integrating this expression, we have
v.dv = aP.y dy = -co 2 ly.dy.
Or, }v*
= -jc
where C
the constant of integration, and has to be determined from
is
the condition of the particle at the instant considered.
Obviously, the velocity of the particle is zero, when it has its
maximum displacement a, or a, i.e., v 0, = when y = a, or a.
So that, we have, from relation (/), above,
- JwW+C. Or, C ** JciiV.
Heaoe, Jv* =* -Jo^+JcoV ico (a
2 2
-^). Or, v
1 = cu
8
(a*-^).
And /. v = w^/o^y^. ,. () [Sec 48 (3).
SIMPLE HARMONIC MOtflOtt 119
llms, the velocity of the particle can be determined for any
value of its displacement y. Clearly, the value of v is the maximum,
i.e.,
=
coa, when y =
0, i.e., when the displacement is zero, or" the
particle is in its mean or equilibrium position ; and, it is a minimum,
i.e., 0, when y a, or, =
a, i.e., when the particle has its maximum
displacement, positive or negative.
Now, since v = dyjdt, we have, from (//) above,
dyjdt = oV**-
1
}'*-
n dy fPut y
= a sine
Ur >
= ai.at.
,.
then, dyj~ a, cos 0.^0,
;
-y-~=.^
v a y I
and ^
a 2 y z =a cos Q,
Integrating this, we have ~^^==_dy
= |
w.dt.
{ so that, f ~r$^** 2
J^a*y* J Jva -/"
Or, sin- 1
y\a = ^r 4 C",
j
|
r
__ stn^ ^ . y
whore C' another constant of integration.
9^9-
is I J
Or, j = a sin (tt + C). ...(/)
(a) Now, if we start counting time when y
= 0, /.<?., w/i^n //*
particle is in its mean position, moving in the positive direction, i.e.,
y = 0, when t 0, we have, from relation (in) above
= a sin (Q + Cy.
Or, a sin C= 0, whence, C' = 0.
.-.
substituting this value of C' in (Hi) above, we have y = a sin ojt.
(h) ]f, on the other hand, we start counting time when the particle
has its maximum displacement, i.e., t
= 0, when y = a, we have
a = a sin (0+C), or, sinC'^a/a^l or C' = ?r/2 ;
so that, in this case, y = a sin (cot -\-7ij'2). Or, y =a cos a>t.
(r) Again, if we start counting time from an instant /'
before the
particle has passed through its mean or equilibrium position, we have
t = t', when y = 0. Therefore, from above, (///)
= a sin (ut' + C), or, +C a>t' = 0.
Or, C = -o>f = -*,
where e the epoch of the particle in the circle of reference.
is
Substituting this value of C' in (///'), we have y
= a sin
(wte). ...(iv)
(d) And, //"
we start counting time from an instant t' after the
particle has passed through its mean position, we have
y = 0, when t f, or, = a sin (ut' + C),
whence, ut + C' = 0, or, C = cot = e. 1
And, therefore, y = a sin (ut+e).
A mere glance at the above relations for y indicates that these
simple harmonic vibrations of the particle are a case of periodic
motion.
(e) Now, if the time t be increased by 2ir/co, we have, from
relation (I'v) above,
y = a sin [o>(f -f 27r/o>) e]
= a sin (o>f-f 2ir-e),
120 PBOPERTJES OF MATTER
whence, y = a sin (wte), i.e., the same as be ore, in (z'v),
showing that the pos'tion and direction of motion of the particle is
the same as 2ir/a> seconds earlier, i.e., the particle repeat? its move*
ments after every 2ir/o> seconds. In other words, the time-period of the
particle is 2^/0). Further, since this value of the time- period is quite
independent of a and e, it is clear that the vibrations or oscillations
of the particle are also isochronous.
The above results will also be true for angular S.H.M., if we
consider angular displacement, acceleration, velocity, etc., in place of
the linear ones.
Important Note. We have seen how the acceleration of a
particle executing a S<H.M. is given by
The general solution of this equation is of the form
y = a sin a> +b cos cut.
Thus, if the displacement of a vibrating particle be given by a
relation of the form y ja
= **
sin cot+b cos cut, it is executing a Simple
Harmonic Motion.
Clearly, as t takes up the values 0, 27r/o>, 47f/oj, 2n7r/co, etc., ajt
assumes the values 0, 2ir, 4?r, 2n-rr, etc., with y assuming the same
value over and over again.
In other words, the time-period of the motion = 2irjaj t
Further, this equation can easily be reduced to the simple sine
form as follows :
Let (Fig. 71).
Then, clearly, a = c cos Q = \/(a*+b*) cos
and b = c sin = i/(a*+K*).sinO.
Now, y = a sin cot+b cos wt.
So that, substituting the values of a and b,
obtained above, we have
s ;n wt cos Q+^(a^Wj.cos wt sin 0.
(sin wt cos 6 +cos cut sin 0).
sin (a>t+0),
which is the usual form of the displacement of a body executing
S.H.M.
Obviously, the displacement will have the maximum value
(a>t+0) = 90 and, therefore, sin
(wt+0) 1.
And, since the maximum displacement of the particle is equal t
SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTIOJf
its amplitude, we Have
amplitude of the vibrating particle, here =
Again, the velocity of the particle is given by
V = -.
so that, the maximum value o^v r=
v/a
2
+fe
2
. v.
And, finally, acceleration of the particle = -vy.
Hence, maximum value of acceleration of the particle
50. Composition of Two Simple Harmonic Motions. Just as a
particle may be subjected to two forces or two velocities simultane-
ously, so also we may have a particle under the action of two simple
harmonic motions at the same time. Its final motion will then be the
resultant of the two simultaneous simple harmonic motions impressed
upon it. mean that it will execute both the
It does not, of course,
motions simultaneously, any more than a particle,
having two
velocities impressed upon it, w ill move in -both the directions at
r
the same time. All it moans is that its resulting motion would be
one as though it were simultaneously executing the two motions
together.
It should be clearly understood, however, that the simultaneous
execution of two rectilinear simple harmonic motions by a
particle
is no guarantee that the resultant motion of the
particle will neces-
sarily be rectilinear or harmonic. Indeed, if their time-periods be
incommensurable, it may not even answer to the definition of a
vibration.
We shall now take up first the simpler case of the composition
of a S.H.M. along one direction with a linear motion in a
perpendi-
cular direction and then pass on to the composition of
simple harmonic
motions along the same straight line and at right angles to each other,
both graphically and analytically.
1. Graphical Method.
Composition of a S.H.M. with a Uniform Linear Motion perpendicular
(/)
to it. The
resultant motion will, in this case, be a sine curve. This
may be
easily seen by attaching a small spike or style to the prong of a tuning fork (at
right angles to its length) and then drawing it* uniformly over a smoked plate of
glass, with the style just touching the plate, in a direction at right angles to that
of the vibrations of the fork. It will be found that a series of sine curves are
traced out on the plate, with the
direction of motion of the fork as the hori-
zontal or the time-axis and the direction of vibration of the
prong as the vertical
or the displacement-axis.
Composition of two linear simple harmonic motions in the same direction.
If two simple harmonic motions take place in the same direction, their resultant
is also a simple harmonic motion, defined by the resultant of the vectors which
define the two motions, this resultant vector being obtained by the
ordinary law
of vector addition. This will be clear from the following :
"
*Qr, holding the fork in position and moving the platp.
122 'KOFJEKTIES Olf MATTER
Let two simple harmonic motions, having the same time-period tiit
and phases, be represented by the projections of the vectors
different amplitudes
,--*-.
Fig. 72.
OP and O respectively, on the axis of y, (Fig. 72), and let their equations of
motion be
y =* a sm cof and >>
= b sin
where a and 6 are their amplitudes, and <o/ anJ equal to angles AOP
and AOQ respectively.
Then, if DEFG be the sine-curve for the first motion, and DffJK for the
second, we obtain the sine-curve DLMN
for the resultant motion by adding up the
ordinates of the two curves at all points, because the displacements of the two arc
in the same direction and can be added up algebraically.
Now, the curve DLMTVis the same as would be obtained for the rotation
of the resultant vector OR, whose projection on the axis of y, therefore, gives
the resultant of the two motions.
For, RB = CB+RC PA+RC.
= OP. sin AOP+PR.sin CPR.
= a sin sin (a>/-f0),
co/-|-/>
because OP = a, PR = OQ = LAOP = w/ and LCPR = LAOQ
/>,
** w/4- $
Thus, the resultant motion is also a S H.M. and takes place along the same
line and, (since the rotating vectors OP, and OQ OR
have the same velocities),
// has the same time*period as the two component motions.
The amplitude a' of the resultant motion is, clearly, equal to OR.
Now, OR*~OP*+OQ*,20P.OQ.coS POQ.
2
Or, a 0*-}-6 -f 2ab.cos f,
whence, a'
Now, if 0, i.e., if there be no phase difference between the two
motions, cos <f>
=^ 1, and, therefore,
algebraic sum of the amplitudes of the two component motions.
The phase angle of the resultant motion is, obviously, given by the angle
ROB, such that
tan ROB-
JRj? CB+RC PA+RC
OB** OA+AB
SIMPLE SARMONIO MOTION 123
6r,
Now,
where LPOR = e , the phase angle by which the resultant motion is ahead of the
first motion,
tan ROB = tan -
(at
sin of
_-j-_b_sin
cof
cogjj -f /> fas cof MM ^
a cos co/ -f 6 cos to/ cos ^ b sin <*t sin <f>
Now, yiw/ <rt the start, t = 0, and .-. wf = ; so that,
5/w w/ == 0, and c<?5 cuf = 1.
b sin r ~ =
Hence tan e = - --.
<f>
Or, f
_
a + bcos b cos
Thus, the resultant motion is ahead of the first motion by a phase angle e,
b sin
.
where e = tan-
t
1 = ;
-.
<f>
-r*
a -f b cos <f>
(//) Resolution of a S. H. M. into two components in the same direction.
The converse of the above is also tiue, viz. that a simple harmonic^ motion may
be resolved into two by resolving its rotating vector into two vectors, in accordance
,
with the law of resolution of vectors, each vector defining a component simple
harmonic motion.
(Hi) Composition of two linear simple harmonic motions at right angles
to each other. The resultant of two, S.HM's, impressed simultaneously on a
particle, along directions at right angle* to each other, is a curve lying in the
plane containing the two motions and its character depends upon the ampli-
tudes, time-periods (or frequencies) and the phase difference of tee two compo-
nent motions. Let us consider the different cases that arise.
(a) When the time-periods (or frequencies) of the two motions and their
phases are the same, but their amplitudes are different. Let the two motions be
defined by the rotation of the
vectors in circles (/) and (//)
respectively, (Fig. 73), /<?., let
(i) and (//) be the circles of refe-
rence of the two motions, with
radii equal to their amplitudes
respectively, say a and b.
Divide the two circles into a
number of equal parts in the
ratio of the frequencies of the
two motions, in this case, 1:1,
as shown, (each circle being
divided into eight equal parts,
for the sakg of convenience),
the starting point of the rotating
vector being marked zero. Then,
draw straight lines passing
through points bearing the
same numerals in the two circl-
es, and parallel to the axes OX
and OY respectively, along
which the motions take place Fig. 73,
in the two cases*
124 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
Mark the points where these lines intersect and join all these points of
intersection. It will be found that, in this case, the straight line AB is obtained
as the path along which the
* resultant motion takes place,
2
the arrow heads indicating the
direction of motion about 0.
And, as will be readily seen,
this straight line is thediago-
nal of the rectangle with sides
2a and 1b ;
and the amplitude
of the resultant vibration of
the particle, i.e., OA or OB
is, therefore, clearly equal to
(b) When the time-periods
or frequencies are the same,
plitudes are different and
phase difference is TT. Here, the
74. starting position ,(Fig. 74), of
the vector in circle 00 is at
the top of the circle, as shown, instead of at the bottom, (as in the first
case), the second motion being ahead of the first by a distance equal to half it*
path, -the other numerals being shifted accordingly. Again, drawing straight
lines through the same numerals and parallel to the corresponding axes OA'and
Or, along which the two motions take place, and joining their points of inter-
section, we get the straight line CD, inclined in the opposite direction, showing
that the resultant motion is a straight line motion, about 0, but inclined the
again
other way, (i.e., the other diagonal of the rectangle of sides 2a and 2b), the direc-
tion of motion of the particle being as indicated by the arrow-heads.
(c) When the time-periods are the same, amplitudes different, and the phase
difference is 7t/4. We againproceed
exactly as above, with the only ---- ........ .-
;
^^-^~
difference that, here, we shift the
zero, or the starting position of
the radius vector, by one-eighth of
its path in the case of the second
(lower) circle of reference, (Fig.
75), the second motion being
ahead of the first by r/4,
Joining smoothly the points
of intersection of the straight
lines through the same numerals,
parallel to the two axes respec-
tively, we get an oblique ellipse as
the resultant path of motion of
the particle, the direction of mo-
tion along it being indicated by 75.
the arrow-bead.
S1MPLB HARMONIC MOTION 125
(d) When the time-periods are the same, amplitudes different, andtha
phase difference is rr/2. In this
case, the starting point of the
radius vector in the second
circle of reference is taken a
quarter of its path ahead of its
original position, the phas
difference being rc/2.
Then, proceeding as
before, we get an ellipse as the
path of the resultant motion,
H ith its axes coincident with the
directions of the component mo-
tions, the starting point being O
and the direction anticlockwise,
as shown in Fig. 76 76.
(e) When the I Ln > periods
or frequencies are the same, ampli-
tudes different, and the phase diff-
erence is 3*/2, Here, (Fig. 77),
0,8 the starting point of the radius
vcuo. in the second circle is
taken three-fourths of its path
ahead of the original position.,
and we get, as in the last case,
an ellipse as the resultant path
the direction of motion being
clockwise, as shown, and the
starting point being 0.
Fig 77.
(/) When the time-periods
or the frequencies are the same,
amplitudes equal, and the phase
difference is 3^/2. In this case,
(Fig. 78), we take both the
circles of reference of the same
radii and proceed as in case (c),
when a circle is obtained as the
path of the resultant motion, the
direction of travel along it
being anticlockwise and Jhe start-
ing point being 0.
Fig. 78,
126 PBOPEETIBS OF MATTBB
(g) When the time-periods
or frequencies are the same, am-
plitudes equal and the phase diff-
erence is 3rr/2Here, again, we
take the radii of the two circles
to be the same, and proceed as in
case (d), when we obtain a circle,
as the path of resultant motion
the direction of travel along it
being clockwise, in this case, as
shown, (Fig. 79), and the starting
point being O.
Fig. 79.
(h) When
the time-periods
or frequencies are in the ratio of
2 1, amplitudes are different,
:
and the phase difference is zero.
In this case, (Fig. 80), we divide
the two circles into equal parts,
1/1 the ratij 2:1, (e.g., the first
one into 8 parts, and the second
one into four parts). Then, pro-
ceeding as before, we get the
path of the resultant motion of
the form of the figure 8, as shown,
the direction of motion along
it being indicated by the airow-
heads, and the starting point
being O.
Fig. 80.
0) Whenthe time-periods
or frequencies are f n the ratio 2:J,
amplitudes are different and there
is an initial phase difference
equal to a quarter of the smal-
ler time-preiod. As in the case
above, we divide the two circles
here also into equal parts, in the
ratio 2: 1, but shift the zero of
the second circle, one-fourth part
ahead. Then, proceeding as
before, we obtain, in this case, a
parabol-a as the resultant path
of motion of the particle, (Fig.
81), the direction of motion be-
ing as indicated by the arrow-
heads.
Ctf>
Fig 81.
N.B The
epithet 'initial* has been deliberately used here with 'phase
difference* to emphasize that the time-periods being different, the phase does not
remain constant, even though we start with the same phase originally. Inevi-
tably, therefore, a difference comes in between the two motions,
phase
ilotiOtf 127
Precisely in the same manner, we can obtain the path of the resultant
motion of a particle, subjected simultaneously to two simple harmonic motions,
perpendicular to each other, whatever their frequency ratio or the phase differ-
ence between them.
The student may, as an exercise, try to determine the resultant path of
a particle, subjected to two simple harmonic motions, at right angles to each
PHASE DIFF
277
Fig. 82.
other, with the time-poriods and amplitudes equal, but with phase difference
changing from to 2n, when he will find that, as the phase difference changes
from to n, the resultant path changes from a straight line, inclined one way,
through an oblique ellipse inclined the same way, a circle, and, again, an ellipse,
inclined the other way, to finally, a straight line, inclined at right angles to the first
one, as shown in Fig. 82. And, as the phase difference changes from n to 2n,
*the same figures are repeated in the reverse order, as shown.
The superposition of such rectangular vibrations is of particular impor-
tance in the subject of sound, since it serves as a test for the equality of the
periods of two vibrating bo Jies like tuning forks etc. The method was first
adopted by Lissajjus and aeace the various curves thus obtameJ, v/z., those in
Figs, 73 to 81 and others, are usually referred to as Lissajous' figures.
II. Analytical method.
Composition of two linear simple harmonic motions along the
(1)
same Let two simple harmonic motions, having the same time-
line.
period^ be represented by the equations.
yl =
a sin ait and y 2 b sin (o>f+<), =
where <f>
is the phase angle by which the second motion is ahead of
the first.
The phase difference will throughout remain constant, because
the time-periods of the two motions are the same.
Now, since the two displacements are along the same line, thd
resultant displacement y will, at any given instant, be equal to the
algebraic sum of the displacements of the two component vibrations.
Thus, y = Ji+JV
Or, y = a sin wt+b sin (wf-f <).
= a sin ajt-^b sin a>t cos cos a>t sin
<f>-\-b <f>.
Or, y = sin (a + b cos (f>)+cos wt.b sin $.
cot
Putting (a+b cos </>)
= a' cos e and b sin = a' sin e, we have
<f>
y =a' sin ojt cos e+a' cos tot sin e.
Or, y = a' sin (a*t-\~e)>
i.e.,the resultant motion is also a S.H.M., along the same line > and
has the same time-period, its amplitude being a' , and its phase angte&e,
by which it is ahead of the first motion.
The values of a' and e may be deduced as follows :
We tove #' sin e b sin
^ and <?' cos e
= (a^b cos ^),
128 PBOPBBTIES OF MATTER
So that, squaring and adding the two, we have
0' 2 sin* e+a' 2 cos 2 e b 2 sin 2 + a 2 +b* cos 2 <f>+2 ab cos <f>. <f>
Or,
2
a' (sin 2
e+cos e
2 = a 2 +b 2 (sin 2 (/>+cos 2 (f>)+2 ab cos <.
Or, a' 2 = a2 + 2
+2ab cos ^ ['.' sin*e+cos*e - 1 ;
<f>.
= L
[_also,j/wV+c<wV
Or, a' = 8
Vfl +>T2flftciw"^
e sw--e b sin
.
And
,
tan e = <i'
---- = ,,-
- -
<f>
1
e a-{-b cos
Or, '
e = tan-* ~*~ ^ --.- . [See page 123]
Now, (/)
if < = 0, i.e., i/ fAe fwo motions be in the same phase, we
have e = ;
so that, y = a' sin cut.
Or, the resultant motion will also be in phase with the two component
motions, with its amplitude given by
i.e., e^W(?/ to the sum of the amplitudes of the two component motions.
[See page 121.
And (ii) if < == TT, i e., i/ //ze ^v<? motions be in opposite phases,
we have again So that, again, y ea' sin 0, ~ cat.
Or, the resultant motion will be in phase with the first motion, with
its amplitude now given by
-* = *** t v cos * - -1-
/ e.,
##/ /o //ie difference between the amplitudes of the two motions.
Further, in this case, if a &, '*.<?., //^Ae amplitudes of the two =
component motions be also equal, we shall have a
1
0. ab =
Or, the amplitude of the resultant motion will be zero. In other words,
there will be no resultant motion at all.
Note. In the above treatment, we have, for the sake of simplicity,
taken one motion a phase angle ahead of the other. <f>
The same result may be obtained, however, if we take the phase angles
of the two motions to be l and 2 respectively. For, in this case, we have
<f> <f>
yi = a sin (u>t-\-$^ and >> a b sin
So that, y = y^y^ = a sin (wf-f ^) -|-6 sin
a sin w/ cos <f>ia cos at sin <^ t +b sin f cos fi+b cos wf sin ^ f .
= sin ut (a cos $ L + b cos <f>t)+cos cor (a sin $ L +b sin ^ a ).
Now, putting (a cos <f>i+b cos fi t )
= a' cos e and (a sin fa+b sin 8)
= a' sin e $
we have y = a' sin co/ cos e f a' cos co/ sin e.
Or, == a' .y/ w /-f <?), as before ; y (
/ the resultant motion, is also simple harmonic, with the same
r., time-period as
of the two component motions.
And,
1
_. a' cos e a cos <f>i -f b cos ^ g
Again, the values of tne amplitude a of the resulting motion maybe
obtained in exactly the same manner, as before.
Thus, a'
z 2 z
sin*e+a' cos e = (a sin <f>i+b sin a)
2
-f (a cos fa+b cos &)*.
Or, w*(sin*e+cos*e) a2 sin*
2
h+b* sin fa+lab sin fa sin fa.
2 2 2
-i-a* cos <f> l +6 cos fa+2ab cos fa cos fa.
Or, <?'
2
* 2
(w 2
^^ f co^Vt) f6
2
(w 2
^i-f-co5
8
fa)
-f 2a6(5/# ^| 5/w fa i cos fa cos fa),
129
Or, a'= a*+b*+2ab cos (&-0,), whence, a' - *Jf+b*+1ab cos
1
(<f>i-f*\
which, when (<j>i~<f>i) = 0, gives the same result, as above, (page 80).
Proceeding again, as before, if, (/) ^ =* ^ a or (0i &) = 0, i.e., if the
two motions be in the same phase, we have
a' - (+&) ;
(//) if 01-- &= w, j>., ;///ie /wo motions be in opposite phases, we have
a' = (fl- ;
and, further, if a = bt i.e., if the amplitudes of the two motions be also equal,
we nave a' = ; i.e., we obtain the same results as above.
(2) Composition of two linear simple harmonic motions at right
angles to each other. Let the two simple harmonic motions be along
the axes of co-ordinates 'XOX' and YOY' and let a and b be their t
amplitudes respectively and <f>, the phase difference between them.*
Then, if their displacements at any instant t be x and y,
we have x = a sin cot y ...(/) and y = b sin (cut +</>)> (")
sin ojt = x/a ;
[from (/), above.
and, since sin* cut + cos* a>t = 1, we have cos* a)t = 1 sin* wt.
/
Or, cos* wt = lx*/a*, so that, cos cot == f 1 --x*\\ '
^J
Now, y = fc(.sm cu/ cos <f>+cos cot sin <f>),
[from (//), above
Or, y\b = sin ojt cos $ -f cos cot sin </>.
Or A c
So that, squaring both sides, we have
va a 2jcv
Or
jc
COS * + ~ COS
'
i-+^ ab
^. |r
Or,
'
--
.<Mh|
~ ^"
the equation to an ellipse, inclined to th axes of
This is tlj
ordinates, and may be inscribed in a rectatnglp of sides 2a and
Now, a number of special cases arise :
(a) When <f>
= o, i.e. 9 when there is no phase difference between
the two motions. In this case, sin <f>
= 0, and-c05^=== 1. .
' '
3.
^
So that, substituting these values in relation (///) above;
y* x* 2xy
130 FBOPtRTIE3 Of
0. Or, -t 0.
y_ X JL
Or, Or,
b a a
This is the equation to a straight line, passing through the origin, such
that it meets the axis XX' at an angle
tan- 1 b/a, [see case I, (ill), (a)].
The resultant motion, is, therefore,
along the straight line AB, (Fig. 83),
i.e., the particle describes a S.H.M.
along this line, with the same time-period
as that of the two component motions and
an amplitude equal to <\/a*+b 2 If the -
amplitudes of the two motions be equal,
the straight line AB is inclined at an
angle of 45 to the axes of x and y.
(b) When = TT, i.e., when the phase difference between the
two motions is JT. Here, sin
<j>
< = 0, and cos <f>
= 1. So that,
from (iii) above, we have
y
b +
^ *.
a
=0. Or,
-3-
x
A a
This too is an equation to a straight line, passing through the
origin but inclined to the x-axis at an angle tan^ bja so that, the ;
resultant motion is again a S.H.M. , with the same t'me-period but along
the straight line CD, (Fig 83), inclined the other way, [see case I,
(iff), (b)],
the amplitude being again ^/ a *+b*.
(c) When <j>
= ?r/2, i.e., when the phase difference between the
two motions is Tr/2.
Here, sin <f>
= 1 and cos <j>
= 0.
Substituting these values of sin </>
and cos in < relation (ill), above,
we have 1.
This is the equation to an ellipse*
whose major and minor axes coincide
with tht directions of the two given
motions, and whose semi-axes are
equal to b and a respectively. The
resultant path is, therefore an ellipse, ,
(Fig, 84), which it describes once in
the time-period of each component
S.HM. t [see case I, (///), (d) 9 above].
The direction of motion of the
particle along the ellipse may be
determined aa follows :
Since ^ ir/2, and x = a sin <vt, Fig. *4.
we have y b sin (ut+j) bsin M+ir/2), whence, y * b cos *t,
SIMPLE HARMOKIO MOTION 131
A differentiating y with respect to f, we have
velocity of the particle
= dyjdt
= u.bsin wt.
Now, x and, therefore, sin wt is positive in the right half of the 9
figure. And, therefore, the negative sign of dy/dt means that the
velocity of y is negative, i.e., it is directed downwards in the right half
of the figure In other words, the direction of the particle along the
ellipse is clockwise.
v* x*
If, on the other hand, <f>
= Tr/2, we have, again, ,
^- -f a
= *
i.e., the resultant motion is again an ellipse.
But, since y=b
sin (cot IT} 2)= b cos a>t 9 we have dy/dt a).b sin cot, =
i.e., the velocity of y is now positive in the right half of the figure, and
is, therefore, directed upwards. In other words, the direction of motion
of the particle along the ellipse is now anticlockwise.
(d) When 7r/2, and b
<j>
= = a, i.e , when the phase difference is
7T/2 and the amplitudes are equal. In this case, obviously,
sin <f>
= sin ir/2 = 1 , and cos <f>
= cos Tr/2 = 0. \f
/. substituting these values in relation (Hi)
above, we have
Or
-- -4- ~ A
OP
= . \Jl'
fl*
_ BC 1 '
v
t )
\
whence,
This is the equation to a circle, whose
radius equal to the amplitude of either
is Fig. 85.
simple harmonic motion so that, in this case, the particle
; describes a
circle, (Fig. 85), once in the same time as that taken by any one of the
two component motions, [see easel, (///), (g), above] the direction of
motion along the circle being determined as explained above, in the
case of the ellfpse.
A uniform circular motion may thus be regarded as a combination
of two equal or similar simple harmonic motions, at right angles to each
other, and differing in phase by ?r/2.
(e) When <$>
= Tr/4, i.e., when the phase difference between the
two motions is ?r/4.
Here, cos <f>
= cos-~r
4
= ^ ;
and so also, sin $ **
5.
\/- v *
Hence, from relation (Hi) above, we have
j x1 2xy 1 1 _ y1 x1 \/2xy 1
which Js the equation to an oblique ellipse. (See case I (///), (c) above.)
So that, the resultant motion, in this case, is an oblique ellipse.
Thus, we see ihat the two perpendicular linear simple harmonic
motions compound into a straight line motion, when they differ in phase
by or ir, and into an ellipse or a circle, when the phase difference
132 PBOPBKTIES OJT MATTJCB
For any other phase difference, the motion is still an
with major and minor axes no longer coinciding with the direc-
its
tions of the two component motions, but being inclined to them.
(/) When
the amplitudes are different and the time-periods or
frequencies are nearly equal: In the cases, dealt with above, where
the time-periods of the two component vibrations are identical, the
elliptical paths of the resultant vibrations remain fixed. But if the
two time-periods differ slightly from each other, there comes about a
gradual but progressive change in the relative phase (^) of the two
vibrations and the elliptical path consequently undergoes a corres-
ponding cycle of changes, whose frequency is equal to the difference
between the frequencies of the two component vibrations.
Thus, (i) when < = 0, the ellipse coincides with one diagonal of
the rectangle of sides la and %b, within which the ellipse lies ; for, here,
a b
--
(ii) When <f>
increases from to w/2, the ellipse opens out to the
8
x* v
form -
+ 73-= passing through intermediate obliq ue positions.,
2 1,
And, if a = 6, the ellipse is reduced to the form of a circle.
(Hi) When </> increases from ir/2 to TT, the ellipse closes up again
and finally coincides with the other diagonal of the rectangle ; for now
in the reverse order, when (f> in-
And, the same changes take place,
creases from to 2?r, the TT
ellipse ultimately coinciding with the same
first diagonal as in Case (/), all these changes
being shown in Fig, 82,
above.
(g) When the frequencies are in the ratio 2 : I, or the periods
arc in the ratio, 1 : 2, and the amplitudes are different. In this case,
the angular velocity of the particle in the circle of reference of
one will be double of that of the particle in the circle of reference of
the other.
/. if the two motions be represented by
x = a sin wt and y = b sin (2wt-\- </>),
where <f>
is the phase angle by which the second motion is ahead of
the first, we have
xja sin wt, and .*. cos cut = \/lsin* wt ;
and y\b
= sin (2^-f <^)
== sin 2a>t cos
$+cos 2wt sin <f>.
Or, y\b s= 2 sin wt cos <*>t cos sin2 ^+(12 a*t) sin <f>.
[v sin 2a>t =
2 sin a>t.cos wt and cos 2wt = (12 sin* wt)].
.'. substituting the values of sin wt and cos wt from above, we have
JC* \i- / X^ \
I 1
t jcos<f>+( 2-~2-Jsw ^.
I i
.pj*
cos f-^.$in ^
~ fin ^
SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION 133
Or, -*/ t+^sin + -- 1--* cos +.
Or,
-
Or,
^ r> \ h
~~ s
$ ) + r~ s *
n*
^+2(-r sin <f>
Y j- sin ^
= COS^ <f>
: COS <f>.
. \' 4jc^ 4jc 4 4x^ / v \
-y sin <b -L - sin^ cos^ sin m
(yb
)
J fl*
" d>-\~~
o
<A-|-
fl
[
\
-7
b /
}sin
- .sin
Or, (
r sin <b
) -j- ^-(sin^ <b~\-cos^ <f>)~\~ /
,5/w ^
>
tp
\ t? / at) a
A y2
~ T*
a2
Or, - ,m ^+ + -5/
# _(,/ #+W5 # = 0.
4
.
Or,
(-^-,/ ^ ^ +-^ (f +
8
rt,
*_l)
0.
Or, --rih + - -
+rfi, *-l = 0. .
.(A)
This is the general equation for a curve having two loops, for any
values of phase difference and amplitude.
Let us now take some particular cases :
(/) If the phase difference, i.e., </>, be eqnal to o or ir.
Here, sin r
</>
= 0, and, therefore, ~ +-
i;2
b2 '
4.^2
a 2 \ a*
/
{
x%
1
\
)
/
= 0,
which is the equation to the figure ofS. [See case I (///), (h), above.
(//) If the phase angle </>
== ir/2, i.e., sin 1,
<f>
a-
134 FBOFJCBT1BS OF MATTER
This represents two coincident
parabolas, each having the equation
or = y_b
,
**._(_,)
If, however, the frequencies differ
Ot ,
x>
-(
slightly from the ratio 2:1,
the time-periods differ from 1
2), the variation in the resultant
(i.e., :
path of the particle may be obtained by substituting the consequent
changes in the value of $ in the general relation above. The changes
occurring changes from when <
to TT and then from IT to 2ir are
shown in Fig. 82, above.
Note. Alternatively, the student may, without
deducing the general
equation (///), [50, (2), page 129], obtain the resultant motions in
as follows
simple casei
:
Taking displacements of the two S.H.M's, at right angles to each other,
as x = a sin cot, and y = b sin(ojt + fi),
where $ is the phase
angle by which the second motion is ahead of the first we
have the following cases :
(/) When <f>
o. We have x = a sin co/ and y b sin /.
So that,x\a =
b\a, sin co/ = y/b, whence, yjx =
[See 5 J, II, (2), (a).
which the equation to a straight line,
is
passing through the origin ; and inclined
to the *-axis at an 1
angle, tan- b/a (straight line AB, in Fig. 83>; /.*., the resultant
motion, here, is along the straight line AB.
(//) When # = n. We have x = a sin wf and y * b sin w/.
*1<* = sin co/ = -y/b, whence, y/x =
S that . : [See ^ 50, II, (2), (fe). -/>/,
which is, again, the equation to a straight line, inclined to the x-axis at an
angle, ta/r-i-A/0, (/. e f straight line CD, in Fig. 83), at
right angles to that in
.
case (i). The re suit ant mot ion is thus
along a straight line, at right angles to that
in the first case.
(Hi) When <f>
= w/2. We have x a 5/11 co/ and ^ = 6 c<?5 w/.
So that, 5m co/ == x/a and cc?5 o/ yjb.
And "
2
^/o + y*/b* (sm
1
co/ -f ow* a>/)
= 1,
Or '
Wit*) f (^
s s
/fl )
= 1 ,
[See 50, II, (2), (c)
which is the equation to an ellipse, with its major and minor axes
coinciding
with the directions of the two given
perpendicular motions, and whose semi-axes
are equal to b and a (Fig. 84). The resultant motion is thus an
ellipse here,' describ-
ed once in the time-period of each
component motion.
(iv) When ^ w/l and b = a, i.e., the amplitudes are also equal.
x a <j J/H co/ and >> 6 co5 to/ o coi w/.
So that, sin co/ and cos w/
a
x
And, ?
* */n
f
<*t + cos* to/ - 1. Or, y*+x* o 2 [See 50, II, (2), (d).
-^r+~ fl
,
which is the equation to a circle, with a radius equal to the amplitude of either
of the two motions. The resultant motion, in this case,
therefore^ is $ drch, d$$-
in ffo
timtywfad of each component motion,
S1MPLB HAKMOHIO 135
in opposite direc-
51. Composition of two equal circular motions
tions. Let twopwticles P, and Pa move with equal velocities along
the same circle XYX'Y' of radus 2a, in
opposite directions, as shown, (Fig. 86),
such that when l passes
P
the point X,
Pa passes X'.
Let the positions of 3
and 9 be P P
as phowi at any given instant t after
, y
starting from X and X' respectively so ;
that, XOP^X'OP^t = <of, where o> is
the angular velocity of P! and Pt .
Now, we know that a circular motion
isequivalent to two equal linear simple har-
monic motions with a phas? difference ir/2
and along perpendicular directions to each
other, (sae pige 131).
The circular motions of both P, and P, may, therefore, be re-
solved along perpendicular directions XX' and YY'. Then, the dis-
placements x l and JC 2 of P, and P.,, will, at the given instant, be
,
equal in magnitude but opposite in direction along XOX' and will,
therefore, cancel each other out, but their displacements y l and y t
along YOY' will be equal and in the same direction, so that the
resultant displacement is given by y^y^y^ along YOY'.
Since yl = yt a sin $ =
a sin wt, we have
y = yl -f y9 = a sin <ot -f a sin wt =* 2a sin wt.
Or, the resultant motion is a linear simple harmonic motion along the
diameter YOY', at the extremities of which the particles Pl and Pt
cross each other as they describe their circular motions.
And clearly, the amplitude of the resultant motion is 2a, and its
time-period the name as that of the two constituent circular motions.
52. Energy of a Particle in Simple Harmonic Motion. The
acceleration of a particle, executing a S.H.M is. as we know, direc- ,
ted towards its equilibrium position, or in a direction opposite to that
in which y, the displacement of the particle, increases. Hence, work
is done during its displacement, or the particle has potential energy.
Also, the particle possesses velocity and, therefore, has kinetic energy.
Thus, it has both potential as well as kinetic energy, or its energy
is partly potential and partly kinetic. And, if there be no dissipative
force at work, i e., if the energy is not dissipated away in any way,
the sum total of the two remains constant, although as the displace-
ment increases and the velocity decreases, the potential energy in-
creases and t!ie kinetic energy decreases.
Now, when the particle has its maximum displacement, positive or
negative, its velocity is zero and, therefore, its kinetic energy is then
eero ; so that, in this position, the whole of its energy is present in the
form of potential energy. And, when the particle is in the equilibrium
position,
its displacement is zero and its velocity, maximum ; so that,
tfre who'e of its energy is MW present in the form of kinetic
If m
be the ma?s of the particle a, its amplitude and 27r/w, its ;
time-period (T), i.e if o> be the angular velocity of the rotating
,
vector, or that of the particle in the circle of reference, we have
velocity of the particle in its equilibrium posit ion =aa), a maximum.
And .% its kinetic energy =*\m. (aw)
z
=wa w 2 2
,
and its potential energy=Q, [ v its displacement ii zero.
Or, its total energy = J/w7 2
co
2
-f 0=|wa oA
2
In other words, the whole of its energy, here, is present in the
kinetic form. Similarly, when the particle has its maximum dis-
placement, the whole of its energy is in the potential form, which,
therefore, is also equal to tna 2 w* in this position of the particle,
-J. 9
For any other position of the particle, its displacement is given
by y=asinwt.
A.nd /. its velocity is given by dy\dt =aaj.cos a>t.
its kinetic energy =
2 2 2
Hence, \m.(aa) cos cot) =%m.a a)*.cos wt.
4.nd, since its total energy =
2
fyna-to ,
we have
its potential energy s ^ma^^^ma
Alternatively, we may proceed as follows :
We have, acceleration of the particle, executing a S. H. A/., given by
<py[dt*
=- coV-
*. if m be the mass of the particle, ths force F required to maintain this dis-
>lacement y is equal to m wV
Knd, therefore, work done by the force for a small displacement dy is equal to
Now,
this work is also a measure of the potential energy of the particle
it this
di8placement.
'. P. E. of the particle for a displacement dy ** F.dy = mu>*y.dy.
Hence, total work done for displacement y and, therefore, total P. E. of
^he particle for a displacement y is given by
f> fr
I
mco'./.dfy moj 8 I
y.dy.
1 1
3r, P. E. of the particle for a displacement y Jwco .^ ,
f
r., Potential Energy oc jv .
Thus the P. E. of a particle, executing a S.H.M. is, at any given instant,
lirectly proportional to the square of its displacement from its mean or equili-
>rmm position, at that instant.
v, velocity of the particle at displacement y
-,
- (a sin to/)
* oc.) cos w/.
at
Vnd, /. K. E. of the particle = \m(a<* cos tot)*bma*c**.cos*<t.
ience tolal energy of the particle=//j/?0te//0/ energy-f- its kinetic energy.
And, since to = 2?r/r = 2?r, where Tis the time-period of the
particle and w, the frequency of its vibration, we may also say that
total energy of the particle = \m (- } fl=
H1BMOHIO MOTIOW 137
Now, since in any conservative system the sum total of the
kinetic and potential energies of the system must be a const ant it is f
clear that the former can only increase at the expense of the latter,
and, therefore, attains its maximum value, when the latter is reduced
to its minimum value or zero, and vice versa. Thus, the maximum
value of any one of the two forms of energy measures the total
energy of the system, (see page 136).
53.Average Kinetic and Potential Energies of a Particle in
S.H.M. We
have seen above that, at any given instant, the P.E. of
a particle is equal to }mu*w* sitfojt and its K.E. equal to |m 2 o 2 cos z wt.
Now, the mean or average value of both sin'wt and cos^ojt for a whole
cycle, (from to 2ir), i.e., for a whole time-period is equal to i*, and,
therefore, the mean or average K.E. of the particle over the whole of
its period of vibration is equal to its mean or average P.E. over the
whole period, each being equal to J x i wa 2 co* 2 2
|wtf a> Thus, = .
average K.E of the particle = its average P.E. =*
And, .. total energy of the particle = 2 x Jwa2 o> 2 = Jma
2
co
2
.
We
may express this by saying that the energy of a particle,
executing a S.H M. 9 is. on the average, half kinetic and half potential
inform, the whole being present in the kinetic form at its mean or
equilibrium position, and in the potential form at its extreme posi-
tion, on either side.
The above for linear S.H.M. are equally valid
results obtained
for angular Only, the linear displacement x or y of the
S.H.M.
particle or the body, and its mass in, are replaced by their rotational
analogues, viz., the angular displacement 6 and its moment of inertia
/ about its axis of rotation, respectively.
SOLVED EXAMPLES
1. A quantity is enclosed in a cylinder, fitted with a smmooth heavy
of gas
piston. The axis of the cylinder is vertical. The piston is thrust downwards to
compress the gas, and then let go. Is the ensuing motion of the piston as S.H.M. ?
If so, what is its time-period ?
Let original volume of the gas be = V and its pressure = P.
Let a be the area of cross-section of the piston, (and cylinder). Then, if
*This is so, because the mean value of sin* / for a whole cycle from
"
sin*<*t.dt
to 2 i. given by
j
J ----- _
J
P *=***
*=
dot.
JO
r i 2*
<*tl1-sin 2o>//4
~- ^ "
T
the pa$c with wV *9f * w^pjc time-pcri0d f
138 PBOPBETIE3 OF MATTBB
the piston be displaced through a distance *, (Fig. 87), the change in volume
produced is given by x.a, the correspjnding change in pressure
being p. By Boyle's law, therefore,
PV - (P+p)x(V-x.a) - PV-Px.a+pV-p.x.a.
Or, = P.x.a+pVp.x.a.
Neglecting p x.a as the product of very small quanti-
ties, compared with the other terms in the expression, we
have
p ft
P.x.a \-pV. Or, pV P.x.a, whence, p -y-.x.
Now, the restoring force on the piston^ which is equal
to the disturbing force, is obviously equal to change in pres-
Fig. 87. sure into area of cross-section of the piston p.a.
P.a Pa*
p.a. -.x.a -
y
-p-.x.
=
Since, acceleration force/mass, the acceleration of the piston * p.ajm.
__ ^ flf8 . -^ ^- fl2 f substituting the value of
' Jr.
F /w -
Vm '
L P-a-> from above.
t
Or, accel<ra'ion of the piston * A*-.x,
where P a*\Vm -* t*> a constant of proportionality, which is equal to the acceleration
of the pistonper uwt displacement, (i.e., when x = 1).
Or, acceleration of the piston is proportional to x, its displacement.
Hence, the motion of the piston is a 5. H. M.
1
And .'. its T 2n
time-period, \f acceleration per unit displacement
r.
2. A
body describing a simple harmonic motion executes 100 complete
vibrations per minute, and its speed at its mean position is 15 ft. per second. What
is the length of its path ? What is its velocity when is its half way between its mean
position and an extremity of its path ?
Here, time-period T of the body 1/100 mt. -= 60/100
= '6 sees.
and velocity of body at is mean position = IS ft. I sec.
Since velocity of a body executing a S.H.M. = aca, at
"*
it* mean position,
where a is its amplitude and to, its angular velocity, we have
flo> = 15 Or, a.lr.lT 15, [ v <o 2rr/r.
Wh encc, .--_.-_. or, . - 1-432 A
Now, of path of the body = /we? 1/5 amplitude, because
/e/t#//j it goes the
same distance on either side of its mean position.
Hince, length of path = 2* 1'432 = 2'864/r.
Again, velocity of a body at a displacement y is given by
2
v = 6>\/a* >>
.
Here, displacement of the bodv its
Or, >>
- a/2 - 1-432 - -716//. amplitude/2.
So that, v - ~ V(f :
432)
2
^716)^ = \/(T432 1 716)(i'432-'71Q.
- -V/2T481T71T-. 12-99 /r./^c.
Thus, the length of path of the body is 2 864 /Jr., and its velocity when it is
half way between its mean position and an extremity of its path, is 12-99 ft. I sec.
3. If the earth were a homogeneous sphere, and a straight hole were
bored in it through its centre, show that a body dropped into the hole will execute
a S.H.M. , and calculate the time-period of its vibration. [Radius of the eartl*
4009 miles, aqd value of f op its surface - 32 ft. per sec. per $ec.J
SIMPLE HABMONIC MOTION 139
We know that the force with which a body is attracted by the earth to-
wards its centre is equal to the weight of the body, (m^), and also equal to
G.m.MIR*, where m is the mass of the body M, the mass of the earth ; JR, the ;
of the
radius of the earth g, the acceleration due to gravity on the surface
;
earth and (7, the gravitational constant.
nig G.m. MIR 9 Or, g - G.MJR*.
.
Since the earth is supposed to be a sphere, its volume 4* 8/3, and, there-
fore, if A be its density, we have
its mass, M * 4* R*.&/3. So that, * -~ .
^
;~. G ** 4.7t/?A.C7/3. .
.(0
If the value of acceleration due to gravity at a distance r below the surface
of the earth, (Fig. 88), be g' t we have, as above,
Dividing (//)by (i), we have
8'lg- l.*.(R-r)&.Gl.*.R.&.G.
Or, g'Ig=(R~r)lR.
Or, = g(R-r)IR - (R-r).glR.
#
'
Thus, the acceleration of a body at a distance
(# r) from the centre of the earth is equal to
(R-r).glR and since g/R is constant, /A/5 acceleration
;
is proportional to (/ r), //ie displacement of the body
from the centre O of the earth. The body, therefore,
executes a S.H.M., and its time-period is given by_
_ "
IT//?
Now, R 4000 m//e5 - 4000 x 1 760 x 3 //.
1
and =* 32
^ ft. I sec .
substituting the values of /? and ^ in relation (111) above, we have
2 A/ . 2ff
A / 12^176x107
V 32 V 32
5105 sec*. 85-07 m/roife*
Thus, the time-period of vibration of the body would be 85'07 minutes.
4. If a body executes a simple harmonic vibration in time TI, under one
constraining force, and in time T 2 , under another, what will be its time-period under
both forces together ?
Let rrass of the body be m,
and let its acceleration under the first force FY be a l$
,* second F, at
and M ., f, both the foices Fi+Ft bt a.
Then, clearly, F,/m ; fl t Ff /wi ; a j
'.' arc.
L
Also, the ac:eleration of a body executing a S.H.M. is proportional to
its displacement x from the equilibrium position, i.e., acceleration a oc jc.
where /* t , ^, and /* are the constants of proportionality in the three caset
respectively.
Again^ because the time-period of a body executing a S.H.M. is given by
T 2n Vf/^ where A* is a constant of proportionality, we have
So that,
and
where Til the time-period of the body under both the forces acting together
140 PROPERTIES OF MATTEL
Since acceleration a, under both the forces acting together, will ob-
we.
viously be equal to the sum of the accelerations under the individual forces,
have a = fli+fl|,
= x
(*- )'. * + (
-
And, therefore, ,
( *.)'. )'.
Or, dividing by (2z)*.x throughout, we get
J___ JVIV r 2 -^l
Or - 1 i
_
- O'r
ur r '
~ '
,
.
or, t -f-MT
u
or r= \I ^ ^ 8
- r,l r.' A/
'
'
V TV+r,'" V v+r,'
'
Thus, the time-period of the body under both the forces together will be
5. A of weight 6 gins and of external diameter 2 cms. is floated
test tube
vertically water by placing 10 gins of mercury at the bottom of the tube. The
in
tube is depressed by a small amount and then released Find the time of oscillation.
(Oxford and Cambridge Higher School Certificate).
Here, mass of the tube and mercury = '
f6 = 16 gms.
and external radius of the tube =- cm.
=2/2 1
area of cross-section of the tube =7rr 2 =
2
rr.l n sq. cms.
Let the tube be depressed through a distance x cms.
Then, volume of the water displaced = KXX = TCX c.cs. f Taking density of
and weight ,, ,, ,, ,,
= :rx.l. = x.x gms.wt. {_ water = gm.jc.c. 1
Therefore, upward thrust experienced by the tube is equal to the weight
of the water displaced, i
e., TT.X g dynes.
Hence acceleration of the tube = ^f
16
== ^ 16
x. \'.'acc. =*
L
'--.
mass
Since ^r^/16 is a constant, say, /*, we have
acceleration of the tube Px ;i.e., acceleration of the tube is proportional to its
displacement ; and, therefore, it executes a S.H-M.
Hence, its time-period is given by / = 2?c \i
. 2,
\/~T = 2rt
A/I? = 2
A/ -'
V ng\6 V * V ^
Or, //re //me of oscillation of the tube = '4527 sec.
A
particle executing a S H.M. has a maximum displacement of 4 cms.
6.
and its acceleration at a distance of 1 cm from its mean position is 3 cm /sec 2 .
What will its velocity be when it is at a distance of 2 cms from its mean position ?
Here, amplitude of the particle 4 cms.
and itsacceleration, when its displacement is 1 cm., is equal to 3 cms. /sec*.
acceleration - 3 = 1 to ,
2 8
Now, x./ . Or,
where x is the displacement and co, the angular velocity of the particle.
Or, <o* * 3, whence, co V3 = radians/sec.
.Now, the velocity of a particle executing a S.H.M. is given by
v =
where a isthe amplitude and x, the displacement of the particle.
.*. when the displacement of the particle, i.e., x ** 2 cms., we have
v -
1(3
-v/4^2
2 * ^3
. ^ 3 A/12. Vlo^ =
*. the velocity of tbe particle at a distance of 2 pm^. frorn it| mean positipr
Will
MOflOU
A
vertical U-tube of uniform cross-section contains
water up to a height
7.
that if the water on one side is depressed and then released,
its
of 3D cm?. Show
motion up and down the two sides of the tube is simple harmonic, and
calculate its
tinuk nprinH \Uelnl. J"4/)
Let 'AA', (Fig. 89), represent the level of the water in the
two limbs of
to 0,
the U-tube, to start with, and let the column on the left be depressed up
through a distance x cms. Then, the column on the right
will naturally go up, say to the level C, such that the diffe-
rence of levels in the two limbs is now, B'C, where B' is at
the same level as B.
The weight of this column of length 2* will now act
on the mass of the water in the tube, as a result of which it six;
will oscillate up and d :>wn.
Now, obviously, the weight of this column of water
its massxg = its volume x its density xg. B
= ax2xxl xg dynes.
Or, fora acting on the mass of water in the tube
= 2.x.a.g. dynes.
And, mass of water in the tube (in both its limbs) Fig. 89.
=2x30xaxl = 60a gms.
.*. acceleration produced in the mass of water in the tube
** 2jca.g
60a~
~
30 '30
*-** Where g P ""*' a constant-
Or, acceleration is proportional to x, the displacement of the water column.
Hence, the motion of the water column ft simple harmonic, and its time-
period isgiven by
Or - 09S,
'V?
The water in the U-tube
T '
will thus oscillate with a
' *
time-period equal to
8. Show that the time-period for the swing of a magnet in the earth's
field Is given by t =
\/i /MH, where M
is the magnetic moment of the
magnet, I,
its moment of inertia about the axis of suspension and H, the earth's field.
Lei a magnet NS, of pole strength m, be suspended so as to make an
angle with the earth's field H, v Fig. 90 >.
Then, clearly, the forces acting on its two poles are
mH and mH, as shown. These two forces being equal,
opposite and parallel, constitute a couple, whose moment is
equal to the product of one of the forces and the perpendi-
cular distance between them.
So that, couple C, acting on the magnet mHxST.
- mHx NS sin , [v ST - NS sin a.
Or, C*=MHsin*,
m x NS M ,
the magnetic moment of the magnet.
If a be small, we have sin a =
(in radian measure).
So that, C =MH.*.
Since the magnet is in equilibrium, this must be
balanced by the restoring couple set up in the suspension
i.e , by I.d<*ldt, where dv>ldt is the angular acceleration of
the magnet and /, i is moment of inertia about the axis of
suspension So that, Ldu/dt *= A///.a,
Or, dtafdt <M#//M =
where /* MH\1, a constant,/*.,
Or, ccj*s\ - d<*\dt .'-.-
*H should be noted that the time-period is the same as tliat of a simple
pendulum of the same length * s the height of the water column* i.e., of length
equal to 30 cms.
142 PBOFJBBTIXS Of MATTE*
the acceleration of the magnet Is proportional to its displacement. The motioh
i.e.,
of the magnet is, therefore, simple harmonic and its time-period is given by
A particle is moving in a straight line with simple harmonic motion.
9.
Its velocity has the values 5 ft./sec. and 4 ft/sec. $ when its distances from the
centre-point of its motion are 2 ft. and 3 ft. respectively. Find the length of its
it is at a
path, the frequency of its oscillation, and the phase of its motion, when
distance of 2 ft. from the centre. (London Higher School Certificate)
Length of path. We know that v o
So that, in theory/ case, when v=5//./s<?c , and x~2//., we have 5=yV-- 2*.
Or, - o'.(a -4).
25
2
...(/)
And, in the second case , when v = 4 //. 'sec. and jc=*=3//., we
] , have 4<o y/ aZ3. fl
Or, 16- V-9). 8
..(//)
/. dividing (/) by (//), we have **- - *.
a
Or, 25(a -9)~16(a -4).
2
Or, 25a 3 -225 - 16a'-64. Or, 25a a ~16a* ~ 225-64.
Or. 9a'=161, Or,
'
-
^
And/. -
<yi|i-4-23/ir.
Or, the amplitude of the particle is 4'23 ft.
Sioce the length of the path traversed by the particle is twee the ampli-
tude, (as it travels equal distances on either side), we have
length of path of the particle 2.a = 2x4'23 =
8'46//.
Frequency. The frequency of the particle, n I//, where t is its time-
period ; and since / = 2*/w, we havo
- ( 'v/)
"-te/i-^r'
The value of w may be obtained by substituting the value of a io either
(/) or (//).Thus, we have from (/),
t ^35 5 5
1 2)(4 23-2 \/6 23 x 2'23
And, therefore, substituting the value of w in (///) above* we haro
n *ir-??~** -sy
....... "* 0*2135.
2" \/6 23x2'23
Thus, the/rtfgtteflcj' of the particle is -2135.
Muue angl.. We h.vc the relation, , a |.
Here, x 2/r. and fl 4'23/f. /w^ and r, thi
2 - 4-23 sin $. Or gin 6 - - '4729.
-4729 * 28' 13'.
Hence, the phase of the motion of the particle, when its distance is 2ft.
from the centre, is 28 13'.
10. A light elastic string is suspended vertically from a
point and carries A
heavy mass at lower free end, which stretches it through distance / cms. Show
its
that the vertical oscillations of the system are simple harmonic in nature, and of a
time-pwiod equal to that of a simple pendulum of length / cms.
SMPtB HARMONIC MOTION 143
Let original length of the string ,45, (Fig. 91), be - L cms , and lot the
mass attached to its lower end be mg dynes.
Then, the downward force acting on it =* mg dynes.
And, if T be the tension of the siring (upwards), we have
T mg, because the string is in equilibrium.
Now, Young's modulus for the string, i.e., Y -. -
Or, stress Yx strain.
Obviously, stress = T[a t
and strain =*//,
where a is the area of cross-section of the string.
So that,
~^
2
Y.4
J j
. Or, T- K. H-
i*
'
Since m^ =
T, we have m^ = ./,
JL
Ar m^ 7a i.*
*" (/)
Or.
"/"-
If the string be pulled down a little through a distance x, the tension
in the string acting upwards will, clearly, ba
'
= .
(/ix) ~.(l+x). [See (/) above.
And, since the downward force acting on the string ~ mg t tht resultant upward
force acting on the string will now be
_
retultant
, , f =* mg(l+x)mgl
- - * = mg.x
-- ---
Or, upward force .
Now, acceleration - = ~~ = ^.x, where ^// =- /*, a constant.
Or, acceleration oc displacement.
the oscillations are simple harmonic in nature
.*, ; and since the time -period of a
body executing a //. M. is given by /
.
= 2^^^^ we have
MJ/ ^/ a simple pendulum of length 1 cms.
11. A
particle moving a straight line with simple harmonic motion, of
in
period IT/CO, about a fUed point O, has a velocity ^3 6o>, when at a distance b from
0. Show that its amplitude is 26 and that it will cover the rest of its distance in
time ?t/3c>>.
We know that the velocity of a particle executing a S.H.M., at a dis-
placement y> is given by <*\/a*^y* 9 where a is Us amplitude.
Here, displacement of the particle is b, and its velocity at this displace*
ment is \3.o>.
i|3.ta> - CD /a *31 Or,
Or, 36' -o -^, 1
whence,a 1 * 46*.
* * 26, i.e., the amplitude of the panicle is 26.
Or,
Now, we havt y =* a sin o>r.
Hore, y =6, and a = 26. And, therefore, 6 ** 26 sin *f.
Or/ */n l - 6/26 i, Or, wf i//!" 1 J * n/6.
Or,, ^ ^/6ca.
":\x *
Hence tho time taken by the O
particle in covering the distance 6 from
.
it
liual t
144 PROPEETIBS OF MATTBK
Now, since it takes time >/co to complete one vibration, it will take i of
2*/co or, time 7t/2o> to complete Jr/i of its vibration, i.e., its amplitude, 2b. And,
time already taken by it is :t/6<o.
.*. the time it will take to cover the rest of its distance is clearly equal to
7t 7t STC TC 2n n
2o> 6o> 6o> 6o> 3o>
EXERCISE IV
1. Deduce the equation for the simple harmonic motion of a particle.
Two simpl e harmonic
motions, having the same period but differing in
phase and amplitude, are acting in the same direction on a particle Show that
the resultant motion is simple harmonic, and deduce the expression for the
resulting amplitude and phase. (Calcutta 1940)
2 Find the resultant of two mutually perpendicular S. H. motions
which agree in period but differ in phase. Consider the important cases for
phase difference varying from to 2n (Punjab, 1953)
3. A particle executes a S. H
Af- of period 10 seconds and amplitude 5
rt. Calculate its maximum acceleration and
velocity.
Ans. 1-974 ft Isec*. ; 3'l42ft.jsec.
4. The path of a b^dy executing a S. H. M. along a straight line is 4
cms. long and irs velocity, when passing through the centre of its path, is 16
:
cms. /sec- Calculate its time-period. Ans. '7854 sec.
5. The maximum velocity of a particle undergoing a 5. H M. is 8 //./sec.
and acceleration at 4ft. from the mean position is Ibft.fsec*.
its What is (/) its
amplitude and (ii) its period of vibration. Ans. (i) 4ft. ; (//) 3'142 sees.
6. Explain the characteristics of a simple harmonic motion and show
how to find the velocity at any phase of the motion.
A
particle executes simple harmonic motion of period 16 sees. Two
seconds after it passes the centre of oscillation, its velocity is found to be 4ft.
per second. Find the amplitude. (Madras, 1949)
Ans. 14-41 //.
7.
t
Define simple harmonic motion and show that if the displacement of
t moving point at any time is given by an equation of the form
x a cos o>f + sin /, =
the motion is simple harmonic. If a 3, b 4, nnd =
2, determine the=
period, amplitude, maximum velocity and maximum acceleration of the motion.
(Madras, 1949)
Ans. (/)3-142, (i7)5, (//) 10, (iv)20.
Find the velocity aad acceleration of a point executing simple har-
8.
M
monic motion. ^
A point describes simple harmonic motion in a line 4 cms. long. "Ita
velocity, when passing through the centre of the ljre, is 12 cm. per second.
Find the period. (Calcutta, I94<r)
Ans. 1*047 sees.
9. Define a S.H. motion, explaining the meanings of the terms, period,
amplitude and phase.
A particle is subjected simultaneously to two S.H. vibrations of the
lame period but of different amplitudes and phases, perpendicular directions. m
Find an expression for ttie resultant motion and show that the path traced by
the particle is an ellipse.
For what conditions may the path be a circle and a straight line ?
(Calcutta,
10. A mass of 15 Ibs.
suspended from a fixed point by a light spring.
is
In the equilibrium position; the spring is extended by 15 inches. The mass isttien
pulled down by 4 inches and released from rest. Show that it executes a S.H.M.
ana calculate its time-period Also calculate the energy of its mass.
c. 4Q ft.-pound*l*. ',
SIMPLtt iUtttfOtflO MOflOH
11. Show that a compound pendulum would swing most rapidly when
the distance of its e.g., from the axis of oscillation equals its radius of gyration.
12. A thin and square metal plate, of aside 2/, is suspended from one
corner so as to swing in a vertical plane. Calculate the length of the equivalent
simple pendulum. Ans. 4 A/2// 3.
13. Calculate the time-period of a circular disc of radius r, oscillating
about an axis through a point, distant r/2 from its centre and perpendicular to
"
its plane. Ans. 2n\/3rl2f.
14. Find the velocity, acceleration and the periodic time of a point exe-
cuting Simple Harmonic Motion.
A particle is moving with simple harmonic motion in a straight line.
When the distance of the particle from the equilibrium position has the values
x l and * g , the corresponding values of the velocity are u and a Show that the .
period is
Find also (i) the maximum velocity and (11) the amplitude.
(Madras, 1949)
15. A moves with uniform speed in a circle. Show that the
particle
motion may be resolved into two simple harmonic motions at right angles to
each other. How do they differ in phase and amplitude ? Show how the
potential and kinetic energies ot a particle executing siniple harmonic motion
vary. (Calcutta)
16. Show that the total energy of a particle executing simple harmonic
motion is proportional to (a) the square of us amplitude, (b) the square of its
frequency.
Show how, on an average, its energy is half kinetic and half potential in
form.
17. In ths HCl molecule the force required to alter the distance between
the atoms from its equilibrium value is 5 '4 x O 5 dynes per cm. What is the
I
fundamental frequency of the vibration of the molecule, assuming the vibration
to be simple harmonic, and the mass of the Cl atom to be infinite compared to
that of the H
atom which is 1-66 x 10~ 24 gm. ?
(Cambridge Scholarship Certificate)
Ans. 9'1 x 10".
18. Find graphically the resultant of two simple harmonic motions at
right angles to one another (a) when the amplitudes and periods are equal and
one vibration differs in phase by */2 from the other, (b) when the amplitudes are
equal, the period of one is twice that of the other and the slower vibration is
w/2 ahead of the other.
19. The total energy of a particle executing a S.H.M. of period 2rc sec. is
10,240 ergs rc/4 sec, after the particle passes the midpoint of the swing its dis-
placement is 8^ 2 cm. Calculate the amplitude of the motion and the mass of
the particle. (Oxford and Cambridge Higher School Certificate)
Ans. 1 6 cms. ; 80 gms.
20. Show that the motion of the piston of a steam engine is approxi-
mately simple harmonic if the connecting rod is long compared with the crank.
CHAPTER V
MEASUREMENT OF MASS THE BALANCE
54. Mass and Weight. The mass of a body is the quantity o*
matter contained in it and is an inherent, invariable and fundamental
property of it, quite independent of the presence or absence of any
other neighbouring bodies or of the place where the body happens to
be situated. Thus the mass of a given body will be the same at the
equator, at the poles of the earth, or, for that matter, anywhere else
in the whole of the universe.
The weight of a body, on the other hand, is the force with
which it is attracted by the earth towards its centre, and is equal to
the product of its mass and the acceleration due to gravity.
Thus, if m be the mass of a body, and g, the acceleration due to
gravity, its weight is given by w = m.g.
Since the value of g changes from place to place, being inversely propor-
tional to the square ol the distance from the centre of the earth*, the weight
of the same body differs from one place to another, being about half a per cent
greater at the poles than at the equator, twenty-eight times its weight on earth,
on the sun and about one-sixth its weight on earth, on the moon.
It will thus be seen that the weight of a body in a variable property of it,
depending not only upon its own mass but also on its distance from the centre
of the earth, i.e., on its position, relative to the earth.
Then, again, since the mass of a body endows it with the property of
nertia or of reluctance to chin^e of both rest and motion, we may also define it as
the digree of resistance of matter to changes of motion.. As against this, the weight
of a bady, being a force, directed towards the centre of the earth, tends to accele-
rate it ! own mjtion in that direction.
1
Thus, whereas the one resists, the other
tends to produce, motion.
Nevertheless, at a place, since g is constantf, at any rate, within a small
space, the weights of two bodies are directly proportional to their masses. For, if
m
w and w' be their weights and and m', their masses, we have
w =
mg and w' m'g.
So that w\w' --=
mg/tn'g^ m/m'.
If follows, therefore, that the common physical balance may be
used to compare masses. For, although, strictly speaking, it really
compares weights indicating a measure of their equality or want of
equality, but since the value of g, for the body as well as the
standard weights, placed in its two pans respectively, is the same,
the forces exerted at the two ends of tho beam, in its equilibrium
~
*SecChapt er VI .
fThis was first shown by Galileo in 159), by his famous experiment of
dropping simultaneously two unequal masses from the top of tne Leaning Fower
of Pisa, wnen they reached the ground together. The same fact was confirmed
by Newton and Uter by Bes.se I, by using pendulums with hollow bobs, filled with
materials of different densities and, observing no variations in the value of g
beyond those within experimental error. And finally, it has been shown con-
clusively by Eotvos by his experiments with an ingenious modification of the
Torsion Balance.
JHURA5UHBM&NT OJf MASS TUB BALJLHUJi **'
position, are evidently equal, thus indirectly establishing the equality
of the two masses, irrespective of the value of g.
If it be desired, however, to determine the weight of a body,
we make use of a spring balance, the stretch of the spiral spring of
which, if riot unduly large, is proportional to the force applied to it
by the weight of the body suspended from it, and this, as can be
readily seen, will be different for the same body at different places,
depending on the value of #.
55 The Common Balance. It is, in essentials, an equi arm
lever of the first order and of
depends, for its action, on the principle
moments.
The essential feature of its construction is a symmetrical rigid beam
usually in the form of a triangular lattice girder, as shown in Fig 93, (to ensure
lightness vviih strength), pivoteJ centrally, so a* to be free to rotate in the ver-
tical plane about the-horizonUl axis
provided by a knife-edge of steel or agate,
resting on an agate plane carried by a stout vertical pillar. A
long and light
pointer, hxed at tight angles to it moves over a small ivory scale below, whose
central division marks/its normal position, when the beam is in equilibrium or
at rest. A screw, worked upwards and downwards, at the top of the pointer,
enables the e.g. of the beam (together with the pointer; to be rahed or lowered,
as desired*.
Two other knife edg:s, similar to, and equidistant from, the central one,
are carried by tlie beam itself on either side, with two identical scale pans, of
equal mass, suspended Irorn the agate planes resting on them.
The whole instrument is enclosed in a glass case, with side-windows and
a sliding front, to safeguard against disturb ince due to air draughts or tempera-
ture variations, all weighings being earned out with the glass case propeily
closed on all sides.
The bodyf to be weighed is placed in the left-hand pan and standard
weights from the weight box, in the right hand pan*, starting with the seemingly
heavier ones, until the pointer swings evently on either side of the central mark
on the wofy scale If the ////$ (/ <*., the two halves of the beam, on either side of
the central knife edge) be of the same length and the scale pans be of the same
weight , the beam will come to ic^t in the horizontal position, but if the weights
of the scale pans clilfer even slightly, it will be tilted towards the side of the
heavier weight, with the pointer moving correspondingly over the scale below.
The use of the Rider. Since the weight boxes are not- provided with
weights smallei than milligram, the final adjustment for the equilibrium of
1
the beam is made with the help of what is called a *rider\ which
is just a piece of wire, weighing 1 centigram, and bent into the
form shown, (Fig. 92), and can be moved over the right half of
the beam by a levei -device, manipulated from outside the case,
this arm of the balance being graduated into 100 equal divisio-s
from the central to the end knife-edge. With the rider at the
100th division, the effect is equivalent to placing a centigram
weight in the right-hand pan so that, when it is, say, at the nth
;
division, ihc etfect is equivalent to adding a weight of w/100
_^*
centigram or lOrt/100 or w/10 milligram to the pan.
56. Essentials or Requisites of a Good Balance. There are three
essentials of a good physical balance, viz., (/) Truth, (//) Sensitiveness
(or Sensitivity), and (///) Stability or Quickness.
*If the beam were to be pivoted exactly at its e.g., it would be in neutral
equilibrium, and will remain at rest at any angle with the horizontal. Its e.g.
is, therefore, arranged to be below ihe central knife-edge, because as it tilts
one way or the other, the c g. rises upward, and the beam is thus, in stable
equilibrium.
tToo heavy bodies, likely to break or bend the beam, should be avoided.
Jit
is purely a matter of convenience, with no principle involved io it.
148 BOFEBTI1S OF MATTltt
1. Truth. A balance is said to be true, when, with its scale pans
unloaded, or equally loaded, the beam remains horizontal.
S Let a and b be
the lengths of the two
arms of the balance,
(Fig. 93), and S and
8', the weights of its
two scale pans.
Then, with the
scale pans unloaded,
the beam will remain
horizontal, when the
Fig. 93.
moments on either
side of the central knife-edge C balance each obher, i.e., when
Sxa=S'xb. ..(/)
Now, pans be loaded with equal masses m and m.
let the scale
t
Then, for equilibrium, we have (S+m).a=(S +m).b. .(') .
Subtracting relation (/) from (//), we have m.a~m.b.
whence, a=b. --("'0
Substituting this in relation (/) we have
S=S'. (iv)
Thus, a true balance must have (/) arms of equal lengths and (//) pans
of equal weights.
2. Sensitiveness. A balance is said to be sensitive when, for a
small difference ofhads in the two scale pans, the beam (and, therefore,
the pointer) swings through an appreciable angle, it beinj assumed that
the balance is true.
Thus, the ratio between the deflection of the beam or the
pointer and the difference of load, (usually 1 m.gm.) causing it,
measures the sensitiveness or the sensitivity of the balance. So that,
the greater the displacement of the pointer for a given difference of
load, or, conversely, the smaller the difference of load required to
produce a given displacement of the pointer, the greater the sensi-
tiveness of the balance. Usually, a balance is regarded to be quite
sensitive, when a difference of 1 m.gm. in load causes the pointer to
be displaced through 1 division on the scale.
(/) Case of a Balance with the three knife-edges in one plane.
Let Fig. 94 represent a vertical section of the balance through the
centre of the beam,
passing through the three
knife-edges at A, B and
C, all in one plane.
Let a be the length
of each arm, d, the depth
of the e.g. (0) of the
beam from the central
knife-edge C and Jf, its
mass. Further, let S and
(8-i-m) be the masses
of the two scale pans
MEASUREMENT OF MASS THE BALANCE 149
together with their loads, the difference of load between them m
being small.
Then, if 6 be the deflection of the beam from its initial horizon-
tal position, so that it takes up the position A'B' with its e.g. shifted t
to (?', we have, taking moments about C,
(8 + m)g.a cos = Sg.a cos + Mg.d sin 0.
Or, (S + m).a cos 6 = S.a cos + M.daia 0.
Or, m.a cos = M.d sin 0.
~ sin m.a ^ m.a ,..
Or, =TT> Or tawfl^iTj-
cos Md >
Md (')
v '
And, if be small, tan = ;
so that, in that case,
where Q\m measures the
=
m
m.a ,...
<"> <*
sensitiveness of the balance,
~
-sf
- a
ira
'
....
<">
It is thus clear that to increase the sensitiveness of the balance.
(/) a must be large, i e., the arms (or the beam) must be long,
(ii) M must be small, i.e., the beam must be light, and
(///) d must be small, i.e., the e.g. of the beam must be close to the
central knife-edge.
Now, a cannot be increased beyond reasonable limits. For, as
Blrge correctly pointed out, the bending of a beam being propor-
tional directly to the cube of its length and inversely to the cube of
its thickness or depth, its thickness will also have to be increased in
the same proportion with its length if its original stiffness is to be
maintained, and this will inevitably increase its mass in a much
greater proportion, thereby seriously impairing sensitiveness.
Nor can the beam be made light beyond a limit, or else it will
break or bend permanently so that, the only workable alternative is
;
to decrease d. This may be done with the help of the vertical move-
ment of the screw, provided at the top of the pointer, (Fig. 93),
though, carried to an excess, this too has its own drawbacks, v/z.,
(/) loss of stability, and (//) a longer period of swing of the beam. We
have, therefore, to content ourselves with a judicious compromise
between all these factors.
Further, if / be the length of the pointer, its displacement s on
the scale will obviously be 10. And, therefore, if be small, so that
tan 00, we have from relation (//) above,
m.a
5 = ,
l
'M~d'
To determine the displacement of the pointer, it is by no means
necessary to wait until it actually comes to rest it can be easily ;
estimated from its swings to the right and the left.
Thus, suppose we have a scale with its zero at one end and the
successive turning points of the pointer occur on it at the Wth, the
2nd and the Sth divisions, (Fig. 95). Then, clearly, if S be its resting-
point, i.e., the division where it will eventually come to rest, it is
clear that the successive displacements of the pointer from this
division are sl =
(10 S), s^ (S~~2) and $t (8 .S).
= =
150 PROPERTIES OF MATTBB
Now, although, theoretically, as we shall soon see, (page 152),
the oscillations of the pointer muss be simple harmonic, it really
seldom happ3ns that the oscillations of any vibrating system remain
truly so. The oscillations always die down and their amplitude goes
on progressively decreasing due to air-resistance and other causes,
but the ratio between the successive swings to the left and the right,
very aptly called 'decrement', is found to remain constant.
Thus, with 5l9 s z and S3 as the successive swings of the pointer,
we have
P ri
-1 ^= 2
and so on. So that,
~,
-S
^ 5~-2 10-
~s-
Or, (^-2)
(8- = (10-5)(8-5) 2
O 5 45+4 = 5 -185'+80.
r>
2 2
Or, 145 = 78,
whence, S = 76/14.
= 5-43.
J 3
Thus, the pointer
come to rest
will
at
ultimately
"AV,
the 5*43r</ division on the
scale.
Fig, 95.
(//) Case of a Balance
with the end knife-edges in a different plane
from the central one The balance, diseased above, with all the three
knife-edges lying in the same plane, is re illy only an
ideal one,
this condition being hardly ever attainable in ordinary balances.
For, the beam does yield, however so little, to the forces acting
at its two ends, so that the end knife-edg^s do get depressed a
little below the central one, and no longer remain in the same plane
with it.
Let us see how the sensitiveness is affected when the three
knife-edges are not co- planar.
Let h be the
height of the end knife-
edges A and B, above
the central one, C,
(Fig. 96), and let the
beam be deflected
through an angle 0, fas <i/"
before, for an extra *_ j-^
.
^i
mass m in the right- ^ /
hand pan. Then, for
equilibrium, we have
here,
(S4 m).g.(a cos 0+h sin 6)
= S.g.(a cos 0h sfn Q)
+Mg.d sin 0. Fig. 96.
Or, (S+m)(a cos 0+h sin 0) S(a cos 0h sin 0)+M.d sin 9,
MBASTTBEMlMfT OF MASS THE BALAffOJ 151
Or, S.a cos g+S.h sin 0+m a cos 0+m.h sin = S.a cos 0S,h sin
+M.d sin 9.
Or, 2 S h sin 9+m.a cos ft
+m.h sin = M.d sin g.
Now, if be small, so that sin 9=0, and cos d = 1, we have
2S.h.0+ma+mh0 =* M.d.O.
Neglecting mh0 as the product of very small quantities, we have
2Sh.e+ma = Md.Q. Or, ma M.d.6-2S h.$ = = 0(Md-2Sh) t
n.
whence, sensitiveness, = -^ .
~ ... (iv)
Now, three possible cases arise :
(/)
When h =
o, i.e., when the three knife-edges are co-planar.
Here, ti\m = a/Md, [See relation (Hi) above], and the sensitiveness "is
quite independent of the total load (2S).
(it) When h
is positive, i.e., when the end knife-edges are higher
than the central knife-edge. In this case, obviously, the sensitiveness
increases with the total load. But, as will be readily seen from Fig, 96,
the effective length of the arm, in the tilted position of the beam,
becomes greater on the side of the heavier, and smaller on the side of
the lighter, pan than its true length so that, for a given value of the
;
excess load m, and for a given deflection tf, the difference of moments
due to the on either side of C is greater for a heavier than for a
pans
lighter load, witL the result that
the greater the load in the 'pans, the
longer the beam takes to attain equilibrium.
(Hi) When h negative, i e., when the end knife-edges are lower
is
than the central one. In this case, clearly, the sensitiveness decreases
with increase in the total load.
N.B. We have seen above how, in the ideal balance, with its three knife-
edges in the same straight line, the end knife-edges get depressed with the beam
a little below the central one when the pans are loaded. This results in a
decrease in the sensitiveness with increasing load. If, therefore, the end knife-
edges could be arranged at the Correct height above
the central knife-edge, the
decrease in sensitiveness due to flexure could be just offset by its increase due to
the latter, and the balance thus nvde equally sensitive for all loa'ds. The method
has actually been used with the success in building balances whose sensitiveness
is quite independent of the total load placed in their pans.
3. Stability or Quickness A balance is #aid to be stable (or
or equally loaded, the beam be dis-
quick), if, with the pans unloaded
time is small and it comes back to rest quickly,
turbed, its of swing
thus making for convenience in weighing.
Now, as we have seen above, with the three knife-edges in the
same horizontal plane, the condition for equilibrium is that
(S+m)g.a cos $ = S.g a cos 6+Mg d sin 0. [See page 149.
Therefore, if the two pans be equally loaded, i.e., if m = 0, or there
be no extra load in the right hand pan, the only restoring moment
about C, tending to br<ng the beam baek to its original position, is
Mg.d sin 0, or Mgd 0, if be small. This, obviously, tends to accele-
rate the motion or swing of the beam so that, if a be the angular ;
acceleration it in the beam and /, the moment of inertia of
produces
the moving system about the central knife-edge C, we
Mg.d0
Qt BBS ~,
152 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
Attd, clearly, / =* moment of inertia of the beam about C
+
moment of inertia of the two scale pans about C.
Or, /= Mk*+2S.a*,
where k is the radius of gyration of the beam about C.
Thus, - -0. Or, = M. Totting
, . . . a constant for a given
where ^ is a constant. L balance.
Or, a oc 6,
i.e., the angular acceleration beam is proportional to its angular
of the
displacement. The swing of the beam is thus a simple harmonic
motion, and its time period t is, therefore, given by the relation,
0, / -_ > A I , ' M S- d -
=
r' ' **
V
In order, therefore, that / be small, i.e., the balance be stable, k, S
+ M8 .d
and a should be small and M
and d should be large. We thus see that
a balance would be stable when
its arms are short ;
(/)
(i7)
Us beam is heavy, with its e.g. far below the central knife-
edge ',
(iii)
the radius of gyration of the beam about the central knife-edge
is small
and that the stability diminishes with increasing load. It will be seen
at once that almost all these conditions are opposed to those for
sensitiveness. So that, sensitiveness and stability of a balance are, to
a great extent, mutually exclusive, and we have, therefore, to^trike a
working balance between the two.
57. Faults in a Balance Determination of True Weights.
1. Arms unequal in lengths and pans unequal in weights. The
co'mmonest fault in a balance is that it may appear to be true, i.e.,
the beam may swing evenly on either side of the central knife-edge,
with the moments on either side balancing each other, and yet the
arms may have unequal lengths and the pans, unequal weights.
Thus, if $! and S% be the weights of the two scale pans and a
and b the lengths of the two arms respectively, we have
t
The true weight w of a body may be determined with such a
balance by the method of double weighing, i.e., by weighing the body
first in one pan and then in the other.
Let the counterpoising weight in the right hand pan be wlt
when the body is placed in the left hand pan. Then, clearly,
...
()
MBASUBBMENT OF MASS THE BALANCE 153
And, .-.
subtracting relation (f) from (//) we have
w.a wfi. = ...(///)
Now, the body be placed in the right hand pan and let the
let
counterpoising weight required in the left hand pan be vv a .-
So that,
Again, subtracting relation (/) from (/v), we have
w.b w^.a. = (
v)
Multiplying relations (///) and (v), we, therefore, have
w 2 .ab =. jvr w 2 .0&, whence, w2 = w lt w 2 .
Or, w = vX^V
the true weight of the
i.e., body is the geometric mean of its apparent
Heights in the two pans.
The same will be true if the pans be equal in weight and the
arms slightly different in lengths.
Note. If we multiply relation (///) and (v) above, crosswise, we have
Or,
Or, ----
b 2
w,
Or,
b M ,
2
And, since from relation (/) above, a\b 5 2 /5i, we have
=A
V/
"
Thus, we can determine the ratio between the lengths of the two arms
or that between the weights of the two scale pans.
2.Scale pans unequal in weights. Another common fault in a
balance that whereas the arms may be equal in length, the scale
is
pans may not be truly equal in weights, so that the beam does not
remain perfectly horizontal.
To determine the true weight of a body with such a balance, we
again resort to double weighing, i.e., to weighing the body first in one
pan and then, in the other.
Let apparent weights in the two scale pans respectively be
its
w and
l Then, if the length of each arm be a and the weights of
H'
2
.
the two scale pans, Sl and $2 we have ,
in the first case, (S l +w).a = (# 2 -f-u\),0, or S^+w = S^+w^.^i)
And, in the second case, (St -\-w).a = (S i -\-w 2 ).a, or 82+^=^ + ^2. ..("')
Adding relations (i) and (//),
we have
SL +Si+2w = S^+^+H^+HV Or, 2w = Wj+w,,
W 4- Wo
w =
.
t
whence, ~> =-,
2t
i.e.,the true weight of the body is now the arithmetic mean of its
apparent weights in the two scale pans.
3. Inaccuracy of the Brass Weights. possible source of error may A
also be the inaccuracy of the brass or 'standard' weights, supplied in the weight
box, due to their getting worn out by use or getting slightly rusted by discuse.
The probability of error due to such causes is presumably the least in the case
of the larger weights and the greatest in the case of the smaller ones. So that,
assuming the largest among them to be accurate, others, of smaller denomina-
tions, are counterpoised against it ; these smaller ones are then counterpoised
against others smaller than them, the process being continued up to the very
smallest ones, and, in this manner, the errors in the smaller weights are easily
154 PROPEBTIES OF MATTER
detected. Thus, for example, a weight of 100 gms. is first counterpoised againsl
50+20+20+ 10 then, the weight of 50 8 ms against 20 + 10 4- 10
;
-5+2 i 2 -M, and -r
agam the weight of 20 gms, against 10^5 + 242+1 and so on. "lo make
sure, the weights assumed to tx correct must also be tested against
a weight
known accurately in terms of the, Inter'national Standard.
4. Blunting of the Knife-Edges. Due to constant use, the knife edges
get blunted or rounded off, in course of time;
so that, with the tilt of the
beam, the point of contact with the plane of support may shift slightly. This
tantamounts to a slight change in the lengths of the arms and must also be
corrected for. 4
Correction for Buoyancy. Ordinarily, we make all our weighings
58.
in air. But air, in common with all other gases and liquids, exerts an upward
thrust on a body immersed it, m
in strict obedience to the Principle of
Archimedes. So that, the body to be weighed, as well as the brass weights,
agamst which it is weighed, are subject to this upthrust or buoyancy due to the
air displaced by them, which is equal to the weight of the displaced air, in
either case,
If the body weighed happens to hnve the same density as that of the
material of which the standard weights are made their volumes too would
obviously be the same, when they are counterpoised against each other, and the
volume of air displaced by both, and hence the buoyancy or upthrust due
tD it, would just be counter-balanced and the standard weights used would
straightaway give the true weight of the body in vacuum. This is, how-
ever, rarely the case. But, it makes it clear why, in realby true and accurate
balances, we insist upon the arms and the pans being identical in length, volume
and mass.
More often than not, the density of the body is quite different from that
of the material of the standard weights, and, therefore, even when they counter-
poise each other, their volumes, and hence also the weights
of the air displaced by
them are altogether different. Let us, therefore, deduce the necessary correction
in this commonly occurring case.
Let the true mass of the body we'ghed be M
and its density p. And, let
the mass of the weights required to counterpoise it be M', an J the density of their
material p'. And, finally, let the density of dir be .
Then, clearly, volume of the body and hence the volume of air displaced
by it = M/p'.
And, so the weight of this displaced air and, therefore, the upthrust due
to it = M.&.gl?.
So that, their apparent (or observed) weight of the body
Similarly, the volume of the standard weights and, therefore, of the air
displaced by them Af'/p' ;
and the upward thrust due to this displaced air M'.S.gfc'. =
"^
\
(Tkf/
M'g -, .8-g
Since the body and the standard weights counterpoise each other in air,
their apparent weights must be equal. And, therefore,
Wh cnce,
'
r
1 +
/ S
- ,
M
)
.
fNeglectng the prouct o
{ S/P and 6/p', compared with
L VP
(
P /J $ othe terms.
Or,
MEASUREMENT OF MASS THE BALANCE 155
Prom the above it follows at once that
M> = < M '
according as p < = >p',
i.e., the true weight of a body (ie. its weight in vacuum) is greater than, equal
t
to or less lhan, its observed or apparent weigtit in air, according as its density
is Ijss titan, equal to or greater than that of the material of the standard
weights used.
SOLVED EXAMPLES
1. The arms of a balance are unequal in length but, without the scale pans,
the beam and the scale-pan holders are correctly balanced. The scale pans A and
B are of weights 2w t and 2w 2 respectively. A body placed in pan A has an apparent
weight Wj and placed in pan B has an apparent weight 2. Show that the true W
weight of the body is
1/[W X W a +2(Wi Wi+w, W,) +0"i +*>*] -(*!+*> f ^
(London Higher School Certificate)
Let the true weight of the body be W and the lengths of the left-hand
and right hand arms be a and b respectively.
Then, since equilibrium is attained with the body in the left-hand pan
and a weight W
in tho right-hand pan, the moments on either side of the
central knife-edge must be equal so that, neglecting moments due to the pan
;
holders, which already balance each other, we have
(2vv 1 + PK).a = (2w 9 +W U.
l
- ..... (0
Again, equilibrium attained with the body in the right-hand pan and a weight
is
W % in the left-hand pan ; so that,
(2w z + W).b ==
(2^+Wj.a. ...... (")
Multiply the corresponding sides of relation (/) and (), we have
Or, (2w^ W}(2
Or, 4w l H> a -r-2H' 1 W'-h2H' a W-r W = l
4w l w^2wJV n i-2w l lV l f
Or, ^ 2
-h2^(>Vt 4- w2) *
Adding Ovj-Hv;)
2
to both sides, we have
The left hand expression is clearly the complete square of
so that,
Or,
And, .-. W
Or, the true weight of the body
2. The arm? of a balance are similar and of equal length, a. The scale
P. When the beam of the balance is
pans are similar and of equal weight,
horizontal the central knife-edge is a distance x vertically above the middle of the
is a dis-
line joining the knife-edges of the scale pans, and the e.g. of the balance
tance y vertically below the same point Assuming that the weight of the moving
for the angle of deflection of
system of the balance is W, derive an expression
the beam when weights w x and w, are placed on the scale pans. fw t > w 2 ].
(Joint Matriculation Board High School Certificate)
Let AB, (Fig. 97) be the position of the beam, when the pans are yet un-
loaded, C, that of the central knife-edge, P and P, of the scale pans
and p,
that of the pointer, with G, as the e.g. of the beam.
Let the heavier weight H'i be now placed in the right-hand pan and the
lighter weight w,, in thr left-hand pan
and let the beam, and, therefore, also
the pointer, deflect through an angle 9, into the positions A'B' and p' 9 with the
eg of the beam at G', where OG'=~y (O being the mid-point of thebeline joining
now at C',
the knife-edges of the two scale pans). Let the central knife-edge
where OC'~x (given).
Then, the different forces, all acting vertically downwards,-on the
beam are
156 PBOPBBFIBS Of MATTEB
(/) (P+Wj) at B' t (//) (P+w> 2 ) at A' and (///) W, the weight of the moving
system, at G'.
Since the beam is in equilibrium in this position, the moments about the
knife-edge C', on either side, must be equal.
Fig. 97.
Or, (P+\v*).DEW.G'L=(P-{ wJ.DF.
But DE^OE+OD=OA' cos Q + OC' sin Q=a cos Q+x sin $,
y sin 9+ x sin (x-f y) sin 9,
and DF^OF-OD^OB' cos 9 OC sin = (a cos 0-x sin 0).
So f
that, CPH-w> 2 ). a cos 0+x sin 0)-f W.(x+y).sin Q iP+wJ.ia cos Q~-x sin 0).
Or, P.a cos 0+P.x sin Q + w 2 .a cos 0-f w 2 .x sin + W.(x+y).sin Q.
=P.a cos Q~P.x sin Q-\-w v a cos w^x sin Q.
Or, 2P.x sin Q+w^x sin 9 f w 2 .x sin 9 -f W.(x+y).sin 9
= H' 1 .a cos 9 w2 .ci cos 6.
Or, @==
cos 9
whence, 6*
This, then, is the angle of deflection of the beam, when weights and
w are placed on the two scale pans.
3. With a balance of which the arms were 10 cm. long, it was found that
0*010 gm. extra-load on one pan deflected the beam of mass 20 gms. through 1 and
that this deflection was independent of the loads placed on the pans. What can you
deduce from these measurements ? (Oxford Local Higher School Certificate)
Since the deflection of the beam for the given extra load of '01 gm. is
quite independent of the loads placed on the pans, it is clear that the three edges
are co-planar.
And, since, in the question, every other factor is given except the depth
of the e.g. of the beam below the central knife-edge or trte centre of the beam,
we are obviously expected to determine its value. Let it be h.
Since the beam is in equilibrium at angle 9 -1 from the initial horizontal
position, it is evident that the moment about the central knife-edge due to its
158 PBOPERT1BS Ot MATTEB
We know that sensitivity of a balance is given by the relation,
= ~ where 2S is the total load. [Page 151.
m Md2S.hr
TT>Jr-*
Now, in the first case, $ = 3'0, m - 1 mg. *001 gm. and 25 0.
/ /&? second case, 6 = 2'70, m= 1 m.?.
=> '091 gm. and 2S - 100 gms.
Sothat -
)Y
=
-AfJ-lOOA
.......... (//)
dividing relation (/) by (//), we have
3 MJ-100/i
*
= -
,
.
Or, 3 Afa 2 Ma
7 *,/
0.7 -> 7 AA
270/r.
Or, 270/1 = --3M, whence, A = -'3 A/r// 270.
The negative value of /z thus cbarly indicates that the end knife-edges are
below the central knife-edge.
Now, let thi sensitivity of the balance be x divis ons per mg. for a load
of 200 gms. Then, we have
x_ __~ <*
~~ _
MJ~200/~'3
<*
r ustt
Substituting
001 Md-2i)0h ~'3 \fd\' value of
the val
L// from above.
a
\ 270 /
x
-001
_ _a ___ 270a
.*. dividing relation (/// by (/), we have
x
X
-001
^ 270
X '"*
Md_ o f) x _
" 270
001 ^3 330V/J 3 330'
270x3 27
whence, ^ =3 2455.
"330 Ti
Thus, the sensitivity of tUs balance for a load of 200 gms. is 2455 di\i-
sions per mg.
6. Apiece of metal weighs 300 gms in air If the densities of the metal and
the brass weights used by 19 gms. c.c , and 8 gms. /c.c., respectively, and that of air
00123 gm./c.c., calculate the true mass of the piece in vacuum and the cor-
rection due to buoyancy.
We know that the true mass of a body in vacuum is giv^n by the relation,
M-M[l (
1
p, )J,
+8
*
- [Sec page 154.
where Mis the true mass of the body, p, its density, M', its apparent mass, p',
the density of the weights used and 3, the density of the air.
Here, M' -= WQgms., p =- 19 gms lex., p' 8 gms./c.c. and 8 '00123 =
gms.lc.c. Substituting these values in the relation for above, we have M
- 300 1--00123 x - 300
300(1- '00008902) 300--026706 - 299'91 3294 gms. -
Thus, the true mass of the body in vacuum will be 299973294 gms., the
buoyancy correction being obviously '026706 gm.
EXERCISE V
1. What are the essentials of a good balance and how are they secured
in actual practice ?
Show that the sensitiveness of a balance is independent of the load in tho
two scale pans, if the three knife-edges be co-planar. does the position of How
the centre of gravity of the beam affect the working of the balance ?
MEASUREMENT Off MASS THE BAUUSCJB
*
is
2" ^
e arms of a Dalance ar eacn 7 ww. long, the length of the
?
12 cms. and the mass of the beam is 50 ms. If the
pointer
knife-edges are in a plane
and the centre of gravity ot the beam is 0*02 cm. below the centre knife-edge,
now much will the end of the pointer be deflected when the difference in load in
tne pans is 1 ? School
milligram (Cambridge Local Higher Certificate)
Ans 0*84 cm.
3.
f
A certain balance has a beam weighing 200 gms., with knif-edges
carrying the pans 15 cms from the central knife-edge. What is the depth of
the centre of gravity of the beam bslow this
knife-edge, if a weight of 1 mg.
placed on one of the pans displaces the end of the
pointer through a distance of
U'5 cm., the pointer Br Inter )
being 15 cms. long ?
Ans. 0*0225 mm.
4. Two balances, made of the same material, are alike in all respects
except that the linear dimersn ns of one are n times those of the other. Compare
the angular deflections of the beams for H
given difference in load
(Cambridge Local Higher School Certificate)
Ans. 1/fl 3 : 1.
5. A body is weighed first in the left and 'then in the right hand pan of
a balance, the respective weights being 9'842
gms. and 9'833 gms. Find the true
weight of the body and the ratio ot the lengths of arms of the balance.
Ans. True weight 9 837 gms ; Ratio of arms 1 '0005 1. :
6. Discuss the points to be taken into consideration in the design of an
accurate, sensitive and convenient balance. If the arms are of unequal lengths,
show how the error on this account can be avoided. How would you
except the
sensitiveness to vary with the load ? (Bombay, 1933)
1. What are the requisites of a balance ? Obtain the general expression
used for determining the conditions for these
requisites and show that the con-
ditions for two of these are mutually
contradictory. (Punjab, 1933)
8. Sketch ihe essential parts of a balance in which the two end knife-
edges arc h cms. below the centra) kiufe-edge and discuss the conditions of itt
sensitiveness.
9. Obtain an expression for the true mass of a body in vacuum, when its
apparent mass in air is M '
gm its density p, the density of the standard weights
,
used P and the density of air 8, Would tne same treatment be
applicable, if the
body be weighed in a liquid ?
10. Given the apparent weights of a body in two different liquids, of
Known densities, similar standard weights being used in both the cases, how will
you proceed 10 calculate the density of the body ?
A gla&s st
1 '
PP er Density
gms Ic c.) is first weighed in water of den-
2'5
*
sity
Jc gm. fc.c
ws -and then in
apparent weights in the two liquids are
oil. Its
loand to be 8'6^mv. and 2') 4 #wv. respectively, the brass weights used being
1
similar in cither case. Calculate the
density of oil. Ans. '8489 gm /c.c.
CHAPTER VI
ACCELERATION DUE TO GRAVITY
59. Acceleration due to Gravity. Galileo was the first person
to have performed in 1590, the then bold and spectacular experiment
of dropping a cannon and a musket ball from the Leaning Tower of
Pisa, which, contrary to the teachings of Aristotle 9 reached the ground
simultaneously. He thus clearly showed that, at any given place,
all bodies, big or small, when dropped so as to fall freely, do so at
the same unijorm rate, neglecting, of course, the resistance to their
motion due to air. That is to say/ all bodies, irrespective of their
mass or nature, falling freely in vacuwn, will have the same acceleration
at a given place. This acceleration is called the acceleration due to
gravityJ&s it is due to the gravitational attraction of the body by
the earth, towards its centre, (see Chapter VIT). It is denoted by
the better g, and is numerically equal to the force with which a unit
mass is attracted by the earth towards its centre, i.e., equal to the
weight of unit mass*.
The value of g differs from place to place, being the greatest
at
the poles and the least at the equator. Its value,, for all practical
purposes, is however, taken to be 981 _cms. jsec*., in the C.G.S.
system, and 32^ ft. I sec*., in theT F.P.S. system. Due to this
comparatively large value of g, bodies fall much too quickly to the
surface of the earth, when dropped freely, and hence it becomes
difficult to measure it directly with any great accuracy. It is,
therefore, determined indirectly with tho help of a simple or a
compound pendulum, or by other methods. We shall now proceed
to consider some of these in proper detail.
60. The Simple Pendulum. A simple ( or, a mathematical )
pendulum is just a heavy particle, (ideally, only a point-mass),
suspended from one end of an inextensible, weightless string, whose
other end is fixed to a rigid support, the point where the string is
fixed to the support bJng known as the point of suspension of the
penduluii. In practice, we usually take a small and a heavy metallic
spherical bob, tied to a fine silk thread.
/ The motion of ths pendulum is simple harmonic and isochronous, f
i.e., its time-psriod is amplitude of small
quite independent for its
swings, and is given by the relation, t =
27T\/ Ijg^ where / is the length
of the pendulum, (or the distance between its point of suspension and
*This is so, because the force with which a b->dy of mass m is attracted
by the earth, towards its centre, is equal to its weight mg\ and, therefore, if,
m = 1. i.e., ii' the body be of unit mass, this force of attraction on it, or its weight,
is equal to g.
For the discovery of this property of the pendulum, we are again
indebted to Galileo, who noticed a swinging lamp in the cathedral at Pisa
and timed its oscillations against his own pulse beats. The time taken for
each swing was found to be the same and, as far as Galileo could judge, quiU
independent of the size of the swing.
160
ACCELERATION DUB TO GRAVITY 161
the centre of gravity of the bob), and, g, the acceleration due to gravity
at the place. This will be clear from the following :
S
be the point of suspension and O, the mean or equilibrium
Let
position of the bob, (Fig. 99). Then if the bob be given a small
t
angular displacement 6, in the vertical plane, (or the plane of the
.pendulum itself), so as to occupy the position A, it is clear that it
will be under the action of two forces, viz., (/) its weight mg, acting
vertically downwards, (m being the mass of the bob), and ( ii ) tJie
tension T of the string acting, along the string,
towards itspoint of suspension S.
Resolving the weight (mg) of the bob,
intotwo rectangular components, we have ~o\
(a) component mg cos 0, acting along
the string, as shown, and
(b) component mg sin 0, at right angles
to it, /.e., along the tangent to the arc OA,
in the direction AO.
Obviously, the former component (mg cos 0)
is just balanced by the tension (T) of the
string, there being no motion along it either
way; so that, the only force left acting on the
bob is mg sin 0, towards its mean or equilibrium
m9
position O.
'
Now, acceleration = forcefmass. Fig. 99.
And, therefore, acceleration of the bob = mg sin 6/m = g sin in the
direction AO, or towards the mean or equilibrium position of the
bob. And, if 9 be small, we have sin Q Q,
=
Hence, acceleration of the bob = gO, directed towards O.
Again = OAJSO = x/l, [v angle =
arc /radius.
where, OA = x, the displacement of the bob, and /, the length of the
pendulum.
acceleration of the bob = g. -=- ^ .x.
Or, putting gjl = /^, a constant, for a given pendulum at a given
place, we have
of the bob = ^ Jt.
acceleration
Or, acceleration of the bob
oc x, and is directed towards O,
i.e the acceleration of the bob is proportional to its displacement
,
from its mean or equilibrium position, and is always directed
towards that position. The bob thus executes a simple harmonic
motion, and its time-period I is given by the relation,
t =
Alternative Methods.
Method (/). Let the bob be given a small angular displacement
oc in the vertical plane, so as to occupy the position A, (Fig.
In other words, let a be the angular amplitude of the bob.
f 02 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
Then, clearly, the e.g. of the bob has been raised up through
A vertical distance OC, whon AC is the perpendiculat dropped from
A on to SO.
\ .*. potential energy of the bob at A~mg. OC.
As the bob is released at A, it starts moving to-
\ wards 0, thus acquiring kinetic energy, (due to ita
9
I
\\ motion), at the expense of its potential energy.
i
\ \ Consider the bqb to be at B, on its way to-
!
\
*
wards O, and let its angular displacement here be-
6. Then, clearly,
{
\
^l\
I
\ \ potential energy of the bob at B=mg.OD,
i
\ \ where BD is the perpendicular dropped from B on
to SO.
j
\ \
J \
\ .'. loss in P.E. of the bob in
moving from position
1
/;
<
""""""" ^
?+'''A A to posit ion B=mg.OCmg.OD=mg (OC- OD).
o =mg[(SO-8C)-(SO-SD)].
Fig. 100. Now, SO = SA=SB=l, the length of the pendulum;
and /. SC=^SA cos <x=/ cos a and SD=^SB cos 0=1 cos 6.
So that, loss in P. E. of the bob=mg[(l-l cos a)-(/-/ cos G)]
mgl (cos 9 cos a).
This must, therefore, be equal to the gain in K.E. of the bob
at Or equal to the K.E. of the bob at B, (since its K E at A was
B y
equal to zero). If / be the moment of ineitia of the bob about the
axis of suspension through S, and oj, its angular velocity at B,
we have
K E. of the bob at j? = |/co 2 .
And /. lja)*=-mgl(cos 6-cos a). .. .. (/>
Differentiating this expression with respect to time (/), we have
aco i aQ
i it} - ^^ ~ /77I?/ Sin v ~~ ' t
dt dt
the angular amplitude (a) of the bob being a constant quantity.
Now, dBldt=o) 9 the angular velocity of the bob at B.
And /. dajjdt is its angular acceleration, here.
Thus, Ia>.du)ldt*= mgl sin Q.J.
f.da)./dt= mgl. \in 6,
Or,
whence, dwjdt = mgl. sin 6/1.
knd since 6 is small, sin Q = Q(radians), very nearly.
Hence, acceleration of the bob = -
f *0, . .
(//>
the ve sign merely indicating that it is directed towards O, opposite
ro that in which the angular displacement (0) increases.
Or, neglecting the ve sign, and putting
wg.///=^, a constant
For a given pendulum at a given place, we have
acceleration of the bob = v.$,
ttid, therefore, proportional to ,
its angular displacement from it*
mean or equilibrium position.
ACCELERATION DUB TO GRAVITY 163
The bob thus executes a S.H.M., and its time-ppriocUs given by
Now,
fiT =2*
V ~mg7,r
= 2"
be the radius of the bob, we have, by the principle
if r
V mir*
of parallel axes, 1= 2/wr/5 +m/ J .
/Twr*/5 + w/
r
And, therefore, /=27rA/ ---f
.
Since the bob is a small one, its radius r is negligible compared
with /,the length of the pendulum; so that, we have
/ = 27ri/nil'lmgl. Or, t=2iri/ljg~~
Method See Borda's pendulum, (next article).
(//).
Calculation for g. Squaring the expression for the time-period
of the pendulum, we have
r
2 2
=
47r //^, whence, = 47r 2 /// 2 .
Thus, knowing /, the length of the pendulum, and f, its time-
period, we can easily calculate
out the value of g at the given place.*
Drawbacks of Simple Pendulum. Though simple in theory, and
value of g is n >t
easy to perform, this method of determining the
quite an accurate one, due to its numerous drawbacks, the more
ones of which are the following :
important
1. A simple pendulum just an ideal conception, not realizable
is
in actual practice, for we can neither have a point -mass, nor a weight-
less string: so that, the string too has a moment of inertia about the
suspension- ax is.
2. The resistance and the buoyancy of air appreciably affect tlte
motion of the bob.
3. The relation for the time-period (/), obtained above, is trite
only for oscillations having an infinitely small amplitude.
4. The motion of the bob is not, strictly speaking, a motion, of
translation, for it also has a rotatory motion about the axis of suspen-
sion pass ing through the point of suspension.
5. The bob has also a relative motion with respect to the
its amplitude on either side.
suspension-thread at the extremities of
61. Borda's Pendulum. In this pendulum, the bob is a sphere
of large radius and, assuming thit it is rigidly fixed to the string
and oscillates only about the axis of suspension, (there being no-
relative motion between the bob and the string), its time-period
A///+ V
2
//
/ = ^TT >
is given by
where / is the length of the pendulum, and r, the radius of the bob.
This relation for t may be deduced as foil >ws :
*The earliest determinations of the value of g w^re all made oy means
of simple pendulums Thus, Picard, in 1669, used a pencul im in which a
copper bob of diameter 1 inch was sispen^ed by an ah? fib>e (\vhich remains
unaffected by moisture) and, in the year 1792, Borda and Castini used one, with
a platinum ball of diameter 1*5 inches, suspended by an iron wire about
J 2-75 ft. long.
164 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
Let SO be a Borda's pendulum, (Fig. 101), suspended from the
point of suspension S and let m
be the mass of the bob, of radius r.
Imagine the bob to oscillate in the plane of the paper, and let it
be displaced from its original position A to the position B, through an
angle 0, at any given instant.
The only restoring force on the
S bob in this position is its weight mg,
acting vertically downwards, which
has, obviously, a moment about the
axis of suspension through 8 and
perpendicular to the plane of the
\l paper,
\ = mg x O'D = mg.l sin 6,
\ where / is the length of the pendu-
lum, and .'. O'D = I sin 0.
This,
then, is the restoring
couple, aoting on the bob in the
position B, tending to bring it back
to its original position.
TTIQ ]f dwjdt be the angular accele-
ration produced in the bob, and I,
Fig. 101.
its moment of inertia about the axis
of suspension through 8, the couple is also equal to I.dwjdt.
= mg I sin 6 = mgJd. if be small, sin 9 0. =
I.dco/dt
v
\
Or, dojjdt = 0.wg//7 = jutf, [V
the couple due to mg is
clockwise and -'. negative.
where mgl/I = u. t a constant.
Or, daj/dt oc 0,
i.e., the angular acceleration ofth3 bob is proportional to 0, its angular
displacement so that, its motion is simple harmonic and, therefore,
; ;
the time-period of the pendulum is given by
""
I
27T -
VT- lngl/1
/
Or, t =
~mgl
Now, / =: the M. I. of the bob about an axis through its e.g.
and parallel to the axis of suspension-]- w/
2
.
[Principle of II axes.
= M. I. of the bob about its diameter +ml 2 .
Or, / = |mr 2 +/7t/ 2 (v M.
, I. of a sphere of mass m, about its
diameter is equal to % mr 2 ).
27T
"gl
+ t
Or,
ACCELERATION DUE TO GRAVITY 165
Thus, as will readily be seen, the time- period of this pendulum
is same as that of a simple pendulum of length (/+jjr 2.//) 'which,
the
for this reason, is called the length of an equivalent simple pendulum,
or the reduced length of the pendulum.
Further, if r be equal to zero, i.e., if the bob be just a point, or
the pendulum be a simple pendulum, we have, substituting r =s in
the relation for t, above,
. Or, t =
which is the expression for the time-period of a simple pendulum,
given above, ( 60).
This pendulum too cannot give an accurate value of g, as, in
the first place, the string has also a moment of inertia about the axis of
suspension and secondly, there is relative motion between the bob and
the stnng, the bob oscillating about it at each extreme end.
62, Compound Pendulum.A compound, rigid (or, a physical)
pendulum just a rigid body, capable of oscillating freely about a hori-
is
zontal axis passing through it. Its vibrations are also simple harmonic
and its time-period is given by the relation,
*
"/
'
mg. I
where / is its moment of inertia about the axis of suspension m, its ;
mass and /, its length (or, the distance between its axis of suspension
and its centre of gravity).
This may be seen from the following :
Let S be the
point of suspension of the body, (or the pendulum),
through which passes a horizontal axis, perpendicular to the plane of
the paper, about which the body oscil-
lates, its e.g., G, \\ill obviously he verti-
cally below /S>, in its normal position of
rest, (Fig. 102).
Let the body be displaced through
an angle #, into the dotted position
shown so that, its e.g. is now at G'.
;
Then, the couple acting on the
body due to its weight mg will, obvious-
ly, be mg.l sin 6, tending to bring
it
back into its original position, (SG'
being equal to /, the length of the pen-
dulum).
If the angular acceleration pro-
duced in the body by this couple be
da)jdt thq couple will also be equal to
f
I.dwjdt, where / is the moment of Fig. 102.
inertia of the body about an axis
through the point of suspension S, and perpendicular to the plane of
the paper.
166 PROPERTIES OF MATTBK
So that, I.!~ = mg.l sin 6 = mg.l0...(A) [v if be small, sin e ~ 0-
~
Or,
dct)
- = mg.l
_~.0 = M#. [where /w^.///
= A*, a constant.
* y
Thus, the angular acceleration, (dc^/dt), of the body is propor*
tional to its angular displacement, (0). The body, therefore, execute*
a S.H.M., and its time-period is given by
l
t == 2?r A/ = 2v\/ \. = 27T /V/-^r- ...
"
(B)
\ u, V mgl I r
\ mgl
If /- be the M. /. of the body criow/ 0H flx/^ through G., /Yj? e.g.,
and parallel to the axis of suspension through 5, we have, by the
principle of parallel axes,
I = /,+/!!/*.
And, if k be the rad>'us of gyration of the body about the axis
through G9 obviously I g = mk- so that, :
/ = mk* +w/ 2
.
.*. substituting the value of / in relation (B) above, we have
Or, t - 2
i.e., the period of viberation is the same as that of a simple pendulum
of length .
-f/, or ~t~ ,
which is, therefore, the length of an equi-
valent simple pendulum, or the reduced length of the pendulum. It
is sometimes denoted by the letter L.
Since k 2always greater than zero, this length of an equivalent
is
simple pendulum always greater than 1.
is
Centre of Oscillation. A point 0, on the other side of 0, at a
distance fc 2 // from (7, is called the centre of oscillation, and a horizon-
$ tal axis through it, parallel to the axis of suspension,
is known as the axis of oscillation of the pendulum.
Thus, GO = & 2 //, (Fig. 103). Putting it equal to /',
2 i
/2 2
we have SO = - = + *-- =
/ /+/'.
-J
= 2;r L
2 And, .-. t
~g
K
/
' Interchangeability of the Centres of Suspension
63.
and Oscillation. If the pendulum is inverted and sus-
pended about the axis of os< illation through 0, its time-
period of vibration will obviously be given by
ACCELERATION DtJl TO GBAYITY 167
And, since fc
2
/'
= /', we have fe2 = w/ ?
that, the expression for the time-period t becomes
:
is the same as about
V
the axis of suspension through S.
Or, the centres of suspension and oscillation are interchangeable,
i.e., are reciprocal to each other, a property of the pendulum, first
discovered by Huyghens.
Thus, we get the same values for the time-period and the length
of the equivalent simple pendulum whether the pendulum be suspended
at S or at O, i.e., at a distance I from the e.g., (G), or at a distance
2
Jc /lfrom it.
therefore, we draw two circles or arcs,
If,
with as centre, and G
radii equal to / and k /l respectively, they will cut SG produced at S
z
and above, and at
Q and P below, G. O
Then, clearly,
= GP = and GQ =G0 = W\l.
SG I
And, therefore, QP = GP GQ = /+
//
= /+/' = SO.
\-
2
Thus we have four points, S, Q, O and P, collinear withG, the
e.g. of the pendulum, about
which the time-period is the same.
If. therefore, we can determine, by experiment,
these four points,
we can easily find out th* length L or (/+/') of the equivalent
and hence the of g at the given place, with
simple pendulum, y^He
the of the relation, t = 2 Try^/*, where ' is the time-period of
help
the pendulum.
64. Centre of Percussion, Fig. 104 shows a section of a rigid
its
body, of mass m, by a vertical plane passing through~ e.g.,
G
with S, as its poii.t of suspension, the axis of
to
suspension through which is perpendicular
the plane of the paper.
Let a force F be applied at O, in the
direction shown, so as to be perpendicular to
both the line SCO
and the axis of suspension
to
through S. Then, this force is equivalent
(/)
an equal, and a like parallel force F at G,
and (ii) a clockwise couple, formed by
the force
F at O and an equal and opposite force F at G,
the moment of which is clearly equal to Fxl'
where /' =
distance GO.
Now, this force Fat G tends to produce
linear acceleration a, say, in all th^ particles of
the body, including the centre of suspension
S ;
so that, a = F/m,
in the direction of the force, i.e., from right to 104.
left.
the acceleration produced at S by the force F at
This, then, is
G. The
couple, on the other hand, tends to produce an angular
acceleration a, say, in the body, about a parallel axis through G.
[f / be the moment of inertia of the body about this axis, we have
168 PBOPBBTIES OF MATTER
La = Fx I', whence, a^Fx /'// Fxl'/mk*, =
where / = m& 2
, (fc being the radius of gyration of the body about
this axis).
Now, linear acceleration = angular acceleration x distance from
the axis.
Hence, linear acceleration produced by this couple is given by
a' = Ixa =^ Fxl'xllmk*, in the direction left to right, i.e., opposite
to that of a.
applied at O may produce
In order, therefore, that the force F
no a due to force F at G must bo
effect at S, the linear acceleration
acceleration a' due to this couple,
equal and opposite to the linear
i.e., a a'. =
In other words, Fjm F x I' X Ijmk*, =
whfence, /'X// 1. Or, /' *//.
2 - -
This, therefore, is the distance of the point O from the e.g. of
the body, and the point O is thus the centre of oscillation, (see page
166), and is here called the centre of percussion,
with respect to S.
It is thus clear that if a body be struck at the centre ofpercus-
'sion,or the centre of oscillation, in a direction perpendicular to its axis
of suspension, it does not move bodily, as a whole, at its point of suspen-
sion, but simply turns about the axis passing through
it.
This explains why when a ball strikes against a bat such that
the point where it strikes the latter is the centre of oscillation, or the
centre of percussion, corresponding to the point where it is held in
the hand as the point of suspension, no sting or shock of any kind is
felt. Similarly, a good hammer should be so constructed that its
centre of percussion lies in a line with the driving force.
65. Other points, collinear with the e.g., about which the time-
2 2
for the
period is the same. Squaring the expression, f
=27ry'/ -f/c //g">
time-period of a compound pendulum, where / is its length and k, its
radius of gyration about the e.g., we have
--. Or,
Or,
Dividing both sides by 47T
2
,
we have /
2
4-&
2 = gt*
,,-/
Or, ^
2
~"/ a ./+&* = 0, which is clearly a quadratic equation in L
Thus, / has two values, viz.,
1 - + V e
-* 1 -
"
and
I
Therefore, there are two values of / at distances (a-f fe) and
(a b) from the e.g., for which the time- period is the same.
ACCELERATION DUE TO GRAVITY 173
even less than one-thousandth of that of the bar, and yet maintaining its strength
and rigidity. The values of g and k may then be determined in the usual manner.
68. Eater's Reversible Pendulum. Devised and first used by
Captain Kater, in the year 1817, to make the celebrated determination
of the value of g in London, it is a compound pendulum,
consisting of a brass or steel bar with a fixed heavy bob
B and fitted with two adjustable and mutually facing
knife-edg^s F l and F2 near its two ends, so that the pen-
*
dulum may be suspended from either. (Fig. 111). Two
weights, Wi and W^ can be made to slide along the length
of the bar and clamped in the position desired, the smaller
weight W
2 having a micrometer screw arrangement for
finer adjustment of its position. The position of the e.g. of
the pendulum can be altered by changing the relative
positions of the two ,weights, their positions being, how-
ever, so chosen that the e.g. always lies in-between the two
knife-edges f
The pendulum is first suspended from the knife-
edge F,, and its time-period determined. It is then sus-
pended from the knife-edge F2 and its time-period deter-
, K X'-/ B
mined again. If there be a divergence in the two values
of the time-period, the heavier weigtit is moved W
l
or down and a proper position found for it so that the
time-period is very nearly the same, whether the pendu-
up
T
lum be suspsnded from Fi or F2 The smaller weight IV2 .
is then adjusted by means of the micrometer screw
M, until the
time -periods, in the two cases, are as nearly equal as possible (say,
differing only by -01 sec. or less, i.e., until the number of oscillations
made by the pendulum in 24 hours, in the two cases, differs by just a
fraction of one full oscillation). When this is so, we have, obviously,
one knife-edge at the centre of oscillation of the other. The distance
between the two knife-edges is measured carefully**. This gives the
length L of the equivalent simple pe,idulum$ and the value of g is
then calculated from the relation g =
4ir 2 Lit*, (see
page 171), where
/ is the mean of the time-periods about the two
knife-edges, which
Kater determined by the method of coincidences, (see 69).
The values of L and t may, however, be determined more easily
and accurately as follows :
*It is gratifying to observe that in Kater's own pendulum, these were
made in India, from a special variety of steel, called *wootz\
tin fact, the heavier weight W
l is there to ensure that this is so.
**This is done by means of a travelling microscope. The pendulum is
laid horizontally on a table with Us knife-edges lying alongside, and on a level
with, a standard steel scale, and the positions of the knife-edges read on the
-scale with the help of the microscope. Or, a better method is to use a vertical
comparator (an instrument carrying two microscopes fitted on two massiye stone
slabs), when the cross wires of the microscopes are first focused on the two
knife-edges of the suspended pendulum, and then on a standard steel scale, fixed
vertically in plape of the pendulum. The distance between the positions of the
ttwo cross-wires then gives the distance between the two knife-edges.
jThis deduction from the reciprocal nature of the points of suspension
and was first pointed out by Bohnenberger, in the year 1811.
oscillation
174 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
First a near equility in the time-periods of the pendulum Is
obtained about either knife-edge, by adjusting l
and W W
% as ex- ,
plained above, the time-period
being slightly greater, say about
d(BOB DOWN) F, than about F2 i.e., when the
,
bob B i* down than when it is up.
The weights are now kept fixed in
C(BOB UP) their positions and one of the
knife-edges, say F,, moved up or
down a bit to further narrow down
the discrepancy in the two time-
periods until a position is attained
when a little more displacement
of F, makes the time period
greater about F2 (with the bob up)
Fig. 112.
than about F,, (with the bob
down), i.e., a reversal in the relative magnitudes of the time-periods
about the two knife-edges takes place. The time-periods of the
pendulum for two slightly different distances between F, and F2 are
noted, just before this happens, and similarly for two slightly different
distances between them, after tins happens. These four distances
between Ft and F2
are measured accurately and the time periods
corresponding to them plotted on an exag/eratod scale, as shown in
Fig. 112, where a and b represent the distances and time-periods for
oscillations about F, in the first two cases and c and d in the second
two cases. The coordinates of the point of intersection O of ab and 1
cdthen give the true length L of the equivalent simple pendulum and
the true time- period / corresponding to it.
69. Eater's Method of Coincidences. Kater determined
the time-period of his pendulum by what is known as the method
of coincidences, in which the oscillations of the experimental pendu-
lum, (Kater's, or any other), are compared with those of a standard
second's pendulum, (i.e., a pendulum of time- period two seconds), which
may be a simple pendulum or a clock pendulum. This gives better
results than those obtained by simply timing the oscillations against
B A
Fig. 113.
a stop watch or clock, the accuracy of which can hardly be expectedf
to go beyond *5 sec.*
This means that the time taken for several thousand of swings will have
ACCELERATION DUB TO GRAVITY 175
The experimental pendulum A (Fig 113) here is suspended in
front of the second's pendulum B, with knife-edge resting on a its
taken to see that the lower ends of the two
rigid support, care being
lie in the same level and exactly coincide with each other
pendulums
when viewed from in front, in their mean or equilibrium position.
A suitable marking device* M is arranged behind the peri*
dulum 5, such that when the two pendulums are in their mean posi-
tion, this mark M
is just covered by their lower ends and is thus not
visible to the observer viewing them through a telescope T some
distance away.
The whole idea is to enable the observer, watching the oscilla-
tions, to judge as accurately as possible as to when exactly do the-
two pendulums come into coincidence, i.e., as to when exactly do they
simultaneously pass a particular reference point, in the same direction.
And this is perhaps'best done by using a cross- wire in the eye-piece
of the telescope itself, (in which case the marking device becomes M
quite unnecessary).
The two pendulums set oscillating, and, if they start
are
time-periods, thpy continue to
and have identical oscillate
together,
'in step', i e., to the observer b&just 'one' pendulum,
they appear
B beingjust hidden behind pendulum A, all
the time. But
pendulum 9
iftheir time-periods differ, ever so slightly, they soon get 'out of step ,
and their oscillations are watched carefully until they both simultane-
ously pass the reference point fixed upon, (say, their lowest positions),
in the same direction. When this happens, a 'coincidence' is said to-
occur, and the mark behind the M is just not visible to
pendulums
the observer. After this, the pendulums again get out of step and
the next coincidence occurs when one of them gains or loses a whole
swing or oscillation over the other. The oscillations made by both
between two successive coincidences are carefully counted.
Let n and (n+l) be the oscillations made by the seconds and*
the experimental pendulums respectively.
Then, if t' and t be their respsctive time-periods, we have
=,'( 1-
n
-a
'
f
^ ver^ nearly,
f i
neglecting the terms involving the second higher powers and the of
n for, with t and t' nearly the same, n is sufficiently large, (about
;
500 or more), and these terms become negligibly small.
/ r pendu
pendulum
Now, f'=2 sees., so that, ?=2 f 1 -- 1 .
B being a ssecond's
^ n 'J, L pendulum
whence f, the time* period of the experimental pendulum can be easily
*A white pafcer pointer or just a black (iron) stand, with a white chalk-
mark on it, would do
176 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
calculated out. This value of / is then used in the expression for g,
above.
It be easily seen that with all the care taken, it is not
will
really possible to determine with absolute certainty the particular
oscillations at which the exact coincidence occurs. Luckily; however,
even a difference of a couple of oscillations, this way or that, hardly
matters, ifn be fairly large, as it usually is. For, supposing there ia
an error of two whole oscillations made in judging the point of
coincidence. Then, clearly,
= - -
1
,,-^2")
t'
[
1
{ y^y J
2
The error introduced is thus 2/ , which, if fi=500, worka
out to be +'0008% and is, therefore, not of much consequence.
Note. own determination, made at Portland place, the
In Kater's
pendulum was of a standard clock and the swings of the two pendu-
set in front
lums observed by means of a telescope from a distance of 9 feet.
The standard clock was checked every 24 hours by stellar measurements,
io that the rate of swing of the pendulum was, in effect, compared with the rate
)f rotation of the earth itself.
Successive coincidences occurred every 530 sees., during which time the
reversible pendulum completed 528 swings or half oscillations. The error thus
vorked out to 1 part in 1,00,000 and the length of seconds pendulum at sea
level, in the latitude of London, cams to 39*13829, inches.
Computed Time Bessel's Contribution. Kater, in his
70.
reversible pondulurn, made the time-period about the two axes
exactly equal, which, as we have seen, is an extremely tedious process.
But Bessel showed that it was by no means necessary to make
them exactly equal and that it was enough to make them only nearly
equal.
Thus, suppose the time-periods about the two axes are ?, and
f
respectively, (both being very nearly equal), and that
2,
/ and I' are
their respective distances from the e.g. of the pendulum.
Then, we have
~~~
fa~
'
(*) rwhere k is the radius of
V&2l|L/
5
gyration of the pendului
^
and ,
f
o
=27r AA //
2
+ /'
2
... (n)
,..,
l-<*but its e.g.
2 .,
Squaring and re-arranging (/) and (//), we have
2 2 2 2
/1 /g=4-7r (/: +/ ), . .
(///) and
3o that, subtracting (iv) from (Hi), we have
g
(/-/') + (*.*-**) (/+/')
2(1 1'\
ACCELERATION DUE TO GRAVITY 177
8
This quantity, *.'+''
+-*''-'' .
l
L- = T ,
[>
~ =< 2 '
^ - ^~~^ Lsimple pendulum
where T is computed time of the pendulum.
called the
This distance (/+/'), between the two knife-edges, can be
determined accurately, but (//'), the difference between the
distances of the two axes from the c.g cannot bo determined to any
high degrea of accuracy, because of the difficulty of locating the
position of the c.g. of the pendulum correctly. Smce, however,
2 2 2 2
(/ /2 ) is much too small a quantity compared wirh (/ 1 +/, ),
this can only introduce an inappreciable error which does not^
matter.
71. Errors in the Compound Pendulum and their Remedies.
Besides the difficulty of adjusting the time- periods to be exactly
the sain? about either knife-edge, and of correctly measuring the
distance between them, there are a number of other sources of error
in a Kater's pendulum (or the compound pendulum, in general) for
which proper corrections must be applied to obtain an accurate result,
the chief among them being the following :
(/) The Finite Amplitude of the Fenfluhim. The expression for
the time-period has been deduced on the assumption that the
amplitude of swing of the pendulum is vanishingly small for, then ;
alone, will its motion be truly simple harmonic in nature. In actual
practice, however, it has always a finite value. This reduces its
acceleration and thus increases its time-poiiod The observed
time period may be corrected for this error by multiplying it with
(1 ^.^g/IH), where a, and 2
are half-swings (in radians) at the
beginning and at the end of the experiment, respectively, as can be
seen from the following :
Proceeding a manner similar to that discussed in connection with a
in
simple pendulum (Ahernative method (/), page 162), we have
i/w
2 = mgl (cos 0-cos a). [Relation (/) page 162.
Or, /G>* = 2mgl (cos 9 cos a),
where a is the angular amplitude of the pendulum and Q, its angular displace-
ment at time /.
Now / *= mk*+ml 2 = m 2 2
and <o - -
.
f (A: -!-/ ),
-^
So that, m(k*+ /
2
) f j
1
-
^ -
2mgl(cos Q cos a).
Or,
Or
178 OF MATTJfiA
Integrating this expression for the limits to f/4 and to , where f la
the observed time-period of the pendulum, we have
- -
O o (cos Q-cos*Y
fa
^
V2]7"
~~*i Jo TT^7
a
f
Jo * \ -**\
)*
Or
Or
*
Putting j/
-y-= 5//i J/V? 5^, we have J d$ cos -^
"*
^ 5/w
2
Or, cos
Substituting the value of dQ in the above expression, we have
Now, sin' ~ -s ^ 5W!
|-
/i
s
<f>
)*
* = sin --
)*
-J//Z cos
2
Or,
-|-
-
y ^TT . y 1-^4 - (i-
we have
ACCELERATION DTTB TO GRAVITY 179
Or, , - 2 sin'
~+ -.
*/y -*^[l+i
Now, lTt\l +L would be the time-period of the pendulum, for an infinitely
imall amplitude. Denoting it by /, we have
If a be small, sin = ~
, and we have
Since the amplitude (or half swing) does not remain constant but de-
creases from a, in the beginning to a, at the end, both being small, we replace a 8
by a^. So that
<.-
(//) Air-effects. There are three distinct ways in which the pre-
sence of air affects the time-period of a pendulum :
(a) Buoyancy of (he air. This tends to reduce the restoring
couple acting on the pendulum, due to slight decrease in its weight,
similar to tho one produced in a body immersed in a liquid. For, if
m be tho mass of the pendulum and m', that of the air displaced by
it*, the restoring couple is reduced from the value my./ 5/72 to
(ml-m'h).g sin 0, where /?f is the dibtance between the e.g. of the
displaced air and the axis of rotation of the pendulum, and can be
obtained sufficiently accurately from its physical dimensions.
The equation of motion of the pendulum thus becomes
m(tf+l*Y ^ g sin e(ml-m'h).
This is obviously the equation of a simple harmonic motion, of time-
period tt given by
/ :
(ml-m'hg)
which is clearly greater than/ 2w \/(* +/*)//*, the expression for the time-
period in vacuo.
The time-period of the pendulum is thus slightly increased due to buoy?
ancyoftheair.
This was -the only correction taken account of by Newtw, followed by
Kater, and it was left to Bessel to show that other corrections due to air-efFectf
were also called fox. ____,
*Th>s can easily be obtained from the volume of tfre pendulum and the
density of the air, at the time.
t The value of /j may not be the same as that of /, im]es> the .pendulum
hat a uniform density.
180 PROPERTIES OP MATTER
(b) Some air being dragged along with the pendulum, during it$
motion, (Du Buat's Correction). The p3ndulum during its 'to and
fro* motion, ^carries air with it" and this increases it effective mass,
and hence its moment of inertia, making the obssrved time-period
greater than the true one, as will be clear from the following :
That the pendulum does as it oscillate , can bo
'carry' ^ormair with it
shown by a simple experiment, viz , by attaching a feather to its bob, in a direc-
tion at right angles to its direction of motion. It will be found that the feather
tilts in a direction opposite to that of the mon'on of the bob, showing that the
air surrounding it is at rest. If, however, the feather be sufficiently close to ihe hob t
it is not found to tilt at all, clea^lv indicating that the air in immediate contact
with the bob moves along with it, or that it "carries air with it*.
Let the mass of this air 'carried' by the pendulum be m" and let the dis-
tance of its centre of mass from the point of suspension of the pendulum be d.
Then, clearly, the effective moment ot inertia of the pendulum, i.e the moment ,
of inertia of ths pendulum and the adherent mass of air with it, is equal to
8 a
w( -f /*)-f/wV And, therefore, the equation of motion of the pendulum now
.
becomes
" "
QTt _.. _ ^1 /
r.'!LZiLC___. e .
The time-period of the pendulum in thus given by
- t
2n^~J^I^j^
t
It follows at once from the above that
_A^4/' w^l P-M
2
** f Neglecting second
n
Ur> - + f * tn^h '
order terms
4** / ml 7 ml L
'
assuming the time-period here to bs already corrected for the finite arc of its
swing.
Now, if / t and /., be the distances of the two points of suspension from
the centre of gravity, on cither side, such that the time-periods in the two cases
are nearly the same, then, if h l3 h 2 and */,, d* be the re*pective distances from the
point of suspension of th3 centres of buoyancy and the centres of mass of the air
adhering to the bob, in the two positions, we have
., ....
'.-
So that, subtracting relation (//) from (/), we have
'.'
- W- W 4- (*-*) 4-
Since t l is very nearly equal to /a , we have k 2
And, therefore,
l a
Here, is the scluare of the computed time, (see 70). Denot-
/ _/
ing it by T2 , we have
AOCELBBATIOH DTJE TO GSAVIfir 181
Thus, the obvious method to eliminate this correction is to make ^Aand
hi-h9t (i.e., to make the psndulum symmetrical in shape), which will reduce
the two expressions on the right-hand side of relation (///) to zero. This is
precisely what has been done in Repsold's reversible pendulum, (see S 72,
page 188).
Both effects (a) and (6) due to air can, however, be made almost negligible
by arranging to swing the pendulum in reduced pressure, a procedure now being
increasingly adopted for the residual effect in low pressures is found to be a
linear function of the pressure. The required correction can thus be directly
obtained by plotting a graph between pressure and time-period and obtaining the
value of the latter by extrapolating the graph to zero pressure.
(c) Viscosity of the air. The viscous drag due to air produces
a damping effect on the pendulum and tends to reduce its amplitude,
thereby increasing its time -period.
For, taking the viscosity-drag for small velocities to be proportional to*
velocity, the equation ofmotion v ould be of the type
Let th solution of this equation be QAe** .
Then, clearly,
wr+/* = 0,
2
0. Or, o> -f
which is a quadratic equation in eo.
-r\ / 7I
^4i*
-r r where 7
... ---- 4./A/~I r
c
So that,
-
Hence the general solution
2
is
---y-
J
V ~4~
*
f"
Land
-- +7 V/^*/4 1* I V~^r 2
|- 2
j /4 I/.
-f Be L J
/+;M "" B)
/*
J)-
J/n
V( ^"r
which is a simple harmonic motion of decaying amplitude, of a time-period
'
_
Now,*2rr/v ^ r , the time-psnod of the pendulum in the absence of
any viscous drag.
So that, I - 1 + -
*.[
And, ifwe make use of ths approximate relation f = 2n/^^r for the time-
the pendulum, we have /* = 4w /f
2 /a
period of So that, substituting this value
.
of f* in the expression for / above, we have
1 - very nearly.
-jjT^J'
This correction due to viscosity is however much too small, being of
~
the order of 10 9 and is, therefore, usually neglected.
Non-rigidity of the Support.
(///) Due to the yielding of the
support, the time-period tends to be greater than, the correct value,
as explained below ;
182 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
It might, at first sight, appear improbable that the stipport should yield
by the mere swinging of a pendulum suspended from it. This is, however, not
so, for the simple reason that no support is perfectly rigid In fact, any ordinary
support, we consider to be rigid, would yield under a weight of 100 k.gms. or so.
True, a pendulum is seldom as heavy as that, but in view of the fact that we
can measure lengths and time-periods to an accuracy of one in several thousand,
it 1$ only in the fitness of things that we must take into account even this
slight yielding of the support, ii we really aim at a high degiee of precision in
Our work.
Again, it is also true that we can adopt ways and means of eliminating
this error altogether (as well as that due to the presence of air) in so far as the
pendulum is concerned, as explained in 72, below, we should, nevertheless,
acquaint ourselves with the method of deducing a proper correction for it should
it become necessary in other similar cases, wfoere its outright elimination is not
feasible or possible.
Now, then, let as pass on to a brief consideration of it.
We knowthat a vibrating body tends to set into vibration any other body
in contact with it the degree of response of the latter depending upon how nearly
its natural time-period agrees with that of the vibrating body, the closer this
agreement between the two, the greater the response and vice versa.
In the case of the pendulum, therefore, the support carrying it also yields
a little to itsvibrations and is forced to oscillate co-penodicaily with it.
This oscillation of the support may be resolved into two rectangular com-
ponents, (i) along the vertical and (//) along the horizontal, the latter having a
more pronounced effect on the time-period of the pendulum
than the former.
Thus, if OQ be
the mean or equilibrium position of the
pendulum, (hig of length /, uith the axis of suspension
114),
passing through 0, then, as it swings through an angle into
the position OG' there are two forces acting upon it. (j) along
9
the arc of its swing, to which its motion is due and (//') the
other at right angles to it, i.e., along G'O, (the centiipetal
force). So that,
acceleration of the pendulum along the arc
<Ps d ds d 2Q where
.
^ J"
and acceleration along the length of the pendulum
a "* ' J" "* *' v = ds ldt
v 1 / ds
U4.
& /j \
[ \ dt J
These accelerations, obviously, act at the support 0, with the component
in the horizontal plane
and the component in the vertical plane
So that, If 9 be small we have
horizontal component of the acceleration
add vertical component of the acceleration
</e
(/l)
1OOULLJEHAT10M DOE TO QRAVttt 153
,/S/j
Now, from the equation of the pendulum, ^-j/a -* tng't*0, we have
And, from ths energy equation of the pendulum, viz.,
mgl (cos 8
- cos a) jm (&H/ 2
)
(
~
^/ (c^ ^-cos
^
<*
^-^ - )
we have
p
whence, expanding cos and cos a and retaining only the first two terms, in view
of the small values ot and a, we have
/ de
ir
V = gi (
2
j*2~r>2
~e 2 " ) r .
*" cos e ~ i
*"~~'T"i
2
e4
+ ~A4:r ~^~i
e
9
.
I
\ dt /
}
kz
+r L 2 ! ! 6 I
- and
Substituting these values of and in
, 2 (
rJ relations (/) (//)
above, we therefore have
horizontal acceleration /. (-,5, ,5, ). 6-f /^. /TTTa
8
and vertical acceleration =* ^ ( T* /a )
^ + ^
~^T7T >
Or, neglecting the second term as being extremely small, we have
\
(/+ &*
2
/2 )'^
/ #/ \
and vertical acceleration (
~jj*Tjr )'&*
-
And, therefore, horizontal force on the support **( ^ ^ j.Q
"
and vertical force on the support =f ~~fciZ/r )
/.., horizontal force on the support a 9
and vertical ,, ,, ,, a 68.
2
Since, 6 is small, O is comparatively very much smaller. In other words,
the horizontal foice on the support is very much greater than
the vertical force on it and the latter may, therefore, be easily
ignored.
Now, as the pendulum moves from O to G' t the point
of suspension moves from O to 0', say, so that its displace-
ment is equivalent to shifting its axis of suspension to Q,
(Fig 115).
Then, if P be the displacement of the support per unit
force, in the horizontal direction, when displaced through an angle
a i
6, its displacement due to a horizontal jorce (w#/ /&*-t-/ )0 vvil
2 2
clearly be equal to (A>/'/ p/P-F/ )G.
Since Q is now the effective axis of suspension, ~^GQG'
and hence the displacement of the point of suspension
00' = OQ.Q. - 8.0. [Putting OQ = S.
We, therefore, have .e --r A whence, *- -.
It follows, therefore, that the effective length of the pendulum duo to
this yielding of the support is
184 PttOPEBTIfiS OF MATTER
And, therefore, the timf-r}eriod of the pendulum is now given by
^
^ (/+*)
V A^w V ^^
c A / , / ^(/-f ) ~ A jk**liW '
fWriting
[-W for
l /.
L
From this it follows at once that
So that, if /! and / 2 be the lengths of the pendulum for which the time-periods
fi and / a are v^ry nearly the sams, we have
st
2 2 / x f wrnre 5 t and 5 2 are
/C
4 -7
= Ci+ s i) -f-
y-(v 1 r- ) \ the corresponding
7l y additions to the
2 ^
and L (/ a+ s 2 ) +
^'J
f i _ i ^
two l-rigths of the
4^:^ /a V ^a / L pendulum.
Since /! is very nearly equal to ra , we have 2 = /A /2 . And, therefore,
+ V.-*
'
(/,+/,, j.fcV..
|v *
C.T7, +,,>/r )
So that, putting
9
(/ l /1 -f,*/1 )/(/1 -/1 ) = T. (where T is the computed time),
we have
P For, /!^/2 L, the length of the
'
I
e Q u ^ va ^ent simple pendulum.
s\'
f\ Clearly, here, mg the weight of the pendulum ; is
- S; so that, //** correction factor wep 75 f/itf displacement of
(
+" mgp *
j/j^, SUppori due to a horizontal force equal to the weight
of the pendulum and can b^ determined directly by sus-
pending the pendulum from a string passing over a
pulley and attached horizontally to the support at O, as
shown, (Fig. 116), when ihc displacement OO'~mg$
can bc read accuratelv bv mcans of a microscope.
(THE PENDULUM)
^ Vening Meinesz suggested a method by which
this correc-ion could bo considerably reduced, viz.,
that of using two pendulums, swinging from the same
support but in opposite p ases with each other. This
involves however, the d fficulfy of having to adjust
Uvir time-periods to very near equality. The correction
>y is thus bcsi eliminated as explained in 72, (page 187).
Fig. 116.
('V) The knife-edges not being perfectly sharp, (hut more or less
rounded). Due to this also the effective length of the pendulum i$
altered.
ACCBLEttATIOtf DUlfi TO 186
is not a mathematical line we have so far
For, the axis of suspension
tacitly assumed In actuil practice, it has a definite shape, -generally
it to be
symmetrical with a finite radius of curvature.
Let us, as a first approximation, assume the edge
to be the pai t of a cylinder, a cylinderical cone, as shown
in Fig. 117. Then, if be the centre of nirvaiure of the
edge, a line perpendicular to the plane of the paper and
passing through O represents the axis of the c>iindrical
edge.
As the pendulum (of length /) swings, the edge
also moves along with it about thi\ ax s through O, so
that the axis of suspension is. in effect, shitted fiom S to
O, i.e., through the distance SO r, the radius of curva-
ture of the edge, and the effective length of the pendulum
thus becomes (/ 1-r).
Since, 'however, the instantaneous axis of rotation
of the pendulum stiH passes through the bottom of the
knife-edge (S), the moment of inertia (/) is still to be
taken about this axis In other uords, we still have
/ = m.(k*+l 2 ) where m is the mass of the pendulum.
t
The equation of motion of the pendulum thus Fig. 117.
becomes
-mg(l+r}B. [ Q being small.
And, therefore, its time-period is given by t
whence. . =
Or.
/4-r
we find two lengths of the pndulum, say / t and /, on the two sides of
If
its such that the time-periods ( 1 and r 2 for tnein are nearly the same, (with,
c.g ,
of course ^ not equal to J 2 ), then, if r x and r a be the radii of the two knife-edges
respectively, we have
So that, subtracting the second expression from the first, we have
Since t^ is very nearly equal to /3 , we have k* And, therefore,
Or,
i-W (/i-M.)
-
[ (Ijzjl)^!-^) ]
Or,
~
Again, putting
J
~] f
- = T1 , where T is the computed time-period, we
*i 'a
have
18ft FttOPteBTlfis OF
Hcfe, clearly, the correction term ( -! (Ota- 'i) tectfffiei zero, (Wily if
\ /i*i y
fi=rt , only if the two knife-edges have the same radius of curvature.
/.*.,
Since it is difficult to make the two knife-edges of exactly the same radius
of curvature, the suggestion at once comes to the mind that the same knife-edge
may be used at both the two points of suspension. But this may affect the
position of the e.g.. which might be different for the two positions of the knife-
edge. And, then, it would disturb the symmetry of the pendulum, necessitating
the troublesome air-corrections. This difficulty may be tided over by ananging
two knife-edges of the same shape and mass, and by using only one of them for
suspension, i.e.. by interchanging them when we change the sHe of the pendulum.
Here too, however, an error may creep in if we do not succeed in replacing one
knife-edge with the other exactly in its true or original position. This difficulty
too may be got over, however, by performing the experiment four-times, first
taking the two observations for / x and /8 with one position of the knife-edges and!
then two similar observations with the knife-edges inter changed Thus, .
if T! and TJ be the respective computed time-periods in the two cases,
we have
So that, adding the two, we have
the sum of the corre
*
correc-
v x 2(/H-/,), tion terms (involving
47i*
{*.andr^-O.
whence, -^ r -^-J 1 - = (/!+/).
But, even this correction does not help much. For, a* the pendulum
swings to and fro about its mean position, the edges invariably get chipped off,
resulting in the loss of weight of the pendulum.
The one and only way of eliminating this correction, now being increas-
ingly ustd, is to replace the two knife-edges in the pendulum by just plane
bearings, / <?., by flat plates, and to provide a fixed knife edge on the support,
the latttr being carefully ground to a sharp edge and the foimer being accu-
rately plane or flat and always placed in the same position on the knife-edge.
N.B. In a bid for an extremely high degree of accuracy, the effect of
the elasticity of the pendulum was also
investigated at Potsdam under the
supervision of Helmert, viz., its periodic extension under the varying longi-
tudinal strain and its flexure under the changing bending moment to which
it is subjected as it swings the latter being the more important of the two and!
resulting in a reduction in the effective length of the pendulum.
Thanks to the work of Clark Heyl t and Cook, an accuracy of one in ai
million is now more or less easily attainable
(v) Change of
Temperature during the Experiment. This'
results in a corresponding change in the length and hence the time-
period of the pendulum.
A correction for it can, however, be readily applied, if we know
the coefficient of expansion of the material of the pendulum. Or,
the error may be eliminated altogether by using what are called
invariable pendulums, (see 76).
(vi) Other Errors. We
have considered above the errors and
corrections in wo far as they relate to the pendulum itself. To obtain
an accurate value of g at a place, however, certain other corrections
must also be applied, v/z., the corrections (a) for rot at ion of the earth,
Ib) for latitude, (c) for altitude, (d) for elevated masses and (e) fop-
ACCELERATION DUB TO (iRAVIT* 1
of the place, all of which are discussed in
the terrain or the topography
the succ^edin^ chapter.
Nevertheless, as a method for determining the value of g, a
compound pendulum, (e.g., the Kater's pendulum), is distinctly
superior to a simple pendulum. For,
(i) whereas a simple pendulum is just an ideal conception, not
realizable in actual practice, the length of an equivalent simple pendu-
lum, and hence the value of g, can be easily and accurately determined
with its help ;
(//)* vibrate? as a whole, there being no lag between the
it bob
and the string, as in the case of a simple or a Borda's dendulum ;
(Hi) the length to be measured here is clearly defined, viz., ttie
distance between the two knife- edges, and can thus be easily and
accurately measured whereas, in thn case of a simple pendulum, the
point of suspension and the e.g. of the bob are both more or less
indefinite points, and hence its true length can hardly be expected to
be determined correctly ;
due to its large mass, t\e compound pendulum keeps on
(iv)
oscillating fora fairly long time, thus enabling its time-period to be
determined with accuracy. In a simple pendulum, on thn other hand,
the oscillations die down much too soon due to the comparatively
small mass of the bob, and it becomes difficult to determine its time-
period to an equivalent degree of accuracy.
The one obvious disadvantage in the case of a compound
pendulum, however, is that during its vibrations to and fro, about
its mean position, some air is dragged aloni* with it, as mentioned
above, thus increasing its effective mass and hence its moment of
inertia. But it has been clearly shown by B^ssel that if it be of a
form, symmetrical about the centre of its geometrical shape (which is
not the same thing as its centre of gravity), this error is automatically
eliminated. This explains the symmetrical shapes of various types
of compound pendulum* we use, though, theoretically, a rigid body
of any shape whatever would do.
72. Other Improvements due to, Bcssel. Not only ha
Bessel done away with the trouble and the tedium of having to make
the time- periods about the two axes identical, but he has also
succeeded in removing quite a few other important errors. Thus,
for example :
(i) The error due to some air being dragged along with the
pendulum is removed by the symmetrical physical form of the instru-
ment, as suggested and shown by him.
(ii) The error due to the knife-edges not being perfectly sharp,
for which a correction, proportional to their radii of curvature, would
be necessary, (unless they be of the same radii of curvature), [see 71,
(/v), page 184], has also been eliminated by him. For, he has shown
that this error would automatically vanish if the two knife-edge,
at the two ends of the pendulum, could be made interchangeable.
Tben if f, and f, be the computed times, before and after the in^er-
f
188 fBOPERflfcS OF MATtfitt
change of knife-edges, the true time-period / is given by the relation
^/"ff^ Bessel, unfortunately, died before he could put his theory
into actual practice but, later, Rep>old did actually
construct in the year 186), a reversibh pendulum of this
type and used it with success.
Repsold's Pendulum is more or less a Kater-type
pendulum but is svmmetrical
geometrical form^about its
in
mid-point, (Fig 118). Here, we have a rod 7? fixed on to
R two rings R L and R z at its two ends, which, in their turn,
have two short rods screwed into them, terminating in
knife-edges E l and 2
inside the rings and carrying two
bobs B l and B2) one solid and the other hollow*.
The time-period of the pendulum can be made nearly
equal about either knife-edge by moving the bobs up and
down and screwing them into the desired position.
With the symmetrical form of the peivlulurn, the
error due to air- effects is automatically eliminated, as
Fig 118.explained in 71, (ii) above.
And, (iii) finally, ths error, due to the yielding of the support
has boon eliminated by D^ffarges, by using two reversible Rep sold
t)p3 p3nlulurm, of the same inns but different lengthy the sime
ratio of I to I' and h.ivin ; a common pair of knife- edges, (to be used
with either of them). He has shown that if L l and L> be the reduced
lengths of tha two reversible pendulums (i.e., the lengths between
the knife-edges) and TJ and T 2 their computed times, then \/(T 1 ~T 2 )
2 2
,
gives the correct time-period of a pendulum of length (LL L2 ), as
can be seen from the following :
g*i
We have
(See pages
and LI 84 and 186.
a
4?r
where /t and / 2 are the two lengths on the two sides of the c g. in the
'
case of one pendulum and tt and // in that of the other.
So that, subtracting th3 83con<l expression from the first, we have
Clearly, ths correcting term, (i.e., the second term) in this expression
can be made zero if /,:/,:: V
/,', and this is easily done by adjust-
:
ing the positions of the bobs of the two pendulums. With this adjust-
ment made, we have
*This is to ensure that the lengths / t and / t of the pendulum on the two
sides of the e.g. are not very nearly equal, or else the correcting terms for the
c/ror due to air effects, (page 180), will not be small. This is the reason why in
a Kater's pendulum one bob is made smaller than the other.
ACCELERATION DUB TO GRAVITY 189
Or, if we use only one knife-edge, (fixed on the support, as
explained in 71 (///), page 181), we have
-^ o
= Li+mg.fi and J^
2
= L +mg S, Seepage 184.
47T- 47T a L
where Z^ and L 2 are the reduced lengths and r l and T 2 the computed ,
time-periods of the two pendulums respectively.
Thus, subtracting the second expression from the first, we have,
straightaway,
** '
\
V-T )=L -L z
2
.
2 i
This removes at one stroke the errors due to yielding of tke
support and curvature of the knife-edges, as also those due to air-
effects, and we have
*. a
This about the most accurate method of
is
determining the
\alue of g at a given place.
73. Conical Pendulum. A simple conical pendulum is just
a simple pendulum, (ie., a srnill heavy bob attached to a
light, inex-
tensible string), which is given such a
mot on thit the bob describes a horizontal
;
S
circle and the strirg traces out a cone. The < *
length of the pendulum is the distance
between the point of suspension and the /
e.g. of the bob. /
\r
Let m
be the mass of the bob J?;
r,
v, its velocity and r, the radius of the
circle it describes, (Fig. 119). Then, its
centripetal acceleration towards 0, the
centre of the circle, is equal to v 2 /r, and "
*/.-
'"
nL. -"."." I
".-13
the centripetal force on it is, therefore,
T>^*-'|
mv*/r in that direction, ma
Let SO
be equal to h.
pig, 119^
Clearly, the forces acting on the
bob are (i) its weight, wg, vertically downwards, and (U) the tension of
the string T, in the direction BS.
The weight mg is balanced by the vertical component T cos 0,
of the tension T of the string, and its horizontal
component T sin
provides the centripetal force wv /r towards O, where o is the semi-
2
vertical angle of the cone
Thus, T sin = mv 2 /r and T cos = mg.
n T sin = = mv*lr v2
Or, tan L ^ Jl_ t
Or, v*/rg=~tan 0. Or, v*=r.g.tan 0.
Since v2 ==r 2 .co a , where w the angular velocity of the bob,
is we
have r*.w 2 =r.g. tan ^ r.g,r//j=r g/A,
2
[\ tan 0=r/A.
whence, uP^glh, and ,*. o>
? 1
PEOPlfiBTIBa OF MATTEB
Now, the time-period of the pendulum is given by
2* 27T
_ = JrTTA /
g
t =27rA > ..(it) [v ft -/we.
where / is the length of the pendulum.
It will thus be noted that the time-period is the same as that, of a
simple pendulum of length h. the axial height of the cone.
If he very small, cos is nearly equal to 1 so that h /, ;
=
the time period is almost independent of 0.
i.e., /H ctf/zer won/5, the
time-period remains the same whether the bob moves along a circular or
a linear path.
74. Steam Engine Governor. It will be seen from relation (/)
above, (73), that the angular velocity (co) of the bob of a conical
pendulum varies inversely as the square root of the depth (//) of its
e.g. from the point of suspension or, conversely, that the depth of
;
the e.g. of the bob, below its point of suspension varies inversely as the
,
square of its angular velocity,
This is made
use of in the construction of what is called the
"governor* a steam engine, which is just a device to maintain the
is
speed of the engine constant by regulating, or 'governing', the supply
of steam from the boiler to the steam- chest,
In essentials, it is just a combination c*f two similar conical
pendulums, mounted on either side of the vertical shaft (with a com-
mon point of suspension), rotated by the engine,
and cons, sts of two rods OP and OQ hinged to-
gether at their upper end O to the shaft OS, and
carrying two spherical metallic bobs P and Q at
their lower ends, (Fig. 120). Two other smaller
rods connect O/^and OQ to a metallic collar C,
which slides freely along the shaft, thus operat-
ing a lever which controls the throttle valve, or
the steam valve, opening it partially or fully,
according as the collar moves up or down the
shaft.
Now, when due to a greater supply of steam
to the cylinder, the shaft, and, therefore, the
i.e., & increases,
bobs rotate faster, h propor-
tionately decreases, or the bobs rise up, thus
partially closing the steam valve, thereby partially cutting off the
supply of steam to the cylinder. This automatically results in a
falling off of the speed of rotation (<o) of the shaft or the bobs, and
when this happens, h increases, i.e. the collar slides down with the
9
bobs, thus opening the steam valve more fully, allowing more steam
into the cylinder, which then, increases the rate of rotation of the
shaft. So that, by proper adjustment, the rate of supply to the
steam chest or cylinder, and, consequently, the rate of rotation
the shaft, can be maintained at constant v
any
DUB TO GRAlfttt 19)
The sensitiveness of the device, however, decreases with the
increasing speed of the engine. For, we have the relation
2
co -g//f, ...(/)
differentiating which, we have 2cu.rfco =* ~~~dh. ('
v)
And, therefore, dividing relation (fv) by (///), we have
Zw.da) g.dh h ~ , .
2
as -TT
^ X- -
Or, 2rfa>/a>=
,,
aft/A,
whence, dft =s -- 0}
~
Or, substituting the value of ft, from relation (Hi) above, we have
Thus, it is clear that dh oc l/o> 3 i.e., dh decreases as w increases.
,
In other words, the change in the position of the e.g. decreases with
increasing angular velocity of the bobs or the shaft, thus slowing
down the 'up and down motion' of the collar along the shaft or
decreasing the sensitiveness of the device.
75. Other methods for the determination of <g'. The following
are a few other methods that m
iy bs used to determine the value of
g at a place. Although they do not compare favourably with the
pendulum methods in point of accuracy or ease of performance, they
are, nevertheless, valuable laboratory exercises, affording good illus-
trations of tbe various principles employed for the purpose. Here,
then, are these different methods :
(1) The
Inclined Plane. We
have seen before, in 39, (page
88), bow the
acceleration a of a body, rolling down an inclined plane,
(without slipping), is given by the expression,
a=*[r*t(k*+r*)]g sin a,
where the radius of the body jfc, its radius of gyration about its
r is ;
axis of rotation a, the angle of inclination of the plane, and
;
g, the
acceleration due to gravity at the place.
*
It follows, therefore,* thatg=
*
sin a
So that, knowing r, (by means of a vernier calliper) k, (from the geo-
metrical shape of the body) sin a,, from the height and length of the
plane) and a, (by direct experiment, as explained below), we can easily
calculate out the value of g at the place.
The value of a can be easily and accurately obtained by
noting
the distances covered by the body, down
along the plane, in succes-
sive equal intervals of time*, and
plotting the distance-time curve
for it. The equation of the curve being 5 2
|af (u being zero, be-
= ,
cause the body starts from rest), it will,
obviously, be parabolic in
*This may be easily done if the angle of inclination
(a) of the plane be
small ; for, then the acceleration of the body will also be small and the time
taken by it in rolling down the place will be
fairly accurately measured by means
of a stop watch.
192 PROPERTIES OP MATTER
form, with its axis coinciding with the distance-axis. So that, sub-
stitu ing tha co-ordinates of any snitabh p'jint on th 3 curve in the
relation S \at
2
,
the value of a can be easily determined.
(2) The Dynamical Spherometer. Let S be the centre of
curvature of a spherical surface, arranged horizontally with its con-
cavity upwards, and, /?, its radius, (Fig.
121) and let a steel ball, of mass and
;
m
radius r 9 be allowed to roll to and fro
on it, wilhout slipping. Then clearly,
the ball oscillates on the inside of the
surface as though it were a compound
pendulum, wiih its centre of suspension
at S and its centre of oscillation at t
O
the centre of the ball ; so that, SO
(*-')
Let the angular amplitude of the ball be 0', (i.e., the angle that
it makes at S, when in its extreme positions). Let it be in the posi-
tion B at any given instant, such that the angle it now makes at
9
s is 0.
Then, clearly, work done on the
ball by the force of gravity in
bringing it down from A equal to B
weight of the ball x the verti-
to is
cal distance through which the ball has fallen down.
This must, therefore, be clearly equal to the loss in its poten-
tial energy, i e.,
equal to mg x PQ where mg is the weight of the ball.
Or, loss in P.E. = mg(SQ-SP).
Now, SQ = (R-r).cos and SP =
(Rr).cos 0'.
And .-. SQ-SP = (Rr).(cos 6-cos 0').
So that, work done by the force of gravity in moving the ball
from to B is equal to mg.(R-r) (cos
A cos 0') and is equal to the
loss in the potential energy of the ball.
This must, clearly, be equal to tha gain in the kinetic energy of
the ball i.e., equal to |/.o/ 2 where / is the moment of inertia of the
,
ball and a/, its angular velocity about the line of contact.
So that, mg (R-r).(cos B -cos 0')
= J/o/
2
.
If co be the angular velocity of the ball about a horizontal axis
.
_H_ Va,.
(jy
.-. mg.(R-r).(cos 0-cos 0')
whence, differentiating with respect to time, we have
,
since dd/dt = w, we have
(J?-r) da,
0.<o
ACCELERATION DXTB TO GRAVIT7 193
Or, mg.(R-r)jin 6 =7 . . ~ .
^ wS'r*(R-~ r ) sin 9
2 2
mg.r .s-m w#.r . /n 0=6, if
* ~~ p.-
besmal1 -
I(R-rT /.(.R^rp' L
.T .
Now, /.
"
f/
_ 5g_ ' '
Here, clearly, dw\dt is the angular acceleration of the ball ;
= 5?
so that, angular acceleration of the ball T^^V*^*
/.., the angular acceleration of the ball is proportional to 0.
[v 5g/7(Rr) is a constant].
The ball thus executes a simple harmonic motion, and its time-
period is, therefore, given by
o .
^.
Squaring this expression, we have
i,t /*
.~ r
= r
-
287r 2 (/?-r)
whence, g = ~
o/~
Thus, knowing the radii of the concave surface and the ball
(with the help of a spherometer and a vernier calliper, respectively),
and noting the time- period of oscillation of the ball, we can easily
calculate the value of g at the given place.
2
N.B. Re-arranging the expression for t ,
obtained above, we
have 5f 2 = 2
28w jR-287T 2
r. Or, 287TIR = 2
5g/ +287T
2
r.
Or
ur, R
K
So that knowing r, the radius of the ball, t, its period of
oscillation and the value of g, we can
easily calculate the radius of cur-
vature (R) of the given spherical suriace.
(3) The Atwood's Machine.
In the ribbon-type of machine,
[Fig. 122 (a)], a R
is passed round the flat rim of a
strip or ribbon
light and frictionless pulley, (running on ball-bearings), with two
equal masses and M M
at its two ends, one of which is initially kept
resting on a platform P.
An identicalribbon is attached to the lower ends of the two
8 shown, 90 that when th ayvtem iff set into motion, ap
194 PROPERTIES OF
additional length of the first ribbon,
passing on to the right side of
the pulley, is exactly balanced
by an equal length of the second, pass
ing on to its left side, thus ensuring thai
no extra mass is transferred from one siJt.
of i he pulley to the other.
A steel strip or vibrator F, of a
known time-per.od T, is clamped hori-
zontally at one end, and carries a light
style, or an inked brush B, which just
touches the paper ribbon going round
the pulley.
A small riderof mass m is placed
r, t
on the mass M, ng on the platform,
rest
to make it slight'y heavier than tho other.
Then, with the rna c ses not yet in
motion, the bnibh is moved across the
paper ribbon to mark a horizontal line on
Fig. 122. it, indicating the starting point.
The platformP is now suddenly made to fall, (by means of
('trigger releases') and the vibrator simultaneously set vibrating.
Naturally, the mass loaded with tho rider, moves down and the
other up with a common acceleration, say a. And, as the ribbon
runs, past the brush, a \\avy curve, duo to the transverse vibrations
of K, gets traced OH it, and goes on gradually lengthening out,
[Fig. 122 (/?)], on account of the accelerated motion of the masses,
and hence that of the ribbon.
Since one wave is traced out on the ribbon during one vibration
ofV, the distances occupied by successive waves represent the dis-
tances covered by the masses during successive time periods of it.
Thus, if S M So, S3 etc., be the distances covered by the masses
in the first, second and third etc., time-periods of K, we have
u = 0, the masses starting from test.
[/
here u = aT, the velocity
and S.2 = aT.T+laT* = aT*+laT*, after time T.
i.e., S2 = T0P/2
= 2aT. T. V now u 2'T, the velocity
And, similarly, 5, time 2T.
c after
So that, S2 5 l
=- 53 S^ = aT2 = x, say. Or, a^x/T*.
Thus, 7 being known, the va'ue of a can be easily calculated out.
Now, if v be tho velocity acquired by the masses, when they
have covered a distance, h we have
gain in K.E. of the pulley and rhe masses ('ogether with (he rider)
= /0ss in P.E. of the masses and the rider,
ACCELERATION DUB TO GRAVITY 195
where /is the moment of inertia of the pulley about its axis of rota-
tionand w, its anguLir velocity at the time.
Now, if R \ e the radius of the pulley, v = Rw, or w = vjR.
Hence, \Lv-iR- 4- \(*M-\ m).v
2 = wg/7.
Or, Iv
Or,
+ 2M + m).
whence, , _v'(//JP
*
2mA
But v
2 = 2ah. ['.'
u = and S- A.
~~ 2flA(//JP
+ 2 A/ + w) - ~
g(//JP + 23f -f w)
g
__
2mh m~ '
-W
whence, the value of g can be easily calculated.
It H, however, 'lesir.ible to eliminate /from this expression,
by
repeating the experiment with the same masses but a different ridtr,
of mass /'. If a' bo no\v the accaleration of the masses,
(determined
as before), we hav e r
Re-arranging relations (/) and (//), we have
mgla = (///? + 2Jf + m),
and m'gja' = (7//J
2
+ 2A/ + W).
So that, fliibtiMctin^ relation (/V) from relation (///), we have
mgla
- m'%[a' = (m-rn Or, g(Aw/a - f
). m//') ==
(m-m'),
~ ^
m m' \*
,'/ _-
g = (/H-TH
, ,
whence, ) ..
(v )
^ J
Thus knowing w?, w', ^ and
the value of g can be easily obtained.
a',
A possible source of error, here, is the fi'idional force encoun-
tered by the pulley as it rotates about Jts axle, which, obviously,
tends to lower its angular velocity. This may be easily remedied by
placing another auxiliary rider on the loaded mass,,, such that, with
the main rjder (r) removed from it, if an initial velocity be given to
it, to sot the svstem in motion, it continues t-"> move with the same
uniform velocity, i e., (its motion, is neither accelerated nor reta-ded).
Obviously, tlnn, the weight of this auxiliary rider exactly counter-
acts the retarding force due *r friction. If, therefore, kept on the
miss throughout the expe ent, it completely eliminates the error
due to friction, and, clearl, neither its weight nor the fractional
force need enter into our ca' at ions.
(4) The Dropping
Plate. A plate of glass, P, smoked by holding
it over burning <urnph'>r, is suspended with its plane vertical, by
means of a thread, as shown in Fig 123 (a), and a tuning fork f,
f
of a known frequency \ is mounted close to it, so that a light alu-
minium -tyle, (or better still, a hog's b*ii>tle. such as may be obtained
from a discarded hair b ush), attached to one ot its prongs, just touches
the surface of the plate.
*Or, we could u*e different ma^^c* M a.id M' but the *amc rider, in vhich
case w: shill tuvs g = 2(Af-Af' )/mU/ !/') where a' is the acceleration of
tjie masses in the second case,
196 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
The fork is set vibrating by lightly drawing a bow across it, or
by simply pinching it strongly, and the thread, supporting the plate,
burnt or cut simultane-
ously. Thus released,
the plate starts fall-
ing, with an accelera-
tion, equal to the value
of g at the place, and
the style traces out a
wavy line on it, of the
form shown in Figs. 123
(b) and (c), the waves
being smaller and closer
together at first, but
gradually lengthening
out and getting further
apart, due to the accele-
rated motion of the
plate, though the time
taken to trace each
wave remains the same,
viz., equal to 1/N, the
time-period of the fork.
(a)
JL.
Y
*
Three points D, E
and F, [Fig. 123 (b)\
'
are then marked on this
Fig. 123.
such that wavy line, DE
and EF contain the same number of waves, say, n, each Let distances
'and 7'" be 8 l and S2 respectively, as measured by means of a
travelling microscope, both being covered by the plate in the same
interval of time t njN, taken by the fork to complete n vibrations.
Then, clearly, 5, =
ut+\Qt*. Or, 2S t = 2w/-fgJ
2
, ... (/)
where u is the velocity
"
of the plate at D.
And, (S,+S? ) = 2w/+|g.(2f) a .
because, here, distance = (8 -{-S 9 ) and time 9
= (2f).
80 that, subtracting equation (/) from (//), we have
Or >
whence, g = iT~LtL
(
...(m)
Or, substituting the value ,w/JV for /, in relation (///), we have
g -5. .
~ -
y as --^
... (JV)
Thus, knowing N, n and (S2 Sj), we can easily calculate out the
value of gat the place.
It will be readily seen ttfat the mass of the style (or the 'hog's
N.B.
9
bristle attached to the prong of the foik, together with the friction it encounters
),
at the plate, will slightly lower its frequency, so that it will actually be somewhat
less than N. For greater accuracy, therefore, the frequency of the fork (with the
style attached to it) must be determined by the method of 'beau\ by sounding it
to
with another fork of an accurately known frequency. The frequency, thus deter-
mined, should then replace N
in relation (iv) for g, above.
Alternative Calculation. The following is a comparatively more
accurate method of calculating the value of g, because, here, the
possible error in correctly counting n is eliminated.
Three points A, B and C are marked on a portion of the wavy
line, [Fig. 123 (c)], where the waves are clearly visible and can be
distinctly counted. Let there be n l waves (and, therefore, x
vibra-
tions) made by the fork in-between A and B, and n 2 waves (or
W 2 vibrations) in between B and C, and let the total distance AC be S.
Then, clearly, (tf 1 +w 2
waves or vibrations are made by the
)
fork in time ( 1 +fl 2 )/jV. So that,
S z=~ .
^
Or, V
= A /"F
Y 42
"1
~
^
and
Plotting against n i9 therefore,
we obtain a straight line, (Fig. 124),
of slope A /-? / N 9 from which the
value of g can at once be calculated,
without knowing n.
Incidentally, the dropping plate
method also shows that a freely fall-
ing body is subjected to a constant
acceleration due to gravity,-*- a fact,
not easy to demonstrate otherwise.
(5) Vertical Oscillations of a Fig. 124.
Flat Spiral Spring. A spiral spring is
just a uniform wire or ribbon, designed to have, in its normal, un-
strained condition, the form of a regular helix, such as may be
obtained by winding the wire closely and uniformly round a cylinder,
of a diameter much greater than its own.
If the plane of each coil of the spiral is perpendicular to the
axis of the cylinder, it is called a flat spiral, but if it be
inclined at a small angle to this axis, it is spoken
of as an inclined spiral. We shall concern ourselves
here only with the flat spiral of a wire of circular
cross-section.
If a small force be applied to a flat spiral, along
along the straight line passing through the
its axis, (i.e.,
centre of each coil of it), and perpendicular to its plane,
it increases in length a little, but still preserves its
helical form, as will be clear from Figs. 125
(a)
and (b).
Let us consider a flat spiral, of length L and
radius R, (where R is much greater than its pitch),
suspended from a rigid support, with its upper and
lower ends (A and B), bent as shown in Fig. U6 (a)
9
ao as to lie along its
198 PEOPEBTIBS OS MATTBB
Then, if a mass m b3 suspond^d from its lower free end, & forcd
equal to mg (the weight of the mass) acts vertically downwards
along its axis, producing a statical
extension/ n its length, (/e., an
extension, with the mass m at
rest).
The
of this force mg,
effect
acting along the axis of the spiral
is to produce a turning monent,
equal to mg R. at every section of
it, [Fig. 12(5 (/?)]. And, this, in its
turn, subjects the wire to a uni-
form twist 0, say, per unit length
of it.
Now, the twisting or tor-
sional couple* per unit length
equal to rar tf/2,
4
of the wire is
where n is the coejfif ient of rigidity
of the material of the wire ; r, its
(a; and
radius #, its angle (>ftwi>t.
Fig. 126.
This, therefore is the torsional resistance, opposing the turning
moment mg.R due to the weight nig. For equilibrium, therefore, we
have mg.R = n.ir^d/2. ... (/)
Now, a twist per unit length of the wiro corresponds to a
displacement or extension R.6 per unit length of it. [Fjg 12t> (b)].
Charly, therefore, the extension produced in the \\hole length of the
wire is equal to L.R.6.
= - v
' is the to al ' '
Or,' / L.R.O, whence, 6 IjLR. \ tension
.
L produced.
Substituting this value of 6 in relation (/) alove, we have
Tiw 4 / Trnr 4 /
mg.R a= r~ .
j-g
= .. -
p , whence,
The expression Tnr*.l/2LR' thus represents the
force of elastic
reaction for in the length of the spiral
an increase / and. therefore, .
the elastic reaction per unit incievse in the length of the spiral
as 7tnr*/2LR*, (because /I). Denoting this by K, we have
mg =K /, whence, K= mg/l.
mass (m) Le now displaced or pulled
If the suspended vertically
downwards through a distance x and then released, so as to produce
vertical oscillations in the spiral, the restoring force F. acting on the
mass may for small oscillations, be taken to be dirjctly proportional
to its displacement. So that, F = K.x.
2
And, if d*x/dt be the acceleration of the mass at the
given
See chapter VII, where it is shown that the twisting couple on a cylinder
4
(or wire) is equal to OTtr G/2/ f where Q i^ the angle of twist and /, its length*
ACCELERATION DUE TO GRAVTl^ l&S
instant, when its displacement is x, the inertial reaction of t\e mass
is clearly equal to m.d'x/dt*.
Hence, by Newton's third law of motion, we have
m.d 2 x/dt 2 whence, =Kx,
d x/rf/ 2 x.K[m. =
Now, since K and m are both constant quantities for the given
spiral,we have Kjm = a constant, p,, say.
So that, d*xldt* *= - n. x. Or, d z x[dt* oc x ;
i.e., the acceleration of the mass
directly proportional to its displace-
is
ment x ; and it, therejore, executes a simple harmonic motion, its time-
period being given by the expression
/ = ~ 27TA
*
= t*^lR = 2* A
V/ V/ nig
2irvT/ , Or, ...(//)
Kim 1 1
Or, t = 2ir v'/7F ;
i time -period is ihe same as that of a simple pendulum of length
e., ///e /,
the extension produced in the spiral.
Squaring and re-arranging this expression for /, we have g = 47T .//f
2 ?
,
whence the value of g, at the given place, can be easily calculated out.
In the above treatment, we have not tak'm into consideration
the mass of the spring, assuming it to be negligible, compared with
the suspended mass m. For gre itcr accuracy, however, it must also
be taken into account. So that, if the effective mass of the spring be
m s
the total mass acting downwards along the axis of the spring
,
becomes m+
3 and the expression (//) above, for the time-period of
the spiral, becomes / 27t\/(m-\-w s )/K^. =
It is, however, best to eliminate s altogether. This is done m
by performing the experiment with two different suspended masses,
m 1 and w 2.
Then, if t l and t% be the respective time-periods of oscillation
in the two cases, we have
=
27rv\w 1 -Fwj7A' and f 2
tl
So that; squaring and subtracting the second from the first, we have
.....
...(in)
Now, if /,
and /2 be the statical extensions corresponding to the two
mabses, w e have
r
mv g = AT/j and m^g = K12 ,
whence, mr g^m 2 .g^Kl }
Kl2 .
Or, (w, m 2 ).g
= K(lL l^.
A g
Substituting this value of (m l
m.2 )IK in expression (i/i) above,
have (^-/a 1
)
= 47r^-~ i?
, whence, g
Thus, observing f, and ^ 2 directly, and measuring /t and /,, by
noting the positions of a light pointer, attached to the spiral, on *
2UO PBOFBRTIBJS OB MATtlA
vertical centimetre scale fixed alongside it, the value of g can be eatfi-
ly calculated.
(6) The Bifilar Suspension. If a heavy and uniform bar or
cylinder, (or, in fact, any rigid body), be suspended horizontally by
means of two equal, vertical, flexible and inelastic threads, equidistant
from its centre of gravity, the arrangement constitutes what i called
a bifilar suspension. On
being displaced a little in its own plane, i.e.,
and then released, the bar or cylinder exe-
in the horizontal plane),
. cutes a simple harmonic motion about the vertical axis through its
centre of gravity.
Now, two cases, arise, (/) when the two suspension threads are
parallel, and (//') when they are not. Let us consider both.
(/) Bifilar Suspension, with Parallel Threads. Let AB [Fig. 127,
(a)],represent the original or equilibrium position of a cylinder, of
mass m, and with its e.g. at 0, where its weight nig acts vertically
downwards. Let the two suspension threads PA and b* QB
parallel to each other, and distance 2J apart ; and let the length of
each be I.
Now, if the cylinder be displaced a little into the position A'B',
through a small angle 6, about the vertical axis through (9, the sus-
pension threads take up the position PA' and QB' at an angle with </>
their original positions, where is small.<f>
Let T be the tension in in each thread, acting upwards along it.
Then, resolving it into itstwo rectangular components, we have
() (W (c)
Fig. 127.
(/) the component T cos <f>, acting vertically upwards ;
nd (//) the component Tsin ^, acting horizontally along B'Band A' A
[Fig. 127 (b)].
Obviously, the vertical components support th weight of the
cylinder. Hence,
?r cos J> mg. Or, T cos i
fO GfcAVlTt 201
And, since is small, cos
<f>
= 1, very nearly. <f>
So that, T = wg/2.
The components, T 5fw <, (acting at ^4' and B')< on the other
hand being equal, opposite and parallel, constitute a couple, tending
to bring the cylinder hack into its original position. And, since A' A
and B B are practically at right angles to A'B', we have
C
moment of this restoring couple = T. sin </>.2d
= T.<f>.2d.
'
S mall,
L .y/fl = 0.
Now, = BB'IOB = #'/rf ;
so that, BB' = e.d. [Fig. 127 (c).
And, therefore, ^ = BB'\l = 0.<///. [Fig 127 ().
Hence, r^ormg C*HJ>& = T.'4-'2d
/
= 2& .**
l
. 2L^
f
. tf . But
i
the restoring couple is' also =? Ld 2
&ldt* 9
where Us moment of inertia of the cylinder about the vertical
the
through 0, (its e.g.), and d $/dt*, its angular acceleration.
2
axis
T ' d*8 --
mg.d* n
* V* jf J.
Now, mg.d2 jll a constant quantity, in a given case, and, there-
is
fore, putting it equal to n, we have,
d^Qldt
1 = n.Q. Or, d*0/dt* oc 0,
/.., f/t angular acceleration of the cylinder /? proportional to its angu-
lar displacement, and is clearly directed towards its mean position. The
cylinder, therefore, executes a simple harmonic motion and its time-
period is given by
T
mg~d*Jll
Or,
O -- o
Or, if we put / =
mfc 2 , where k is the radius of gyration of the
cylifi^
about the vertical axis through <9, we have
x
ri>__
s ^7f __^
^
M
k/
whence, T = 27r.-~7 V d
,
*
--
s
^ (")
g
Now, squaring relation, (i) or (//), and re-arranging, we have,
from relation (/), g
2 2
47T /.//m.rf .r
a
... = ... ...(/)
and, from relation (), g
a 2 2
4:r .fc .//d .r
a
... = . ... ... (/v)
And, thus, the value of g at the given place may be easily cal-
culated out.
(ii) Bifilar Suspension with
Non-Parallel Threads. Let the rod or
cylinder AB, [Fig. 128 (#)], be suspended symmetrically by two equal
but non-parallel threads*, each of length /, and let the distance bet-
ween the threads at the top and at the bottom be 2dlt and 2dt res-
pectively, where (d% dj =X
*The threads, in this position of the rod, are not shown, to avoid COJOQ-
cHicatini the Figure
202 FROFERTIES OF MATTER
If the cylinder be displaced through an angle 0, in its owri
plane, into the position A' B' t the suspension threads take up positions
PA' and QB'. Then, as befora, tension T acts upwards along each
thread, and may be resolved into two rectangular components, v/z.,
(/) T cos <, acti'g vertically upwards, as shown, and (ii) T sin <,
acting horizontally, along A'K and B'L [Fig. 128 (0)J. where <f> is
the angle that each thread makes with the vertical, or the perpendiculars
PK and QL, from P and Q on to AB.
Id,
Ts>n
tfl ff- '7TT - * "> ^- '-' z
CP^'> T S,r>
(a)
Fig. 128.
The vertical components T cos <f> support the weight mg of the
cylinder, acting vertically downwards at its e.g., O and, therefore, ;
2T cos j>
= mg.
'
...( v )
Now, clearly, LB' = ^^d^^d^d^sJ. [Fig 123 (c)
2
L 2,J^dL approximately.
, r 6 b;i
cing small, and
L cos o=l, nearly.
Or, LB' = (did^) = #, approximately.
B'R
And, c0$ $ ss [Fig 128(6).
From relation
Now, T 2 2
"
above.
Zv/ -*'// (v)
And, resolving forces T
sin <f>, acting at A' and B'
along A'K
and 5X respectively, into their rectangular components along and at
right angles to A'B', we have
the components at right angles to A'B' = T sin <f>.
sh a, [ Fig. 128 (c).
Since these two components act in opposite directions at A'
and B\ they constitute a couple, tending to rotate the cylinder back
into its original position AB and, clearly, ;
moment of this restoring couple = T sin <f>
. sin a. A'B'.
Or, restoring torque on the cylinder =* Tsln <f>.sin oi.2dt .
mg.l x C r
*=
ft
2dr
,
-A= r-. sin a.
.
from Fig. 128 (b).
the sides in a triangle, be ng proportional to the sine* of
Now, ;
the angles opposite to them, we have, from Fig, 128 (c),
djsin
* LB'Isin 9,
ACCELERATION DTTE TO GRAVITY
^ ,,,,,. = A , .
= 1 n
So that, rf,/5/n a x/0.
,
And .-. sin a .0.
Hence, restoring torque on the cylinder
X -
,] Q
fiut, restoring torque is also = ^.-r-2
where /is th3 mvnent of inertia of the cylinder about the vortical axis
2
through its e.g., and d^^jdt its angular acceleration. ,
^
-^ Or,
where,
'
?'
= a constant (*.
7. v / *'
Tims, cc 0.
Or, ///e angular acceleration of the cylinder is proportional to its angular
displace'mit. It. therefore, executes a simple haimonic motion and its
time-period is given by
Or,
.mg
r= 2; r^. v
rf,
^/
2
...(v)
v ;
And, if we put / mk* where k is the radium of gyration of 9
the cylinder about the vertical axis through its e.g. we have
7 be tin vertical dista ic3 bstwean the two ends of each
y
Now, if
suspension thread, we have y = B'R ~ LQ = y/^ #-. [Fig. 128 (6).
So, that,
"
r= 27r.--A =^ AV/ J!_. ... (v/ii)
i S
Again, squaring and ro-arran.jiiig relations (v//) and (v//7), we
have
j- / 47T*.A.\/* -^^
/
from relation
i
(v//)
..v
g= r/a**m*j.rr"
MI
~*
....... -(^) . v
2
47T* fc V
and, from Nation (v///), g =
-,-'1.^.
^ ...... (x)
a^.u c .7
The value of g, at the place, can thus be calculated from either
of the-e relations
It will be readily seen that if </, = d. =* d, and y = /, so that
x = 0, i.e., /wo threads are parallel and
vr/zgfl //ie vertical in the
original equilibrium position of the c^ Under, we have
relation reduced to 2* *= STT -1- the same as
(tf) (v//)
-^ A/ ,
r elation (/), for parallel threads,
204 k-HOPKBTIBS fflATTKB
(b) relation (v/ff) reduced to T= 27r.~r-A/ ,the same ad
relation (//)
for parallel threads, (see page 201).
Note. It will be clear from the above that the bifilar suspension may
also be used to determine the value of /for the suspended cylinder etc. For,
relation (///) above, when re-arranged, gives / = - -.
n 2/
and relation (ix) 9 when re-arranged, gives / = '
4n- \r x"
In fact, method is more suitable for determining th
this
moment of inertia of a body than for determining the value of g.
76. Variation of the value of g'. The value of g at a given
f
place is affected by a number of factors, viz.,
(i) latitude of the place (// altitude aiid (Hi) depth.
;
We shall
DOW proceed to study the effuct due to each of these factors a little
in detail.
(/) The effect of latitude on the value
Effect due to Latitude.
of g may be considered under two headings, v>z., (a) the effect of
the rotation of the earth, and (b) the effect due to the bulge at the
equator.
Let us consider each separately.
(a) Effect of Rotation. We know
that the earth is rotating
about its axis from west to east. If it were at rest, and were a
homogeneous sphere, the acceleration due to grav'ty would be the
same for a body at all points on its surface and would be directed
towards its centre. Due to its rotation, however, part of the force
of gravity on the body is used up in overcoming the centripetal force
acting on it, and thus the resultant acceleration on it is different,
both in magnitude and direction, at different places, i.e., the
apparent value of '#' is different in different latitudes, as will be clear
from the following :
Let NWSE, (Fig. 129), be a section of the earth, (supposed to
yy
be a perfect sphere), through its polar
diameter NS, and let its radius be r. Then,
if a* be the angular velocity of the earth
about the axis of rotation NS, all points on
its surface rotate about this axis with the
angular velocity o>. The linear velocity of
ach point will depend, however, on its dis-
tance from the axis. Thus, the linear velocity
of a particle at the points E, N, and S will W
be r.co, and that at a point P, distant
PM = x from the axis, will be x.eo, where
x is the radius of the circle that the point P
describes as it rotates with the earth.
Let b the latitude in which the point P is situated. Then,
<f>
since the radius PM, of the circle described by P, is r cos 4>, the
linear velocity of P =
r cos <f>.aj ; so that, the centrifugal force acting
QB P, oway from the centre (M) of the circle it describes, and acting
ACCELERATION DUE TO GRAVITY 205
along MP, is clearly given by m.r.cos <f>.aP. Let it be represented in
magnitude as well as direction by the straight lino Pp.
The force of gravity mg, which would act on the boly if the
earth were at rest, (g being the acceleration due to gravity, with the
earth at rest), would obviously act towards the centre of the earth O.
Let it be represented in magnitude as well as direction by the
straight line PO.
Thus, there are two forces acting simultaneously at the point
2
P, viz., (a) the centrifugal force m.r.cos <.eo ahng PF, and (b) the ,
force mg due to gravity along PO. Completing the triangle of forces
POQ, where PO represents the gravitational force mg, and OQ, the
centrifugal force m.r.cos <.o>
2
we have the resultant force at P
,
represented by the third side PQ of the triangle, both in magnitude
and direction, where
PQ = ^POOQ*~2PO~OQcos>OQ. [See Appendix 1 "7 (2),
2 4
r.r* cos <j>
to 2m*. g r cos^.a)*.
Now, the value of r.w* comes to be about 3-39 cms. I sec*., or
about 1/288 of the value of g; for r 6378xl0 8 cms., and ^
<o =
27T/86164, (where 8(5164 is the number of mean solar seconds in
one day),
Thus, the expression jn*.r*.cos*<f>-a>* is negligible, compared with
the other terms involving g, and, therefore,
PQ = y/mg* 2m*.~g.rcos*i~^>* = \/m*(g*^i.f~c(^^)'
-V
mg 9 * i
1 ---- frt
-
-- x~ w
Or, PQ = mg(\ 1
+
'
-+ some other negligible terms )
g ^ /
c
Or, the resultant force on P = mg( 1
fOJ '
\
.'. if acceleration of the point P, in latitude <f>,
be g ,, we have
T
" '""' a
This value is obviously smaller than g, and is directed towards
,
and wo/ towards 0, the centre of the earth the angle OPQ, or ;
e change in direction of the gravitational force is, however, very
small.
For pointy on the equator, since 0, and, therefore, cos<j>= 1, <f>
=
the value of the centrifugal acceleration r.<o
a
i.e., a maximum.
= ,
And, for points on the poles, because ^ 90, and, therefore, =
cos <^ =
0, the value of the centrifugal acceleration is zero, i e., a
minimum.
It follows, therefore, that the apparent acceleration of a body is
the least at the equator, and the $reat$st qt the poles, with \n
206 PROPERTIES OP MATTER
Substituting tho valua of r.aj* g 3'39'978 ! =
1/288 in the =
expression for g above, (the value of g being 978'03 cms.jsec*. at the
equator), we havy
,-*( '-!?) _
This is a result, not quite in agreement with the experimental
value.
The discrepancy may, however, be ascribed (/) to the elliptic ity
of the earth, its radius increasing as wo proceed from the poles towards
the equator, so that points in the higher altitudes arj nsa-er to its
centre than those near th^ equator (//) to the non-homogeneity of its
;
comyosilio'ii tho density of its different layers b3in-z different, with
the i m,r layers compirjiivelv much denser ih:m (about more than
twice as dense as) the outer ones.
(b) Effect of Bulge at the Equator. It was RVier, whose ex-
periments in 1672 first showed a variation in the value of 'g' at
two different places.
Determining the length of a seconds pendulum at Cavenne
(in French Guiana) and at Paris, he found its length at Paris to be
just over one-tenth of an inch greater than at Cayenne, clearly
showing the value of g to be greater at Paris.
Newton soon explained this variation on the assumption that
the earth behaved as though it wera a 'uniformly gravitating fluid
globe' so that, by virtue of its very rotation, it was bound to have
;
a spheroidal shape, with a bulge or a protuberance at tho equator,
and comparative flattening oh the poles under the influence of the cen-
trifugal force acting on it, tho valua of which varies from zero at tho
poles to a maximum at the equator. In fact, even if the earth \\ero
perfectly rigid, it should have assumed this shape before it actually
cooled down. As a consequence, the equatorial radius is about 13
miles greater than its polar radius. Hence, all bodies in the equatorial
regions are farther from the centre than those in the polar regions,
and the force of attraction due to gravity on the latter is, therefore,
greater than that on the former.
It can be shown that the true value of g at a place in latitude A
is given by the relation,
g =
(98O61 *025 cos 2 A) cms. /sec*.
These changes in the value of g due to latitude are of great
help in determining the figure or the shape of the earth.
(//) Effect of Altitude. The correction for altitude we really
owe to Laplace and Stokes, particularly to the latter.
Let g be the value of acceleration due to gravity on the surface
of the earth and g'. its value at a height h above the surface. Then,
if the earth be considered to be a sphere of homogeneous composition,
the acceleration duo to gravity at any point above its nurfaco will
vary inversely as the square of the distance of that point from its
centre so that
;
,-
^5
== :
-.f ==: f= * + + pf
[^radius oftheeartfy
AOCBLBEATION D0B TO GBAVTTY 207
If h b3 small, compared with r the quantity W\r* will ba negli-
gibly small, and we shall, therefore, have
g/g' = 1+iVi/r. Or, g'lg = l/(l+?/i/r)
= l~2/i/r appro*.
Or, g' g(l-vA/r),
/..,the greater the value of A, the smaller the value of g'.
Or, the value ofg decreases with altitude.
The general expression for the acceleration due to gravity at
altitude h and in latitude \. thus becomes
g' = (l-^/r)(9SO-61~-025 cos 2A) cmvJsec*.
Effect of Elevated Masses
(ili) The correction term fl 2/i/r)
for altitude wo ill only be valid when there is mth'ng but spice
between the surface of tlie earth and the point* /i above, e.g., f<>r
an observer in an aeroplane at height h But if we consider the point
to Ii3 o i the top of a rrn intain, of height A, a complication comes in
due to the effect of the attraction by the mountain.
/ "
I?// 3 h p \
Boug uer suggested the correction ( I
_j_ '-l-j } known
as Bxigier's Rde, where A i 3 the mean density of the earth and p,
that of the mountain.
It is now found, however, that Bouguor somewhat over-estimated
the effect of the mountain and his correction*, therefore, gives the
upper limit, as it were, of its effect, th^ lower limit being that in
which its attraction is neglected altogether. The Board of Trade
have, therefore, adopted the following relation for the combined
effect of latitude and altitude :
=
(9SO-6l--0:55 cos 2x)(l-5/i/4r) cms.lsec*.
g'
(/v) Effect of Depth. Again, imagining the earth to be a homo-
g^neous sphere, let us take a body of mass m, inside the earth, at a
depth h below the surface, so that its distance from
the centre of the earth is (r /;), where r is the
radius of the earth. Imagine a sphere of this
radius (r h) to be drawn concentric with the earth,
1
(Fig. 0).
Then, clearly, the bodylies on the surface of
this inner sphere, and inside the outer hollow sphe-
rical shell, of thickness h. Let g and g' be the
accelerations due to gravity at the surface of the Fig. 130.
earth and at a depth h below it, respectively. And since the force of
attraction on a body inside a hollow shell is zero, the only force of
attraction on the body is that due to the inner solid sphere, of radius
(rh), and is directed towards its centre, its magnitude being clearly
given by
mass of the spheres mass of the body
mg _
^^
'
where G is the gravitational constant.
*Thi<? co rection by Bouguor was prompted by the same idea which ins-
f
pired his Momt.ti'i experiment for the determination of the Gravhationd
Constant G, (Sse p-ge 231), v/z., that the attnction on a mass due to the
mountain cpvrtd sfmply be added ty tl^at 4ue |Q U*e fajth, (taken to be a,
up
208 FKOPEKTIBS OF
Now, mass of the sphere = its volume x its density,
= -J.7r.(r-/0
3
xA,
where A
the density of the earth, supposed uniform.
is
.'. force of attraction on the
body at a depth h inside the surface of
the earth is equal to
whence, g' = |.TT. &.G.(rh). ..II
And, the body were kept on the surface of the earth, the
if
force of attraction towards the centre of the earth would be given by
mg = - - .'~ 9 O 9 whence, g = ~.7r./\.G.r. ...Ill
Dividing relation II by relation IIT, we have
Or, g'= g (i-^\ ...IV
i.e.,the value of g decreases with depth from the surface of the earth.
7
And it follows at once, from relation IV above, that at the centre of
the earth, where h~ /*, the value of g will be zero ; i.e., the accelera-
tion due to gravity and, therefore, the weight of a body at the centre of
the earth will be zero.
(v) Effect of Terrain- (Topographical Correction). This correc-
tion consists in reducing the result at any given station to that we
would obtain if the laud or the terrain in which it is situated were
just a horizontal plane, instead of its actual form.
Obviously, some parts of this terrain would be above and
others below the horizontal plane, so that the former would exert an
upward attraction, thus decreasing the value of g and the latter, a
downward attractive force, thereby increasing tko value of g.
It so turns out, however, that this correction is always a posi-
tive one.
77. Determination of the value of g at Sea. Until comparatively recently,
the value of g at sea was determined indirectly, because it was not considered
possible to use a pendulum on board a ship. The method, suggested by Hecker
and Duffield, and usually adopted, was to determine the atmospheric pressure in
two different ways, one of which involved g and the other did not, so that, by
equating the two, the value of g could be easily calculated out.
Thus, for example, the atmospheric pressure P could be obtained (/) from
a barometer which involved g, because P H
?.g., where // is the height of the
mercury column and p, its density, and (//) from the boiling point of water,
which did not involve g, because it could be calculated from the Tables, giving
the relation between temperature and the saturated vapour pressure of water
vapour or directly from aa aneroid b irometer, (again, without involving g).
;
Then, equating H.p.g, against P,as obtained from method (), we have
. P .
f
The by this method give us an error of about
results obtained '01 cm. /sec*.,
which considerably greater than that given by pendulum methods on land,
is
the chief source of error being the oscillations or 'bumpings' of the mercury
columns in the barometer, caused by the movement of the vessel,- the ship or the
AUUBliBKATION DUB TO GRAVITY
Vening Meinesz has shown, however, that pendulums can be used for the
purpose with far greater accuracy, particularly in a submerged submarine. Hii
argument is as follows :
A pendulum is subject to four types of disturbances on board a ship, viz.,
(/) the point of suspension having a horizontal acceleration, (//) vertical acceleration
9
of the support, (Hi) angular movement of the support or 'rocking of the plane of
oscillation, and (iv) slipping or sliding of the knife-edges on their agate planes.
Of these, the first disturbance is the most marked, but it can be complete-
ly eliminated by simultaneously oscillating two identical half-second pendulums*,
suspended from the same support, oscillating in the same vertical plane, but with
different phases, and noting their angular displacements Q l and 2 . Then, it can
be easily shown that (Oi ) 2 gives the angular displacement of a pendulum,
altogether unaffected by this disturbance.
The vertical acceleration of the support can, however, not be eliminated,
without eliminating g itself, but the disturbance due to this can be greatly mini-
mised by taking the mean of a large nu Tiber of observations. For, the value of
# seems to be affected only by the nmn value of the vertical acceleration during*
the whole period of observation. And, sinee the vertical motion is alternately
up and down the zero position, the mean value of this acceleration becomes
almost inappreciable.
The error due to 'rocking* can be easily corrected for, by noting different
values of the rocking angle and computing the necessary correction, which is
usually quite small.
And, with all these errors eliminated, or minimised, to an extent thai
the total angular deviation due to them does not exceed 1, the fourth error, viz.,
the slipping of the knife-edges gsts automatically eliminated.
What is done, in actual practice is tint three half-second pendulums are
suspended from the same support and set oscillating, and continuous photogra-
phic records of (0 the difference (9 t 2) between the angular displacements of
the first and the second, and (//) the difference (9283), between those of the
second and the third pendulums obtained on a sensitized paper, by means of a
suitable optical arrangement. Ths value of g is then calculated from each of
these two sets of observations and their mean taken.
The whole system is suspended in gimbals, to avoid external disturbances
due to small angular movements of the ship or the submarine ; and, further, to
avoid any possible errors due to any slight change in temperature, the whole
apparatus is kept properly thermally insulated and any small correction, still
necessary, applied. And, finally, to make sure that no magnetic disturbances
affect the result, the pendulums are made, not of invar-steel^ (which would be
',
so helpful in minimising any temperature corrections), but of brass.
The probable error in the value of g thus obtained is claimed to lie with-
2
in *0018 cm./.rec ., obviously, a marked improvement over Duffield's earlier
indirect method.
A recent and comparatively much more accurate method consists in
measuring the change in the frequency of transverse vibrations of a wire under
tension, due to a weight suspended from it For, whereas, any variations in the valua
of ? produce next to no effeet o i tru d snsity of the wire (density being the ratio
of mass to volume), they dp naturally affect the pull of the earth on the suspended
weight and hence the tension in the wire, resulting in corresponding changes in
its frequency of vibration These can be easily detected to just a fraction of a
vibration in a frequency of several thousands, by comparison with the vibrations
of a quartz-crystal oscillator by the methods of beats. This explains the high
accuracy of the method, which is obviously equally applicable to the measurement
of the value of g on land, particularly at places where it is difficult or impracti-
cable to use the usual method, as for example, at the bottoms of boreholes etc.
78. Local and Temporal Changes in the value of g. The value
of g at a point is also affected, to some alight extent, by local causes,
~"~
""
*/..,pendulums, whose full time-period is one second]
an alloy of nickel and steel, whose co-efficient of thermal expansion
fit is
is exceptionally low, and which is, therefore, used in the construction of what
are called invert able pendulums, i.e., pendulums whose lengths remain practically
unaffected by temperature variations, the name 'invar' for the all% being
suggested by the word 'invariable'.
210 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
like smalt geological deposits near about, the topography of the region?
or even by masses like buildings etc., in the neighbourhood. It is alsa
affected by time, because deformations in the earth's surface take.
place periodically, thus bringing about a change in the equipotoatiall
surface, and hence in the direction of the force of gravity, which is-
always perpendicular to this surface. These changes are, however,
much too small to be measured by ordinary pandulum methods
whose accuracy is limited to within 10~ 4 cms. /sec 2 ., or 10- 1 milligals,
(where i cm./sec =1 gal
2
. =
1000 milligals*). More sensitive methods-
have, therefore, to be used for the purpose. A detailed study of these
is beyond the scope of this volume, and we shall, therefore, deal with
them only briefly here.
(/) Local Changes. Small changes in the value of g due to
local causes are measured with the help of (/) what are called
invariable pendulums and (//) gravity -meters or balances. The former
are suitable only for the measurement of place-to-place variations-
in the value of g in regions, free of all marked local abnormalities,
and the latter, for changes due to abnormal conditions like irregu-
larities in the density of surface constituents and such other causes.
For the most accurate determination of small variations in the value
of g, however, a still more sensitive instrument viz,, the Eotvos gravity
balance must be used.
(l) The Invariable Pendulums. These pendulums are so called, because
of their being standardised to such an extent that their time periods (/) vary
$olely due to variations in the value of g and to no other factor.
They are usually rigid pendulums of invar-steel, suspended from a massive
tripod in a partially evacuated chamber, with a specified air pressure inside it, to
make all air- corrections constant. And the variations due to temperature already
small on account of the use of invar-steel, (with its negligible coefficient of ex-
pansion), are further corrected for by a direct determination of the change in
time- period with temperature.
The time-period of such a pendulum is first determined at a chosen base
station, i.e., at a place where the value of g is known and then at the field station,,
i.e., at thf place where it is to be determined. Then, clearly, the gravity ratio,
or the ratio between the values of g at the two stations, will be given by the
inverse ratio of the squares of its time- periods there, since
The only error possible, after all this standardisation, is that in noting
the time-periods of the pendulum at the two stations, or in the 'timing opera-
tion\ as it may be called, and the utmost accuracy is attempted to be secured
here by arranging to have precise time-signals broadcast at frequent intervals.
In the ultimate analysis, however, the results obtained will be restricted to the
same order of accuracy to which the time-period of the pendulum and the other
constants involved have been determined at the base station.
The use of the time-signals at the field station may be obviated by the
technique used by Bullard in his determination of the value of g in East Africa
(in 1933), v/z., that of using two pendulums one at the base station, (in his
case, Cambridge) and the other at the field station and recording an agreed
Morse signal, alongside the oscillations of the pendulum, at each station, on a
photographic film, repeating the same an hour or so later. The time-periods of
the pendulums can then be compared with the equal time-intervals given by the
___
Morse signals, and a high degree of accuracy thus attained in their measure-
ment.
(2) Gravity Meters. Next in sensitivity come the gravity meters, various
ftorms of which are now in commercial use as prospecting instruments and other-
wise. We shall consider here only a few of them.
*The milligal is a new unit, now increasingly being used to express small
changes in the value of #.
ACCELERATION DUE TO GRAVITY 211
TheThrelfall and Pollock Gravity Meter. Used first by Threlfall and
Pollock, in 1899, it is perhaps the earliest gravity meter
and consists of a tine
quartz thread AB* (Fig.
131), stretched horizon-
tally, with the end A
fixed or 'anchored* and A '/?
the end B attached to an
axle which c<m be rotat- p;
with the rig *
ed, in line
thread (the latter being thus twisted) by means of a pointer (or a vernier) wljich-
moves over a circular scale S A small metal rod R is fused athwart the thread/
near about its midpoint and is so weighted (by a bob or weight w) that its e.g. ,
lies on one side of the thread.
The end B is twisted by means of the pointer, until the rod becomes
horizontal about three full turns of the thread being necessary for the purpose
in which position it is just stable under the balancing forces due to the tension
of the thread and the gravitational pull on itself, / e., when the torsional couple
due to thread just balances that due to the pull of the earth. The position of the
ponter is now read off on the scale, the slightest further movement of it
making the rod lose its precarious balance and turn right over. This is safe-
guarded against by a suitable stop or arrester, but the veiy fact of this tending
to occur enables its position of approaching instability to be readily determined.*
Thus, with a change in the value of g, the rod will no longer remain horizontal
and the end B of the thread will have to be twisted to restore it to that position.
The angular twist thus given to the thread can be read on the scale from the
position of the pointer, and is a measure of the variation in the value of g, the
pressure being kept constant and proper correction for temperature effects (i.e.,
for expansion and change in the rigidity of the thread etc.) being made.
The instrument is made direct-reading by first noting the positions of
the pointer at two stations, where the value g is accurately known, its variation
with temperature being determined at one of them. So that, if now the instru-
ment be carried from place to place, the various positions of the pointer indi-
cate the values of g on the scale straightaway.
With proper precautions taken, this simple appliance can yield results of
a fairly high degree of accuracy.
(//) The Boliden Gravity Meter. A later form of gravity-meter, shown inr
Fig. 132 is due to Boliden (1938), m which two pieces of spring S, S, support a
mass M which ends in two D
flat plates and E
above and below, each forming one plate of
,
the parallel plate condensers AD and BEr
whose other plates A and B are properly insu-
lated from the framework of the instrument
by means of insulating slabs FandG. The
condenser AD above forms part of an oscil-
latory (or LC) circuit, whose frequency (N) i
compared with a standard oscillator.
A change Bg in the value of^ brings
about a change in the flexure of the springs-
and hence a proportionate change Bx in the
air gap (d) between the condenser plates A and
D. This, in its turn, results in a change BO
in the capacity (C) of the condenser, such that
CB/C = Bx/d. And, finally, the change m the
capacity of the condenser is then responsible
for a corresponding change BN in the fre-
quency (AT) of the oscillatory circuit.f So that,,
Bg oc Bx oc SAT,
Fig. 1 32. whence Bg can be easily calculated out.
"
~~*For, with the approach of the position of instability, the net couple
acting on the thread varies only slowly with the change in its inclination anfd
hence the time-period of the torsional vibrations of the thread about its equi-
librium position goes on increasing.
tBecause the frequency of an oscillatory circuit depends upon the capaci-
tance (C) and the inductance (L) included in it.
212 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
The instrument is calibrated by applying known potential differences to
the plates and of ch2 lovvar coadeaser, calculating the force of attraction
between them (and hence on D) and ihs attendant frequsncy change of tho
oscillatory circuit and plotting a graph between the latter two.
The sensitivity of the instrument is rather low, being only about 1 X 10-**
1
cmjr./iec ., or just 1 milligal.
(Hi) The Gulf Gravity Meter. This is a more recent (1941) and sensitive
type of gravity- meter and depends uponths same principle as a spring balance,
v/2., that the weight of a b-idy is proportional to the acceleration due to gravity,
so that a mass suspended from a spring will exert a different pull on it for diffe-
rent values of g, the stretch of the spring thus indicating the variations in g,
The method fails in the case of the ordinary spring balance purely for
want of requisite sensitiveness. In the case of the present instrument, however,
this sensitiveness is well assured, as much by the choice of a suitable type of
spring as by the accuracy of the means of observation.
We u^e here a flat, metallic ribbon-spiral spring, fastened to a torsion head,
at the top, and carrying a load at its free end below, including a mirror m, (Fig.
* 133), which untwists the spring by about 8 full revolutions.
jl
Any change in the value of g will bring about a
$ proportionate change in the -weight of the suspended mass and
D the consequent pull on the spring, resulting in a correspond-
ing rotation of the mirror, which can be measured by the devia-
tion of a beam of light from an illuminated slit, reflected
from it. Th? angle of deviation is magnified by making the
beam travel four time* between m
and a fixed reflector and the
image of the slit finally observed by means of a microscope,
fitted with a micrometer eye-piece. The slight changes in
the value of g corresponding to thsse deviations can thus bo
easily determined.
The sensitivity of the instrument is found to be about
~
5 X 10~ f cms. I sec*., or 5 x 10 2 milligals.
(iv) Eotvos Balance. None of the above appli-
ances possess the necessary sensitivity to be able to
measure the small change in the value of g due to
neighbouring buildings or small geological deposits
etc. Instruments far more responsive to small varia-
Fig. 133. tions in the value of g must be employed for these
delicate measurements and the gravity balance, devised by Baron
Eotros, admirably answers this requirement. It is not only used
for a comparative or an absolute determination
of g, but also for the measurement of other
important quantities connected with the earth's
gravitational field and for purposes of gravi-
tational survey, the accuracy claimed for the
instrument being 10~* cms. I sec*., or 1CT*
milligals.
In essentials, the Eotvos Balance consists
of a rectangular torsion beam B, (Fig. 134),
of aluminium about 40 cms. in length, and
between 3 X 10~4 to 4 x 10~ 4 mms. in diameter,
suspended from a torsion head T, by means of
a fine suspension S, about 60 cms. long, of the
alloy platinum-indium, through an aluminium
rbd R, fixed on to the beam at its c.g O. The ,
rod carries a small concave mirror C, to enable
the deflections of the beam to be read by the Fig. 134.
ACCELERATION DUE TO GRAVITY 213
lamp and the scale method, with the help of a telescope. small A
cylindrical weight P, of platinum, gold or silver, of mass about 30
gms. is suspended from one end of the beam, by means of a fine wire
(H>) of platinum,and a counterpoise weight M, of mass about 25 gms ,
suspended from, the other end of the beara, as shown.
is slid on to, or
If the instrument be taken to a place, where the value of g
varies from point to point, its suspended system experiences a couple,
producing a twist in the wire and deflecting the beara from the
position, (not known), that it would occupy if the value of g were
constant.
Let the beam, in its equilibrium position, make an angle with.
the x-axis, (lying along the north-south direction), i.e-, let 6 be the
'azimuth angle', as it is called, and let Sl be the reading on the scale
in this position. Then, if 5 be the scale reading in the (unknown)*
position, in which there would be no gravitational torque
on the
beam, it can be shown that
where A and C are the constants of the instrument, 17, the gravitational
9C//3*, a*7/aj and 3t7/3z, the values of
and the gravitational
potential,
attraction along the North, the East, and the vertical directions
respectively, (this last
one being the value of g). The origin of the
three axes along these three directions, is taken to be the mid-point
,"
O
of the beam,
we have, from relation (1) above,
Si-So =
A' sin 20+ B' cos 20+C
sind+D' cos 0. .
.(2>
Now, taking 6 = 0, 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300, in equation
(2) above, and taking the corresponding values of SL to be S19 S2 S9 , >
$i> S& , S*> we have
- S + S +S =
2 4 6 3S ,
A' =
2V3C' =
and 2D' = S.-S^
Thus, all the constants of relation (1) being known, the rate of
change of g northwards, (given by C'/C), as also that in the eastern
direction, (given by D'fC), can be easily determined.
On its high sensitivity, the balance is used for
account of
prospecting (see 80). And, Shaw and Lancaster Jones
geophysical
have successfully mapped out with its help the local gravitational field
in a laboratory.
214 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
(ii) Temporal Changes The Horizontal Pendulum. As we hare
seen above, a deformation of the earth's surface and its gravitational
equipotential surface results in a change in the direction of the force
of gravity and hence in that of g. Since a plumb line always sets
itself normally to the gravitational equipoential surface of the earth,
it is clear that measuring a change in the direction of
g at a point, is
tantamount to measuring a change in the direction of the plumb line
at that point. These changes, however, are much too small seldom
exceeding 1", to permit of their accurate measurement by means
of a plumb line. The most commonly used device to measure
these is what is called the horizontal pendulum, devised by Hengler, in
the year 1832.
This horizontal pendulum essentially consists of a rod AB, (Fig.
135), carrying a knob or bob at #, with G as its e.g. It is supported
in an inclined position, by moans of two pieces of a light string, AP
and Cg, attached to a rigid support at P and C respectively, such that
the straight line CP, joining the two, meets AB in O, and makes an
angjle<j>with the direction of the forco of gravity. The pendulum
thus takes up a position in a plane parallel to the force of gravity.
On giving the bob a slight lateral displacement (towards or away
from the observer), it begins to oscillate slowly, with a small
amplitude, along an arc with O as its centre and OG as radius. Its
period of vibration is deduced as follows :
I /r\
Fig. 135. Fig. 136.
Let the bob oscillate along an arc GG', (Fig. 136), which lies in
a plane, making an angle with the normal to the plane of the force
<
of gravity.
If the bob be displaced through an angle in this inclined
plane, into the position shown, its weight mg acts at its e.g., G' (v G
is now at G') in the direction of the force of gravity. Resolving it
into its two rectangular components, (/) in the inclined plane of its
rotation, and (ii) perpendicular to //, we have the former component
s= mg sin <f>, and the latter = mg cos $.
Further, resolving the component mg sin < into two rectangular
components, along and perpendicular to 06?', we have
the component along OG' mg sin = <f>
cos Q.
and the component perpendicular to OG' = mg sin <f>
sin 0.
This latter component (mg sin <f>
sin $ ) has, clearly, a restoring
ACCELERATION DUE TO GRAVITY 215
about the inclined axis mg sin ^ sin Q.I, (where OG* = = OG
=/), tending to bring the pendulum back to its original position.
If be small, sin =
9, very nearly. And, therefore,
the restoring moment = mg sin <.#./.
And, the angular acceleration of the pendulum be da>ldt, and
if
its moment of inertia about O be 7, we have
restoring moment (or torque) also = I.dto/dt.
So that, neglecting frictional and viscous forces, we have, for
-equilibrium,
Lda>ldt = mg Lsin +.0, whence, dw/dt = mgl * in *.e.
Or, putting mg.l.sin = a constant, we have
</>/! /i,
daj/dt = n.S. Or, </oj/<# oc 0,
.i.e., the angular acceleration of the pendulum is proportional to its
angular displacement.
It is, therefore, a case of simple harmonic motion; and its time-
period Tis given by the relation,
Or, T = 2*
But / = 7w/c
2
,
where fc is the radius of gyration of the pendulum
about O.
k*
Hence T = 27rA/ "!^ -, = n A/ -
V ing I sin $
77
'V
,
./.*<
in practice, to make Tlargo, ^ is made as small as possible.
Now, if <f>
= 90, j/71 < = 1, and, therefore, the time-period !F,
in this case, is given by the relation T' =
Hence r/r = ^/T^inf = (l/ 5 f ^). And /. T^/T'* = l!sinJ>,
whence, sin <f>
= T' 2 /T 2 .
Thus, knowing T' and T
we can easily calculate sin <f>, andt
lience ^, which represents the change in the direction of the force oi
gravity, and, therefore, that of g, in the equilibrium plane of the
pendulum.
79 Gravity Survey. The purpose of a gravity survey is
two-fold, viz., (i) the main one being to determine the value of the
force of gravity and its direction at various
points of the sea-level
surface of the earth, or the geoid' as it is l
called, and (if) a secondary 9
one being to deduce from it the possible distribution of matter in the
earth, and thus to form an idea about its structure and internal
-condition.
Now, in any gravity survey, it is found necessary to introduce
two new quantities, connected with the earth's
gravitational field,
These are (1) the gravity gradient, denoted
by the letter O, and (2
the horizontal directive tendency (written as H. D.
T., for brevity)
denoted by the letter R. Let us try to understand their
meaning.
216 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
(1) The Gravity Gradient (G). It is a convenient abbreviation for
"maximum gradient of g in a horizontal direction, near a point", where ^ is the*
vertical gravitational intensity at the point, i.e., g = The gravity gradient
QU/dz
may, therefore, he denoted by tigIds, the rate of variation of g per unit distance, in*
the direction of the maximum rate of change in its value, and it is thus obviously a
vector quantity.
Now, if the gravity gradient G, (=&e/0s) makes an angle with the axis- <j>
of x for the north -south direction), and if its components along the axes of x and*
y be Qgld* and dg/Qy respectively, then, clearly,
dgld* = G cos <f>
and dgfty = G sin <f>.
And, since g - QUIdz, we have fa fix = 2
//0Jc0z U xs ,
So that, t/^ = G cos $ and C/^ = G sin <f>,
.'.
squaring and adding the two, we have
G* cos 2 f+ G 2 sin* = V\ Z +V\*. Or, G* (w ^-M/i #) = U*
f
2 2
Or, G = U*xz +U\ zt whence, G = (C/ az -f l/^)*.
a 2
Now, {/as and Uv can be easily determined by means of
* an Eotvof
Balance, (see page 212), and thus the value of G can be calculated out from the-
above expression.
(2) The Horizontal Directive Tendency (R). It is what is called a 'cur-
vature vector', i.e., a directed quantity, though not a true vector. Its value at a.
point is given by the relation,
where r and r, stand for the maximum and the minimum radii of curvature of
the level surface, or the gravitational equipotential surface at the point. Its
direction, according to an agreed convention, is taken to be the direction i/r
which the level surface has the least downward curvature and, therefore, the maxi-
mum radius of curvature.
If the direction of H.D.T. makes an angle with the axis of x, or the
north-south direction, it can be shown that
R sin 28 - 2UXV , r where, Uxv = fU/dxdy,
and R cos 2o * U*xx U* vv .
Uy^ -= cW/0^* and
The dimensions of both G and R are [T]~* and they are generally ex-
pressed in what are called Eotvos units, where is equal* one Eotvos unit
9
to 10- /sec*.
In survey maps, the gravity gradient at a point is-
represented, in magnitude and direction, by an arrow-
head drawn from the point, whereas the horizontal direc-
tive tendency is just represented in magnitude and direc-
tion, by a straight line, passing through that point, wim-
out any arrowhead or feathered tail, as shown in Fig. 137,
where O is the point in question.
Further, points, where the value of g is the fame,,
are joined by curves, which are called isogaras, G being-
Fig. 137. always directed along the normals to these.
80. Geophysical Prospecting. have seen above how, due We
to the presence of local geological deposits, (i.e., minerals etc.), inside
the earth, small variations are produced in the value of g. Similar
changes are produced, by their presence in the normal values of the
other quantities, magnetic, electrical, seismic* etc., associated with it ;
so that, by measuring these variations, with the help of specially
designed instruments, we can detect their presence. This is technically
called 'geophysical prospecting.
9
We
are concerned here only with
the gravitational methods adopted for the purpose, the principle
*See article on, 'Earthquakes' in the next chapter*
ACCELERATION DUE TO GRAVITY 2 IT
underlying which is to measure the gravity gradient G and the hori- t
zontal directive tendency R, at various points in the region under
survey, with the help of a sensitive instrument, like an Eowos gravity
balance, as explained above in 78, (iv) the instrument, when so used,
being called a 'gradiometer'.
Thus, if & be the angle that R makes with the axis of x, or the
north-south direction at a point, we have
Ssin 28 = 2U^, and R cos 26 = U*xx [/%,. [ 79, (2), above
And, therefore, tan 26 = 2Uxy/U*xx -U2 yVy
the two solutions of which, BI and tt t differ by 2/7T and give the ,
directions of the two
principal axes of curvature of the equipotential
surface, (i.e., the level surface), at the point. The values of G and R
at various points are then plotted, the direction of a being such that
secant 2$ and (V 2 XX 2
U
VV ) are of opposite signs.
A
graphical representation of the variations of g over the
region, under examination, is thus obtained, and closed curves or
isogams, [see 79, (2), above], are then clearly marked out on it,
(which, as we know, are at every place perpendicular to G), so that
we have an isogam chart of the region in question.
Interestingly enough, the physical form of these isogams almost
faithfully represents the physical form of the subterranean deposits.
Thus, for example, a uniformly monoclwic type of region uould give
isogams which are all parallel and equally spaced, whereas if the sub-
t
terranean deposits form a dome-like structure, the isogams obtained
also resemble the outline or the contour of a surface dome, as it were.
This method can, however, succeed only in the hands of those
well-trained in the use of the delicate instruments employed and in
the proper interpretation of the results obtained from them.
SOLVED EXAMPLES
1. A metal disc oscillates in its own plane about an axis passing througft
a point on its edge. What is the length of the equivalent simple pendulum ?
Let the disc of radius r oscillate about an axis through the point Pon ita
edge, (Fig. 138).
Then, clearly, the time-period of the disc is given
by the relation, / = 2n \/ iiMg /,
where / is its A/./, about the axis through P ; M, its
mass and /, its length.
Or, t =
27c\/ /,A/#.r, for / r, the distance =
between
the point of suspension (P) and the e.g. (O) of the disc.
Now, /=/0+A/r*.
where Ig is the ML of the disc about a parallel axis
through O, U. 9 l = Mr*\ 2.
g
So that, / - 2
(Mr /2)+Mr a
f
/2.
Fig. 138.
_3A/r
And, therefore, t - 2* A / lMg.r
'
2* A /
'y
I.*.,the same as that of a simple pendulum of length / = 3r/2.
Or, the length of the equivalent simple pendulum is 3/2 times the radius of the disc.
2. Find the period of small oscillations of a rig>'d body, free to turn abou
t fixed horizontal axis, and also find a formula for the length of the equivalent
simple pendulum.
218 PROFEfcftES OF MATTER
Three particles m are fixed to a uniform circular hoop
of the same mass of
mass M and radius a at the corners of an equilateral The hoop free to triangle. is
move in a vertical plane about the point on the circumference
opposite to one of the
masses m. Prove that the equivalent simple pendulum is equal in length to the dia-
meter of the circle. (London Higher School Certificate ; Patna 9 1948)
For first part see 62 (page 165).
;
Let the three equal masses, m, m and m, be fixed to the hoop, of radius
a, as shown, (Fig. 139), so as to lie at the corners of an
equilateral triangle.
Since they are all equidistant from the centre, the e.g.
of the triangle is at O, the centre of the circle. The
whole arrangement is thus equivalent to a hoop of
mass (Af-f- 3m), with its centre of gravity at its cen-
tre O.
Clearly, then, the moment of inertia of this
loaded hoop about O, (i.e., about an axis through O
and perpendicular to its plane) == (M>3w)a a And, .
therefore, its moment of inertia about a parallel axis
through the point of suspension P is (by the principle
of parallel axes), given by
I - (M+3m) a +(M+3m)a* = z
2(M+3m)a*.
Fig. 139. Now, the time-period of the hoop about P is given by
= _ ~ m
2 2* A
.
'
Or, / = 2rr
te., the same as that of a simple pendulum of length la, the diameter of the hoop.
Or, the length of the equivalent simple pendulum is equal to the diameter of
the circular hoop.
3. How much faster than its present rate should the earth revolve about
axis in order that the weight of a body on the equator
its
may be zero, and how long
would it take to make one revolution then ? What would happen if (/) the rotation
became faster still, (//) the rotation were stopped altogether ? (g 978 cms./sec 2 .) =
We have seen (page 203), that the value of different in different lati-
g is
tudes, due to the rotation of the earth, and that, assuming the earth to be a per-
fect sphere,
2
r.c05 ^.o>
2
\ Twhere g . is the value of V
8 ' Lin latitude (see page 205)
<f>,
Now, at the equator, ^ 0, and .*. cos 2 ^ *- 1 ; so that,
9
where, g is the value of 'g at the equator.
With the actual value of g, the value of r.w 2 comes out to be 3'39 and,
'
-^ . 3 39
therefore, we have = JL.
g 978 288
Thus, in order that the weight of a body may be zero, the value of FO
should be zero, i e., r.^/g should be equal to 1, or the value of r<o 2 should be
288 times greater than its present value, r
being a constant. It follows, there-
fore, that <o should be \/288 times, /.<?., 16'97 times greater than its
present value.
When this is so, the outward centrifugal force on the body will, obviously, be just
balanced by the inward force due to gravity.
//, therefore the earth rotates, 16 97 times, or 17 times, faster than at
pre-
sent, the weight of the body at the equator will be zero.
Now, the earth makes one complete revolution in 24 hours, i.e., dis-
cnbes an angle of 2* m 24 hours. But, in the case
considered, viz., when the
weight of the body at the equator is zero, it rotates 17 times faster, and will,
therefore, describe an angle 17x2* i n 24
hours, or an 2* in hours angle 24/17
or 1-412 hours.
ACCELERATION DUE TO GRAVITY 219
.*. the earth will then make one rotation in 1*42 hours.
If the rotation became faster still, i.e., faster than 16*97 or 17 times its
normal rate, obviously, all objects kept loose on the equator will
start leaving
fthe surface of the earth ;
for, the increased centrifugal acceleration on them will
be greater than that due to gravity, and, therefore, a resultant force will be act'
ing on them outwards, away from the centre of the earth.
If, on the other hand, the rotation of the earth about its axis were stop-
ped altogether, we shall have = so that, substituting this value of to in the
;
relation,
o
= g( 1
-
\ for the value of V at the equator, we have
*o=*U-0)=*.
i.e., the value of g increases by (g gQ ) !'<**/
times g.
Or, =
(3'39/978) times g 1/288 times g, or /288. =
[ For r.o> 3'39. = 2 =
Thus, // the motion of the earth were stopped altogether, the value of g
would increase by 1/288 of its normal value.
Assuming that the whole variation of the weight of a body with its posi-
4.
tion OH the earth's surface is due to the rotation of the earth, find the difference in
fthe weight of a gram as measured at the equator and at the poles. (Radius of the
earth =
6 '378 x 10 8 cms. )
We have the relation,
r r' os
g, g ( 1 -- -?- \ for the value of V in latitude tf.
r \ g x
Since r.o 2 - 6378x 10*
'
3 39 > and '
r to V* = = 1/288,
x( J^")^ 2
-
97^
we have (l-o?s 0/288).
gj
Now, at the equator, ^ = 0, so that, cos <f> and .'. cos
2
$ 1.
Hence ^ = #(1-1/288),
-where gp is the value, of '#' at the equator.
And, at the poles, ^ = 90, so that, cos $ and .*. cos 2 $ = 0.
Hence gp = #(1-0) =--
g t
9
where g# is the value of 'g at the poles.
Since the weight of body is mg, where m is its mass, we have
weight of I grn. at the equator w = 1 x# .
= 1x^(1-1/288) = ^(1-1/288), (/)
and its weight at the poles w' 1 xgp 1 *xg == g. = =
(//)
Hence, the difference in the weights of this mass at the poles and at the
equator w'w.
= -g{l- 1/288) = g-g #/288 ^/288 = 978/288 == 3'395 dynes.
Or, the difference in weights of a gram at the poles and at the equator is
3'395 dynes.
5. train is 100 tons. What will be its weight when
The mass of a railway
(a) stationary, travelling due east, (c) travelling due west, along the equator at
(/?)
60 miles per hour ? Radius of the earth is 4000 miles. (Punjab)
(a) When the train the train is at rest, its apparent
is stationary. When
weight is 100 tons wt. 100 x 2240=224 x 10 3
t (because 1
ton 2240 Ibs.). Ibs. wt. =
<(b) When the train is moving East. When the train travels due east, its
angular velocity about the axis of rotation of the earth increases, because the
earth itself is rotating about the axis from west to east. The centrifugal force
on the train, therefore, increases, (being proportional to r.w 8 ), and hence the
.apparent force of gravity on it and, therefore, the apparent acceleration towards
the centre of earth, i.e., apparent acceleration due to gravity, decreases. And,
since weight =
mas sx acceleration due to gravity, the apparent weight of the train
decreases.. Let us see by how much.
The radius of the earth, r 4000 miles = = 4000x1 760x3 //., and, there-
fore, linear velocity (v) of a point.on the earth = 2^/24 x 60x60 ft.lsec., since
&fce earth makes one complete rotation in 24 hours.
220 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
A point on the equator will also thus describe a distance 2*r in 24 hours ;
its velocity is, therefore, given by
== -2*x 4000x1760x3
24x60x60
-
.*. centrifugal acceleration of the point, when at rest relative to the earth;.
is given by
v 1536x1536
=
T = Too6TT760x~3
Since velocity of the train = 60 m./hr. = -- = 88//./sec.,
the resultant velocity of the train, say, v'
- 1536488 = 1624 ft./ sec.
And /. centrifugal acceleration on the tram moving at 60 m/hr. v"/r.
1624x1624
.'. increase in centrifugal acceleration, or decrease in acceleration towards
the centre of the earth,i.e.. in the acceh ration due to gravity
= O'1248-O 1116 - 0-0132//./WC*.
.*. decrease in the weight of the train = mass x decrease in acceleration due to
gravity.
= 100x2240x0-0132 poundah - 100x2240x0-0132/32 Ibs. wt.
- 100x2240x0-0132/32x2240 = 00 xO'Ol 32/32 ton wt. - 0'0412
1 ton wt.
.'. apparent weight of the train = 100-0-0412 = 99'9588 tons wt.
(c) When the train is moving West. In this case, since the train is moving
from east to west, opposite to the ditection oj rotation of the earth, its angular
velocity about the axis of rotation of the earth decreases and, therefore, the
centrifugal acceleration on it also decreases, with the result that the acceleration-
towards the centre of the earth, i e the acceleration due to gravity increases. The
,
apparent weight of the train on the equator, therefore, increases. Let us calcu-
late this apparent increase.
As before, velocity of a point on the equator, i.e.,
2nr 2nx4000x 1760x3
centrifugal acceleration of the point, when at rest relative to the earth
2
v 1536x1536
- -
40UOX-17605T
Hence, "the resultant velocity of the train, say, v" =* 1536-88 = 1448 ft. I sec.
And .*. the centritugal acceleration on the train moving at 60 m./hr. is
clearly given by
v' /a 1448x1448
T*
"
4000 x 176071
.'. decrease in cenrtifugal acceleration or increase in acceleration towards the
centre of the earth, i.e., increase in acceleration due to gravity
0-1116-0-0993 - 0-0 123 //./sec 2 . =
And .*. increase in apparent weight of the train
100x2240x0-0123^^^/5 = 1 00 x 2240 xO'Ol
23/32 Ws. wt^
100x2240x0-0123/32x2240 = lOOx '0123/32 ton wt.
C '03 844 ton wt.
Thus, the apparent weight of the train
- 100+0-03844 - 100-03884 100'04 tons weight.
EXERCISE VI
1. What is a simple pendulum ? Is it obtainable in actual practice 7
Deduce an expression for its time-period and show how the value of g maybe
determined with its help. What are the drawbacks of this pendulum ?
ACCELERATION DUE TO GRAVITY 221
2. Deduce the formula for the time of vibration of a compound pendu-
lum and show that this is a minimum when the length of the compound
pendulum equals its radius of gyration about a horizontal axis through the centre
of gravity of the compound pendulum. (Punjab, 1951)
3. Distinguish between a simple and a compound pendulum.
For a given compound pendulum, show that the centres of oscillation and
suspension are interchangeable.
How is the value of ** determined with the help of a compound pendu-
lum ? (Agra, 1948)
Give the theory of Kater's pendulum and find an expression for the
4.
acceleration due to gravity in terms of two nearly equal periods of oscillation
about the two parallel-knife-edges.
Indicate the sources of error in an experimental determination of ^.
(Bombay, 1940-41 ; Punjab, 1948)
5. A
Borda's pendulum his a bob of radius 12 rwv., which i suspended
by a fine wire, 94 cms. long. Calculate the length of the equivalent simple pendu-
lum. Ans. IGO'144 cms.
6. Tf a pendulum beats seconds at a olace where # =
32*2 ft. /see*., how
much would it gain or lose per day at a place where g 32*1 8 ft./*ec z .
Ans. Gains 3 min. 36 sees.
7. Explain the Dropping Plate method for the determination of tho
value of g. If there be an enor of 1% in m
^asurin r the distance covered by the
plate as also in measuring the frequency of the fork, how would it affect the
result ? Ans. The remit will b* wrong by 3%.
8. The length between the knife-edjes of a Kater's pendulum is 89*28
cms., while the times of oscillation abrjt the txvo edjes ire 1'920 sec*, and 1*933
sees., respectively. The e.g. of the pendulum is about 54*4 cwy. from one edge
What is the value of g 1 Ans. 979 cms. /sec 9 -
9. An Atwood's machine has a pulley of radius a and moment of inertia
/ ; the masses attached to the ends of the string are each Mand the rider is of
mass m.
Prove that the acceleration /of the masses is given by
assuming that the string does not slip on the pulley, and neglecting axle friction.
(Madron, 1949}
10. A uniform rod of length 100 cms can rotate about a horizontal axis
through one end. Find the angular velocity which will enable the rod just to
make a complete rotation. (Madras, 1947)
Ans. 3*83 radians I sec.
11. A
solid cylinder, of radius 4 cm?, and mass 250 gms.* rolls down an
inclined plane, with a slope of 1 in 10. Find the acceleration and the total energy
of the cylinder after 5 sees. (Bombav, 1944)
Ans. 65'4 cms./sec^. ; 4*799 Joules.
12. A
cylinder, of mass 100 /6s*. and diameter 12 inches, rolls from rest
down a smooth inclined plane of 1 in 8 and 20 feet long. Calculate the total
kinetic energy and its energy due to rotation, when it reaches the bottom.
(Madras, 1949)
Ans. (/) 8*0 x 1 0*
ft. poundah.
(it) 2'6xlQ*ft.poundals.
Define 'centre of suspension* and 'centre of oscillation'. Show that
13.
in a compound pendulum they are interchangeable.
What is the distance between the centre of suspension and the centre of
oscillation on a uniform cylindrical metal bar used as seconds pendulum ?
(Diameter of the bar=l cm., to density, 8 gms./c.c. and #=978 cmi.lsec*.)
(Allahabad, 1949)
Ans. 99'1 9 cms.
14. Obtain an expression for the time-period of a compound pendulum,
and show that
222 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
(0 there are four points, collinear with its e.g., about which its time
period is the same.
(//) its time-period remains unaffected by the fixing of a small addi
tional mass to it at its centre of suspension.
15. Obtain an expression for the period of vibration of a compound pen
dulum and show that the centre of suspension and the centre of oscillation art*
interchangeable.
A thin uniform bar of length 120 cms. is made to oscillate about an axis-
through Us end. Find the period of oscillation and other points about which
it can oscillate with the same period. (Punjab, 7953>
Ans. 1*795 sees. at 40 cms 80 cms.
; ,
and 120 cms. from the top.
16. Derive an expression for the period of oscillation of a circular disc,.
supported on a horizontal rail passing through a narrow hole, which is bored
through the disc half-way between the centre and the periphery. (Bombay, 1946)
Ans. T = 2v 3r/2.
x
17. A uniform rectangular sheet of metal is supported by frictionless
hinges, attached to one edge which is horizontal. Determine the period of
oscillation of the sheet if / denotes the length of the side of the rectangle which
hangs downwards. (Patna, 1951)
Ans. T== 2nVT3//L2*.
18. A metal bar is in turn from two parallel axes on the same
suspended
side of its c.^., and its time-periods are four.d to be 1 42 sees in each case. If
the distance of the two axes be 10-8 cms. and 39'2 cms. respectively from the
e.g., calculate the value of g and the radius of gyration of the bar about a
parallel axis through the e.g.
Ans. g = 979*2 cms.lsec*., and K - 20*58 cms.
19. A narrow uniform bar of mass 1000 gms. oscillates about an axis, 40
cms. from the centre, with a period of 7 '48 sees., and about a parallel axis, 10
cms. from the centre, with a period of 1*67 sees. Find the value of g, the
moment of inertia of the bar about its e.g. and the length of the bar.
Ans. 990 cms. jsec*., 6'02 x JO 6 gm.-cm z
;
85 cms. .
;
20. What is meant by a simple equivalent pendulum ? If the periods of
a Rater's pendulum in the erect and inverted positions are equal, prove that
the distance between the knife-edges is equal to the length of the simple equi-
valent pendulum.
A uniform circular rod, with a radius of 2 cms. oscillates when suspended
from a point on its axis at a distance of 4 cms. from one end. It the length of
the rod is one metre, find the point or points from which, if suspended, the
periodic time would remain unaltered. (Bombay, 1942)
Ans. At 31'87 cms. and 68*13 cms., also at 96*0 cms. from the same end.
21. Define a conical pendulum, and show that, for a small amplitude, its
period equals thU of a "plane" pendulum of the same length. Do simple pen-
dulums exist ? What are the nearest approximations to them ? Why are they
discarded in favour of compound pendulums and what are the main applications
of pendulums ? (Bombay, 1941}
22. Describe a conical pendulum and derive an expression for its frequency ^
Explain how it is used to regulate the speed of steam engines. Show that the
sensitiveness of the pendulum used as a governor increases with diminishing
speed. (Bombay, 1937)
Ans. n = IjInV big,
(where h isaxial height of the cone described by it, and equal to / cos 0, where /'
is the length of the pendulum and 0, its angular displacement ; see 74).
23. What is a steam engine governor ? Explain clearly the principle-
underlying its action, and discuss its limitations.
24. If the earth were to cease rotating about its axis, what will be the
change in the value of g at a place of latitude 45, assuming the earth to be a*
8
sphere of radius 6'38 x 10 cms. ? (Madras, 1947)
Ans. 1 -6895 cwj. /,*"-
ACCELERATION DUE TO GBAVITY 223
25. Find an expression for the period of swing of a compound pendulum.
A disc of metal, of radius R, with its plane vertical, can be made to swing
about a horizontal axis passing through any one of a series of holes, bored along
a diameter. Show that the minimum period of oscillation is given by
T= 2nv/l-414 "Rig. (Saugar, 1948)
26. Give the theory of the compound pendulum and show that the centres-
of suspension and oscillation are reversible.
In a reversible pendulum, the periods about the two knife-edges are t and
(f-f!T), where T is a smaJl quantity. The knife-edges are distant / and /' from
the centre of gravity of the pendulum. Prove that
/+/' . *Lt+L T . (Madras, 1949)
27. A heavy uniform rod, 30 cms. long, oscillates in a vertical plane, about a
horizontal axis passing through one end. When a concentrated mass is fixed on to
it at a distance x from its point of suspension, its time-period remains unaffected.
Calculate the value of AT. Ans 20 cms*
28. Explain how the length of the simple pendulum which has the same
period as a given compound pendulum may be found experimentally.
A uniform cube is free to tuin about one edge which is horizontal. Find
in terms of a seconds pendulum, the length of the edge, so that it may execute
a complete oscillation in 2 sees. (Central Welsh Board higher School Certificate]
Ans. 3A/2/.
29. A
body of mass 200 gms. oscillates about a horizontal axis at a dis-
tance of 20 cms. from its centre of gravity. If the length of the equivalent simpk
pendulum be 35 cms., find its moment of inertia about the axis of suspension.
(Patna, 1954}
Ans. 1 4 x 1 6 gms.-cm*.
30. A pendulum, whose period slightly exceeds 2 sees , is compared with a
standard seconds pendulum by the method of coincidences. Successive coin-
cidences occurred at times min., 2 nun? 58 sees., 5 wins. 48 sees., 8 mms
48 sees. Find the exact period of the pendulum. Ans. 2'0224 sees,
31. A thin rod is suspended bv means of two threads parallel to each
other and tied to its two ends. Compare the time-period of the rod when it
oscillates thus in its own plane with that when it oscillates as a compound
pendulum about a horizontal axis, passing through one of its ends.
Ans. 1 1 414. :
32. Give the theory of the compound pendulum and show that the
centres of suspension and oscillation are interchangeable.
Auniform thin rod AB, of mass 100 gms. and length 120 cms., can swing
in a vertical plane about A, as a pendulum. A
particle of mass 200 gms. is
attached to the rod at a distance x from A. Find x such that the period oi
vibration is a minimum. (Madras 1951} ,
Ans 2 748 cms,
33. How does g (acceleration due to gravity) vary with latitude anc
height ? Obtain a general relation, assuming the earth to be a Homogeneous
sphere. Does the relation agree with observed values ? Give reasons.
(Punjab, Sept , 1955}
34.Give the theory of Kater's pendulum and mention the errors to
which pendulum experiments are liable. How is the value of g compared at
different places ? (Punjab, Sept., 1956]
35. What
are gravity meters and balances ? Describe the constructioc
and working of one you consider to be the best.
36. Write short explanatory notes on :
(/) Gravity survey, and (') Geophysical prospecting.
CHAPTER VII
GRAVITATION
81. Historical. The celestial bodies have been an object of
interest to scientists all through the ages, and the first astronomical
observations, of which we have any definite knowledge, were perhaps
made by the Chinese, as far back as 2,000 B.C , though the Baby-
lonian astronomers are credited with having mapped out the constel-
lations even earlier, near about 2700 B.C. The first authoritative
treatise on the subject, however, was due to Ptolemy, working in
Alexanderia, about 100 A.D. who formulated his theory on the basis
of the catalogue showing the nightly positions of planets and some
1000 stars, prepared earlier by the Greek astronomer Hipparchus.
Ptolemy's book, the Almagest, enjoyed the authority of the Bible
and reignsd supreme for 1400 years. According to him, the whole of
the heavens, carrying the stars, revolved round the earth, supposed
stationary. The forward and retrograde motion of the planets*
among the stars was explained by postulating that the planets
revolved in circles, with their centres revolving in larger circles round
iihe earth, the former circles bsing termed epicycle* and the latter
ones, deferents. And, it stands to his credit that, with a suitable
choice of radii and velocities, he could explain quite accurately the
/observed facts of the day.
The Ptolemaic theory was first challenged in 1543, by the
famous Polish monk, Nicolaus Copernicus, in his book, 'Concerning the
Revolutions of the Heavenly bodies^, his geometrical solution being
much neater than that of Ptolemy, involving only thirty four epicycles
as against the eighty of the latter. In it he propounded his helio-
centric theory,! according to which the planets moved in perfect
circles round the Sun, which was supposed to be fixed. The theory
was, however, received with reserve and scepticism, being objected
to on the ground that (/) the rotation of the earth should result in
bodies being hurled from its surface, and (//) with greater justifica-
tion that, no parallax (or relative motion) could be noticed between
stars as was always observed between objects at different distances
from a moving ship. This parallax has since been shown to actually
exist, and was first measured by Bessel, in 1838. It is, however,
*From the Greek word, meaning 'wanderer', because a planet moves
forwards and backwards or 'wanders' about among the stars.
tHe hesitated and deferred publishing bis book until he was dying,
dedicating it to the Pope, who, not taking it seriously, expressed himself
pleased with it. And Martin Luther was positively contemptuous towards it
'Did not Joshua, (m the Bible) command the Sun to stand still and not the
Dearth?', he asked.
JTnis was4eally a revival of the theory, first propounded by the Greek
Astronomer Aristarchus, that the earth was not the centre of the universe but
revolved round the Sun, as also did the other planets.
224
GRAVITATIOK 25
extremely email, on account of the enormous distances of the stars
from the earth.
As is so was compelled to recant his
well known, Galileo
belief in it, and legend has it that blind and helplpss,
a century later,
he was thrown back into prison for murmuring 'And still it moves',
{E pwr si muove), until he died nine years later, and that Giordano
Bruno was actually mercilessly burnt at the stake for refusing to
do so.
Then, appeared on the scene, twenty -five years later, hi 1569,
Tycho Brahe, an imperious nobleman and a brilliant astronomer*,
who rejected the Copernician theory and made careful observations of
the motions of heavenly bodies, on every clear night for thirty long
years, particularly of the motion of the planet Mars, from his
v
observatory in Denmark, with his celebrated wooden quadrant,
(about 10 ft. in radius), carrying a brass scale. In view of the fact
that the telescope was yet to come, soms forty years later, we cannot
but marvel at the unprecedented accuracy of his observations. No
wonder, they were usad by navigators for centuries together, much in
the manner of the Nautical Almanack tolay. With all his great
mathematical and experimental skill and his 'infinite capacity for
taking pains', however, Tycho Brahe could not somehow piece his
results together into a proper theory. But later, Keplerf, his
assistant at the Royal Observatory at Pragus, an impocunious but a
gifted mathematician into whose hinds passed all his data on the
subject, carried on tho work and, accepting the Copernician theory J,
which his chief had rejected, worked on the latter 's figures and finally
succeeded, after twenty- two years of caaaeless work, in evolving the
famous three laws, known after him, the first two in the year 1009
and the third, ten years later, in 1619.
82. Kepler's Laws. The following are the three laws, formu-
lated by Kepler.
1 The path of a planet is an elliptical orbit, with the Sw at one
.
of its foci.
2. The radius vector, drawn from the Sun to a planet sweeps out
*He was reputed to be 'an unsurpassed practical astronomer' and made
hisown instruments for his well-equipped laboratory at Uraniborg, built for
him by Frederick II, King of Denmark. He had, however, a violent temper and
lost partof his nose in a duel, while still young, going about for the rest of his
lifewith this lost part replaced by an artificial one of aa alloy of silver. On the ,
death of Frederick, he had to flee and seek asylum at Prague, under the patron-
age of Rudolph //, .Emperor of Bohemia. It was here that Kepler joined him as
his assistant.
fHe actually succeeded Tycho Brahe, who died after a little over one year
of his migration to Prague, under the impressive designation of 'Imperial
Mathematician', at a high salary which was, however, seldom paid, tte Sad,
therefore, to supplement his income by practising astrology, 'the foolish "and
disreputable daughter of astronomy, without which the wise old mother would
starve'. He was also the fou tder of Gsomstrical Optics.
{And, for this he had 10 migrate to a Protestant country to save himself
from persecution.
He was so filled with ecstasy at his success in enunciating his third law
1
that he declared *I will indulge in my sacred fury I will triumph over mankind
1
by the honest confession that I have stoleil the golden vases of the Egyptians ta
build up a tabernacle for my God.'
226 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
equal areas in equal time, i.e., its area! velocity, (or the area swept on
by it per unit time), is a constant.
3. The a its time-period, or its tim*
square of planet's year, (i.e.,
of revolution round the Sun), is proportional to the cube of the majoi
axis of its orbit.
Unfortunately, Kepler was not aware of the property of inertia
and so could not proceed any further. For him, it was necessarj
to suppose a power acting continuously on a body, in order to make
it move. Most of the fellows of the Ro} al Society*, which included
7
among others, men
Robert Boyle, Edmund Hailey and Somuei
like
Papys, were convinced, by the year 685, that a planet could move
1
in an elliptical orbit, only if it were attracted by the Sun with a
force, varying inversely as the square of its distance from the Sun,
but they couid not prove it mathematically. Newton, who was also
a member, was at this time / ucesian Professor of Mathematics at
Cambridge and seldom attended the meetings of the society, mostly
held at London and Oxford. Edmund Hailey, therefore, went all the
way to Cambridge to ask him if he could furnish the required prooi
and was simply astonished to learn that he had already done so years
earlier, but had somehow lost his papers.
Realising that no other member of the Royal Society could
hope to provide the required proof and also that Newton hid really
already achieved something much more than this, Hailey pleaded
with him to reproduce his papers in book form and, though not a
rich man himself, offered to bear all the cost of publication of the
same, which ultimately resulted in the appearance of the celebrated
Principia, in the year 1687.
Newton knew that both rest and uniform motion along a
straight line were equally natural and, after a careful study of
Kepler's laws, he showed (i) that it follows from his second law that
only a central force acts on the planet and is directed towards the
Sun, it alone being responsible for keeping the planet in its orbital
path,t (//') that it can be deduced from his first and third laws that
this^force between the planet and the Sun is inversely proportional
to the square of the distance between them f, and (Hi) that it is an*
easy further deduction from the above that this force of attraction.
between the two is also directly proportional to the product of their
masses.
He further proceeded to verify these deductions from Kepler's
laws by comparing the value of acceleration of the Moon towards
the Earth, calculated on their basis, with its value obtained experi-
mentally, the two values showing a close agreement with^each other,
a$ will be seen from the following :
If g m be the acceleration of the Moon towards the Earth, v, its
Royal Society, the fellowship of Mhich today is consider* d to be
a very high honour, really grew out of informal group meetings of men interested
in natural philosophy, about the year 1645, and received its Royal Charter,
in 1662 from Charles II, who, according to Samuel Papys, 'mightily laughed at
them for spending time only in weighing air*.
9
fScc 'Note on Newton's deductions from Kepler's laws on page 228.
GRAVITATION 227
linear velocity in ita orbit about the Earth and R, the distance
between the centres of the Earth and the Moon, we have
gm = v*/R = (wR)*IR, = <JR,
where <o is the angular velocity of the Moon.
Since to =
27T/7 where T is the time taken
1
, by the Moon in
going once round the Sun, we have
Now, T= 27-3 days = 27-3x24x60x60 W.T., and
R= 60 ///Her r he radius of the Earth
= 60x40uO/w/feJ. rv radius of the
=
60 X 4000 X 1760 X 3/r.L to 4000m?les.
Hence gm = ____-
?r x4000x1760x3 nAQAA
r _ -00899/r./^.
, ,
.
Again, if the acceleration due to gravity be g on the surface of
the Earth, its value at the distance of the Moon from it would, in
accordance with deduction (it) above, be equal to g/60 2 ,
i.e., gm = /60
2
.
So that, taking the value of g to be 32'2ft./sec 2 .
t
on the surface
of the Earth, we have
gm = 32-2/60* = -00084 ft. I sec*.,
which is practically the same as the one deduced above, thus fully
vindicating the deductions made by Newton, and convincing him of
the existence of a universal and mutual force of attraction between
any two masses.
Not only this, but Newton also put to test his assumption that
in so far as the attraction at external points is concerned, both the
Earth and the Moon behave as though their masses were concentrated
at their respective centres. He actually showed that the force of
attraction, exerted at an external point, by a uniform sphere, or by a
sphere consisting of a number of concentric uniform shells, one inside
the other, is the same as that exerted by an equal point-mass, occupy-
ing the same position as its centre. In other words, the sphere behaves
as though the whole of its mass were concentrated at its centre.
Thus fortified with a clear and complete confirmation of his
deductions and assumptions, Newton announced to the world, in the
year 1687, his celebrated Law of Gravitation in his monumental work,
the Principia*, which the entire scientific world later hailed, in the
words of Langrange, as 'the greatest production of the human
mind'.
'Having lost his papers, as mentioned already, Newton had to iccreate
the whole, step by step, all over again and accomplished the almost superhuman
feat in only 18 months. He used geometrical methods, partly due to his
admiration for ancient geometers and partly to avoid being baited by 'Mttte
imatterers in mathematics*. Perhaps he had Robert Hooke in mind, who- had
claimed priority in the discovery of the Inverse Square Law ; the Royal Society
had, iiowever, sided with Newton.
228 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
83.Note on Newton's deductions from Kepler's laws.
I.Let A be the position of a planet, (Fig 140), at a given instant t in
its elliptical path round the sun S, situated at one of its foci. Then, if tho
planet moves on to B in a small interval of time
dt, the area swept out by the radius vector SA, in
this interval of time, is equal to the area of
the triangle SA B.
i.e., equal to i SA.AB = } R.R dQ,
because SA = R and AB R d$.
area! velocity of the planet .'.
J/?*.</6/df.
But, this, according to Kepler's second
Fig. HO. law, must be a constant. Putting it equal to A/2,
therefore, we have R*.d$ldt h. =
Now, the fact that the planet moves in a curved path and thus conti-
nually changes its direction, means, in accordance with Newton's first law of
motion, that it must be under the action of a force, and must consequently be
possessing an accelerai ion in the direction of the force Resolving thif accele-
ration into its two rectangular components, along and at right angles to the
radius vector, we have
(i) component a ly along the radius vector, i.e., the radial acceleration of the
planet, given by
s i pa result obtained from
simple dynamical con-
Lsideration.
and component at at ri%ht angles
(if) , to the radius vector, i.e., the transverse
acceleration of the planet, given by
1
--_
d
at .
elf)
But, we have seen above that R*. ~ - is a constant (h), and hence its
differential coefficient must be equil to zero. It follows, therefore, that a 2 = 0.
In other words, the planet has no transverse acceleration so that, the only ;
acceleration it has is the radial one t and, therefore, the only Jorce acting on it is
towards the Sun.
Now, since 7? 4Q Idt = = 1
2
2. .
h, it is clear that dQjdt hjR .
Or, putting
l/R = w, (or R = /), we haveI
dQ/dt = hu .
It follows, therefore, that
d* = A _1 du d* -
( l
^ ^_ *
**L _/ dl
L
~df dt \Ju )** V '
~di ~u*
'
<to
'
dt '~dij
'
d
.
because
1
? . -. = Rn ^
2
.
c/0
j- h.
u* dt dt
Differentiating this again with respect to f, we have
d*R do d'u f h
- -* , d'tt
= -""'
lf ,
v Je = - .
,
* ^ dt dv '
L </,- ^ Aw
Substituting the values of do/dt and rf'/f/A' in the expression for a,
above, we have
*--*
Now, let the equation of the elliptical orbit of the planet be
I] R
=
l + e cos 0. Or, lu 1 -f e cos 0, =
where / is its latus rectum and e, its eccentricity.
Differentiating this expression twice, with resp^ect to Q, we have
'
T~-
GBAVITATION 229
And, adding relations (//) and (///), we have
d?u
lu + l.-f = 1 +e cos Q-e cos 6 = 1.
whence
Substituting this value of fw+^a )
in relation (0, above, we have
ai - -*V// - . . 1 for *.
[Putting
2
Or, denoting the constant A // by K, we have nx KIR .
2
2
Or, a 4 oc -I//? ... (/v)
.
i.e., the acceleration, and hence he force acting on the planet is inversely propor-
/
tional to the square of it* distance jrom the Sun, (the ve sign merely indicating
that the force in question is one of attraction).
Now, the lime-period (T) of the planet (i.e , the time taken by it to com-
plete its one full revolution round the Sun) is given by
r g,
area
f tne e [liP se ___
areal velocity oj the radius vector
~~ ___*-^L_ "
. d$
**D2 *-
where a and 6 are the semi-major and semi-minor axes of the elliptical orbit of
the planet.
Or, r=*f- And .*. T* ^. a zb 2
lh\ [vi^ .^-
1
4-
2
n\2. L at
Now, clearly,
2
/a
= /, the latus rectum of the ellipse, and, therefore,
al ; so that, ^
. * ^
But, since, in accordance with Kepler's third law, T oc a for every
? 3
planet, it follows Um
4x*-,K is a constant, or ihai K is a constant for every
planet. In other words, K is quite independent of (he nature o\ a planet.
3. Fin^llv, if AH and M
be the nspcciivc masses of the planet and the
Sun, and F and F', trie force of attraction, exerted by the Sun on the planet,
and the reaction of the planet on the Sun respectively, we have, from relation
(iv) above,
F- hnlR* and F' = KMIR\
where k and K are constants.
And, since by Newton's third law of motion, action and reaction are
equal and opposite, we have F F' so that, ;
k.m K.M. Or, [k/M - Kim ~ a constant, say, C.
So that, k = M.G.
Substituting this value of A- ia the expresssion for Fabove, we have
F-
P mM
p-.G,
showing that the force of attraction between the planet and the Sun is directly
proportional to the product of their ma**es.
84. Newton's Law-This law states that every
of Gravitatiaar
particle of~~fnatter universe attracts every other pa> tide with
in the
a force which is directly proportional to the product of their masses, and
inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
Thus, if m and m' be the masses of two particles, distance r
apart, and F, the force of attraction between them, we have
F oc m m'lr*. Or, F = G.w.m'/r 1 ,
where C? is a universal constant, called the Gravitational Constant.
Obviously, if m m' =
1 gm., and r 1 cm., then, F G. = =
230 PBOPERTIES OF MATTER
Thus, the Gravitational Constant is equal to the Jorce of attraction
between two unit masses of matter, unit distance apart. Its dimensions
are A/- 1 ! 8 !*- 2 and its latest, accurate value, (as determined by Heyl
,
in 1930), is taken to be 6-669 x 10~ 8 C.G.S. units. The gravitational
constant is also sometimes referred to as the astronomical unit of
force.
The law is universal in the sense that it holds good, right from
huge interplanetary distances to the smallest terrestrial ones. The
minimum distance up to which it is valid is probably not yet known
with absolute certainty, but it seems to break down at molecular
7
distances, which are as small as 10~ cm. We shall discuss latter, in
this chapter, some of the overwhelming evidence in favour of this
law, as well as the small deviations from it and the proper explana-
tion for the-n, on the basis of the new ideas put forth by Einstein.
85. Determination of the Gravitational Constant. The methods
for the determination of the gravitational constant, (and, therefore,
also those for the determination of the density and the mass of the
earth), may be divided into two categories, viz ,
(/) Mountains and Mine Methods. which involve the measure-
ment of the force of attraction exerted by a large natural
mass, like a mountain or the earth's crust*, on a plumb
line suspended on one side of it, which is then compared
with the force of attraction on it due to the earth, as a
whole.
Laboratory Methods, wh'ch involve the more delicate
(ii)
measurement of attraction between small masses.
We shall deal here only briefly with the former, more for their
historical interest than othorwiss for the results obtained were not,
; ;
indeed, they could not be, very accurate. The latter, i.e., the
laboratory methods, we shall however study in proper detail.
(0 Mountain Methods.
1, Bouguer was the first to have attempted a determination of the
value of G. Wnilc engaged in geographical measurements in the Andes (Peru),
in the year 1740, he suspected a
deflection of his plumb line due to
large mountain-masses. He decid-
ed to verify this, and selected a
mountain, Chtmhorazo, 20.000 //.
high, (in the Andes) for the pur-
pose. Shorn of experimental
details, his method was the follow-
ing :
He chose two stations A
and B[Fig. 141. </) and O/)], the
former due south of the summi t of
r the mountain and ch*e to it, and
A the latter, in the same latitude, and
at about the same altitude some
distance to its we*t, away from its
influence. At stat ion B, he observed
Fig. 141 (/) a star passing the meridian directly
overhead, so that the plumb line
*The word is prob tbly a relic of the times when the earth was supposed
to be a globe of water, bounded by a solid shell or crust. It. is now used, how-
ever, to signify the rigid surface layer of the earth, which is heterogeneous and,
more or less, in a state of permanent stress and strain.
GRAVITATION 231
hung exactly vertically parallel to the telescope. But at station A he
observed that it wa* attracted by the huge mountain-mass, (ou td
its nearness). He measured this A
^
,
deflection of the plumb line at A
and thus compared the horizon-
tal pull of the mountain with the
vertical pull of the earth. For,
if F and F' be the forces of gravi-
tational attraction acting on the
plumb line due to the mountain
and the earth respectively, and
4, its deflection from the vertical,
(Fig. 141, (*')] we have
tan f F(F'.=
Now, dearly, F' =
nig,
where m is the mass of the plumb
iine and , the acceleration due to
gravity. So that,
F
And, if V be the volume and p, the density of the mountain, and r, the
distance of its c g. from the plumb line, we have
V mass of the moun-
.G.
(- tain - K.p.
Hence m.K.p.G/r
2 = mg tan $. Or, G g.r* tan
Thus, a knowledge of the volume, density and shape of the mountain,
and hence its cen're of gravity, wa* needed to determine the value of G. Bouguer,
therefore, proceeded 10 do so, but did not quite succeed for, due to the most
;
adverse conditions of snow and storm under which he had to work, he could not
properly survey the mountain, anJ ihe results hs obtained were very
much
wide of the mark. Thus, for example, he found that his plumb line was drawn
aside by about 8*, and his calculation showed that if the mountain were as
dense as the earth itself, the deflection of the plumb line would have been
twelve times as gr*-at, indicating that the earth was about twelve times at
dense as the mountain. And this, as we know, is very much beyond the truth*
Nevertheless, he had the satisfaction of showing that the attraction due to the
mountain masses did actually exist and thai the method was, therefore, possible.
Not only that, but he also deserves the fullest credit for proving conclusively
that the earth was not just a globe of water or a hollow shell, as was fairly widely
supposed at the time.
2. Maskeiyne, later in the year 1774* repeated, at the request of the
Royal Society, Bousuer's experiment on the mountain Schiehallion, in Perth-
shire (Scotland). 3547 feet hi eh, an elaborate survey of \vhich *as first made to
determine as accurately as possible, its volume and density (and hence iti mass)
and centre of gravity.
Two stations were then chosen at fqual distances from the c g. of the
mountain, on the north-south line (Fig. 142), and the tarn* star was observed,
(as in Bou^uer's experiment), by means of a special type
of telescope, called the
Zenith Sector^, first at the Sduth Station acid, a rmmh later, at the North
StaHon At the former Station, the star which, in the absence of the mountain,
would be directly overlmd, appeared to shift slightly to the north, because the
the zeniih
plumb lins was pulled by the mountain towards the north, (and
*He was the Astronomer Royal at the time.
fThe instrument could rotate about a horizontal (Fast ard West) uxfa
at its object-glass end. pointing upwards, and was provided with a pit rob
line, suspended from this axis, over a scale, graduated in deuces,
so that the
distance of the telescope from the v crtical could be directly read on it*
angular
232 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
thus shifted to the south). At the other Station, on the other hand, the exact
opposite was the case, (the plumb lioe being pulled towards the south, the zenith
thus shifting to the north) and ihe
star, therefore, appearing to shift
eqally to the south- Thus, the
total shift of the star was double
of the deflection of the plumb line
at either station due to its attrac-
tion by the mountain. This wa
carefully measured and was found
to be 55". Out of this, a shift of
43* was calculated lo be due to the
curvature of the earth's surface
so tnat the net shin or deflection
of the plumb hne, due to the gravi-
tational pull of the mountain, \\as
(55"-43") = 12*. In other words,
the plumb line* at each of the two
stations, was deflected by 6" due to
the mountain-mass The valo-e of G
was then calculated, as explained
above <in Bouguer's experiment),
and was found to be 7*4xlO~
C.G.S units.
Further, it was estimated
that if the mountain had the same
density as that ol the earth, the
deflection of the plumb line, due
to its attraction, wouki have been
Fig. 142. 9/5 times the observed deflection,
showing that the earth was 9/5 time*
denser than it. And, since the density of the mountain, determined from
pieces of rocks composing it, was fouiit to be 2 5 gms jc c., the density of the
earth came to be 9x2'5/5 or 4 5 gms. Ice. This was corrected and increased to
5-0 gms.lc c. after a careful re-survey of the moumain, some thirty years later,
i result nut very much wide of the mark.
Since, however, it is almost impossible to determine correctly the mas*
md position of the e.g. of a huge natural iruss like a mountain, the value of G,
>b tamed by the above methods, is far from reliable, and is at best only ao
approximation.
(//) Mine Methods. In these, the time-periods of a pendulum, (say, a
seconds pendulum), arc compared on the surtace of the earth and at the bottom
>f a mine. It is obviously greater in the latter case, the value of g being less
,here than on tne surface of the earth, {see page 206]. The change iti its time-
>eriod enables a comparison to be made between the values ol acceleration due
o gravity, and hence between the density of the layers immediately above the
wndulum-bob and that of the rest of the earth, which, in its turn, Teads to a
letermination of Af, the mass of the earth and thus to a calculation of the value
>f G, as will be clear from the following :
We know
that the weight of a body at a place is the force with which it
5 attracted by the earth towards its centre, and is numerically equal to the pro-
iuct of its mass (m) and the acceleration due to gravity at the place.
Thus, if g be the acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the earth
nd g', that at the bottom of a mine of dcptn h, we have its weights at the two
i
laces given respectively by
+
mg~
-
mM
-
.G and
,
mg
, w(A/
~
'
'here M
is the mass of the earth, R its radius, and m' the mass of the outer
t
tie 11 of the earth, of thickness //.
i> , M - ,
- (Af-m'> -,
t>that, *--Br.0 and g' ="' G>
g' M-m' f_R_ V
T~
'
hence,
ST' \R-itS
GBATITATION 233
And, clearly, if p be the density of the outer shell of the earth, its mass m' i
obviously given by the relation,
m' = tolP-GR-Wp. ...(//)
Now, the average value of p was obtained by determining the densities
of the samples of rock at different levels, down to the bottom of the mine, and
thus the mass (m') of the outer shell evaluated. Substituting this value of m' i
relation (/) above, the mass (A/) of the earth was easily determined. And, then,
putting the value of M
in the expression for g above, the value of G could be
calculated out straightaway.
Airy was the first person to have made a successful attempt of this nature
in the Harton coal pit in Sunderland, in the year 1854, two earlier attempts*
made by him, in a Cornish copper-mine, as early as 1826 and 1828, having come
to naught, due to unfortunate accidents in the mine. Airy's value of G came to
5'7xlO~ 8 C.G S. units, and that of the density of the earth's surlace, to 6*5
gms./c.c.
Like the earlier Mountain experiments, these experiments by Airy too
gave far from satisfactory results, due mainly to the difficulty of determining;
accurately the density of the outer shell of the earth. His methods, however r
wth improved modifications, now find a wide and useful scope in the branch?
of Geophysics [ 80, (page 216)].
9
Laboratory Methods. In these methods, the attraction
(///)
between the masses is inevitably feebler clue to their small ness. But
this is more than compensated for by the high degree of accuracy
with which the masses and their sizes can be determined. The first
successful attempt at an accurate method of this type, for the deter*
mination of the Gravitational Constant (G) was made bv Cavendish r
in the year 1798, in which he made use of the Torsion Balance.
It will be of some interest to recall that Cavendish was prob-
ably also associated with Maskelyne in his Mountain experiment,
performed some twenty five years earl it r. He, however, took his^
cue from Rev. John Michell, who had devised an apparatus almost-
similar to Cavendish's own, but was not destined to use it, due to*
his sudden death. His apparatus fell into the hands of Prof.
Wollaston, who passed it on to Cavendish.
(a) Cavendish's Method. The apparatus ussd by Cavendish,
and installed in an outhouse in his garden on Clapham Common, was
as shown in Fig. 143. A long cross bar PQ, about 6 ft. (or about
180 cms.) long, was suspended from the ceiling of a room and was
free to turn about a vortical axis by means of an arrangement, mani-
pulated from outside. It carried two large and equal lead spheres C
and >, about 8 to 10 inches (or 20 to 25 CMS.) in diameter and weigh-
ing about 350 Ibs. each, at the ends of two metal rods attached to
its two ends.
Immediately below the mid-point of the cross-bar was a torsion
head M which could also be worked from outside, from which was
suspended a deal-rod RS. (slightly bigger than PQ), by means of a
fine torsion wire W, of silvered copper. Two wires (w. vv), fastened
the ends of the deal-rod to a vertical rod r in the middle, which was
attached to the suspension wire. This increased the strength of the
rod, without increasing its moment of inertia. Two small lead balls, 2
inches (or 5 cms ) in diameter and weighing about a pound and a
half (or 680 gms.) each, were suspended from the two ends of th&
deal-rod RS such that the centres of the four balls lay in the same
horizontal plane, roughly in a horizontal circle of about 3 ft. (or 90
534 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
cms.) radius. The arrangement was such that, when the line joining
the centres of the large lead spheres was at right angles to the tor-
sion rod, there w&* no twist or torsion in the suspension wire W *
Each erd of the torsion rod carried a vernier, (of five divisions),
which moved over a fine ivory scale, fixed to vertical stands, and with
each division equal to -05".
To guard against any changes of temperature, and consequent
air-draughts, which would otherwise mask the gravitational effect,
the room was closed and observations were taken with the help of
telescopes T and T, fixed into the walls of the room, as shown. And,
Further, to avoid the effect of any outside electric charges, the whole
apparatus was enclosed in a gilded glass case, supported on four
levelling screws.
The method of procedure was the following :
The rod PQ was rotated until the line joining the centres of the
arge spheres was at riidit angles to the torsion rod, i.e., in the post'
Fig. 143.
ion in w}iich there was no and the read-
twist in the suspension wire,
ing on the verniers, attached to the torsion rod at either end, taken.
The large spheres
were then rotated un-
tilthey lay on oppo
site sidesof the tor-
sion rod and near to
the small balls at
either end, i.e., in the
positions C and D, as
shown in Fig. 144,
** - & that thQ lines
such
F~~IIJ" joining the centres of
g I44<
*
of near
each pair
balls were equal in length and perpendicular to the torsion rod. Obvi-
ously, then, the forces exerted by the big spheres on the correspond-
ing near small balls were equal and opposite, thus constituting a
couple, tend ing to rotate the torsion rod. This was resisted by the
torsional couple set up in the suspension wire, and equilibrium was
attained when the deflecting couple, due to the forces between the two
GEAVITATION 23f
pain of balls, was just balanced by the restoring torsional couple, set
up in the suspension wire. The position of the verniers was again
noted on the scales by the method of oscillation, as in the case of an
ordinary physical balance In Cavendish's own experiment, this
distance between each pair of balls was 8" (or 20 cms.), and the
small balls were displace 1 through '7681" (or 1*915 cms.). The rod
PQ was then rotated again about its vertical axis, until the large
spheres now occupied the positions C and D' respectively, and the
r
same adjustment was mad a as before?, viz., that the lines joining the
centres of the two near balls were of the same equal lengths as before
and perpendicular to the torsion rod. The positions of the verniers
were r*?ad on the scales, as before, and their mean taken as the deflec-
tion of the torsion rod.
The value of G was then calculated as follows :
Let M be the mass of each large sphere, m, that of each small
ball an' I d tho distance batween each pair of near balls. Then, the
force of attraction between each pair of balls is, clearly, equal to
G.Kf.m/d 1 and, therefore, if/ be the length of the torsion rod, the
;
deflecting couple formed by this pair of equal, opposite and parallel
r . i ,
M.m .
forces, is equal to ,
2
-G.l. [/ IcosQt&l.]
Any], if ba tho twist (in radians) in the susp3nsion wire, and
C, tho Factoring couple p^r unit (raJia.i) t\yist set up in it, the restor-
ing co'iplo (Itu to torsion is eqpiil to C.Q. Since the torsion rod is in
equilibrium under these two couples, we have
-
/
- .0./ == C.0. whence,' = ./- .0.
d2 M.m I
,
In fwl T to determine the value of (7, the torsion rod alone was
set into torsionalvibrations abo'it the suspsnsion wire, and its time-
period was measured. Cavendish found it to be 28 minutes in his
apparatus.
Then, if / b3 tli3 munint of inertia of the torsion rod (together
with the small balls, about tho wire as axis, and /, the time-period of
the rod, we have
t = 27r A/ , whence, C = - .
p J2
Substituting this value of C in the relation for G above, we have
~~ ''
"M m.7.r 2
Or, if we ignore the mass of the torsion rod, we can put
/ = 2/w(//2)
2 = iw/a/2.
So that, substituting this valua of/ in the above expression, we have
Corrections and Sources of Error in the Experiment. Correc-
tions were applied for the following :
) force of attraction between each large sphere and the distant
I
(
imall ball ;
236 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
(2) force ofafyrqption between the two large spheres and the tor-
sion rod ; and
(3) forces exerted by the rods carrying the large balls.
Tho following are the sources of error in the experiment :
(1) The gravitational forces between a pair of balls being small,
the torsion rod had to be made long to increase the deflecting couple.
This also minimised the force of attraction between a large sphere
and the distant small ball, but required a large chamber, and thus
convection currents could not be avoided. In addition to this, the
torsion rod was also disturbed by heavy traffic on a nearby road.
(2) For a given deflecting couple, the deflection of the torsion rod
was small, because the suspension wire required a JJarge torque per
unit deflection.
(3) The torsion wire, being not perfectly elastic, did not return
to its normal position when the applied forces were removed, and
thus the torque was not strictly proportional to the angle of deflection.
(4) The distant large spheres decreased the angle of deflection
while the rods carrying them increased it.
(5) The method of measuring the angle of deflection was not sen-
enough.
five (
time- period of the torsion rod, with the attached small
(6) 1'he
rolls big, i.e., its swings wcro much too sluggish and
was much too
impaired, rather than improved, the accuracy of measurement.
The value of G obtained by Cavendish, as the> in9an of twenty
nine observations, was 6*754 x lir 8 C.G.S. units *
Many other attempts wera made since Cavendish's time, by
Jolly and Pjynting, amon^ others, to obtain the volue of G more-
accurate ly but the method adopted by Boys, with his newly invented
quartz fibre, used as suspension for the torsion rod, was by far the*
best of these. We shall, therefore, discuss that first.
(b) Boys* method. Sir Charles Veroon Buys removed, almost a
century later, in the year 1895, all the defects of Cavendish's experi-
ment by
(/) reducing greatly the size of the chamber, thus considerably
minimising convection currents and making it easier to con-
trol its temperature ;
(11) arranging the pairs of balls at different levels, thus making
the attraction between the distant large and small balls
almost negligible ;
(ill) using, for the suspension wire, a quartz-fibre, which required
a comparatively very small torque per unit deflection and ;
(iv) which being almost perfectly elastic, besides being fine and
strongf. the angular deflection produced was appreciably
large and also proportional to the torque and ;
(v) measuring the angular deflection by the telescope and scale
method, which greatly enhanced the accuracy of measure-
ment.
*A musingly enough, Cavendish made a slip in calculating this mean and
It was later pointed out by Baity.
fA quartz-fibre is found to be much stronger than a steel wire of the
wane dimensions. Boys was thus able to use fibres having a diameter as small
li '0125 mm.
GRAVITATION 237
Thus, Boys greatly reduced the size of the apparatus and yet in-
creased its sensitiveness. This ra%y, at first sight, appear to be a
contradiction in terms for, it is commonly b3lieved thit the larger
;
a piece of apparatus, the greater the degree of accuracy obtained
from it. Boys clearly showed, however, that this was not so, that
the sensitivity of Cavendish's apparatus was quite indep3ndent of its
dimensions and that there was no point, therefore, in attempting a
larger version of it. He argued as follows :
. ' . r , Deflecting couvie
,,,,
The sensitivisy
i
of the apparatus =7Restoring couple -
K/f * m '
I
(mass >
2
x length of torsion rod
Clearly, deflecting couple oc ' i.e.'*t
d* distance he t ween near balls ,
Now, mass oc volume oc 4* (radius)* 13 oc r8 .
So that, deflecting couple oc '
9
T5
i->
t
. I moment of inertia
And, oc r - -y * oc
HT
-
^
* couple
restoring
-
(time of swing?
Now, there is a practical limit to the time of swing which should not
exceed 5 minutes, whatever the size of the apparatus, or else the swings become
very sluggish, thus impairing the accuracy of measurement. This being so, we
have
. MK ---
2 3v
Jl. P being the same
restoring couple oc <
1 Lfor any apparatus.
Or, restoring couple oc L5 . And .*. sensitivity
L6
In other words, the seniitivity is independent of the size (L) of the
apparatus.
Thus, if, for example, we double the dimensions of Cavend'sh's appara-
<O> keeping the time of swing (/) the same, we find that is increased by (2)', M
because it is proportional to (radius)*, d is increased by (2) 8 and / by 2.
The net result is that the valuo of d ^MV 2 .G/2*r 2d 2 / remains the same, i.e.,
no advantage is derived by doubling the size of the apparatus, i.e., by increasing
dimensions of all its parts in the same ratio.
sthg
What Boys, therefore did was to reduce the
dimensions of the different parts of the apparatus
in different ratios, as will be clear from the
following :
A small
mirror strip S (Fig. 145), about 2-5 t
cms. long which acts as the torsion bar, is suspend-
ed by means of a fine quartz-fibre, from a torsion
head T inside a glass tube, about 4 cms. in dia-
meter. From the two ends of the strip are sus-
pended, by similar quartz-fibres, two small gold*
balls A and B, about 0'5 cm. in diameter and 2-65
fins., in mass each, one ball being about 15 cms.
ibove the level of the other. In an outer coaxial
iube, which can be rotated about the common axis,
jwo large lead balls C and each about 11*0 cms. D
n diameter, (and about 74 kfgm. in mass), are Fig. 145.
*On account of the higher density of gold (19 3 gms /c.c.) compared with
hat of lead (l\*3 gms lc.c.) the spheres of gold for the same mass are smaller
t
ban spheres of lead and thus enable the distance d between the centres of the
arge and small balls to be reduced.
238 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
suspended such that the centre of C is in level with that of A, and
that of D, in level with that of B, (to .ensure greater precision in the
measurement of the distance between each pair), the distances between
the centres of the pairs A and C, and B and D, being exactly equal.
The deflection is measured by the telescope and scale method, a half-
millimetre scale being placed at a distance of about seven metres
from the strip.
The experiment is performed by rotating the outer cylindrical
tube until the large (lead) balls he on the opposite sides of the two-
gold balls (but not in a line with the mirror strip*), so as to exert the
maximum moment on the suspended system, i.e., when the angle of
deflection is the largest.f The tube is then rotated, so that the lead*
balls now lie on the other sides of the gold balls in a similar position,
again exerting the maximum moment, or producing the greatest
deflection. The mean of the two is then taken. Let it be Q.
The calculation for the value of G arj then made as follows :
Let A, B, C and D, (Fig. 146), be the four balls, when they are
in equilibrium, in the position of maximum deflection 0- To visualise
the balls in these positions, we must remem-
ber that to start with, the centres of all the
four balls lie in the same vertical plane, there
being no twist in the suspension fibre and
hence no couple acting on the suspended system
If we now rotate the larger balls C and Z>
through a certain angle, the plane containing
their centres will also rotate through the same
angle ;
with the result that a gravitational
couple now comes into play on the suspended
system, tending to rotate it into a position of
equilibrium in which, once again, the centres
of the small balls come to lie in the same
vertical plane with the centres of the large
Fig. 146. balls. this being equally true when the sus-
pended system suffers its maximum deflection.
A and B are shown in their initial posi-
Here, the small balls
tions, corresponding to 0=0 and the large balls in their final posi-
tions when they have been rotated into a position BO as to exert the
maximum couple on the suspended system, tending to make the
latter suffer its maximum deflection 0. Obviously, equilibrium will
be attained again only when the centres of the small balls come to
lie inthe vertical plane of the centres of the large balls. To bring
the small balls back to their original positions, (shown in the Figure),
, therefore, the torsion head will have to be rotated in a direction
opposite to that in which they have been deflected by this couple.
In other words, the deflecting gravitational couple exerted by the larg<
*For, in this position, the gravitational forces due to large balls on the
tmall balls near to them will act in opposite directions along the same straight
line and will thus neutralise each other.
tThis position of the lead balls is chosen because when the
couple on the
impended system is the maximum, the rate of variation of the couple is small
and the relative positions of the balls need not be known with any greal
accuracy.
GBAVITATION 239
on the suspended system, in the position shown, is just balanced
balls
by the restoring torsiona! couple set up in the quartz suspension.
Now, let O be the mid-point of the mirror strip, and let / be its
half-length (i.e., let OA^OB=1). Let OC=OD=b, AC^BD^a
and let AOC~BOD~a. Let OE be the perpendicular drawn
from O on to DB produced.
Then, clearly, in the triangle OBD, we have
BD = \/O~D*+OB 2
^OD.Utf cos a. [See Appendix 1, 7, (11);
rf= ^b*+l*- 2blcosa ~= (b*+l*-2bl cosa)}.
k
Or,
sin a BD d in a triangle, the sides are proportional
7; D =
p.*
Also, -- -=r*
n
EDO
= OB "
/ to the sines of the angles opposite to them*-
sin / L [See Appendix 1, 7, (/;.]
and, therefore, sin BDO = ^-
a -
...... (/)
Now, in the right-angled triangle OED, we have
OE = OD.sin EDO =b.sin BDO.
b '' S *
Or '
OE = d
[From (/) above,
Obviously, the attraction between the t\\o balls of each of the pairs,
A, C and B, is equal to D m.GjBD*
2
M
M.m.G/d , where and = M m
are the masses of each large ball and small ball respectively.
These two forces, being equal, opposite and parallel, constitute a
couple, tending to rotate the mirror strip and, quite clearly, the ;
moment of the couple = G- '- '
EF = G -
,, 2.OE,
where EF = 2.OE is the perpendicular distance between the lines of
action of the two forces.
^ a M.m b.l sin a r
Substituting ther
,
.
Or, the deflecting couple
. .
= G .--,-.
^ z. -------
a
va j ue fO, fron?-
L above.
_r 2M.m.b.I sin a __ 2M.m b.l sin a
Now, this deflection of the mirror strip is resisted by the torsion
or twist, set up in the suspension-fibre, and the mirror comes to rest,
when the deflecting couple due to the attraction between the two-
pairs of the balls is just balanced by the restoring torsional couple-
set up in the suspension fibre. If C be the torsional couple per unit
deflection, set up in the suspension-fibre*, the restoring torsiona)
couple is equal to C. 6. and, therefore,
2G. b I sm a n Mm
w ' u= 2M.mbJ*ina
~* w
whence the value of be easily calculated out.
'
*
Gjmy
determined, as in Cavendish's experiment, by oscillating the mov-
ifhis^js
ing system, in the absence of the lead balls, and noting its time-period.
t The value of a is clearly the angle through which the torsion head T
must be rotated to bring the small balls back into their original-positions and can-
be easily read on a circular scale attached to it. Since a quartz-fibre is nearly
perfectly elastic, the value of may be taken to be the same as that of 6.
240 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
The value of G obtained by Boys was equal to 6-6576 X 10~ 8
C.G.S. units.
Alternative Calculation. The value of G may alternatively be calculated
out as follows, using the same symbols as above.
Gravitational pull between each pair of near lar^e and small balls = *G 9
-^
in the directions A to C and B to D
respectively, (Fig. 147). Resolving these
into their two rectangular components
each, a'ong and perpendicular to AB t
we have the latter components of each
equal to
F^ G ^ cos ^^ G Mmp
d*~'
where CK DL ~ p are the perpendicu-
Fig. 147. lars drawn from Cand D respectively on AB
produced.
.Now, AC* BD* = d2 = /?
2
-fa;
2
, where p =^ b sin a and x (OK- OA)
(b cos a/).
So that, *-/).
= 6*
1
af^cs5 t 2
a-h/ ~26/ cos*.
Or, [/ siri*
And, therefore,
F ** G M.m.b sin a
Thus,
Hence, the deflecting couple on AB dse to these forces F and F t
= F.AB = F.21 G M^jA 5iw__a 2/_- :
Now, if C be the torsional couple set up in the suspension fibre per unit
twist of (/e., for unit deflection
it, of the suspended system), the total restoring
storsional couple for a twist a in it = C.Q.
Since, for equilibrium, the two couples must balance each other, we have
G M.m.b sin a.2/
r
. 3
1^
Or,
M.m.b,21 sin a
the same as expression I in the cas^ above, whence the value of G can be easily
obtained.
N B. In case the centres of the neir large and small balls do not lie in the
same horizontal plane, but a verticil distance h apart, as shown in Fig. 148, then,
if d' be the actual distance between them, we have
gravitational couple on the suspended system == -'
'
^
But, clearly, d'* * (</
2
4-/r), where c/is the horizontal (or
the perpendicular) distance between the balls, or rather between
-their centres. So that,
gravitational couple on the suspended sys'em =
And, therefore, proceeding as above, we have
-2bl cosx+h*)?
M.m.b.U sin a -.(ID
GRAVITATION 241
an expression which, when h when the centres of the near large and small
;
balls lie in thesame horizontal plane, is reduced to relation (I), above.
(iii) Balance Methods.
These methods do not compare in accu-
racy with Cavendish's, Boys' or Heyl's methods, but are given here
only for their historical importance.
(a) Jolly's Method. As early as 1881, Von Jolly had suggested that
a
common balance could be used to measure directly the gravitational force
of attraction exerted on a mass, placed in one pan, by a large lead mass, placed
immediately below it.
actually performed this experiment in Munich, where he had a common
He
balance fixed at the top of a tower, 21 metres high, and suspended two long wires
from its two scale pans, carrying two other pans at their lower ends.
Two equal masses were then placed in the two upper scale pans and
balanced against each other. One of the masses was then moved down into the
lower scale pan, on the same side, so that, being now comparatively (about 20
metres) nearer to the centre of the earth than the other mass, its weight increased
a little, this increase (due to the earth's attraction) being equal to the extra
weights needed in the other scale pan to balance the beam.
A large lead sphere (of known mass) was then placed immediately below the
lower pan carrying the mass, so that due to the additional attraction of it by the
lead sphere, its weight again increased a little. This increase was also determined,
as before, by putting some more weights in the other scale pan. The attraction of
the mass by the lead sphere could thus be compared with its attraction by the
earth. And, since the distance between the centres of gravity of the lead sphere
and the earth was known, the masses of the two could also be compared. Then,
the mass of the lead sphere being known, the mass of earth could be easily calcu-
lated out. And, once the mass of the earth was obtained, the value of G could be
deduced as in 85 (*/), page 232.
g
(h) Poyn ting's Method. The balance method has perhaps been used to the
best advantage by Prof. J.H. Poynting, whose arrangement was much more elabo-
rate and susceptible of a much higher degree of accuracy. He performed his
experiment in the year 1891, in the basement of the University of Birmingham.
The apparatus used by him, (shown diagrammatically in Fig. 149), con-
sisted of a strong and sensitive bullion type of balance, with a gun-metal beam,
provided with steel
knife-edges and planes.
The whole apparatus was
fully enclosed in the room
and all necessary manipu-
lations were made from
the outside.
Two equal spheri-
cal balls, A and #, of an
alloy of lead and anti-
mony, weighing about
50 Ibsi each, were sus-
pended from the two
ends of the beam. A
large sphere S, of the
same alloy and weighing
about 350 Ibs. was
arranged below, on a /""
fcea===
turn-table, which could
be turned about its
AQ -. -
g. 149. '
vertical pivot P, so that
the sphere could be brought to lie immediately under the ball A
or /?, as desired.
To guard against the tilting of the turn-table due to the weight of the sphere S, a
smaller sphere 5', of half the mass of S, was placed on the other side of the pivot
at double the distance of S from it, so that, in accordance with the principle
of
moments, the turn-table was kept in equilibrium.
242 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
To start with, the sphere S was brought to He under the ball A, so that A
was attracted downwards with a force equal to G.M.to/r*, where AT and m ar the
respective masses of 5 and A, and r, the distance between their centres, (which was
about one foot).
The turn-table was next rotated about its pivot until the sphere 5 came
from under A to under B, and the balancing sphere 5' moved on to the other side,
(into the dotted positions shown), so that 5 now exerted a pull on B instead of on
A, resulting in the beam being tilted in the opposite direction to that in the first
case, the angle of tilt beingnow obviously twice* that due to S on A or B. Let
beam be 0.
this deflection or tilt of the
Then, if a be the length of each arm of the balance, (i.e., if 2a be the length
of the beam), we have
change in torque or couple due to the shifting of S from the first position
(under A) to the second position (under B)
C
And, if be the torque or couple required per unit deflection of the beam,
the torque for deflection 9 of the beam is-also equal to C$.
Hence G
m G '" ^
.2a*=C.O So that,
^/wIL*
Thus, knowing M, m, a, r, C and 0, the value of G could be easily
calculated.
To determine the value of C, a centigram rider was moved along the arm
of the balance and the deflection a of the beam, for a shift / ems', of it along the
arm, was noted. Then, clearly,
01 Ca, whence, C
Substituting this value of C in relation (/) above, we have
2
r*j9 ;OU./ _-OUr
""
./
M2a .tna
*
a a 2Mm ' '
whence, G can be easily evaluated.
The effect of 5 and S" on the beam was eliminated by repeating the experi-
ment with A and B, a foot higher up m
the dotted positions shown, and proper
corrections were also applied for the cross effect of 5 and S' on A and B.
Both the angles, 0, and a, being very small, (0 being only about one second)
were measured by Kelvin's double suspension mirror method, as illustrated in
Fig. 150, where M
is a small mirror, suspended
B B by means of a bi filar suspension (w and >v')
from two horizontal brackets B and B', in level
with each other, with a small adjustable gap
1 between them, the former being a movable
one, attached to the pointer (p) of the balance,
and the latter, a fixed one. Thus, when the
beam turned, the wire w also turned with it,
makingf the mirror M
turn about the stationary
wire w This, with the gap BB' suitably adjust-
.
ed, magnified the deflection of the beam about
150 times. The scale, graduated in half-milli-
metres, was arranged about 5 metres in front of
the mirror, and its image in the latter viewed
from the room above by means of a vertical
telescope, fixed up in the ceiling.
The of the air draughts or currents
effect
was eliminated by using what arc called damp-
ing vanes V, suspended from the mirror and
kept immersed in oil.
*"""
Poynting obtained the value of G to be
6-6984 x 10~ 8 C.G.S. units.
bSni firsfcbnies to its'original position from its
and then gets
first tilt tilted equally in tfce opposite direction, due tp the attrac-
tion pf S on #.
GRAVITATION 243
(c) Heyl's Method. The value of G obtained by P.R. Heyl, in
year 1930, is taken to be the most accurate one so far. His
is a modification of Braurfs Torsion Balance
experiment,
which, in its turn, was a revised version of Boys' earlier experiment,
referred to above, (page 236).
Heyl performed his experiment in a constant temperature
enclosure*, with the pressure inside reduced to about 2 mms. of
mercury column, in order to minimise
convection currents. The attracting large
masses, used by him, were massive steel
cylinders, each of mass about 66 3 k.gms.
suspended from a system, free to rotate
about a vertical axis midway between the
two. The smaller masses, each weighing
2-44 gms., were balls of gold, platinum
and optical glass, in three different sets
of experiments respectively, and were
suspended from the two ends of a light
aluminium torsion rod R, 28*6 cms. long,
(Fig. 151), supported by a tungsten
thread, T.W., (1 metre long and 0-25 mm.
in diameter), and two inclined copper
wires, (u\ vr), so that almost the whole of
the moment of inertia remains in the balls
Fig. 151.
themselves. He chose as suspension a t
tungsten thread in preference to a quartz-
fibre,because the latter is sometimes found to break quite unexpect-
edly and for no apparent reason .
This suspension system (of the torsion rod and the two small
masses) was made to oscillate in the gravitational field of the two
j
^-^ ^^
o
large masses, which
were arranged once
with the centres of
.
(_) O O yd v all the four
: masses
-d- lying along the same
horizontal line, and
then, with the hori-
(CL) NEAR POSITION (b) DISTANT POSITION zontal line joining
their centres, along
Fig. 152. the right bisector of
the torsion rod, the two positions being referred to as the 'near' and
the 'distant' positions respectively, [Figs. 152 (a) and (b)] the gravi-
tational attraction accelerating the oscillations in the first case and
retarding them, in the second. Or, as a variation of this, the time-
period of the suspension system was first determined, with no other
masses in its neighbourhood and then with the large masses brought
in the near position, shown in Fig. 152 (a).
To set the system oscillating, bottles of mercury were brought
near the smaller masses for a short while and then removed, when, for
*It was, in fact, the constant-temperature room of the American Bureau
of Standards, 35 />, below ground level.
244 OF MATTER
an angular displacement of 4*, the system continued oscillating for
about 20 hours.
The usual telescope, lamp and scale method, was employed to
observe the oscillations, and the passages of the lines on the image of
a scale across a vertical cross wire of the telescope were recorded
automatically by a pen on a chronograph, another pen marking down
on it the 'second' signals from a standard clock.
From the time-periods of the suspension system, in the two
cases, the value of was then calculated out as indicated in brief
outline below :
Let Tl be th time-period of the suspension system, when the large
masses are not yet brought in its neighbourhood. Then, if G be the torsional
couple per unit twist of the suspension wire and /, the moment of inertia of the
system, we have 7\ =2n\///C.
The large masses are then brought into the near position, shown in Fig.
152 (a), such that the distance between the centres of the neighbouring large and
small balls is the same on either side, say, equal to d. This will obviously result
in a gravitational pull Fby each large mass over the corresponding small one,
towards F= w G,
itself, given by
whepc M and m are ths values of each large and small mass respectively.
Considering the gravitational pull between the neighbouring large and
small masses to remain unaltered by any small displacements of the small
. spheres from their initial or equili-
" brium positions, the gravitational
^ n , pull of each large mass over the
C<cc rf& small one, when the small masses
* -***
A and B are deflected a little
1
through an angle 0, into the posi-
tions A' and B' (shown in Pig. 153) ',
will also be equal to
M.m
p= G
towards itself, along the line joining
the centres of the two masses.
Fig. 153.
And, clearly, resolving this gravita-
tional pull on both sides into two
rectangular components, along and perpendicular to A'B', we have the compo-
nents perpendicular to A'B' (the line joining the centres of the two small
masses) equal to Fcos a, represented by A' C and B'E respectively, where
LOA'C = LO'B'E = a.
So that, we have F cos a. '!? cos a = ^ *sin $,
d1 d*
where = LOA'D LO'B'J - (90-a).
Now, since LA'OP = LB'O'P = y, we have (0+y).
And, therefore, F coi a = M.m.G ,.
r-.sin (0-fy). ,
. .
^
M.m.G
Or, F cos ""' (I)
d*
If dand y be small, as they are in actual practice.
Now, clearly, A' A = B'B = Jy = r$, whence, y r$Id*
Substituting this value of y in relation I above, we have
'
F cos a 's2 ( -f- -j~
*=
---ji'
d \ d /) a* ^
1
These two forces acting at A and B' obviously form a couple, tending
to bring the small balls back into their original positions A and B ; and, clearly,
GRAVITATION 245
moment of this couple - M'' G .( 1 + -
\0 x 2r. A 'B' - 2r.
[where
Since C the torsional couple per unit twist of the suspension wire, the torsional
is
couple set up in the suspension wire, also tending to bring the small balls back
into their original positions A and B is equal to CQ.
Thus, the total couple acting on the suspended system of the small balls
If, therefore, T a be the time-period of the suspension system now, we have
...
And, thus,
/il ~ I /~
C+ i
-
2, Mi m \j ( ret \ f ) I
C -
>-^
1
.
4-
<~VA
Tj ^ d, J crfj
2MmG(rdr*) T,* T.-r.
Or,
Ur
Or '
whence the value of G can be easily calculated.
The mean of Heyl's results (for the different small masses, mentioned
above) gave the value of G to be 6*670 x 10~ C.G S. units.
a
Birge estimated the probable error in this result to be '005. So that, the
best value of G obtained so far is 6 67 005) x 10* dynes cm 2 .
gm~-*.
Density of the Earth.
86. know that the weight of (or, the We
force actiiT-Dfbh) a body of mass t on the surface of the earth, is equal m
to mg, where g is the acceleration due to gravity at the place.
Also, if M be the mass of the earth and R, its radius, the force
acting on the mass is, by Newton's Law of Gravitation, equal to
M t
n
So that,
. i
wg = ivi.ni /^
&. /\
Or, g = ^^^ /^
.O.
^2 ^2
Taking the Earth to be a homogeneous sphere, its volume F =
u
Therefore, if A be its density, its mass M = 4.7r/?
3
.A/3.
Hence = 47r/?
3
A *G.
., n
Or, g = 4
g .itR.&.G
6K o
whence, the value of A mav bo easily obtained.
This gives the value of A t be 55270 gms./c.c., takings the
value ofCto be 6'b'576x 10~ 8 C.G.S. units, (the value obtained by
Boys). And, with Poyntinij's and Heyl's values of G, the values of
A come respactively to 5 4934^/;iy./c.c. and (5-5150'004)^m5./c.c.
The most probable value of A is however, taken to be 5'5247
gms.jc.c. and, since the density of the upper layers of the earth is
;
found to be only 2*7 gms./c.c., it follows that the density of its inner
layers must be very much greater than 5-52 gms./c.c.
It is interesting to observe how Newton intuitively made a lucky
guess at the probable density of the earth, placing it so aptly between
246 PKOPEETIES Of MATTES
5 and 6, a truly inspired 'Newtonian' guess, which stands so amply
justifiedto-day As to the reasoning that led him to it, we can do
!
no better than to listen reverently to as he puts it himself in his cele-
brated Principia :
'But that our globe of earth is of greater density than it would be if the
whole consisted of water only, 1 thus make out. If the whole consisted of water
only, whatever was of less density than water, because of its less specific gravity,
would emerge and float above. And upon this account, if a globe of terrestrial
matter, covered on all sides with water, was less dense than water, it would
emerge somewhere ; and the subsiding water falling back would be gathered to
the opposite side. And such is the condition of our earth, which, in great
measure, is covered with seas. The earth, if it were not for its greater density,
would emerge from the seas, and, according to its degree of levity would be
raised more or less above their surface, the water and the seas flowing backwards
to the opposite side. By the same argument, the spots of the sun which float upon
the lurid matter thereof, are lighter than that matter. And however the planets
have been formed, while they were yet fluid masses all the heavier matter subsided
to the centre. Since, therefore, the common matter of our earth on the surface
thereof is about twice as heavy as watei, and a little lower, in mines, is found to
be three or four or even five times more heavy, it is probable that the quantity of
the whole matter of the earth may be five or six times greater than if it consisted
all of water, especially since I have before showed that the earth is about four
times more dense than Jupiter.'
The attempts made by different workers to determine the values
of G and A
are tabulated below in chronological order, for the con-
venience of the student.
Year Name of Types of Value of G Value of A
Experimenter Experiment
z
1775 Maskelyne Mountain method 7*4 x 10~* dynes crn .gm~* 5'0 gms jc.c.
1898 Cavendish Torsion Balance 6'754xlO- 5'448
1854 Airy Mine method 5'7xlO- 6'5
1881 Von Jolly Sensitive Common
Balance 6'465xlO~ B 5'692
1891 Poynting 6'6984xl()-' 5493
1895 Boys Torsion Balance 6'6576xlO- 8 55270,,
1896 Eotvos 6*66xlO- 8 5'53
1901 Burgess 664xlO~ 8 5'55
1930 Heyl Oscillation method 6'670x 10~ 8 5'517
87. Qualities of Gravitation. We shall now proceed to see
whether the gravitational attraction between t\u> Icdii s is in any
way affected by the nature of the intervening medium between them,
by the nature of the masses themselves or by physical conditions, like
temperature etc.
1. Permeability. From the similarity of the formula (F =
for gravitational attraction between two bodies, with these for magnetic and
electrostatic attraction, it might appear that, like the constants M and A there,
the value of G might also depend upon the nature of the intervening medium
between them.
That this is net so has been clearly shown by Austin and Thwig, who
performed a direct experiment with a modified form of Boys* apparatus, in which
they placed slabs of different materials in between the two attracting masses and
could detect no change whatever in the value of G, within the limits of theii
experiment.
This stands further confirmed by (/) the fact that whereas in the expcri
ments for the determination of G, discussed above, air is the intervening medium
in the case of planets, the intervening medium is just free spoce, and yet thi
astronomical predictions, deduced on the baiii of the same law, come out so sur
GRAVITATION 247
prisingly true, showing clearly that the value of G cannot possibly be very diffe-
rent in the two cases ; and (/*) the very close agreement between the values of G,
obtained by different pendulum experiments, with their bases of different mate-
rials, so that different materials lie between the pendulum and theA earth. We,
therefore, conclude that little or no effect is produced in the gravitational attraction
between the masses by the nature of the medium interposed in-between them.
2. Selectivity. The law simply states that the force of attraction between
two masses depends only upon their magnitude, having nothing to do with their
nature, or their chemical combination, etc. This is amply borne out by the large
volume of experimental evidence in its favour. For, it has been shown by Eotvos
and others, by their experiments with Boys" apparatus, using a laige variety of
materials as the attracting masses that the values of G obtained in the different
cases all agree admirably, even in the case of radio active substances, thus showing
clearly that gravitational attraction is by no means a selective phenomenon.
3. Directivity. We know that in the case of amsotropic* substances, their
physical properties, like refractive index, conductivity for heat and electricity etc.
depend upon their orientation, i.e., upon the direction of their crystallographic
axes. Or. Mackenzie and a host of other-workers, therefore, tried to investigate
as to whether it had any effect upon the gravitational attraction also, and they all
obtained negative results. An additional obvious proof of the independence of the
value of G of the orientation of crystals is the fact that their weight (which is just
another name for the force of gravitational attraction between them and the earth)
is exactly the same whatever the orientation, showing that the phenomenon of gravi-
tational attraction is far from directive.
Poynting and Gray confirmed this fact in an ingenious experiment, in
which two quartz crystals or spheres were suspended close to each other, one
enclosed in a case, whereas the other, outside it, being free to rotate. If there
were even a trace of a directive influence in gravitational attraction, the rota-
tion of one crystal would sjt up forced vibrations in the other so that, if their
;
time-periods agreed, the enclosed crystal or sphere would be set into appreciably
large resonant or sympathetic oscillations with the outer one. Nothing of the
kind, however, was found to occur.
4. Temperature. Poynting and Phillips, together with a whole lot of
other workers, tried to investigate the effect of temperature on the value of G,
and, once again, the results obtained were absolutely negative. Only Shaw,
experimenting with a Boys-Cavendish type of Torsion Balance, observed that the
value of G, increased slightly with the temperature of the attracting bodiesf, the
value of the coefficient of increase (a) being negligibly small, being only about
l-6xlO-* between (TCand 250C.
All the abovo mass of evidence thus goes to suggest that gravi-
tational attraction is purely a function of the masses of the attracting
bodies and of t lie distance between them, being quite independent of all
other factors.
No wonder, then, that Newton's theory of gravitation held such
an unquestioned sway over the minds of scientists all over the world.
And, for the non- scientific people in general, it had equally spectacular
predictions which, when found true, could not but impress them
deeply as to its unerring truth.
Thus, for example, Adams, in 1845, predicted, from his calcula-
tions, based on the disturbance of the orbit of Uranus, the presence
of a hitherto unknown planet. Unfortunately, Airy, the then Astro-
nomer Royal, did not as much as care to look for this planet, per-
haps from sheer scepticism and Challis, the Director of the Cam-
;
bridge Observatory, though he actually saw a new star, looking like
a, disc did not care to verify whether it was the one predicted by
*Aniso tropic substances are those whose properties, are different in different
directions,*.?., crystals, in general.
t According to Shaw, G -G. (l+o/), where G and G9 stand for the values
of the Gravitational Constant at tC and O'C respectively.
PROPERTIES OF MATTEB
Adams. A
year later, Leverrier, a French mathematician,
made
similar calculations to those of Adams and communicated his results
to the Berlin Observatory and, lo and behold, the planet we call
Neptune, was there for all to see at the very spot predicted !
And, once again, in 1930, the disturbance of the orbit of Nep-
tune itself led to the discovery, by American astronomers, of the
planet Pluto.
These two profound discoveries put Newton's theory beyond
the pale of any doubt or scepticism and it came to be looked upon as
infallible. Indeed, it continued to enjoy its 'infallible' status until
the arrival on the scene of that genius of modern times, Albert
Einstein, who showed it to be no better than a close approximation
to the actual law of gravitation propounded by him, as we shall see
in the next article.
88. Law of Gravitation and the theory of Relativity. Although, as
we have seen above, the Newtonian Law of Gravitation is found to be
valid over a wide range and is supported by a large mass of experi-
mental evidence, there are certain small divergences, not quite in
conformity with it. But such, indeed, has been the general
faith in
the infallibility of the law that any divergences from it were ascribed
to some hitherto undiscovered disturbing influences rather than to
any possible discrepancy or flaw in the law itself. It was only after
Einstein put forward his "Theory of Relativity" that it camo to be
realised that Newton's Law was only an approximation although
an extremely close one to the true or thfc fundamental Law of
Gravitation.
A detailed discussion of this theory is beyond our present scope,
and we shall, therefore, consider here only one or two salient points
of it, to show how Newt6n's formula lays itself opon to criticism in
the light of these :
One consequence of the theory, fully confirmed experiment-
(i) 1
what may be called the 'inertia of energy viz., that wherever
ally, is ,
a change in the energy of a body is brought about, a corresponding
change takes place in its mass. In other words, energy and mass are
mutually convertible, one into the other, the relation between the two
being the following :
Change in mass (in grams) = Change of energy (in ergs)jc*,
where c is 'the velocity (in cms. [sec.) of light in vacuo, (equal to
3 X 1C 10 cms. /sec.). Further, according to this theory, we have
m = mQ l^i~-Ti*Jc*,
where m is the mass of a body, moving with a velocity w, (called its
moving mass, and m its mass when at rest, (called its rest mass).
,
Thus, the mass of a body is different when in motion from that
when at rest, i.e., it changes with its velocity, and Newton has not
in his formula for gravita-
specified which one of these is to be used
tional attraction, a noticeable omission.
(ii) Another consequence
of the theory is that the numerical
value of the distance between two points varies according to the
system of spaoe-timo co-ordinatea chosen, BO that the distance bet-
GBAVITATIOB 249
Ween them changes with the circumstances of the observer, making
the measurement.
The effect of these two discrepancies is, of course, only slight,
but it is there, nevertheless. Einstein took both these factors into
account and was thus led to the formulation of his famous Theory,
which explains satisfactorily the deviations from the Newtonian law,
among which may be mentioned the following :
(a) The precessional motion of the perihelion of the orbit of the
planet Mercury, with a period 0/ 3 x 10 6 years.
On the Newtonian theory of gravitation, it could be explained
only as being due to the influence of another planet, for which the
name Vulcan was chosen but which has never been located.
(b) The deflection of a ray of light in a gravitational field- A ray
of light, due to its great velocity, behaves like a material body,
possessing mass and momentum, etc,, [see (/) above], and it must,
therefore, suffer deflection in a gravitational field. Thus, a ray of
light from a star would get deflected near the edge of the Sun, due to
its high gravitational field, resulting in an apparent shift in the
position of the star. Calculated on the basis of both these laws, tho
value of this shift, by Einstein's theory, comos out to be twice that by
Newton's law, and actual expoximental observation* fully supports
the former result.
(c) The shift in the spectral lines in the solar spectrum. Due to
the Sun's gravitational field, the spectral lines in the solar spectrum
must have different positions, and, therefore, different ^\ a ve- lengths,
from those they would have, when emitted by some terrestrial
source. This has been fully verified in the year 1924, the shift
being only very slight, about one-hundredth of an Angstrom Unit
(or = f^th of 10~ cm., i.e.,
8 =
10- 10 cw.)-
This has been further confirmed by Dr. Adams, who measured
a shift of as much as half an Angstrom Unit in the spectrum of the
dwarf companions of Sirius, due to the greater gravitational field at
the surface of these stars than at that of the Sun.
It is thus clear that whereas the correct Law of Gravitation is
that due to Einstein, the Newtonian Law is a sufficiently close ap-
proximation to it for our ordinary experimental purposes, except in
a few rare cases, here and there.
89. Gravitational FieldIntensity of the Field The area
round about a body, whithin which its gravitational force of attraction
*This was made on the Island of Principe (on the African coast) aad at
Sobral, in Brazil, on May 29th, 1919, during a solar eclipse, (the stars being not
visible otherwise). Two well-equipped expeditions at these two places obtained
photographs of the portions of the sky, near the Sun, just before the eclipse and
again after the eclipse, when the Sun had shifted away from its earlier position.
The stars were found to have been displaced, with respect to the Sun, the respec-
tive values of this displacement at the edge of the Sun obtained by the two
expeditions being 1*61" and 1*98*. Their mean, (1*795"), agreed admirably with
the value predicted by Einstein.
A similar observation was made again at another solar eclipse, three
years later, in 1922, this time at Wallal in West Australia, when the shifts of
as many as eighty stars were observed- The mean shift was found to be 1*74'
which wai only about *01' short of the calculated value.
PROPERTIES OF MATTER
is
perceptible, (no other body being near about it), is called its
gravitational field.
The intensity or strength of a gravitational field at a point is
defined as the force experienced by a unit mass, placed at that point in
the field.
I^may also be defined as the rate of change of gravitational
potential or the potential gradient at the point, (see
,
91). Thus, if /
be the intensity of a gravitational field at a point, we have
dV
1~ ~
/- >
dx
where dV is a small change of potential for a small distance dx.
N B. The strength or intensity of a field at a point is often spoken of
merely as the field zl that point,
90. Gravitational Potential Potential Energy. Consider a body A t
with its gravitational field around it. It will naturally attract any
other body B, placed at any point in its field, in accordance with the
Law of Gravitation, and this force of attraction will decrease with the
increase in the distance of B from A, so that at an infinite distance
from A it will be zero. But, as B is moved away from A, work has
to be done against this force of mutual attraction and, therefore, the
potential energy of B increases, its value depending upon the masses
of A and B arid their distance apart. The work done in moving a
unit mass from infinity to any point in the gravitational field of body A
is called the gravitational potential of that point due to the body A,
and is an important gravitational property of that point. It is
usually denoted by the letter K. Obviously, it will also be the poten-
tial energy of the unit mass at that point, with its sign reversed, (for
whereas the potential decreases^ the energy increases, with -the in-
creases in the distance from A). If we, therefore, replace the unit
mass by the body B, the potential energy of B will, clearly, be equal
to the product of its mass and the gravitational potential (with its
sign reversed) at that point. Thus, the potential energy of a body
at a point in a gravitational field is equal to the product of the mass
of the body and the gravitational potential (with the sign reversed) at
that point.
91. Gravitational Potential at a Point distant r from a Body of
mass m. Let a mass mbe situated at 0, (Fig. 154), and let a unit
mass be situated at P. Then,
^ ....... x ...... -^
^ the force of attraction on the
Q^____ /r ____ ,_^
'
unit mass due to m
is clearly
......... ..... ~~
^ mxl = m
*
,.to ~
equal
d , G , (7,
154.
Fig.
** *2
where x is the distance of P from O, the force being directed towards
O. Therefore, work done when the unit mass m>ves through a
small distance dx, towards O, is equal to m.G.dx/x*.
And, therefore, work done when it moves from B to A
= [Am-.
-f.G.dx
= G.m [A 1
f-dx.
GRAVITATION 251
wtere t arid r l are the distances of A and B from 0. This, obviously,
is the potential difference between the points A and B.
If B be at infinity, i.e., if r l oo, we have =
potential difference between A and oo = G.m f -- _ ^
= m .G.
difference between A and oo is equal to the poten-
But potential
tial atA, because the gravitational force at oo, duo to m, is equal to
zero and, therefore, the work done in moving a mass about, at oo, is
also zero. In other words, the potential at infinity is zero. Therefore,
the gravitational potential at A duo to the mass is equal to m
G.m/r.
Or, denoting the gravitational potential at a point, distant r from
a body of mass m by K, we have F -
-<7.
It will be noticed that
whereas the value of gravitational poten-
tial mass is zero, it goes on decreasing
at an infinite distance from a
as we approach that attracting mass, i.e., it is an essentially negative
quantity*, its maximum value being zero at infinity, where, at all
points, therefore, the potential will be the same.
92. Velocity of Escape. We know
that, ordinarily, a body say, a rifle
bullet, projected upwards comes down
to the earth due to the gravitational pull
of the earth on it. Let us see it it is possible to project it with a velocity such
that it will never come back. Obviously, it will be so if it can be given a velo-
city that will take it beyond the gravitational field of the earth This velocity
of the bullet is called the velocity of escape.
Thus, if m be the mass of the bullet and Af, that of the earth, the force
acting on trie bullet at a distance x from the centre of the earth is clearly
= m.M.G./x 2 ,
.*. work done by the bullet against the gravitational field, when the body moves
,. , . rn.M.G ,
a distance dx upwards
* == . dx.
x*
,'. total work done by the bullet escaping
m M.G =mM G ("where R = radius
" fa
r
J/ x- R [_of
the earth.
This, as will readily be seen, is m
times (i.e., the mass of the bullet times) the
gravitational potential on the surface of the earth.
If v be the initial velocity of the bullet , (i.e., its velocity of escape), its
2
initial kinetic energy (t c at the time it starts) will be ^wv .
,
And this must,
therefore, be equal to the work done by the bullet during escape. So that,
9 or, v*
which, on substituting the value of A/ f
G and R t
woiks out to
v= \\'l9xW cms. /sec.
Thus, velocity of escape 11 1 9 x 1 0* cms. I we.
93. Equipotential Surface. A surface, at points of which
the gravitational potential is the same, ia called an equipotential
surface.
Thus, if we imagine a hollow sphere, of radius r, with a particle
of mass m at its centre, the potential at each point on it will be the
*Thc negative sign is often omitted in writing, but it must always bt
understood to be there.
252 PROPERTIES OF MATTBB
same, vfe., G,w/r. The surface of the sphere is thus an equipoten-
tial surface.
Now,since the difference of potential between any two points
on an equipotential surface is zero, no work is done against the
moving a unit (or any other) mass along
it.
gravitational force in
In other words, in moving a mass along an equipotential surface, we
must be it in a direction perpendicular to the gravitational
moving
field
every point on it. Or, the direction of the gravitational
field at
is, at every point, p8rp3ndicular to an equipotential surface, being
directed towards the nearest equipotential surface, having a poten-
tial lower than it.
94. Potential at a Point Outside and Inside a Spherical Shell.
(a) At a point outside the shell. Let P be
a point, distant d from the
centre O of a spherical shell of
radius a, (Fig. 155), and surface
density, (i.e.,
mass per unit area of
the surface), p.
Join OP and cut out a slice
CEFD, in the form of a ring, by
two planes close to each other
perpendicular to the
and radius
OA, meeting the shell in C and Z),
and in E and F respectively. Let /_EOP = 6, and let the small
^COE = do.
Clearly, the radius of the ring is EK = OE sin = o sin ;
BO
that, its circumference = 2na. sin Q, and its width = CE = a.dQ.
.-. area of the ring or slice = its circumference X its width.
= 2ira. sin Qxa.dQ
And .-. its mass == 2xa. sin OXa.ddXP = 2x0*. sin O.dO.p.
If EP =
every point of the slice is at a distance
r,
r from /*',
and, therefore, the potential at Pdue to this small slice is given by
_ mass of slice
Q= _^*^?-P r
>Cj . .
(/) [See 91.
r
Now, in the triangle OEP,
EP 2 = OE* + OP*-20E.OP.cos 0. [Appendix I, 7 (2)
/^ 8 = a*+d*-2n a.d.j
, /i i~V OE= a, the radius
Or, r cos 0.
of lhe she K ,
Differentiating the above expression, we have
a and d being
2r.dr = Q+Q+2a.d.sin d.de = 2a,d.sin constants.
= 2a.d.sin 0.d6 __ a.d.sin B.d6
~~
Hence r
2.dr dr
Substituting this value of r in expression (/) above, we have
2
27ta .sin
B.dQ^ G ,
__ 2?r a.p.G dr
Integrating this between the limits, r (d a), and = AP =
r=s DP =s (d+a), we get V, the potential due to the whole shell at the
point P.
GRAVITATION
* * * *
Tf ,.. I _ _ T. _ I
Thus, ,
_
</r.
](d-a) d d ](d-a)
Now, 47T0 2 is the surface area of the whole shell, and, therefore,
equal to its mass M.
2
4ir.a p is
We thus, have .
a
Or, the potential at the point P due to the whole shell is equal to
M.Gjd, i.e., the same as it would be due to a mass at O. M
The mass of the whole shell thus behaves as though it were con-
centrated at its centre.
In the above case, if we imagine the point P to be at A, i.e., on
the circumference of the shell itself, we get the potential there by in-
tegrating the expression for dV', between the limits r and r 20. = =
So that, in this case,
f*
27r - a -P- G ' T
Jo "~d d \_ J
M.O M.O .
d
,
Or, . -
[
.
here, a.
d a
Hence
(b) At a point inside the shell. Imagine now the point P to lie
inside the spherical shell, (Fig. 156).
Proceeding as above, we have
potential at P due to the slice, or ring
CEFDJ.e.,
In this case, the limits of r are (ad)
and (a-f d). So that, we havo
Fig. 156.
2ir.a.p.(?
d
. - -. "
-.
a dividing by a.
Now, 47f.a
2
f p = A/, the mass of the shell,
UJf
Hence V s= .(?,
a
i.e.,the same as at a point on the shell. [See case (a) above]
Since the above value for V has been obtained for a point P,
anywhere inside the shell, it follows that the potential at all points
inside a spherical shell is the same, and is numerically equal to the value
of the potential on the surface of the shell itself.
95. Gravitational Field inside a Spherical Shell or a Hollow
Sphere. We
have seen above that the gravitational potential at all
points inside a spherical shell is the same.
Now, the field at a point is given by the potential gradient (i.e.,
the rate of change of potential with distance), at that point.
Or, 7 = -dl'ldx.
Since V is constant for points inside the shell, dVjdx
all 0, =
i.e. the field in the interior of the shell, due to the shell, is zero in ;
other words, there is no gravitational field inside
a spherical shell.
Alternative proof. Let P be any point
inside a spherical shell, or a hollow sphere, of
surface density, (i.e mass per unit area), p. ,
Through P, draw straight lines, so as to form
two small cones, with their apices at P, and
intercept? ne: 8 and 5' on the shell,
small areas
as shown, (Fig. 157), on the opposite sides of
the plane XY
drawn perpendicular to the
9
diameter passing through P. Let S and S' be
S'
at distances r and r' from P, and lot the solid
Fig, 157. angles* at P be equal to o>, each.
Then, clearly, the area of the right section of the cone S is equal
to r z .a> and of that at 2
5', equal to r' .o>.
If, therefore, a be the angle that the right sections of the cones
S and S' make with S and \ respectively, we have
S cos a =
r 2 .co and S' cos a r '2 = ,
r'.o,
And and S' =
C OS a COS a
So that, mass of area S *=-'-' , and mass of area S' =
cos 9. cos a
intensity at P due to S = . in the direction PS.
cos a r* cas a
And intensity at P due to S' = cos-^,-.0
a.r f
'
cos a
in the direction PS 1
These two intensities atP, being equal and opposite, their resul-
tant is Similar is the case for all other pairs of cones on oppo-
zero.
site sides of AT, into which the shell may be divided so that, the ;
resultant intensity or field at P due to the whole shell is zero. And,
the same is true for any other point inside the shell. In other words,
there is no gravitational field inside a spherical shell.
_______ , , _ t
QBAVITATION 255
96. Potential and Field Intensity due to a Solid Sphere at a
point, (/) Inside the Sphere and (//) Outside the Sphere.
(a) Potential at a point P, inside the solid sphere. Let the point
P lie inside a solid sphere of radius a, and of volume density er, at a
distance d from the centre O of the sphere,
(Fig. 158),
The solid sphere may be imagined
to be made up of an inner solid sphere
of radius d surrounded by a number of
hollow spheres, concentric with it, and with
their radii ranging from c/to a. The
potential
at P due to the solid sphere is, therefore,
equal to the sum of the potentials at P due
to the inner solid sphere and all such
spherical shells outside- it.
Clearly, P lies on the
surface of the solid sphere of radius d and
>
inside all the shells of radii greater than d.
.*.
potential at P due to the sphere of radius d
= _mas 8 of the sphere
a
= - 4 ir.d*a.GId -= - 4 .TrJ*o.G
.
...(/)
fv
I
mass of the sphere
= *</.<,.
3 j
To determine the potential at P due to the outer shells, imagine
a shell of radius x, and thickness dx.
Clearly, its volume = area x thickness = 4irx*.dx,
and .-. its mass = <lirx*.dx.G.
Now, the potential at any point within a shell is the same as at
any other point on its surface.
x?- dx -*- G
P - -
47f
So that, potential at
-
^ ___ 47r x dx.a.G.
Integrating this for the limits, x -= d and x = a, we get the
potential at P due to all the shells.
Thus, potential at P due to all the shells
= I 4ir.a.G.x.dx = 47r.a.G x.dx.
}d Jd
Now, the total potential at P duo to the whole solid sphere is
equal to the potential at P due to the inner sphere of radius d> plus
potential at P due to all the outer shells.
*This expression is equal to In a.G (cPd*) so that, the potential a ;
Fdue to all the outer shell = 2n.Q.G(az <**), and, the potential at P due to
the whole solid sphere is, therefore, also
256 PROPERTIES Off MATTER
total potential at P
4
*= _ w
3
4
~~ 7r *'
3
4
- -
(
7T ["Multiplying and
2
3- 2tf 3 [^dividingby a .
But .7T.fl
3
.a is the mass of the sphere = M.
potential at P due to the sphere = -
(/?) Potential at a point P, outside a solid sphere. Imagine the
sphere to be broken up into a number of thin spherical shells, con-
centric with the sphere, and of masses
iw lt 2> 3 etc., (Fig. 159).
w
Then, as m ,
we have seen before, the potential at P
due to each spherical shell will be equal
to its mas X G/d, where d is the distance
of the point P from the centre of the
sphere i.e the same as though the
,
mass of each shell were concentrated at
its centre O. So that, the potential at
Fig. 159 P duo to the different shells will bo
~m v Gjd, 3 .Gjd and so on.
m^G\d, m f
Therefore, the potential at due to P all such shells, /.., due to
the whole solid sphere
= /Hi m
_["-
A/
<T
where h . . . .
= M, the mass of whole solid sphere.
Hence potential at P due to the solid sphere
M i G.
(c)Gravitational field due to a solid sphere at a point inside the
sphere. We
have seen that the potential at a point inside a solid
sphere, distant x from the centre of the sphere, is given by
y jtf.G--^--" [See above.]
Now, intensity, or gravitational field, at a point is equal to the
potential gradient, (or the rate of change of potential with distance),
at the point.
Therefore, intensity or gravitational field at a point distant x
dV d
from *u
the centre a = 5
dx dx
M.G.X*
-Af.G. -
a*
*
Taking the value of V at distance x from to be 2w<j(7/ a*
^-j
(see foot-note, page 255), we have intensity or field at distance x from O
aRAVITATION 257
This shows that the force decreases as x decreases, being zero at
the centre of the sphere. The negative sign only indicates the attrac-
tive nature of the field.
(d) Gravitational field due to a solid sphere at a point outside the
sphere. We know that the potential at a point outside a sphere,
distant x from the centre of the sphere is = G, as explained
above in 98 (6), (page 256).
And, since intensity or gravitational field at a distance x is
equal to the potential gradient at x, we have
gravitational field at distance* = -.- = . M.G. (x~ l )
- M.Q. X (-lxx-) =- M Or, =-
; *<?-.
Alternatively, we may get the same result by applying, in this
case also, the assumption, found valid in tli3 case of potential outside
a sphere, viz., that the potential is the same as though the whole mass
of the sphere were concentrated at the centre of the sphere so that ;
gravitation il intensity or field at a point, distant x from the centre,
and outside the sphere = 2
M.G/x the negative sign merely indi-
,
cating, as before, the nature of the field.
N
B. This result is of great historical importance in that it enabled
Newton to apply his law of gravitation to the motion of the moon. For, the
radius of the earth not being negligible compared with that of the moon's orbit
around it, there would have been no means, in the absence of the above result,
of determining what correction terms, if any, would be necessary in the equa-
tion of the moon's motion, in view of the distribution of matter* inside the earth
and the finite value of its radius.
97. Intensity and Potential of the Gravitational Field at a Point
due to a Circular Disc. Let MN, (Fig. 160), represent a circular disc
of radius R, with its plane per-
pendicular to the plane of the
paper and let be a point on
distant x from its centre
its axis,
C, where the intensity and
potential due to its gravitational
field are to be determined.
Imagine the disc to consist
of an infiuito number of concen-
tric rings, with C as their com-
mon centre.
Consider one such ring PQ
of radius r and thickness dr. 150,
Pig.
Join O to the extremity A of the radius CA of the ring. Then,
if angle AOC be equal to 6, We have
r = CA ^ x tan 0.
And, therefore, differentiating ifc with respect to 8 9
we have
j-
Or, dr x.sec*6,d9.
258 PBOPEBTIE3 OF MATTBB
And, AO = x.sec 0.
Now, area of the ring = circumferences thickness =*2irr,dr t
And, therefore, mass of the ring = 2irr.dr.9,
where p is the mass per unit area of the disc.
Considering a very small element A of the ring, we have inten-
sity at O due to this element =
mass of the element x G/AO2 along ,
the direction OA.
This can be resolved into two rectangular components, (/) along
OC and (//) at right angles to it. So that,
*
,, r
the former component
^
= mass of the element
& cos
. .
OC,
-AQ* Q> along
, tl ,
and, the latter component
AA ,
= mass ofAQ*
tie element
~ ~~~~
'
n sm *
'
*
v e rtica "y
n
upwards.
Similarly, for an equal element at 5, diametrically opposite to A, we
have
intensity at O, resolved into the same two components, v/z.,
mass of element
J the -----
,.,
(i)
-------- ,
.G cos $, along and
,
OC ;
--^p
.... mass of the element . .. , ,
(j/) Am '
sm 0> v ertica "y downwards, as shown.
A\J
Thus, the two vertical 'components, being equal and opposite,
cancel out, and the components along alone being effective, are OC
added up, both acting in the same direction the same will be the OC ;
case with other elements into which the ring may be supposed to be
broken up and, therefore, the intensity at
; due to the whole ring O
is equal to the sum of the
components along due to th different OC
elements, i.e.,
mass
- of the ring
Or, intensity at O due to the ring= yUg -'-Gcos 0.
Or, substituting the values of r, dr, and AO, we have
intensity at
^ ^
O j
due x
to the
^ rmg=
- x tan 6.x sec 2 tf.dQ
-------
_
-cosS.O.
x 2 sec 2 u
.
= 2irp.G.sin 8.d6 t along OC.
Therefore, intensity at O due to all the rings into which the
disc supposed to be divided up, i.e., intensity at O due to the
is
whole disCj is obtained by integrating the above expression for the
=
intensity due to the ring, between the limits, r and r=/?, or 6 =
and = a, where a is the angle between OC and the line joining
with the extremity M of the radius CM of the disc.
Thus, intensity at O due to the disc is given by the expression,
I torf.Qsin Q.dQ = 2ir.p.<? | sin
Jo Jo
OBAVITATIOB 259
o
27r.p.G|
cos
|
= 27r.f>.G.|
cos a (cos 0) J
= 27r.p.0.( cos a+1)
Or, intensity at 0, </we f disc = 27r.p.G.(l coy a) (0
A i
= ~CO ,
we have
And, since cos a
MQ 9
ity at 0,
intensity due to the disc = 27rp.#/l
~/^Tj?a )'
Or, again, because 2?r (1 cos a) is the solid angle, co, say, (see
on solid angle below), subtended by the disc at the point O, we have,
from relation (/'), above,
intensity at O, due to the disc = p.G.co. (KI)
Now, potential at P due to the ring of radius r is equal to the
intensity at P due to the ringxx =
ZitQ.Gsin O.dQxx, because field
at P is equal to the potential gradient at P.
Hence, potential at P due to the whole disc is
= P* 27T.P.G.X sin Q.dB = 27T.p.G.x| sind.dQ,
JO JO
Or, potential at P due to the disc
...... (iv)
Or, = ...... (v)
Or, =
to give it its proper negative sign.
Note on Solid Angle. Suppose, we have an area PS, (Fig. 161), as the
base of a cone, with its apex at point O. Then, if we draw a sphere, with centre
O and any radius R, so that a sur-
face of area pq of it is cut off by the
cone, then pq is proportional to r*,
where r is the radius of the spheri-
cal surface pq ; and, therefore, area
pqlr* is constant for any given cone.
This quantity, area pqjr*, is called
the solid angle of the cone, or the
solid angle subtended by the area pq
at O, and is usually denoted by the
letter co. Obviously, it is also equal
to area PS/OP*, or the solid angle
subtended by area PS at O, and its numerical value is equal to area pq, if
r 1 cm.
Now, suppose the given area be PQ and not PS. Then, if AN be the
normal to it at its centre A, we have area PS - area PQ cos a, where a is the
angle between AO and the normal AN to the surface PQ at A.
Thu,.
260 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
Now, to determine the solid angle o>, subtended by a circular shell or disc MN* t
of radius R, at a point O, distant x from its centre C, (Fig. 162), we draw a
sphere, with O as its centre and 2 2
(R + x ) as itsradius, such
*X that its circular face lies on this sphere. Then, we have,
\^ (from above),
\ surface area of slice MFN
/ Since the area* of a sphere, lying between two parallel
'
planes,is equal to the area of the circumscribing cylinder
in between these planes, with its axis perpendicular to them,
we have
area MFN - 2
2rr(RH* )*xFC = 2n (tff x 1 )* X (FO-CO).
X(MO-x). [v FO - MO, and CO x,
- -* . r
_
Hence . 2ir I
Or, o * 2n(l- cos a),
where a is the semi-vertical angle, subtended by the shell or disc at O.
98,Intensity and Potential of the Gravitational Field at a Point
due to an Infinite Plane. In tho caso of the disc, above, 97), (
if its radius R
becomes i a finite, the disc becomes an infinite
plane. In this case, obviously, a becomes 7T/2, so that cos oc 0, =
and a> = 2?r.
Thus, if we put R = oo in expression (//), or cos a =0, in
expression (/), or a> = 2?r in expression (///) above, we have
intensity at O
infinite planedue to an
2n?G. =
which is, clearly, quite independent of the distance x from it.
Similarly, putting these values of R, cos a and o> in relations,
(iv), (v) and (vi) above, we have
potential at due to an infinite plane =2^p.(/ .x.
f
99. Inertia! and Gravitational Mass. We ordinarily define the mass
of a body by the acceleration produced in it by a known force. This is known as
its inert ial mass.
But since, as we have seen, the gravitational field due to body is propor-
tional to its mass, it is also possible to define the mass of a body as proportional
to the gravitational force of attraction it exerts on a standard test body at unit
distance away from it. Thus defined, the mass of the body is called its gravita-
tional mass.
Now, Galileo showed that the acceleration of a falling body was quite in-
dependent of its mass and the same is found to be true in the case of pendulums
used for the determination of the value of g t showing that the gravitational
force between a given mass and the earth is proportional to the inertia of the
mass.
There appears to be no a priori reason, however, why this should be so ;
for, in the case of an inclined plane, for example, we have seen how the accelera-
tion of a body loliirg cc\\n the plane depends not only on the mass of the
body but also on the distribution of its mass, ( 39, page 87). The above may
thus be regarded to be only an experimental law.
*MN 9 here, represents the side-view of the shell or disc.
OEATITATION 281
It is confidently claimed
by some, but equally hotly disputed by others,
that the equality of the inertial and
gravitational mass can be 'predicted' from
the general theory of relativity, so that
nothing very definite can yet be said
on the point. Their eqiulity*, however, is of great
consequence in astronomy.
For example, dus to the proportionality of gravitational force to inertial mass,
the orbit of a satellite round a planet /
quite independent of its mass, and we
can thus 'wv/VV, the planet from a mere observation of the orbit of its satellite.
And, agiin, we can determine the mass of one component of a double star, by
observing; the orbit of ths othsr ronj thiir CD -mm centre of gravity, the
required value of G being obtained from terrestrial experiments, dealt with
above.
100. Earthquakes Seismic Waves and Seismograph. An earth-
quake ciusod by a portion of the ri*id crustf of the earth giving
is
way or getting: fractured, soim distanco balow its surface and the
consequent sudden slipping of the resulting portion, or due to 'fault
slipping*, as it technically called. 80 to speak, it is just a landslide
on a largo scale, or a re-adjustmont of the earth's crust, in response
to a change of forces, or more precisely, to
changes of pressure deep
in the earth's crust, down to a distance of 100 w/ev or so, brought
about by a variety of causes like erosion, deposition, tidal forces,
cantrifurral forces, etc etc. An earthquake thus represents the energy
released by this 'relative motion of portions of the earth's crust*.
The place whore the actual fracture occurs is called the focus of
the earthquake, and it not a geometrical point, but an extended
region. The point nearest to the foaus, on the surface o the earth,
is called the
epicentre.
From the focus, (which we may, for our purposes here, regard
as just a point), originate a number of different types of waves,
collectively called LQN6 WAVS
seismic waves, which , P SM L \
spread on to different "t/l^^^lj
points on the surface
of the earth and which
we fed as 'earthquake Fig. 163.
tremors'. The general pattern of these seismic waves is as shown in
Fig. 16J, and thoy consist of the following different types of waves :
(a) The Primary or P Waves. The arrive at the
first to
Observing Station, these are longitudinal waves, in which the particles
of the earth vibrate about their mean position, along the direction of
the waves themselves.
If the earth be regarded to be a homogeneous sphere, these
waves, starting from the focus, travel along the chord of a huge
circle of the earth, with a velocity equal to \/ jl~&, vherQ j is what
is called the 'elongational elasticity' $ of the earth and A. its density.
'
These waves arc also variously called as condensational', '/>'rotational'
and 'push' waves and their velocity is found to be about 5 miles per
second.
*Since, as we have seen, they are proportional to each other, a proper
choice of units can make them equal.
fSee foot note on page 230.
JThe elongational elasticity j =
y (1 -<*)/(! f<*) (1-2<J), where rand a
stand for Young's modulus and Poison's ratio respectively.
262 PROPERTIES OF MATT1R
(b) The Secondary or S Waves, These are transverse waves,
in which the particles of the earth vibrate at right angles to the
direction of propagation of the waves, thus having no component
along this direction. Starting from the focus, these waves also
travel along a chord of a huge circle of the earth and are the next to
arrive at the Observing Station, with a velocity equal to \/w/A>
where n and A represent the modulus of rigidity and the density of
the earth respectively. The other names given to these waves are
'distortional', 'equivoluminal' and 'shake' waves, their velocity being
about 3 miles per second.
(c) Rayleigh Waves. Discovered by Lord Rayleigh, these waves
are found to remain confined to a comparatively thin layer in the
close vicinity of the earth's surface. Unlike the P and S waves,
they start from the epicentre and arrive at the Observing Station,
along a huge circle of the earth, the displacement of the particles
at any point on the earth's surface, due to them, being in the vertical
plane containing their direction of propagation. Resolving this
displacement, we have (/) a vertical component and (it) a horizontal
component, along the direction of propagation, there being no horizontal
component at right angles to it. These waves thus persist over long
distances along the surface of the earth, and are almost unique in
this respect. If the earth were a homogeneous sphere, these waves
also would travel with a constant velocity, but, due to its hetero-
geneous character, each single wave, starting from the epicentre,
gets split up into a number of different sets of waves, each set
having a different wave-length, velocity etc. ;
so that, what we
receive at Observing Station is a series of oscillations, instead of
one single 'kick' or 'throw' as would be the case if there were no such
splitting up of the original wave, i.e., if the earth were really homo-
geneous in composition.
(d) Love Waves. The heterogeneity of the layers of the earth
is responsible for yet another type of surface waves, known as Love
Waves, in which the displacement of the earth is horizontal, but
transverse to the direction of their pro^apation. The velocity of
these waves is less in the earth's crust than in the matter below.
Immediately after an earthquake, oscillations, corresponding to these
waves, can be detected at almost any place on the surface of the
earth.
Unlike P and S waves, which are separately and distinctly
received and recorded at the Observing Station, these waves get
intermingled with Rayleigh waves to form a somewhat complicated
system of waves, (not yet properly understood), called long or L
waves, or the main shock, registering themselves as a long series of
oscillations.
101. Seismology. The study of the seismic waves constitutes
what is called the science of Seismology, and it owes a great deal
to Prof. John Milne, who did almost the whole of the initial pioneering
work on the subject. As early as the year 1883, when he was
*
residing in Japan, he predicted that 'every large earthquake might
ORAV1TAT1UB 263
be, with proper appliances, recorded at any point on the land surface
of the globe". And, then, in the year 1889, a curious incident
confirmed his prophetic words. For, a delicate horizontal pendulum,
set up for the measurement of the gravitation- action of the moon,
gave recordings, which turned out to be due to an earthquake, with
its origin somewhere in Japan. This started a new era of intensive
researches on the subject, with Prof. Milne in the very forefront ;
and, in 1895, ho set up his own observatory at Shide, in the Isle of
Wight, which became the centre of a world-wide seismic survey.
By the year 1901, the main facts as to how the tremors tra-
velled through and round the earth were fully established, again, due
in main, to the labours of the eminent Professor himself.
His reports to the British Association on Earthquake Pheno-
mena in Japan from 1881 to 1895, together with those on Seismolo-
gical Investigation from 1895 to 1913, (the year of his death), form a
fascinating and a detailed study of the growth and development_of
the present-day science of Seismology.
102. Seismographs. A seismograph (or a seismometer), is an
instrument used to record the earth tremors or the seismic waves,
to some dynamical function of which, (like displacement, velocity,
acceleration, etc.), they respond or react. The record of the vibra-
tions so obtained is called the seismogram. The instruments, res-
ponding to displacement, are of the mechanical type and we are,
therefore, concerned here only with those. The following is, in
brief, the theory underlying the mechanical type of seismographs.
AH vibrations of the earth may ultimately be resolved into (/)
vertical and (//') horizontal components*. The problem thus reduces
itself tomerely recording these vertical and horizontal vibrations. We
shall confine our attention here only to the measurement of the
horizontal displacements, accompanying these latter vibrations. There
are 'two types of instruments in use for the purpose, viz., (a) the
vertical pendulum and (b) the horizontal pendulum type.
(a) The Vertical Pendulum Seismographs. A
vertical pendulum
is just a rigid body, suspended from a stand resting firmly on the
ground so that, with the horizontal displace-
;
merit of the ground and the stand with it, the -
point of support of the pendulum also gets
displaced horizontally.
Thus, if the point of support S of the
vertical pendulum, (Fig. 164), is displaced
horizontally to 5", due to the horizontal
displacement of the ground, it can be shown
that a style or pen, attached to its lower end,
reproduces faithfully the movements of the
support, with precisely the same frequency, Fig. 164.
(though on a different scale), it being assumed that the support moves
with a definite frequency and amplitude.
*These components may be along East and West or along North and
South but will be horizontal, nevertheless. These can also be used to measure
the horizontal velocity and acceleration of the earth, or rather of the earth's
crust.
264 PROPERTIES OF MATTSK
Those vertical pendulum seismographs, however, suffer from
two viz., (/) they have to be very heavy,
defects, as much as 20 tons
or more, if a good magnification of the vibrations be desired, and
(//) their period of vibration is rather small.
(b) The Horizantal Pendulum Seismographs. We
are already
familiar with the horizontal pendulum, [see 78 (//), page 214]*.
Only some slight additions to it convert it into a sensitive and
a reliable seismograph. With the horizontal movement of the earth,
the supports of the pendulum, which are firmly fixed on to it,
also share its movement, thus setting its stem or 'boom' into motion,
which can then be magnified mechanically or electrically by various
devices.
The best known seismograph of its class is that due to Prince
Boris Galitzin, in which the greatest care has been taken to see that its
indications correspond exactly to the actual movements or vibrations
of the earth. We shall, therefore, discuss in some detail only this
one instrument here.
103. Galitzin's Seismograph. This seismograph measures the
horizontal velocity of the earth's crust, and consists of a horizontal
pendulum, having a boom or stom, 28 cms. lon^. carrying a cylindrical
brass bob, weighing 7 k.gms* ani having its centre at a distance of
14 cms. from the inner end of the boom. The suspension of the
pendulum is of the Zollner type, (as shown in Fig. 135, page 214),
with a very small inclination of the axes, so that the period of
oscillation of the pendulum is about 24 seconds. The whole pendulum
is built up on a rigid frame-work, firmly secured to the ground, and
consisting of four m3tal pillars, braced together, and arranged
rectangularly on four points on a inetal base or plate, provided with
levelling screws.
The recording of the vibrations or tremors
at the Observing
Station done eloctromagnetically, and, for this purp>se, a flat
is
copper coil is wrapped round a portion of the stern or boom of the
pendulum, extending beyond its cylindrical bob, and connected to a
sensitive moving-coil mirror galvanometer.
With the motion of the stem, (caused by the motion of the
ground), the coil moves in the strong magnetic field of a pair of per-
manent horsa-shoe magnets of tungsten- steel. A current, which is
proportional to the angular velocity ofihe stem, is thus induced in the
coil and produces a deflection in the galvanometer.
A beam of light, reflected from the mirror fixed on to the sus-
pension of the galvanometer coil, is passed through a semi-cylindrical
lens and allowed to fall on a sensitized (i.e., photographic) paper,
wrapped round a rotating drum, worked by a clock-work arrange-
ment and moving uniformly along its axis, with a peripheral speed
of 3 cms. per minute. Time-signals are also similarly recorded on
the paper by cutting off, by means of an accurately- timed shutter,
the beam of light for two seconds at the beginning of each successive
minute. A permanent record of a series of curves, (i.e., the seismo-
The student would do well to refresh his memory by going over this
article once again before proceeding further.
GRAVITATION 265
gram), is thus obtained on the sensitized paper, from which the time
of occurrence of any seismic phenomenon can be determined aoou*
rately to within one second.
In order that the horizontal displacement of the earth may be
correctly calculated from the seismogram thus obtained, it must
faithfully correspond to the movements of the earth. To achieve this,
d imping of both the pendulum and the galvanom3t3r is necessary.
Or, else, if the period of oscillation of the penduluni'agrees, or-nearly
agrees, with that of tho saismic wave, resonance will occur, producing
largo deflections, which would give an utterly deceptive picture
of the actual movement of the ground. And, if the damping be
made critical, (i.e., dead-beat), the calculations become greatly
simplified.
This damping is produced by attaching to the outer end of the
boom, a horizontal brass plate, which moves in another strong mag-
netic field, duo to a separate pair of horse-shoe magnets, arranged
above and below it. The eddy currents, thus induced in the plate,
then produce, with proper adjustments, the desired damping effect on
the pendulum.
This seismograph has the additional advantage of great magni-
fication*, as also of enabling the recording apparatus to be arranged
in a separate compartment, away from the pendulum.
N.B. It will be readily understood that for a large or severe earth-
quake, less sensitive seismographs are more suitable, while, for smaller, local or
nearby earthquakes, the nure sensitive ones or the short period ones, are the
more desirable.
104. Determination of the Epicentre and the Focus.
The Epicentre. To determine the epicentre of an earthquake,
we determine what are called the epicentral distances of it from a net-
work of Observing Stations or Observatories, the epicentral distance
of an earthquake from a given station bei/ig the shortest distance of its
epicentre from the station, measured along the surface of the earth, in
terms of the angle it subtends at the centre of the earth. This is done
with the help of the Tables, compiled by Zoppritz, Turner and others,
which give the relation between the epicentral distances of past
earthquakes and the interval between the first arrivals of the Primary
(P) and the Secondary (S) waves at a station, i.e., which express the
epicentral distances as functions of the corresponding time-intervals
S P.
Thus, from the seismogram of an earthquake, obtained at an
Observing Station, we can determine the time-interval S P for it at
that station, and the Tables then give the epicentral distance of the
earthquake from it. This is done at as many stations as possible.
Circles are then drawn on a globe, with these different stations as
their respective centres and their epicentral distances as the radii.
The point of intersection of these circles then gives the most probable
position of the epicentre of the earthquake in question. Or, the same
may be obtained from the method of least squares.
*Out of a set of 8 seismographs at the Fordham University in New York
city, there are three which magnify the motion of the ground about 2,000 times.
266 FEOPEBTIBS O* MATTttft
Usually, three seismographs are used for the purpose, one res
ponding to motions of the ground along the East- West direction, the
other along the North-South direction, and the third, having a pen-
dulum suspended by a coiled spring, to respond to the vertical dis-
placements of the ground. Tha information supplied by the three,
when pieced together, enables not only the epicentre, but also the
character, of the earthquake to be determined fairly accurately.
(ii) The focus. To determine the position of the focus, imme-
diately below the epicentre, we use what is known as Seebach's
method, explained below :
Let F, (Fig. 165), be the focus of an earthquake, (taken to be
a point here), a distance h vertically below the epicentre and let ,
O be the position of the Observing
Station, a horizontal distance d from the
epicentre.
Then, assuming the homogeneity
of the medium in-between the earth's sur-
face and the surface of a sphere, concen-
tricwith it and passing through F, the
time t taken by the P waves to travel
from F to O is clearly given by
t =
*
whence, (d
2
+A 2
)
= v
2
./
2
'
.. '. .V (
where v is the velocity of P waves in the
medium and can be determined inde-
Fig. 165. pendently by other methods.
Now, if the time at which the earthquake occurs be T O *, and
the time at which the first P waves arrive at O be T, we have / =
(T T O ), where T naturally varies with distance d.
Thus, relation (i) above may be put in the form,
(</
a
+/l
2
)
= V^T-TO)*.
Obtaining the corresponding values of d and t from a number of
different Observing Stations, we plot a graph between d and v/, which
gives a hyperbola, from which h can bo easily calculated out, and
hence the position of the focus determined.
A better method, however, is to calculate, by the method of
least squares, the most probable values of h and TO .
N.B. It may be of interest to know that the severest earthquakes have
their foci about a hundred kilometres below the earth's surface.
105. Modern Applications of Seismology. The development of
the modern science of seismology has led to its application in four
important fields, viz., (/) investigation of the nature of the interior of
the earth, prospecting for oils and minerals, (Hi) construction of
(ii)
quake-proof buildings, and (iv) forecasting of the occurrence of
earthquakes.
(i) It is now almost fully established (according to Jeffreys)
that the earth consists of a dense core of a molten mass, mostly of
*Tbis, though not known to us, is certainly constant.
GBAV1TATIOS 267
iron, together with some nickel, of a density of about 12*0 gms.jc.c.,
(at the pressure existing there), surrounded by a solid outer shell or
crust, about 3,000 kilometres thick, the density of which decreases
from about 5'Qgms./c.c. at its innermost layers to about 2-7 gms.jc.c.
at the outermost layers, or at the surface of the earth.
The existence of the dense core is deduced from the observed
refraction of the seismic waves, as they pass through the earth, and
is further confirmed by the
production and propagation of the secon-
dary or shake waves (5) through the core. These waves, as we know,
are transverse in nature and, as such, can only be produced and pro-
pagated in media, possessing elasticity of shape or rigidity, viz., in
solids.
(/i) Prospecting for, oil, coal and other minerals is now being
increasingly done with the help of seismic waves*, the process being
technically known as 'seismic prospecting'.
Artificial earthquakes as set up in the ground-region to be
surveyed for the purpose, by detonating an explosive, like gun-cotton
Fig. 166.
or gelignite, at a point O on the earth's surface, (Fig. 106), and the
time of explosion noted. The time of arrival of the first low fre-
quency longitudinal waves, or the primary waves, thus produced,
is noted, with the help of seismographs, at different stations P, Q, R,
S, etc., all lying in the same plane. The distances from 0, covered
along the chords OP, OQ, OR, OS etc. of the earth are carefully
measured and the mean velocities of the waves calculated along these
different paths or chords.
If one of the paths or chords, say, OS, happens to pass through
a mineral deposit, like a salt dome, the value of the mean velocity
along this particular chord will be different from that along the other
chords. The experiment is then repeated along a direction, perpendi-
cular to the first, by exploding a fresh charge of explosives. And,
if this confirms the results of the first experiment, a more elabo-
rate survey determines the positions of the top and the sidesf of the
salt dome.
has now been found possible to erect 'quake-proof
(Hi) It
buildings in California, Japan and other places, frequently visited by
earthquakes, at a surprisingly low additional cost of just 15%. For,
it has been shown by Prof. Suyehiro that the severest earthquakes of
*We have already studied the gravitational methods of prospecting, by
means of the Eotvos balance etc, (sees 80, on page 216).
t The locating of the sides of the dome is equally important, because some
mineral oil is almost always found to be there.
268 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
Japan can do but little damage to buildings, designed to resist a hori-
zontal force, equal to one-tenth of their total weight. The day is thus
not far off when damage to D lildings due to earthquakes will just
become a memory of a dreadful past.
(/v) And, finally, the prediction of the occurrence of an earth-
quake, a good timo in advanos, i<* also fast coming into the
realm of
practical possibility. For, it has now boen established that the region,
where an earthquake occurs, exhibits, for quite a few years before, a
'////', or a gradual rise, very much like the
rubber tube of a pneumatic
tyre or a football bladder swelling up before it actually bursts.
There seems to be but little doubt that much sooner than we
can imagine at the moment, an earthquake forecast will become as
general and universal an affair as the weather forecast
is today.
But even as it is, the loss in buildings etc., due to the severest
confined to a
earthquakes, seldom exceeds 5%, due to their being
very small area, and, quite often, an uninhabited one. The disas-
trous effects of earthquakes have thus been unduly magnified and, ;
for all we know, they may be for our own good, designed by a benign
Providence, by way of safety devicos to save us from being blown up,
all in a heap.
SOLVED EXAMPLES
1, Given G =* 6*7xlO~ 8 c.g s. units, the radius of the earth = 64xlO
cms. and its mean
density, 55 gms./c c., calculate the acceleration due to gravity
at the earth's surface.
Imagining the earth to be a perfect sphere, we have
volume of the earth = |..n(6 4x 10V c cs.,
>
And .*. mass = -*.TM6*4xl0 )x5'5 gms.
8
Consider a mass m
gms. on the surface of ths earth. Obviously, the
force with which it is bsing attracted by ths earth towards its centre is, according
to the Law of Gravitation,
^|^6^10)2il5 8
<y = **m.n.(6-4xl0
8
)x5-5x6*7xlO-
'
1
.
(6'4xl0 )"
x 6*4 x 5 '5 x 6' 1 dynes.
^rn.it
/. this must be equal to the weight of ths mass, i.e., mg.
Thus, nig = *.7r.mx 6*4x5*5x6*7.
whence, g ~ .*.mx6'4x5'5x6*7 = 988'3 cm Iscc*.
Or, the acceleration dus to gravity at the earth's surface is 988*3 cms. /sec*.
2. Two lead spheres of 20 cms. and 2 cms. diameter respectively are placed
with their centres 100 cms. apart. Calculate the force of attraction between the
8
spheres, given the radius of the earth as 6*67 x I0 cms. and its mean density
as
533gms,/c.c. ; (Sp. gr. of lead 11*5).
=
If the lead spheres be replaced by brass spheres of the same radii, would the
force of attraction be the same ?
. . product ~
of the masses~ "
. .
-
Clearly, force of attraction between the masses
^/ 5/fl ^ e \t
- *.*.(10)*x* n.(l)B X (ll*5) .G/100
3 8
16n'xlO'x(ll'5) .G/9xlO<.
a
-
16"*x(ll-5>*xG/90 8n a x(ll'5) 2 .G/45.
Now, force on a mass of one gram on the eajth's surface
a&AVTTATtOH 269
Or, G.M/R* 980, taking g - 980 cm*. /we*.
Or, G-~-~--X 5-33 -980. Or, G.4.7c.*x5'33 - 960x3.
Or, G9$Ox3/4.nJ?x5'33.
force of attraction between the lead spheres is given by
980x3
* " x
45 4.n. JRx5'33*
Since the force of attraction between the spheres depends upon their
masses,it will naturally be different in 'he case of brass spheres whose mass wili
be much less than that of the lead spheres, (the density of brass being much less
than that of lead).
3. Calculate the mass of the earth from the following data :
Radius of the earth -6x10* cms. ; Acceleration due to gravity = 980 cm./sec*.
and Gravitational Constant =6 6x 10~ 8 cm.* gm.~ 1 .sec.~ JI
We know that the force with which the earth attracts a unit mass towards
itself, (/'*., towards its centre) = xg 1 980 dynes.
Also, the force of attraction between the mass and the earth is given by
AfxlxG/K*. where M
is the mass of the earth, R, it * radius and G, the Gravita-
tional Constant. Clearly, therefore, M.GJR*^ g.
Or, M~g.R*IG. ... ... (/)
.*. substituting the values of g, R andG in relation (/), we have
A/~ 980x(6xl0 /66xlO- - 8
)
2
53'47xl0 26 gms.
26
Or, the mass of the earth is equal to 53*47 x 10 gms.
4. Calculate the mass of the Sun, given that the distance between the Sun,
and the Earth is 1*49 x 10 13 cms., and G * 6 66x 10~ 8 c.g.s. units. Take the year to
consist of 365 days. (Punjab, 1942}
Let the mass of the Sun = M
gms. and that of the Earth = m gms.
Distance between the two, or the radius of Earth's orbit round the Sun, i.e.,
r = 149 x 10 18 cms.
Time of ons revolution of the Earth round the Sun = 365 days.
* 365 x 24 x 60 x 60 sees.
Clearly, fone of attraction between the Sun and the Earth
- G.M.mlr* = -xfrWx 10- dynes.
Now, centripetal force acting on the Earth in its orbit =mv a
/r.
And, the distance covered by the Earth in 1 revolution, i.e., in 365 days,
clearly=2nr = 2x l'49x 10 18
cms.
1'
..
, ,u i
2TTX1-49X10
distance covered by it in 1 sec., or, v
Hence, centripetal force on the Earth = mv*/r.
= /2nxl-49xlO l8 \*
"\365 x 24 x 3600 /
This must, clearly, be equal to the force of attraction between the Sun and
the Earth ;and, therefore,
wx MX 6*66 xlQ-' _
~~ m '
4**xl 49x1 0"
*
1
J49X10 18 )*
'
(365x24 X3600)
.
8
6-66xlQ- f
" --
(365x24 x 3600; x6'66xlO"**
'(365x24x3600)
_
Or, M M
19'72xlO gms.
Or, the mats of the Sun - 19*72 x 10 M gms.
270 PttOWBBTiBS 0* MATTBB
Assuming that a sphere of mass 40 kilograms is attracted by a second
sphere of mass 80 kilograms, when their centres are 30 cms.
apart with a force
equal to the weight of J mg. ; calculate the Constant of Gravitation.
Here, force of attraction between the two masses
40x1000x80 x 1000 _ 32 x 10 8 32 x ---
30*
G*
9xTor
*
G --- 10*
G '
9
But this is equal to J mg. wt. i.e.,
4 X981
l "4
9
r* G * = = 6
'
898x
4600 x32x 10* *
Or, the value of G ~
6*898 x 10~ C.G.S. units. 8
6. Two
small balls of mass m
each, are suspended side by side by two
equal threads of length /. If the distance between the upper ends of the threads
be a, find through what angle the threads are
pulled out of the vertical by the attrac-
tion of the balls.
Let the upper ends of the threads be at A and
distance AB a.
" such that the
D 167),
B, (Fig.
Due to mutual attraction, the balls are drawn
B
~
71
towards each other, say, through a distance x each,
from their original positions.
Considering the forces acting on the ball 2,
which keep it in equilibrium, we have
(/) the weight of ball = mg, acting vertically
jy
downwards,
(fi) the force of attraction,
N mx m
* """"
f \*
1
V ~"
f v m
'
(a-x) (axY
**
j
F (111) the tension of the thread T.
* Since the ball is in equilibrium, the three
m9 forces can be represented by the three sides of a
Fig. 167. triangle, taken in order.
dotted lines show the positions of the threads when the balls are
If the
in equilibrium, the three forces can be represented in magnitude as well as direc-
tion by the sides of the triangle y BQN
the side BQ, representing the weight mg,
the side QN, representing F and the side NB, representing the tension T of the
string, i/i cylic order.
So that, clearly, - - tan 6. Or, _ - tan 6.
gj (
whence, tan 9 - -- Or, 9 - /*/
Thus, the threads will be pulled out of the vertical through an angle
$ = tan- 1 mGI(ax)*s.
7. orbit, r, is 240,000 miles, and the period of
The radius of the Moon's
revolution is the diameter of the Earth is 8,000 miles and the value of
27 days ;
gravity on its surface is 32 ft./sec*. Verify the statement that the gravitational
force varies inversely as the square of the distance.
Here, distance covered by the Moon in 27 days 2rr x 240000 miles.
..
f .
velocity of the Moon, v
^ 2* x 240000x1 760x3
= ~ A
f*-l* ee
.
'
27x24x60x60
Now, centripetal acceleration of a body moving in a circle v'/r. Hence
=
the centripetal acceleration of the Moon towards the centre of the Earth, is giveo
by
i
*m ""
240000 x 1760x3*
[ 27x24x60x60 J
AVITATIO 271
""
4frx 24x1 76x3x10^ 4frj<I76x3x 10.
~(27x24x36)xlO ~T27x36)x24
- 0-009189 ft.lsec*.
Then, denoting the acceleration due to gravity on the'surface of the Earth
by #, (= 32
//. per sec*.), and supposing it to be inversely proportional to the n ih
power of the distance, we have
where Rg is the radius of the earth, and K m9 the distance of the Moon from the
Earth.
Or C'009189
32
^ /
* 4000 x|760_x 3 V 1
" / 1
V '
V2406o6xl760xV V 60 /
Or, taking logarithms, we have
4 4582 - n(2-2218). Or, n
2' 221 o
Thus, g varies inversely as the second power of the distance and hence the
gravitational force varies inversely as the square of the distance.
8. The radius of the earth is 6'37 x 10~ 8 cms., its mean density, 5*5
gms./c.c. and the gravitational constant, 6*66 xlO~- 8 c g s. units. Calculate the
earth's surface potential.
We know that potential, V GM/x. [Taking the earth to be a perfect sphere.
Now, mass of the earth, M volume x density = 8 3
*.n(6'37x 10 ) x 5'5,
distance, x r, in this case, = 6 37 x 10 8 cms.
G = 6-66 x 10~ 8 C.G.S. units (given).
6- 66 x JO- 8 x 4^(6 37 x "10 8 )x55 6'66x 10 8 x 471(6 37) 8 x5'5
**
3x6-37xl0 8 3^
2'22x 10 8 x4rr(6 37)'x5'5 = 62'27x 10" ergs Igm.
9. Calculate the intensity at a point due to an infinitely long straight wire
of line density p.
AC
be a portion of the wire,
Let
(Fig. 168), of line density p, and consider
an element AB of the wire, of length dl.
Let AO be a length / of the wire ; and let
P be a point at a distance x from O.
Join PA, and let IAPO = 0.
Then, clearly, tan $ = IJx. Or, / =-= x.tan 0.
Differentiating it with respect to 0,
we have
dl - x.sec*Q.dQ. Fig. 168.
Therefore, mass of this element AB = ?.<#= x. sec'Q.dQ.?.
x sec 9
And, .'. intensity at P due to the element - '
'?.G, in the direction PA.
*j
/. intensity at Fdue to the element
x.sec*e.de.? G _ P.C.* along
x.jec 8 x
it into two rectangular components, along PO and perpendicular
Resolving
to it, we have the component along PO, equal to p.G.</0.co$ 0/x, and (ii) the
(/;
component at right angles to it, equal to p.G.dQ.sin Qjx.
Similarly, the intensity at P
due to an equal element dl and the other end,
at a distance / from O will be p G.dQIx, in the direction PC. Resolving it into
, two rectangular components, the component p.G.dQ.sin 0/x, being equal and
opposite to that due to the element AB will cancel out and the component
272 FHOPKBTilS OF MAtflfifl
ot $lx will act along PO, as before, and the tW6 will, therefore, be added
up. The same is true for any two similarly situated equal elements of the wirt.
Therefore, considering the whole wire, we have
= p> ' &
intensity at P due to the whole wire 2 I - cos ** . sin
J
x L x JO
Or, intensity at a distance x due to an infinitely long straight wire is 2p.G/x.
EXERCISES VII
Mention different methods for determining the Constant of universal
1.
and describe one which you consider to be the most accurate.
gravitation,
(Punjab, 1940 and 1944)
2. What is meant by 'gravitation constant' ? What are its dimensions ?
Give an account of the experiments of Cavendish and Boys to determine this
constant. (Banaras, 1945}
3 If G= 6-66 xlO~ 8 c.g s. units, what is the force between two small
spheres weighing 2 k.gms, placed 30 cms. apart. Ans. 2*931 x 10 4 dynes.
4. State and explain Newton's law of gravitation and describe an accu-
rate method of measuring the gravitation constant. What celestial evidence led
to the formulation of the law ? Is this law universally correct ? Explain your
statement. (Calcutta, 1945)
5. If the earth were a solid sphere of iron, of radius 6 37 million metres,
and of density 7'&6gms /cms 3 ., what would be the value of gravity at its surface,
8
taking the gravitational constant to be 6 658 x 10~ c.g.s. units ?
Ans. 1396 cms./ sec*.
6. Give the theory of Cavendish experiment, explaining how the density
of the earth is determined. Explain why and how Boys modified the Cavendish
method. (Madras, 1950)
7. Explain how Cavendish determined the value of gravitation constant.
Indicate how, from the knowledge of the value of the gravitation constant,
it is a possible to calculate the mass of the earth. (Saugar, 1948)
8. If G 6*66 xlO~ 8 c g.s units, and the radius of the earth equal to
6-37 x 10 8 cms., what is the density of the earth ? Ans. 5 62 gms.lcms*.
9. The earth moves round the Sun in a circle of radius 9*288 x 10 7 miles,
and completes a revolution in 365 days A satellite of Jupiter moves about the
Jupiter in a circle of radius 1*161 x 10* miles, completing one revolution in 16*6
days. Calculate the mass of Jupiter in terms of the mass of the Sun.
Ans. 945xlO~ f .
10. Assuming the law of gravitation, find an expression for the period of
revolution of a planet.
The moon describes a circular orbit of radius 3*8 x 10 5 km. about the earth
in 27 days and the earth describes a circular orbit of radius l*5x 10" km. round
the Sun in 365 days. Determine the mass of the Sun in terms of that of the earth.
(Bombay, 1935)
Ans. 3*366x10*.
11. Define the gravitational constant and describe a laboratory method
for measuring it accurately.
A small satellite revolves round a planet of mean density 10 gmsJc.c., the
radius of its orbit being slightly greater than the radius of the planet. Calculate
the time of revolution of the satellite. (G =
6*66 x 10~ 8 c g.s. unin)
(Bombay, 1940)
Ans. 1-044 hours.
12. Define 'Potential' and 'Potential Energy* of a gravitational field.
Derive an expression for the potential due to a sphere of uniform density at an
external point.
The radius of the earth is 6-37 x 10* cms., its mean density 5*5 gmsjcm*.
and the gravitation constant, 6 66x 10-*. Calculate the earth's surface potential.
(Agra, 1940)
Ans.
GRAVITATION 27?
13. What is meant by the gravitational potential? How does it vary
with the distance from^tbe centre of the earth ? What initial velocity would be
required to project a body be>ond the attractive force of the earth ? (Radius of
earth is 6*4 x 10 8 cms.) (Cambridge Scholarship)
Ans. 1*12 xlO cms.jsec.
14. Explain what you mean by gravitational potential at a point. How
does it differ from other kinds of potential with which you are familiar ?
Find an expression for gravitational potential due to a thin hollow sphere
of uniform density at a point outside it. (Calcutta, 1947)
15. Two balls, each weighing 10 gms are hung side by side by threads, 10
,
metres long. If the threads are I cm. apart at the upper ends, by how much is the
distance between the centres of the balls less than 1 cm.
Ans. l-5xlO- e cmi.
16. Describe one of the most accurate methods of measuring the constant
of gravita-tion.
The star Sirius has a mass of 6*9 x 10 3S gms. and its distance is 8x 10 18 km.
The mass of the earth is 6,x 10 27 gms. The tensile strength* of steel is about
20,000 kg./cm* Calculate the cross-section of a steel bar which could just with-
stand the gravitational pull between Sirius and the earth. (G 6'67xlO~ 8 =
dyne-cm*. Igm~*. (Bombay, 1951)
Ans. 2*169x sq. cm. W
1 7. Prove that the least velocity with which a particle must be projected
ofji planet of radius R and density p in order that
from the surface it may escape
completely /?\/8rcO>/3, where G is the gravitational constant.
is Calculate the
velocity in the case of the moon from the following data :
mean density of earth * 5*52 gms /c.c, mean density of moon
;
3'36 gms.jc.c. ;
mean radius of earth 638 km. ;mean radius of moon 1740 km. ; =
Acceleration of gravity at earth's surface =
980 cms. per sec. per sec.
(Oxford Scholarship)
5
Ans. 2'38 xlO cm. see' 1 .
18. Describe an accurate 'balance -method* for the determination of the
value of G, and write a short note on the 'qualities of gravitation\
19. What are seismic waves ? Give a brief description of their charac*
teristics. How may they be detected ? Also mention some of the applications of
tcismology.
20. What is an earthquake ? How is it caused ? Describe in brief the
principle underlying seismographs. Why are they so called ?
21. Describe in detail Galitzin's seismograph and explain how the epicentre
and thefccus of an earthquake may be determined with its help.
22. What is geophysical prospecting ? Write a short descriptive note oa
(/) the gravitational and (11) the seismic methods used for the purpose.
*See next chapter.
CHAPTER VIII
ELASTICITY
106. Introductory. All bodies can, more or less, be deformed
by suitably applied forces. The simplest cases of deformation are
those (/) in which a wire, fixed at its upper end, is pulled down by
a weight at its lower end, bringing about a change in its length and
(//) in which an equal compression is applied in all directions, so that
there is a change of volume but no change in shape, or (///) in which a
system of forces may be applied to a body such that, although there
is no motion of the body as a whole, there is relative displacement
of its continuous layers causing a change in the shape or 'form' of
the body with no change in its volume. In all these cases, the body is
said to be strained or deformed.
When the deforming forces are removed, the body tends to
recover original condition
its For example, the wire, in the case
above, tends to come back to its original length when the force due
to the suspended weight is romoved from4t, or, a compressed Volume
of air or gas throws back the piston when it is released, in an attempt
to recover its original volume. This property of a material body to
a
regain its original condition, on th removal of the deforming forces,
is called elasticity. Bodies, which can recover completely their
original condition, on the removal of the deforming forces, are said
to be perfectly elastic. On the other hand, bodies, which do not show
any tendency to recover their original condition, are said to be plastic.
There are, however, no perfectly elastic or plastic bodies. The nearest
approacli to a porfectly elastic body is a quartz fibre and, to a per-
fectly plastic body, is putty. But even the former yields to large
deforming forces and, similarly, the latter recovers from small defor-
mations. Thus, there are only differences of degree, and a body is
more elastic or plastic when compared to another.
We shall consider here only bodies or substances, which are (/)
homogeneous and (//) isotropic, i.e., which have the same properties at
all points and in all directions. For, these alone have similar elastic
properties in every direction, (together with other physical properties
like linear expansion, conductivity for heat and electricity, refractive
index etc.).Fluids (i.e., liquids and gases), as a rule, belong to this
class, but not necessarily all solids, some of which may exhibit
different properties at different points and in different directions, i.e.,
may be heterogeneous (or non-homogeneous) and anisotropic (or non-
isotropic). Examples of this class of solids are wood, and crystals in
general, including those metals, which are crystalline in structure.
As a class, however, metals, particularly in the form of rods and
wires, may b3 regarded to be more or less wholly isotropic, in so far
as their elastic behaviour is concerned.
107. Stress and Strain. As a result of the deforming forces
applied to a body, forces of reaction come into play internally in it,
.
274
ELASTICITY 275
due to the relative displacement of its molecules, tending to restore
itto its original Condition. The restoring or recovering force per unit
area set up inside the body is called stress, and is measured by the
deforming force applied per unit area of the body, being equal in
magnitude but opposite in direction to it, until a permanent change
has been brought about in the body, i.e., until its elastic limit has
been reached, (see 108, below). If the force be inclined to the sur-
face, its component, perpendicular to the surface, measured per unit
area, called normal stress* an'l the component acting alon^ the
is
surface, per unit area, is called tangential or shearing stress. Further,
the former may be compressive or expansive (i.e., tensile) according as
a decrease or increase in volume is involved, Obviously, being force
per unit area, the units and dimensions of stress are the same as
those of pressure, viz., ML~ J
T~ Z , (see page 5).
The change produced in the dimensions of a body under a system
of forces or couples, in equilibrium, is called strain, and is measured by
the change per unit length (linear strain), per unit volume, (volume
strain), or the angular deformation, (shear strain, or simply, shear)"\
according as the change takes place in length, volume or shape of the
body. Thus, being just a ratio, (or an angle) it is a dimensionless
quantity, having no units,
It seen that for a perfectly elastic body (/) the
will be readily
strain isalways the same for a given stress (//) the strain vanishes;
completely when the deforming force is removed and (Hi) for maintaining
the strain, the stress is constant.
108. Hooke's Law. Hooke's law is the fundamental law of
elasticity and states that, provided the strain is small, the stress is
proportional to the strain so that, in such a case, the ratio stress/strain
;
is a constant called the modulus of elasticity, (a term first introduced
,
by Thomas Young), or the coefficient of elasticity.
Since stress is just pressure, (or tension per unit area), and strain
isjust a ratio, the units and dimensions of the modulus of elasticity
are the same as those of stress or pressure.
When the stress is continually increased in the case of a solid, a
point isreached at which the strain increases more rapidly than is
warranted by Hooke's Law. This point is called the elastic limit,
and if the b'xly happens to be a wire under stretch, it will not regain
its original length on being unloaded, if the elastic limit be passed, as it
acquires what is called a 'permanent set'. On loading it further, a
point is reached when the extension begins to increase still more
rapidly and the wire begins to 'flow down* in spite of the same constant
load. This point is called the 'yield point' and, after a large ex-
;
9
tension, it reaches the 'breaking point and the wire snaps. In the
case of plastic substances, like lead, there is a long range between the
yield point and the breaking point.
*The stress is always normal in the case of a change in the length of the
wire, or in the case of a change in the volume of a body, but is tangential in the
case of a change in the shape of a body.
tThis will be dealt with more fully later in 109 (3).
276 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
Thus, if we were to plot a graph between the load suspended
from a wire, fixed to a rigid support at its upper end, and the
extension produced thereby, w*
obtain, in general, a curve of
the form shown in Fig 169,
the straight part OA of the curve
showing that the extension pro-
duced is directly proportional to
the load applied, or that Hooke's
law obeyed perfectly up to A,
is
and that,therefore, on being
unloaded at any point between
and A, the wire will come
back to its original condition,
(represented by O). In other
words, the wire is perfectly elastic
up to A, which thus measures
the elastic limit* of the specimen
in question, the extension here being of the order of 10~ 8 of the
original length.
On loading the wire beyond the elastic limit, say, up to B, the
curve takes a bend almost vertically upwards, as shown, and, on being
unloaded at any point here, (at B, say), it does not come back to its
original condition but takes the dotted path BC, thus acquiring a 'per-
manent set' OC.
Onincreasing the load still further, a point D
is reached, where
the extension is much greater even for a small increase in the load,
i.e., Hooke's law is obeyed no longer and, beyond D, the extension
;
increases continuously, with no addition to the load, the wire starting
'flowing down', as it were. For, due to its thinning down, the stresS
(or the load per unit area) increases considerably and it cannot
support the same load as before and, if the wire is to be pre-
;
vented from 'snapping', the load applied to it must be decreased.
That is why the curve starts turning towards the extension-axi
beyond this point D, which thus represents the yield point of the
wire. And, once the yield point is crossed, the thinning of the
wire no longer remains uniform or even, its cross-section decreasing
more rapidly at some points than at others, resulting in its develop-
9
ing small 'necks or 'waists' at the former points, so that the stress
is greater there than at the latter points and the wire ultimately
;
'snaps' at one of these. This point on the curve, at which the
snapping or the breaking of the wire actually occurs, is called ita
breaking point, the corresponding stress and strain there being
referred to as the breaking stress (or tensile strength) and the breaking
strain, respectively.
Note. The tlastic limit of a material is also sometimes defined as the
force producing the maximum reversible or recoverable deformation in it, and may,
*Jn quite a few cases, Hooke's law is obeyed only up to a point a little
below the elastic limit, represented by A. The portion of the curve from O
to this point (below A), is then**aid to indicate the limit of proportionality, to
distinguish it from the elastic limit. The two are thus not always identical,
though they are generally regarded to be so, in view of the very small difference
between them.
ELASTICITY 277
for a given specimen, be determined by loading and unloading it with a number
of different loads and measuring its length afterVacA unloading, until it acquires
a permanent set. The latter is then plotted against the load, and from the curve
thus obtained, the particular load at which the permanent set just starts, can be
easily estimated.
Even within the elastic limit, however, few solids come back to
their original condition, directly the deforming force is removed.
Almost all of them onfy 'creep' back to it, (i.e., take some time to do
so), though they all do so, ultimately. This delay in recovering back
the original condition, on the cessation of the deforming force, is called
clastic-after effect. Glass exhibits this effect to a marked degree, the
few exceptions to this almost general rule being quartz, phosphor-
bronze, silver and gold, which regain their original condition as soon
as the deforming force ceases to operate. Hence their use in Caven-
dish's and Boys' experiments for the determination of G, in quadrant
electrometers and moving-coil galvanometers etc. etc.
As a natural consequence of the elastic after-effect the strain in
a material, (in glass, for example), tends to persist or lag behind the
stress to which it is subjected, with the
result that during a rapidly changing
stress, the strain is greater for the same
value of stress, when it is decreasing than
when increasing, as is clear from the
it is
curve in Fig. 170. This lag between stress
and strain is called elastic hysterisis, (the
term 'hysterisis\ meaning 'lagging be-
hind
1
). The phenomenon is similar in its
implications to the familiar magnetic hys-
terisis, where the magnetic effects tend
to persist or lag behind even after the
magnetising influence is removed, the XTAWOAf >
X
curve referred to above may thus be called p| gt 170.
the elastic hysterisis loop. And, exactly
in the same manner the energy, dissipated as heat, during a cycle of
loading and unloading is given by the area enclosed by the loop.
There is, however, very little hysterisis in the case of metals or of
quartz.
Further, it was shown by Lord Kelvin, during his investigation
of the rate of decay of torsional vibrations of wires, that the vibra-
tions died away much faster in the case of a wire kept vibrating con-
tinuously for some time than in that of a fresh wire. The same
happens to any elastic body, subjected to an alternating strain. The
continuously vibrating wire got 'tired* or 'fatigued', as it were, and
found it difficult to continue vibrating. Lord Kelvin fittingly express-
ed this by the term 'elastic fatigue'.
A
body, thus subjected to repeated strains beyond its elastic
may break under
limit, has its elastic properties greatly impaired, and
A stress, less than its normal breaking stress even within its elastic
limit. This phenomenon is, obviously, of great importance in cases
like those of the piston and the connecting rods in a locomotive,
which, as we know, are subjected to repeated tensions and compres-
sions during each revolution of the crank shaft.
278 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
It may be mentioned here that all these elastic properties of a material are
linked up with the fine mass of its structure. It is now finally established by care-
ful microscopic examination, that metals are just an aggregation of a large
number of fine crystals, in most cases, arranged in a random or a chaotic
fashion^ i.e., their cleavage planes (or the planes along which their constituent atoms
can easily slide over each other), being distributed haphazardly, in all possible
directions. Now, single crystals, when subjected to deformation, show a
remarkable increase in their hardness. Thus, for example, a single crystal of
silver, on being stretched to a little more than twice its length, is known to
increase to as much as ninety-two times its original strength or stiffness. So
that, operations like hammering and rolling, which help this sort of distribution,
i.e., which break up the crystal grains into smaller units, result in an increase or
extension of their elastic properties whereas, operations like annealing (or heat-
;
ing and then cooling gradually) etc., which tend to produce a uniform pattern of
orientation of the constituent crystals, by orienting them all in one particular
direction and thus forming larger crystal grains, result in a decrease in their clas-
tic properties or an increase in the softness or plasticity of the material.
This is because in the latter case, slipping (or sliding between cleavage
planes), starting at a weak spot proceeds all through the crystal and, in the
former, the slipping is confined to one crystal grain and stops at its boundary
with the adjoining crystal. Indeed, the former may be compared to a small cut,
developing into a regular tear all along a fabric and the latter to the tear stopping
as it reaches a seam in the fabric. Thus, 'paradoxically', as Sir Lawrence Bragg
puts it, */ order to be strong, a metal must be weak,* meaning thereby that metals
with smaller grains are stronger than those with larger ones.
A change in the temperature also affects the elastic properties of a
material, a rise in temperature usually decreasing its elasticity and vice versa,
except in certain rare cases, like that of invar steel, whose elasticity remains prac-
tically unaffected by any changes in temperature. Thus, for example, lead becomes
quite elastic and rings like steel when struck by a wooden mallet, if it be cooled
in liquid air. And, again, a carbon filament, which is highly elastic at the ordinary
temperature, becomes plastic when heated by the current through it, so much so
that it can be easily distorted by a magnet brought near to it.
109. Three Types of Elasticity. Corresponding to the three*
types of strain, we have three types of elasticity, v/z.,
(/) linear elasticity, or elasticity of length, called Young's Modulus,
corresponding to linear (or tensile) strain ;
(i7) elasticity of volume or Bulk Modulus, corresponding to volume
strain ;
and
(Hi) elasticityof shape, shear modulus, or Modulus of Rigidity,
corresponding to shear strain.
(1) Young's Modulus. When the deforming force is applied to
the body only along a particular direction, the change per unit length
in that direction is called longitudinal, linear or elongation strain, and
the force applied per unit area of cross-section is called longitudinal
or linear stress. The ratio of longitudinal stress to linear *trnin, within
the elastic limit, is called Young's Modulus, and is usually denoted by
the letter Y.
Thus, if F be the force applied normally to a cross-sectional area
a, the stress is F/a. And, if there be change / produced in the origi-
nal length L, the strain is given by //L. So that,
Young's Modulus, Y = -J- = . -.
ijju a,i
Now, if L 1, a = 1 and / = 1, we have Y F.
In other words, if a material of unit length and unit area of cross-
ELASTICITY 279
section could be pulled so as to increase in length by unity, i.e., to
double its length, the force applied would measure tbe value of
Young's Modulus for it.
Since, however, the elastic limit is exceeded when the extension
produced is 10~ 8 cm./cm., the material will snap before this much
extension is produced.
In cases, where, elongation produced is not proportional to the
force applied, we can still determine Young's Modulus from the ratio
L.dF/a.dL, where dF/a is the infinitesimal increase in the longitudinal
stress and dL/L, the corresponding increase in strain.
Or, *'%'
dL a
N.B. The particular case of rubber may, with advantage, be mentioned
here, which the beginner finds so confusing, when, in ordinary conversational
language, we refer to it as being 'elastic*. For, he knows well enough that it
requires a much smaller force than steel to stretch it, (and that, therefore, its elas-
ticity is much less than that of steel). In fact, the value of Young's Modulus for
rubber is about one-fiftieth of that of steel. What we mean when we say that it is
elastic, therefore, is just that it has a very large range of elasticity, for, whereas a
crystalline body can be stretched to less than even one per cent of its original
length before reaching its elastic limit, rubber can be stretched to about eight
times (or 80%) of its original length.
This high extensibility of rubber is due to its molecule containing, on an
average, #
some 4,000 molecules of isoprene (C6 8 ), whose 20,OCO carbon atoms,
spreading out in a chain, make it very long and thin, about 1/4000 mm. in length.
Rubber, in bulk, has thus been rightly compared to an intertwined mass
of long, wriggling snakes, its molecules, like the snakes, tending to uncoil when
stretched and getting coiled up again when the stretching force is removed.
(2) Bulk Modulus. Here, the force is applied normally and uni-
formly to the whole surface of the body so that, while there is a
;
change of volume, there is no change of shape. Geometrically speaking,
therefore, we have hero a change in the scale of the coordinates of the
system or the body. The force applied per unit area, (or pressure),
gives the Stress, and the change per unit volume, the Strain, their ratio
giving the Bulk Modulus for the body. It is usually denoted by the
letter K.
Thus, if F
be the force applied uniformly and normally on a sur-
face area a, the stress, or pressure, is F/a or P and, if v be the ;
change in volume produced in an original volume K, the strain is v/K.
and, therefore,
Bulk Modulus, K= F
!*
= Fy - '
rv Fla
l '
-/.
v/V a.v v
If, however, the change in volume be not proportional to the
stress or the pressure applied, we consider the infinitesimal change in
volume dV, for the corresponding change in pressure dP so that, ;
we have K= d
The Bulk Modulus is sometimes referred to as incompressibility
and hence its reciprocal is called compressibility so that, compressi-
;
bility of a body is equal to l/#, where K is its Bulk Modulus. It must
thus be quite clear that whereas bulk modulus is stress per unit
strain, compressibility represents strain per unit stress.
280 PBOPHBTIBS OF MATTER
Since fluids (i.e., liquids and gases) can permanently withstand
or sustain only a hydrostatic
pressure, the only elasticity they possess
is Bulk Modulus
(K), which is, therefore, all that is meant when we
refer to their elasticity. This, however, is of two types isothermal
:
and adiabatic.
For, when a fluid is compressed, there is always some heat pro-
duced. If this heat be removed as fast as it is
produced, the tempera-
ture of the fluid remains constant and the
change is said to be
isothermal but if the heat be allowed to remain in the fluid, its
;
temperature naturally rises ard the change is then said to be
adiabatic.
It can be easily shown that the isothermal elasticity of a gas (i.e.,
when itstemperature remains constant) is equal to its pressure P, and
its adiabatic elasticity equal to yP, where y is the ratio between
C>*
and Cy * for the gas in question, its value being 1*41 for air, [see
solved Example 1 (b) at the end of the Chapter.]
It will thus be readily seen that the Bulk Modulus of a
gas
fwhether isothermal or adiabatic) is not a constant quantity, unlike
that of a solid or a liquid.
(3) Modulus of Rigidity. In this case, while there is a change
in the shape of the
body, there is no change in its volume. As indi-
cated already, it takes place by the movement of
contiguous layers of
the body, one over the other, very much in the manner that the cards
would do when a pack of them, placed on the table, is pressed with
the hand and pushed horizontally. Again,
speaking geometrically, we
have, in this case, a change in the inclinations of the coordinate axes
of the system or the body.
Consider a rectangular solid cube, whose lower face aDCc,
(Fig.
171), isfixed, and to whose upper face a tangential force Fis applied
,
in the direction shown. The couple
so produced by this force and an
equal and opposite force coming
into play on the lower fixed face,
makes the layers, parallel to the
two faces, move over one another,
such that the point A shifts to A' t
B to B', rf to d' and b to 6', i.e.,
the lines joining the two faces turn
through an angle 0f.
F '3- 171. The face A BCD
is then said to
be sheared through an angle 8. This angle (in radians), through which
a line originally perpendicular to the fixed face is turned, gives the strain
or the shear strain, or the angle of shear, as it is often called. As will
*The symbols Cp and^C*, stand for the specific heats of a gas at constant
pressure and at constant volume respectively, -their ratio r =
C>/C, being the
highest (1*67) for a mono-atomic gas, like helium, goes on decreasing with in-
creasing atomicity of the gas but is always greater than 1.
fAs a matter of fact, if this were the only couple acting on the body, it
would result in the rotation of the body. This is prevented by another
equal and
opposite couple, formed by the weight of the body (plus any vertical force applied)
and the reaction of the surface on which the body rests.
ELASTICITY 281
be readily seen, & = A A' /DA =
where /is the displacement AA'
II L,
and X, the length of the AD
or the height of the cube or 9
side ;
=
relative displacement of plane ABbajdistance from the fixed plane
aDCc. So that, if the distance from the fixed plane, i.e., L 1, we
=
have 9 / = =
relative displacement of plane ^4Z?6a.
Thus, shear strain (or shear) may also be defined as the relative
displacement between two planes unit distance apart.
And, stress or tangential stress is clearly equal to the force F
divided by the area of the face ABbd, i.e., equal to Fja. The ratio of
the tangential stress to the shear strain gives the co-efficient of rigidity
of the material of the body, denoted by n.
Thus, tangential stress = Fla, and shear strain = 6 = //L.
And, therefore, Co-efficient of Rigidity, or Modulus of Rigidity of
the material of the cube is given by
n = F/a -
~~
Fl a-
=
~~ ~~L (i)
to
I/L a- 1
This is a relation exactly similar to the one for Young's Modu-
lus, with the only difference that, here, F
is the tangential stress, not
a linear one, and I, a displacement at right angles to L, instead of along
it.
Again, if the shearing strain, or shear, be not proportional to
the shearing stress applied, we have
*L fl
where d0ia the increase in the angle of shear for an infinitesimal in-
crease dF/a in the shearing stress.
Further, it is clear from relation (/) above, that if a = 1, and
Q = 1radian (or 57 18'), we have n F. =
We
may thus define modulus of rigidity of a material as the shear-
ing stress per unit shear, i.e., a shear of I radian, taking Hooke's law
to be valid even for such a large strain*.
110. Equivalence of a shear to a compression and an extension
at right angles to each other. Consider a cube A BCD, (Fig. 172),
with the face DC
fixed, and let the face A j R n ^ ^,
A BCD be sheared by a force, applied
in the direction shown, through an
the position A'B'CD.
into
V"
angle 0,
Then, clearly, the diagonal is in- DB
creased in length to DB', and the dia-
gonal AC
is shortened to A'C.
-
The shear
is really very small in
actual practice, and, therefore, triangles * ~
AFA' and BEE' are isosceles right-angled F j
g i 72
triangles, (i.e., right-angled 45 triangles).
*In the case of metals, however, Hooke's law no longer holds even if the
shear exceeds 11/200 radian, or '33.
282 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
And, therefore, EB 1
= BB 1
. cos BB'E =
v Z.#fi' = 45 and cos 45 =
If AB = /, then, clearly, DB = = /-y/2,
.-, extension strain along diagonal D2?
__
"5' BB' I BB' e
DB -y/2 /\/2 2/ 2
Similarly, the compression strain along the diagonal is given
'. cosA'AF 45
AC
[v
Thus, we see that a simple shear B is equivalent to two equal
strains, an extension and a compression, at right angles to each other.
Corollary. The converse of the
above follows as a corottary^viz., that
simultaneous equal, "compression and
extension at right angles to each other
are equivalent to a shear, as will be
seen from the following :
Let the cube ABCD,
of side /,
be 'compressed along the diagonal AC,
so that the new diagonals become A'C'
and B'D', (Fig. 173).
Let AA' = BB' = a.
And since OA = AB cos BAO
Fig. 173. = AB. cos 46 -= AB/\/2
we have
OA'-OA-AA'-^-a).
OB - OB+BB' -
'
'
and +
( a).
Clearly, .-.
(A'B'f = (OA')*+(pB')*
2
I
a
In practice, 2a* is very small as compared with / ,
and may,
therefore, be neglected.
So that, (A'B')* = /*. Or, AB' = / = AB.
Thus, A'B'C'D' may be rotated through the angle DGD' =
angle ^l7^', so that D'C coincides with DC. Then, it is obvious that
A'D' would make an angle 2^4F^4' with AD, so that the angle of shear
is equal to twice the angle AFA', i.e., is equal to 2 LAFA '.
Or, flflgfe of shear = 2^'/F, (/ the angle is
ELASTICITY 283
where A'E is the perpendicular from A' to AF. t
Now, A'E = *Av/2 and EF = 7/2.
~
~
2 V2 f /
Denoting this angle of shear by 0, we have 6 = 2fl\/2//*
Now, compression strain along the diagonal ^4C is
/L4'
- ^ ~ fl\/2 __
~~ *
Ad //V2 7 2
Or, the compression strain is half the angle of shear, i.e., the
angle of shear is twice the angle of compression.
Similarly, it can be shown that the extension strain is also half the
angle of shear.
Thus, we see that simultaneous and equal compression and exten-
sion at right angles to each other are equivalent to a shear, the direction
of each strain being at an angle of 45 to the direction of shear.
111. Shearing stress equivalent to an equal linear tensile stress
and an equal compression stress at right angles to each other. In the
case VJL
UtVDO tilt? cube
of the UULJC above, Fwere
if JT
itUUVU, 11 VrClU the
l/ilt?
J?jC '
f" /p\
\
only force acting on its upper face it ^ p
would move bodily in the direction of B
this force. Since, however, the cube is
fixed at its lower face DC, an equal and
opposite force comes into play in the
F-F
plane of this face, giving rise to a couple
F./.*, tending to rotate the cube in the
clockwise direction, (Fig. 174).
Again, since the cube does not
rotate, it is obvious that the plane of
DC applies an equal and opposite couple ^
""
F'./, by exerting forces F' and F'
say., Fig. 174.
along the faces AD and CB, tending to
rotate it in the anticlockwise direction, as shown. Thus, because the
cube is in equilibrium under the two couples, we have
F.I = F'.l Or, F = F',
a tangential force F applied to the face AB results in an equal tan-
i.e.,
gential force acting along all the other faces of the cube in the directions
shown.
Clearly the resultant of the two forces F and F' or F and F
along and CB respectively is F\/ 2 along OB and of those acting
AB t
along ADand CD
is also F\/2 along OD. And, thus, an outward pull
acts on the diagonal DB
of the cube at B and resulting in its D
extension, as we have just seen above, (110). Precisely similarly,
an inward pull acts on the diagonal AC at A and C, thereby bringing
about its compression.
being the length of each edge of the cube and hence the perpendicular
*/
distance between the two forces Fand F.
284 PROPERTIES OP MATTER
Thus, a tangential force F applied to one face of a cube gives
rise to a force F\/2 outward along one diagonal (BD, in the case
fihown) and an equal force F\/2 inward along the other diagonal (AC)
of the cube, resulting in an extension of the former and a compression
of the latter.
Now, the cube be cut up into two halves, by a plane passing
if
through AC
and perpendicular to the plane of the paper, each face,
2
parallel to the plane, will have an area lxl\/2 /
\/^ an<* dearly,
the outward force F\/2 along BD will be acting perpendicularly to it.
So that, we have
tensile stress along BD = F\/'2/l* \/2
= F//
2
.
Similarly, if we cut the cube
into its two halves by a plane
passing through BD
and perpendicular to the plane of the paper,
we shall have an inward force Fi/2 along AC acting perpendicularly
to a face on an area / \/2. So that, we have
compression stress along AC = F\/2jl *i/2 = F//
2
.
Obviously, F//
2
the shearing stress over the face
is AB of the cube,
which produces the shear $ in it, (see page 281).
Thus, it is clear that a shearing stress is equivalent to an equal
tensile stress and an equal compression stress at right angles to each
other.
112. Work done per unit volume in a strain. In order to deform
a body, work must be done by the applied force. The energy so
spent is stored up in the body and is called the energy strain. When
the applied forces are removed, the stress disappears and the energy
of strain appears as heat.
Let us consider the work done during the three cases of strain.
(i) Elongation Strain (stretch of a wire). Let F be the force
applied to a wire, fixed at the upper end. Then, clearly, for a small
increase in length dl of the wire, the work done will be equal to F.dl.
And, therefore, during the whole stretch of the wire from to /.
work done =
Now, Young's modulus for the material of the wire, i.e.,
Y = F.L/a.1.,
where L is the original length, /, the increase in length, a, the cross -
ectional area of the wire, and F, the force applied.
And /. F= Y.a.ljL.
Therefore, work done during the stretch of the wire from to /
is given by
Y.a t* 1 Y.a.l
" ,
L' 2 2""/r
ELASTICITY 285
But Y.i.llL = F, the force applied.
Henoe W= ^ F.I = x stretching force x stretch.
-
_ fV volume
v of the
. ,
work done per unit
.
volume = ^1 f
Fix -y~
1
w i re _. Lxa
Lt, a L
F I 1
= UI ' '
IT
=
T- 2 //L=strain .
Alternatively, the same result may also be obtained graphically
as follows :
Let a graph OP be plotted between the streitching force applied
to the wire and the extension produced in it, within the elastic limit ,
as shown in Fig. 175.
Consider a small exten-
sion pq of the wire and erect
ordinates at p and q to meet the
1
graph in p' and q respectively,
where pp' is very nearly equal
to (the extension
<?#'> pq being
really small).
Then, clearly, work done
upon the wire or energy stored
up in it
s=stretching force pp' ^extension
pq.
=pp'Xpq=area of strip pp'q'q.
So that, imagining the EXTENSION-
whole extension OB = /, of the Fig. 175.
wire, to be broken up into small
bits like/N? and erecting ordinates at their extremities, we have
total work done upon the wire or total energy stored up in it
=
sum of the areas of all such strips formed
=
area of the triangle OBP \OBxBP $/x/s = =
where the total extension OB / and the stretching force corres- =
ponding to it is BP = F.
Now, if L be the original length of the wire and a, its area of
cross-section, clearly, volume of the wire = L x a.
.-. work done, or strain energy, per unit volume of the wire
= 1 F
-- I 1
\lFIL.a *= v~ -!-= o st r ess x strain.
A a ju
(ii) Volume Strain. Let p be the stress applied. Then, over
an area a the force applied is p.a, and, therefore, the work done for a
small movement dx in the direction of p, is equal to p.a.dx. Now,
t
a.dx is equal to Jv, the small change produced in volume. Thus,
work done for a change dv is equal to p.dv.
And, therefore, total work done for the whole change in volume, from
to v, is given by
W= T p.dv.
Now, K p.Yjv ;
so that, p == K.vjV,
286 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
where V is the original volume, and K, the Bulk Modulus.
And .-. W - f^V r
. dv =
K f v.rfv = J
K 4-v.
Z
J
== ~- v^ -v =
= 9 stress X change in volume. /?.v
Or, work done per i/mV volume = % p*vjV = \ st ess x strain. r
(Hi) Shearing Consider a cube (Fig. 176), with its
Strain.
lower face DC fixed and let F be the tangential force applied to its
;
J $ 3 B' v u PP er face in the plane of ^4, so that
the face A BCD is distorted into the
position A'B'CD, 6r sheared through an
angle 0. Let tike distance AA' be
equal to BB'= x\ Then, work done
during a small displacement dx is equal
to F.dx. And, thereiS^, work done for
the whole of the displacement, from to
x. is given by
W= I F.dx.
1
= n.a.Q, and a =L 2
;
also # = x/L,
where L the length of each edge of the cube.
is
So that, F n.L^.xjL /*..*. = =
.*. work done during the ivo/^ stretch from to x, i.e.,
= r n.L.x.dx = "
Jo 2
4
n.L.x* F'. volume of
work done per unit volume = cube
[_the
= 211n.x.JL
V V
x 7" I
L rC*" x
>*
'
X L ^T' %
L
// a
Thus, we see that, in any kind of strain, work done per unit
volume is equal to J stress x strain.
113. Deformation of a Cube Bulk Modulus. Let A BDCOHEFA
be a unit cube and let forces T x T v and T e act perpendicularly to the ,
faces BEHD
and AFGC, ABDC
and EFGH, and ,4Fand DHGC
respectively, as shown, (Fig. 177).
Then, if a be the increase per unit
length per unit tension along the
direction of the force and (3, the
contraction produced per unit
length per unit tension, in a direc-
tion perpendicular to the force the ,
elongation produced in the edges
AB, BE and BD, will, obviously,
be Tx T^.OL and TB .a, respective-
.<x.,
ly, and the contractions produced
perpendicular to them will be TK .$,
Tv .$, and T^. The lengths of the Fig. 177.
edges thus become the following :
ELASTICITY 287
AB = i+arva-2vp-r..p.
BE =
BD =
Hence the volume of the cube now becomes
-2P)
neglecting squares and products of a and (3, which are very small
compared with the other quantities involved.
Tf fn /TT ___- /TT /77
the volume of the cube becomes 1+ (a2p).3T.
And, therefore, increase in the volume of the cube
= l+'3!T(a-2p)-l == 3T(a-2(3).
If, instead of the tension 2 outwards, we apply a pressure P,
r
compressing the cube, the reduction in its volume will similarly be
3P(a 2(3), and, therefore, volume strain is equal to 3P(a 2(3)/l, or
volume of the cube = 1,
equal to 3F(a 2(3). ["" original
Hence Z?w/A: Modului, K=
volume strain 3P(a 2(3)
[
Or, "* (/)
3(a-2p)'
And, Compressibility, which is the reciprocal of Bulk Modulus,
is, therefore, equal to 3(a 2(3).
114. Modulus of Rigidity. Let the top face ABHQ, of a cube
(Fig. 178), be 'sheared*
by a shearing force F, relative to the bottom
face, such that A takes up the position A'
and B the position B\ the angle ADA' being
y
equal to the angle BCB' 6. Then, =
, rr ^ _
~~ _ /L_
area of the face ABHG
= 2
= r, say,
where L is the length of each edge of the
cube.
Let the displacement A A' = BB' <= /.
Then, 5/z^^fr .y/r^/n = //
= ^.
Fig. 178.
And .-. coefficient of rigidity, n =T/0.
Now, extension of the diagonal DB, due to extension along AB
is DB.T.a, and that due to contraction* along fA is DB.T,$.
Therefore, /o/a/ extension 5 now becomes
Jj[^^2fA^22^^
=
^^~^^^^3<>^1^
L^.Tfa+p). [/ jDJ5 =
Drop a perpendicular BE from 5 on to DB'.
*
See 117, page 288.
288 PBOPBBTIBS OF MATTER
Then, increase in length of DB is practically equal to EB'.
And, clearly, EB' =
BB'. cos BB'E.
= / cos 45 = //<v/2 [v <BB'E = 45, very nearly, and cos 45* ~ i/v2.
o ' ~-~'
^T _ JL n '
T
* T =2,% tv '/i -
And, since TjQ = n, the coefficient of rigidity of the material of
the cube, we have
115. Young's Modulus. If we now imagine a cube of unit
edge, acted upon by unit tension along one edge, the extension
produced is a. Then, clearly,
stress 1, and linear strain = a/1 = a.
Therefore, Young's Modulus, Y =
I/a. ...(///>
116. Relation connecting the Elastic Constants. We have from
relation (/), above,
a-2p = 1/3AT. ...(/)
And, from relation (77), a-f fj == Ij2n. .. (//)
.*.
subtracting (/) from (H), we have
p ~
30-
1
-
l **"
2/j
whence, p =
by 2 and adding to we have
Again, multiplying
Q
11 -*
~- ZK+n
(//) (/),
ZK+n
Y
r -~ Orr>
[/ l/y from (III), above.
O f| ~ *K+ n -
- _ ?5 + " *
7
,
whence,
A>| JOi
= -+ 931
Rn
...(6)
This, then, is the relation connecting the three elastic constants.
Poisson's Ratio.
117. It is a commonly observed fact that
when we stretch a string or a wire, it becomes longer but thinner, i.e.,
the increase in its length is always accompanied by a decrease in its
cross-section (though not sufficient enough to prevent a
slight
increase in its volume). In other words, a longitudinal or tangential
strain produced in the wire is accompanied by a transverse or a lateral
strain in it. And, of course, what is a true of a wire, is true of all
other bodies under strain. Thus, for example, when a cube is subject-
ELASTICITY 289
ed to an outward force perpendicular to one pair of its faces, there is
elongation produced along this face, but a contraction in a direction
perpendicular to it, (as we have seen already in 113).
The ratio between lateral strain (fc) to the tangential strain (a) is
constant* for a body of a given material and is called the Poisson's
ratio for that material\ It is usually denoted by the letter a.
Thus, Poisson's ratio =- lateral stramjtangential strain ; or, a p/a.
=
It follows, therefore, that if a body under tension suffers no
lateral contraction, the Poisson's ratio (a) for it is zero and, because ;
its volume increases, is density decreases.
'
The relations for and n above K may now be put in terms of
Poisson's ratio, asjollows :
We have, from relation /, above,
K -= __L_2 _ a _ I
3ai-2a
_ -
~"
3l-*o
. l~v
L
^
<C
Y [see (III) above.
a
whence, 3^(l-2j),f Y = ...... (iv)
Similarly, from relation (II) above, we have
i i y
n =
L'a(l+a) 2(1
whence, y=2w(l + a)f (v)
Now, from relations (/V) and (v) we have
3A"(l-l>a) = 2/7(1 + a),
:iA:~2Ai
,
whence,
which gives the value of Poisson's ratio in terms of
a =
^^ K and n.
Similarly, if we eliminate c from (iv) and (v), we have
y _ <*, ,
[Sime as relation (a), above.
whence, 1
931
J
-= ---u
71 A
-
[Same as relation (b), above.
Limiting values of a. We have seen above how
where A^ aiifl n arc essentially positive quantities. Therefore,
(/) if a be a positive quantity, the right hand expression, and
hence also the left hand expression, must bt> positive, and for this to
be so, 2a<l, or a<| or *5. And,
*i>., the lateral strain is proportional to the longitudinal strain. Xnis
is,however, so only when tue latter is small.
These relations would not b^ foand ta apply in ths cass of wire speci-
J matenals for the simple reason that ths process of wire-drawing brings
about at least a partial alignment of the minute crystals of the substance, which
thus no longer remain oriented at random, with the result that the substance.. loses
its isotropic character,
290 f BOFKRTIEB Of MATTBB
if Q be a negative quantity, the left hand expression,
and
(//)
hence also the right hand expression, must be positive, and this is
possible only when a be not less than 1.
Thus, the limiting values of o are 1 and '5. Or, else, as will be
readily seen from relations (iv) and (v) above, either the bulk modulus
or the modulus of rigidity would become infinite. Further, a negative
value of a would mean that, on being extended, a body should also
expand laterally, and one can hardly expect this to happen, ordinarily.
At least, we know of no such substance so far. Similarly, a value of
a = Q-5 would mean that the substance is perfectly incompressible,
and, frankly, we do not know of any such substance either.
In actual practice, the value of a is found to lie between *2 and
4, although Poisson had a theory that the value of a for all elastic
bodies should be *25, but this is not borne out by any experimental
facts.
Determination of Young's Modulus. Young's modulus, as
118.
we know, the ratio between tensil stress (or tangential force applied
is
per unit area) and elongation strain (or extension per unit length).
The extension produced is rather small and it is difficult to measure
it with any great degree of accuracy. The different methods used are
thus merely attempts at measuring this extension accurately. We
shall consider here only two methods, viz., one for a wire, and the
other for a thick bar.
(/) For a Wire Searle's Method. Two wires, A and B, of the
same material, length and area of cross -sect ion, are suspended from
a rigid support and carry, at their
lower ends, two metal frames, C and
Z>, as shown in Fig. 178, one carry-
ing a constant weight W to keep
the wire stretched or taut and the
'
other, a hanger //, to whic'h slotted
weights can be slipped on, as and
when desired.
A spirit-level L rests horizon-
tally at a point P in frame C, and
on the tip of a micrometer screw (or
spherometei) 5, working through a
nut in frame D.
The screw is worked up or
down, until the air bubble in the
spirit-level is just in the
centre.
Weights are now slippedo n to the
hanger, so that the frame moves D
down a little due to the extension
of wire B, and the air bubble shifts
towards P. The screw is now
worked up to restore the bubble
back to its central position. The
distance through which the screw
is moved up is read on the vertical
174 acale. ar&duated in half- millimetres.
ELASTICITY
and fixed alongside the disc of the screw. This gives the increase in
length of wire B. A number of observations are taken by increas-
ing the weight in the hanger by the same equal steps and making the
adjustment for the level for each additional weight. The mean of all
these readings of the screw gives the mean increase in the length of
the wire, for the stretching force due to the given weight. Thus, if
I cms. be the increase in the
length of wire B, and L cms., its original
length, we have
elongation strain = //L.
And if W
k.gms. be the weight added each time to the hanger,
the stretching force is equal to IfXlOOO gms. H'/. WxluOOx981
dynes, or equal to F dynes, say.
2
So that, if a sq. cms. be the area of cross-section (irr ) of the
wire, we have tensile stress =* F/ct.
And, /. Young Modulus for the material of the wire, i.e.,
y~ Ja ^ FxL
7
-L.1
'
.
L axl
The other wire A merely acts as a reference wire, its length
remaining constant throughout, due to the constant weight suspend-
ed from it (which need not be known). Any yielding of the support
or change in temperature during the experiment affects both the
wires equally, and the relative increase in the length of B (with respect
to A) thus remains unaffected by either change.
If a graph be now plotted between the load suspended and the
extension produced, it would be found to be a straight line (just like
OA in Fig. 100), passing through the origin, showing that the exten-
sion produced is directly proportional to the load. Hooke's law also
can thus be easily verified.
(n) For a thick BarSwing's Extensometer Method- Ewing's
Extensometer is raorely a device to magnify the small extension of
the bar under test and con-
sists of two metal arms. APS
and CQD, (Fig. 179), pivot-
ed at P and Q, by means of
pointed screws, on the verti-
cal bar B itself, (the Young s
1
modulus for the material of
which is to be determined),
so that they are free to rotate
about P and Q. The arm
APS is bent at right angles,
as shown, and carries a mic-
rometer screw S at its lower
end, and a microscope M,
fitted with a micrometer
scale, at the end of an arm,
pivoted at its uppe? end 4- Fig. 179.
292 PBOPEBTIES OF MATTER
The other horizontal arm CQD> has a F-shaped groove at for D
the micrometer sore v to rest in, and a fine horizontal line marked on
the end C.
The bar B is fixed at its upper end, the two metal arms are
adjusted to be horizontal, by means of the micrometer screw S and 9
the microscope focused on the
f,
S Q JL horizontal line on C. The bar
is stretched downwards
now
(by means
of a testing
machine), so that the horizon-
tal arm CQD gets tilted a little
180.
about D as its fulcrum, the
end C, with the fine mark on
it, moving downto C", (Fig. 180), and the point Q to Q' The micro- .
distance CC' through
scope^is again focused on the mark and the
which it has shifted downwards is measured accurately on the micro-
meter scale of the eye -piece. Let it be equal to h.
Now, obviously, the increase in the length PQ of the rod is
QQ' = /, say.
Thon ; clearly, in the two similar triangles SQQ' and SCC\
we have QQ'/CC' = SQjSO. Or, ///i
= SQjSC,
whence, / = SQ.h.jSC.
Thus, knowing SQ, SO and A, we can determine / to quite a
high degree of accuracy.
Then, from the length PQ of the bar, its area of cross-section
and the stratching; force applied to it, we can easily calculate the value
of Young's Modulus for its material.
N.B. A
modification of Ewing's Extensometer, as shown in Fig. 181, is
called the Cambridge Extensometer, in
which there is a vibrating reed R arrang-
ed, as shown, the arrangement being such
that as the bar B is stretched by the test-
ing machine, that part of the reed which
touches the micrometer screw M, moves
downwards through a distance five times
the extension of the rod. Thus, by noting
the micrometer screw readings, when the
vibrating reed just touches the micro-
meter screw-point both before and
after the rod B has been stretched, we
can directly obtain the increase / in the
181.
length of the rod. Fig.
119. Determination of Poisson's Ratio for Rubber. To deter-
mine the value of cr for rubber, we take about a metre-long tube AB
of it, (Pig. 182), such, for example, as the tube of an ordinary cycle
tyre, and suspend it vertically, as shown,
with its two ends properly
stoppered with rubber bungs and seccotine*. A glass tube open C
at both ends, about half a metre long and about 1 cm. in diameter,
into it through
graduated in cubic centimetres, is fitted vertically
*atvpeof liquid glue.
BLASTtCITY 293
a suitable hole in the stopper at the upper end A, so that a major
part of it projects out.
The rubber tube is completely
with water until the water rises up
filled
in the glass tube to a height of about C
30 cms. from A. A suitable weight W
is now suspended from the lower end
B of the tube. This naturally increases \
the length as well as the internal
volume of the tube. The increase in ~~(~TF
length is read conveniently on a vertical .
1 1:
metre scale M, with the help of a
pointer JP, attached to the suspension
of W and the increase in volume, from
,
the change in the position of the water
column in C.
Let the original length, diameter
and volume of the rubber tube be L, D
and K respectively.
Then, its area of cross-section,
A = ir(/)/2)
2 = TrD 2 l4, (/). . . .
differentiating which, we have
JA = -*-dD,
whence, dA = 2A.dD/D. ... (//)
[From above, (/)
[_by eliminating TT.
Now, corresponding to a small i7i-
if
crease dV
in the volume of the rubber
tube, the increase hi its length be dL,
and the decrease in its area of cross -
Fig. 182.
section be dA, we have
v -
= (A-dA)(L+dL).
V + dV
[
= AL+A.dL-dA.L-dA.dL
x'\^h "S
Or, ' V+dV = V+A dL-dA.L, f where ^.L- V Unoriginal
volume of the tube. [_
neglecting dA.dL, as a very small quantity, compared with tho other
terms in the expression.
dV = A.dL - = Substituting the value
So that, dA.L
A.dL-^ dD. from ('), above.
Or, dividing both sides by dL, we have
dV
d?L = A- 2AL dD Or *~ d
dL D dL D dL 'dL
dD f . dV\ /2AL AD dY D
whence '
,
dL 2AL 'dL 2AL
^
dV '
D
2L 2/il'
294 P&OPERTiES OF MATTER
'
~dL
=_-. 2L A dL
...(in)
dDjD dD L
Now, Poissons ratio, a = -lateral strain ~
L dD
= --.
Or, <,
dr
dD/dL from we
substituting the value of
Or, relation (///) above,
have
n * L D f. 1 </K\
~ I/,
1-
1 rfK\
'D '2L I X" 'dZV 2 ^ X dLj*
in
Thus, knowing the area of cross-section (A) of the tube, the change
its volume (dV) and the change in its length (dL), we can easily calcu-
late the value of o for its material.
N.B.An identical method may be used for the determination of the
value of o for glass, but since the change in its volume is comparatively much
too small, we have to use a capillary tube, instead of an ordinary glass tube, to
measure it to an adequate degree of accuracy.
120. Resilience. By the resilience of an elastic body we understand
without acquir-
its capacity for resisting a blow or a mechanical shock,
a set* and we measure it by the amount of work done
ing permanent
in straining the body up to the elastic limit. Let us consider it for
a uniform bar of length L and area of cross- sect ion a.
We know that when the bar is subjected to a stretching force
W, so that it increases in length by /, we have
Young's modulus for the material of the bar, Y= --
WJa W_
L ^ F_ '
l/L a I strain
where F denotes the stress Wja.
Now, work done per unit volume in elongation strain stress x strain. =
.-. work done in producing extension I =
\ (stress x strains) x volume.
* F
(V) ~ IF 2
' V^
KF* f
'*' Strai " FlY '
i F.-yXvolume ~2~~ ~T 2Y I
Thus, work done, or resilience of the bar,
** __
~~~ _ '
2Y 2 xlfoung's modulus
And /. resilience per unit volume of the bar
F* (stress)*
~~ ""
2Y 2x Young s~modulus
}
Height from which the bar can be dropped without acquiring a per-
manent set. Since resilience is a measure of the power to resist a
*The meaning attached to the word 'resilience* in our common everyday
that the body comes back to its normal condition wheo
parlance is different, viz.,
(be applied forces are removed.
ULASTIOITY 295
blow or shock without acquiring a permanent set, let us see from
what height the bar can be dropped without taking on a permanent
set.
This height must obviously be one in falling through which
the bar acquires energy equal to its own resilience. Let it be h. Then,
if w be the weight per unit volume of the bar, cJearly,
energy acquired by the bar in falling through height h
= Vw.h.
Equating this against the resilience of the bar, therefore, we
have
=
VF*I2Y, whence, h
Vw.h. F l2wY. = 2
Thus, the bar can absorb a blow or a shock due to fall from this much
height.
Proof Resilience. The maximum amount of energy per unit
volume that can be stored in a body or a piece of material, without
its acquiring a permanent set, i.e., without its undergoing a perma-
nent strain, is called its proof resilience. Thus, if Fm be the maximum
stress to which a material, in the form of a wire, can be subjected
i.e., if F m be its elastic limit, we have
proof resilience of the material = PffiY.
121. Effect of a suddenly applied load. Suppose we have a uniform
bar of length L and area of cross -section a, suspended vertically
from one end with a collar C provided at the other
and with a weight W
in the form of a ring, thread-
',
ed on to it at a height h from the collar, as shown
in Fig. 183.
If we now allow the weight to fall freely so
as to hit the collar, so that the length of the bar
is increased by a small amount /, with the collar
W
taking up the position C", clearly, the total height
through which the weight has fallen is (h+l).
.-. potential energy lost by the weight W(h+l). =
This has obviously been utilised in stretching
the bar through / and must, therefore, be equal
to the work done in so stretching it.
F
If m be the maximum stress in the bar, the
resistance offered by the bar 9 or the restoring force
set up in it == F
m .a. CL:
And, work done during
since stretch = \ stretch- Fig. 183.
ing force X stretch, we have [see page 285.
work done in stretching the = \.Fm .a.l
bar
And, therefore, W(h+l) = J Fm .a.l
Now, as we know, Y - = Fm and
tensile stress
.-. / = Fm .LlY.
tensile strain 1JL
Substituting this value of / in expression (j) above, we
1 -Fm .L
296 OF MATTER
Or,
Solving this quadratic equation, we have
Wh
2aLIY
W
a aL
So that, if h = 0, we have F m = or 2W/a.
Since the zero value of Fm has no physical significance, we have
Fm = 2W/a.
This clearly shows that when the full load is applied to a bar W
all at once, the maximum stress is 2Wja, which is clearly twice the
value of the maximum stress W\a* which is set up in the bar when
the load (W) is applied gradually to it, as for example, when the bar
is stretched in a testing machine.
In other words, the effect of a suddenly applied load is to produce
a stress double that produced by a gradually applied one.
122. Twisting Couple on a Cylinder (or Wire). If we have
a cylinder or a wire, clamped at one end, and twist it through an angle
about its axis, it is said to be under tension. Due to the elasticity
of the material of the cylinder or the wire, a restoring couple is set
up in it, equal and opposite to the twisting couple.
Consider a cylindrical rod of length / and radius r, of a material
of coefficient of rigidity n.
Let its upper end be fixed and let a couple be applied, in a plane
perpendicular to its length (with its axis coinciding with that of the
cylinder) twisting it through an angle 6 (radians).
This, incidentally, is an example of what is called a 'pure' shear,
7
J8
() (6) (c)
Fig. 184.
for the twist produces a change neither in the length nor the radius
of the cylinder, the value of the twist for any cross-section of the
ELASTICITY 291
cylinder being quite independent of the direction of the couple, a re-
versal of which also reverses the direction of twist.
Now, in the position of equilibrium, the twisting couple is equal
and opposite to the restoring couple. Let us calculate the value of this
couple.
Imagine the cylinder to consist of a large number of co-axial,
hollow cylinders, and consider one such hollow cylinder of radius X,
and radial thickness dx, [Fig. 184 (a)]. Each radius of the lower end
is turned through the same angle Q, but the
displacement is the greatest
at the rim, decreasing as the centre is approached, where it is reduced to
zero.
Let AB, [Fig. 184
(6)], be a line, parallel to the axis, before the
cylinder is On
twisting, since the point B shifts to B' the
twisted. ',
line AB
takes up the position AB', such that, before twisting, if this
hollow cylinder were to be cub along AB
and flattened out, it will
form the rectangular plate, A BCD, but, after twisting, it takes the
shape of a parallelogram, AB'C'D, [Fig. 184 (c)]. The angle through
which this hollow cylinder is sheared is, therefore, BAB' = ^, say.
Then, clearly,
BB' = 14. Also BB' == x.e. .-.
</>
= x.d/i [See Fig. 184 (a).
Obviously, <f>
will maximum
value where x is the
have the
greatest, ie., the maximum strain is on the outermost part of the
cylinder, and the least, on the innermost. In other words, the shearing.
stress is not uniform all through.
Thus, although the angle of shear is the same for any one hollow
cylinder, it is different for different cylinders, being the greatest for
the outermost and the least for the innermost cylinder.
Since n ~ .
shearing stress
.
-- = ~~F ,
strain or angle oj shear <f>
we have F= n.(f>
= H.x.0/7.
Now, face area of this hollow cylinder = 2i:x.dx.
And /, total shearing force on this area
n.xjf B
= 27tx.dx
,
x ,
= 9
2irn.-j~.x*.dx.
.
Therefore, moment of this force about the axis OO' [Fig. 184 : (&)},
of the cylinder is equal to 2vn.0.x*.dx.xll 2irn.Q x*.dx/L =
Intergrating this expression between the limits, x
= and x=r,
we have
ff B
total twisting couple on the cylinder = 2-nn. ~.-.x .dx.
8
Znn.O
~ ~-l[r
/Jo
f
298 OP MATfftft
If 9 SB 1 radian, we have
twisting couple per unit twist of the cylinder (or wire) = 7fr4 /2/.
This twisting couple, per unit twist of the wire, is also called
the torsional rigidity of the cylinder or wire.
Note. If the cylinder be a hollow one, of inner and outer radii, equal to
fa and rt respectively, we have
twisting couple on the cylinder 2rr/i.
y.,
123. Variation of stress in a twisted cylinder (or wire). Let us
again imagine a cylinder or wire, of length / and radius n, to consist of a
large number of co-axial, hollow cylinders and
consider both a cylinder of radius x and the outer-
most cylinder of radius r, (Fig. 185), in which the
lines AB and CD respectively are parallel to
the axis OO', before the cylinder is twisted, and
shift into the positions AB' and CD' after it
hag been twisted, as explained above. Then,
clearly,
LBOE' = DOD' = 0,
and the angles through which the two cylinders are
sheared are BAB' = and DCD' m respective-
<f>
= <j>
ly, where = BB'/l and m = DD'/l, this latter
<f> <j>
being the strain on the surface of the cylinder and,
therefore, the maximum on it. [v DD' = r&.
Fig. 185.
Since OB = OB' x and =
OD = OD' = r, we have = 57* = Z)PVr.
DD' ^ r_
r$
_ BB' r J?^
7
r
So that,
/""""/^/'x^x
x
9 ms
whence,
-
r
?
Or, 5/ra/n fn the cylinder or wire at distance xfrom the axis
x
X maximum strain.
radius of cylinder or wire
Now, n =s= and, therefore, F= n$ == n,
where F is the shearing stress at distance jc from the axis.
And, since c/> m is the maximum strain, we have n.^ w = Fw ,
the maxl*
mum shearing stress on the wire t i.e. ,
on its surface.
We, therefore, have F= .Fm ,
Or, shearing stress at distance xfrom the axis
~
maximum stress.
299
In other words, both shearing strain and stress, go on increasing
as we proceed away from
the axis of the cylinder or wire and acquire
their maximum values on its surface.
Let us now see whether there is any variation of shearing strain
and stress along the length of the cylinder or wire also.
Let us, therefore, consider the stress in the plane EO"E' of the
cylinder at a distance a/ from its upper fixed end, where a>0 and
f
<1. Here, clearly, ^EO"E between the radii O"E and 0"'=a0.
= EE'jr and .-. EE' = r.ad. [v O"E = O"E'=r.
.*. shear strain on the surface of the wire, in this plane
EE'lCE = r.aO/al = rOll.
Now, = ~.<f> m >
as we have seen above.
So that, shear strain on the surface of the wire in plane
r I , ,
the same as in plane DOD', as discussed above. Clearly, therefore,
i.e.,
shearing stress in this plane is also the same as in plane DOD',
namely, n<t> m =
Fm .
Thus, we see that the shearing stress at a point in a cylinder, or
a wire, depends only on the distance of the point from the axis, and not
its vertical distance from either end, of the cylinder or the wire.
124. Strain energy in a twisted cylinder (or wire). Let C be the
couple applied to the lower end of a cylinder of length / and radius r,
with its upper end fixed and
let B be the angle of twist pro-
y
duced at the former (i.e.,
lower) end. Then, if the limit
of elasticity is not exceeded,
the relation between C and Q
is a linear one and we obtain a
straight line graph OP between
the two, as shown in Fig 186.
So that, for a small in-
crease bC in the value of the
couple, the increase in the
angle of twist is dft, and the
work done on the cylinder, or the
there- o dO Bm
energy stored up in it, is, j|
fore, C.dQ, where C is the ANUE OF TWIST >
average value of the couple. Fig. 186.
This is represented by the area of the shaded strip in the Figure.
And, therefore, the total work done on the wire, or the total energy
stored up in it for the maximum twist O m (represented by CM), to
which its lower end is subjected, is represented by the whole area
OAP.
r*i
This strain energy is
obviously equal to E = I C.d0.
Now, for a twist 6 in the wire is, as we kow f equal to m8r*fllt
300 p&ottSKTifls of
And, therefore, E- ". 9 .d9 -
JJ"
_ _. ^ mm ,
___^_._,
where itnr*0 m /2l is tha value of the maximum couple C m ,
correspond-
ing to the maximum twist m ; i.e., C m ~ nnr*0 m l2l.
Or, substituting from this the value of Q m in the expression for E
above, we have
strain energy in the twisted cylinder, E= Cm Om =
As will be readily seen, this is half the energy (C m .Q m that )
would be stored up in the cylinder if the stress in it were to have
the same value throughout, equal to its maximum value on the
surface of the wire, which, as we know, is not actually the case,
the stress increasing from zero at the axis to a maximum on its surface,
(see 122 above).
125. Alternative expression for strain energy in terms of stress.
We know that strain energy per unit volume
IT*
= } stressx strain = \.F.<f>
= J F. n
Tp
= ---. ... (/)
Now, if we consider an element of the cylinder or wire, defined by
radii x and x-\-dx the stress will, as we have seen in 123, be constant
y
at all points in it and its value will be x.Fm fr, where Fm is the maxi-
mum value of the stress in the wire on its surface i.e., F = x.Fm /r. ;
Since the volume of the cylindrical element we are considering
is 2nx.l.dx, we have, from relation (/) above, energy of the cylindrical
element
_ xf /
~ rfaa *
I*"' V
Or, dE = x*.dx.
E= |0r
^ Jr x*.dx = -= '*'**-?
7T,ljT '*'* '
*
And /.
r<
--
tri
I .
-;*- * r
~
-v.r-.F,m .
nr* nr* 4 4rc
If <f> m bs tho maximum shear strain corresponding to the maxi-
mum stress F m ,
we have Fm = n<f> /n
== n.r.Bjl, (see Fig. 123), where
O m is the angle of twist for the maximum value of the couple.
that, E= ^ TJ
SHE
j-
i.e., the strain energy is again half the value it would have if all the
elements of the cylinder (or wire) were subjected to the same
maximum stress Fm .
Torsional Pendulum.
126. heavy cylindrical rod or disc, A
suspended from one end of a fine wire, (attached to its centre), whose
ELASTICITY 301
upper end constitutes what is called a torsional pendulum
is fixed, ,
(Fig. 187). The rod
or disc is turned in its own (i.e., in the horizontal)
plane to twist the wire, so that, on being released,
it executes torsional vibrations about the wire as axis.
Let 6 be the angle through which the wire is
twisted. Then, the restoring couple set up in it is equal
tO 7T.W 4 .0/2/ =
C,0,
where ?ntr*/2/ is the twisting couple per unit (radian) twist
of the wire, usually denoted by the letter C.
This produces an angular acceleration dco/df, in
the rod or the disc.
,\ If 7 be the moment of inertia of the rod
about the wire, we have
Ldw/dt = -C.O Or, da>!dt == -C.0/7, Fig. 187.
i.e., the angular acceleration (da)[dt) of the disc or the rod is proportional
t
to its angular displacement (0), and, therefore, its motion is simple
harmonic, Hence, its time-period is given by
Or,
V moment of inertia of the
c
'
__
disc or rod about the wire
restoring couple per unit twist of the wire
ill. Determination of the Coefficient of Rigidity (n) for a
Wire.
(1) Statical Method. This method is based on a direct appli-
cation of the expression for the twisting couple on a wire deduced
in 122. There are two different types of apparatus used for the
purpose, according as the specimen under test is a rod or a wire. We
shall now consider these in detail.
(a) Horizontal Twisting apparatus for a Rod. Here, a couple^
which can be measured directly, is applied to a horizontal rod and
equated against the
expression for the
torsional or twisting
couple, 7Tr 4 0/2/,
whence the value of
n for the rod can be
easily calculated.
The arrange-
ment of the appara-
tus is as shown in
Fig. 188, where one
end of the rod, under
_^ test, about 50 cms.
^^^^^^^
^^Z^^* \]r
i*1 length and of
radius about '25 cm. t
is secured firmly
to a block B lt with
its other end atta-
ched to a steel axle
Fig. 188.
of a large pulley J?
?
.
302 PROPERTIES OT MA1TER
A cord is wound round the pulley and has a mass suspended M
from its lower free end. Thus, a couple acts on the rod, tending to
twist it about its own axis.
Two
pointers p l and /? 2 are clamped on to the rod, at
,
two
points, a known distance /
apart, so as to move freely over the circu-
lar scales Sj and S2 graduated in degrees, on which the twist produced
,
in the rod at those two points can be read directly.
Now, if R be the radius of the pulley, the couple acting on the
rod, due to the suspended mass (M) is, clearly, equal to Mg.R.
This couple is balanced by the couple due to the torsional re-
action of the rod, equal to mrr* (0 a 0j)/2/, where r is the radius
of
the rod and 1 and 2 the angles of twist (in radians*) produced at the
,
two chosen points, as indicated by the two pointers.
So that, /mr 4 (| 2 0,)/2/ = Mg.R. Or, n = -~-JL
whence, the value of n for the material of the rod can be easily deter-
mined.
The apparatus, though quite simple in manipulation, suffers
from two serious drawbacks, viz.,
(i) there being one single pointer moving over the circular scale,
an error iscaused due to eccentricity of the axis of the rod with respect
to it ,'
there being just one pulley, only one single force is applied to
(ii)
the end of the
rod, attached to it, thus exerting a side-pull on it. This
results in friction between the rod and the bearings, thus appreciably
hindering the rod from twisting freely.
(b) Vertical Twisting apparatus for a Wire. This was designed
by Barton, and here also a couple, which is measured directly, is
applied to the lower end of the vertically
suspended wire, and the twist produced in
it is noted. Then, equating this couple
4
against the expression H7rr 0/2/ for it, the
value of n for the wire can be easily calcu-
lated.
The wire W, whose of rigi-
coefficient
dity is to bo determined, is clamped at its
upper end T, (Fig. 189), and has a heavy
cylinder C attached to it, at its lower end.
Two
pieces of cords are wound round
the cylinder and, leaving it tangentially at
either end, pass over two frictionless pulleys,
as shown, with equal masses and M, M
M suspended from their free ends.
The couple* formed by two masses^
rotates the cylinder about the wire as axis,
Fig. 189.
and thus twists the wire through an angle
*To convert degrees multiply by */}80 f be^apc J80
ELASTICITY 303
(radians), say, which is read directly on the horizontal circular
scale S by the movement over it of the pointer, attached to the wire,
or by the more sensitive lamp and scale method, with the help of a
telescope.
Then, if d be the diameter of the cylinder, we have
twisting couple applied to the wire = Mg.d.
But, the twisting couple for a twist of radians is also
where r is the radius of the wire, /, its length and n, the coefficient
of rigidity for its material.
Clearly, therefore, 7rr^/2/ = Mg.d, whence, n
from which n for the material of the wire can be easily obtained.
The two sources of error present in the first method are elimi-
nated here. For, (/) due to the very nature of the arrangement of
the pointer and the scale, the error due to eccentricity of the axis of
the wire does not arise and (//) due to the use of two pulleys, the
side-pull on the wire is also avoided.
N B. It will be noted that the weak point in the above two methods is
the radius r of the rod or or wire, the fourth power of which occurs in the expres-
sion for n. It must, therefore, be measured most carefully.
(2) Dynamical Method Maxwell's Vibrating Needle. The
dynamical method of determining n for the material of a wire
consists in determining, by direct observation, the time period t of
a body, like a disc or a rod, suspended from the wire and executing
torsional vibrations about the wire as axis, i.e., of a torsional
pendulum.
Then, since t =
27T\///C', where 7 is the moment of inertia of
the body about the wire, and (7, the couple per unit (radian) twist of
the wire, we can easily obtain from it the value of C. Equating
this against the expression ?jw 4 /2/ for it, the coefficient of rigidity (n)
for the wire can be easily calculated.
It is not, however, easy to determine the moment of inertia (/)
of the body accurately. Maxwell, therefore, devised a method in
which the necessity of determining it was altogether obviated. Let
us study his method in detail.
Maxwell's Vibrating Needle Method. A hollow tube or cylinder,
open at both ends, is rigidly fastened in the middle to the wire,
the coefficient of rigidity of the material of which is to be determined,
and w}iich is suspended vertically from a support, and has a
small piece of mirror attached to it, as shown, (Fig. 190), to enable
the vibrations of the tube to be observed by the telescope and scale
method.
Two hollow and two solid metal cylinders, of equal lengths and
diameters, can be fitted into the tube such that, put ei4 to eucj,
just fid it completely.
304 PROPERTIES MATTER
The solid cylinders are first put into the inner positions and
the hollow ones in the outer positions, as shown in Fig. 190 (0), and the
tube, so loaded, is then
given a torsional vibra-
tion, and its time-
period determined. Let
it be t
v Then,
)Af
fr where C is the twisting
couple per unit deflection
H /v*.
V/s
H H H or twist of the wire and
(tv w is equal to ni:r l'2l, and
4
Ilf the moment of inertia
Fi s- 19
of the loaded tube about
-
the suspension wire as axis.
The solid and hollow cylinders are then interchanged in posi-
tion, i.e., the hollow cylinders are now put in the inner positions and
the solid ones in the outer positions, as shown in Fig. 19 ) (ft), and the
time-perioi of the torsional vibration of the loaded tube determined
again. Let it be t 2 .
Then, tt = 2:: y 7/C, ... (ii)
where 72 is now the M.I. of the loaded tube about the suspension
wire.
Squaring and subtracting (/) from (//), we have
' .. (Hi)
C {
Now, let the mass of each hollow cylinder be m and that of {
each solid cylinder, 2
w
and let the length of the hollow tube be
,
20, so that the length of each solid oj hollow cylinder is 20/4, or
a/2.
Clearly, then, the centres of mass of the inner and outer cylin-
ders are at distances 0/4 and 30/4 respectively from the axis of
oscillation.
Therefore, the change from the first adjustment, when the solid
cylinders occupy the inner positions to the second adjustment, when they
occupy the outer positions, consists in transferring an extra or excess
mass (m^m^ from a distance 0/4 to a distance 30/4 from the axis
of oscillation, on either side of it. The moment of inertia of the
loaded tube, therefore, increases, and, by the application of the
principle of parallel axes, we have
Here, we multiply the mass by 2, because the change takes
place oj} both t^e
ELASTICITY 305
Or, /,
- M-a^-md x - -
/.<?., 72 = And .-. (72 /,)
/1 4-(W2
wj.fl
1
(w 2 w^.a .* = 1
Substituting this value of (/a/!) in relation (///) above, we
have
3
4-7T
(tf-V) = -
.(mi-m^a*.
c
Further, substituting the value of C, we have
2
4-7T , %
. 47
^
Or,
, ,
f
U 2 -'i
ox
2
)
=
?r..a
-
,
faa-flM, whence, n
%
,
= 7r... -,
_* i_-i/.
2
n r*
Thus, knowing /, a, Wj, t
f
2 fj
w
and r, the value of n for the , ,
material of the given wire can be easily determined.
NB
The vHue of n obtained by the dynamical method is slightly
higher than that obtained by the statical method, because, in most cases, the
twist produced by a torsional couple depends, to some slight extent, upon the
time for which the couple is applied and so, in the dynamical method, where
the time of vibration is rather short, the twist (o) is smaller for the same value
of the couple than in the statical method.
Further, since wires are made by squeezing the molten metal through
holes, (as in a sieve), theirouter layers are invariably tougher than the inner
ones, and hence the value of n for a thinner wire needs must be higher than for
a thicker wire of the same material.
128. (a) Determination of Moment of Inertia with the help of
a Torsional Pendulum. The moment of inertia of a body of a regular
geometrical shape can be easily calculated from its mass and dimensions.
But, if it be of an irregular shape, it is not possible to do so. In
either case, however, it may be determined by using a torsional
pendulum with a disc or a rod of known moment of inertia / about
the suspension wire and noting the time period (/) for its torsional
vibration. Then, mounting on it the given body, such that the axis
of the moment of inertia of the, two together is again the snme wire,
the time-period (t^) for the torsional vibration of the combination is
determined. Then, if / t be the moment of inertia of the body about
the wire as axis, the moment of inertia of the combination, in the
second case, is clearly equal to /+/,. So that, if C be the torsional
couple per unit twist of the suspension wire, we have
/ =* 27TV///C ... (/) and t
l
=Zic^T+FJC. ... (ff)
.. squaring and dividing relation (//) by (/), we have
,2
*Or, this may easily be deduced as follows
. :
If / be the moment of inertia of the hollow tube about the suspension
wire, and h and /*, those of the solid and the hollow cylinders about the vertical
axes through their respective centres of mass, we have, by the principle of paralle
axes,
A- /+2[/,-fm 8 .(fl/4) ]+2[/A -fm 1 .(3a/4n,
2
and /i
* +/M0/4)'] + 2[/f + ntr (3a/4) 2 ].
/-f 2[/*
So that, (/i-/i) (/Wt
30ft PBOFEBTIBS OF AlATTKB
fSubtracting the denomi-
So that,
,
f-
= t
^ *
nator from the numera-
Mor on either side.
Or, - f whence, /a
Thus, knowing /, t and f,, we can easily calculate Ilf the
moment of inertia of the given body.
(b) Comparison of Moments of Inertia. If, however, it is simply
desired to compare the moments of inertia of two bodies, we first
use one and then the other, as the disc or rod of the torsional pendulum,
and determine the time-periods t
i
and t2 respectively for their
torsional vibration about the wire as axis. Then, if /j and /g, be
their respective moments of inertia about this axis and C, the torsional
couple per unit twist of the wire, we have
r, =2irVA/C and f
2
= Zn^TjC-
So that, squaring and dividing one by the other, we have
and thus, knowing t
l
and t
z>
the moments of inertia of the two bodies
may be easily compared.
Note. In the above cases, the amplitude of vibration need not be small,
because it isfound that the restoring couple continues to be proportional to the
twist B in the wire, up to fairly large values of 0. The assumption made, however,
that even with different bodies suspended from the wire, resulting in a change
in its longitudinal tension, the value of C (or the twisting couple per unit twist of
the wire) remains the same is found to be only approximately true.
129. Bending of Beams Bending Moment. We must first be
clear about the terms, beam and bending moment.
Beam. A beam is a rod of uniform cross-section, circular or
rectangular, whose length is very great compared with its thickness,
so that the shearing stresses over any section are small and may be
neglected.
Bending Moment. When a beam is fixed at one end and loaded
at the other, it bends due to the moment of the load, the plane
of
bending* being the same as that of the couple applied. Restoring forces
are called into play by this deformation of the beam and, in the equi-
librium state, the restoring or resisting couple is equal and opposite to the
bending couple, both being in the plane of bending.
Irrespective of the manner in which the beam is bent by the
couple applied, its filaments on the inner or the concave side
get
shortened or compressed, and those
on the outer or the convex side get
lengthened or extended, as shown
in Fig. 191. Along a section, in
between these two portions, there
is a layer or surface in which the
191. filaments are neither compressed
*In the case of uniform bending, the longitudinal filaments all get bent
into circular arcs in planes parallel to the plane of symmetry, which is then
known as the plane of bending. And, the straight line, perpendicular to this plane
on which lie the centres of curvature of all these bent filaments, is called the a*ii
of bending.
ELASTICITY 307
nor extended. This surface is called the neutral surface and its ste-
tion (EF) by the plane of bending which is
perpendicular to it U
called the neutral axis.
In the unstrained condition of the beam, the neutral surface
becomes a plane surface, and the filament of this unstrained or un-
st retched layer or surface, lying in
the plane of symmetry of the bent
beam, is referred to as the neutral
filament. It passes through the e.g.
(or the centroid) of every transverse
section of the beam.
The change in length of any
filament is proportional to its distance
from the neutral surface.
Let a small part of the beam be
bent, as shown in Fig. 192, in the
form of a circular arc, subtending an
angle at the centre of curvature O.
Let R be the radius of curvature of
this part of the neutral axis, and let
a'b' be an clement at a distance z
from the neutral axis.
Then, a'b' = (R+z).0,
and its original length db == RQ.
.*. increase in length of the filament = a'b' ab.
= (R+z).g R.O = z.e.
And, since the original length of the filament
= R.Q, we have
strain = z.e j R.O = z/R,
i.e., the strain is proportional to the distance from the neutral axis.
Since there are no shearing stresses, nor any change of volume,
the contractions and extensions oj the filaments are purely due to forces
acting along the length of the filaments.
If PQRS (Fig. 193), be a section of the beam* at right angles
to its length and the plane of bending, then, clearly, the forces acting
p f * on the filaments 'are perpendicular to
t kj g section, and the line AfW lies on the
neutral surface.
Let the breadth of the section be
PQ = 6, and its depth, QR = d.
The forces
producing elongations
and contractions in filaments act perpen-
dicularly to the upper and the lower
halves, PQNM and MNRS
respectively,
of the rectangular section PQRS, their directions being opposite to
each other.
*The section is shown rectangular purely for the sake of convenience.
308 PROPERTIES Off MATTEH
Consider a small area Sa about a point A, distant 2 from the neu-
tral surface. The strain produced in a filament passing through this
area will be z/R, (see above).
Now, F = stress j strain and /. stress = Yx strain.
Therefore, stress about the point A Y xz/R* where = Y is the
value of Young's Modulus for the material of the beam.
And, there fore, force on the area Sa = Sa.Y.z/R
and, moment of I his force about the line MN = Y.zx$axz/R.
Y.Sa.z*/R. =
Since the moments of the forces acting on both the upper and
the lower halves of the section aro in the same direction, the total
moment of the forces acting on the filaments in the section PQRS is
given by
Now, a.z* is the geometrical moment of inertia (I )* of the sec-
tion about MN, arid, therefore, equal to ak 2 where a is the whole ,
area of the surface PQRS and k, its radius of gyration about MN.
Y YI*
Hence, the moment of the forces about MN = D >ak*
J\
=
i\
.
This, then, balances the couple of mo nent M, say, called the
bending moment, acting on the beam due to the load, when the beam
is in equilibrium for, there is no resultant force acting on the area
;
PQRS, and the resultant moment about EF, perpendicular to MN,
is also zero. In other words, it is the moment of the stress set up in
the beam or the moment of resistance to bending, as it is usually called
in engineering practice, and is also of the nature of a couple, for
only a couple can balance a couple. Obviously, it acts in the plane of
bending and is equal to the bending moment at the section due to the
load, though, quite frequently, (but, not strictly correctly) it is itself
referred to as the bending moment. This forms tho very basis of the
theory f regarding the bending of beams and is, therefore, a relation
of fundamental importance.
*lt is so called because it is proportional to the mechanical moment of
inertia of a plane lamina of the same shape as the cross-section. It is denoted,
here, by the symbol / 7 , so that, the student may not confuse it with the ordinary
mechanical moment of inertia, denoted by /.
fine theory is subject to the limitations mentioned in 131, (page 313),
which the student would do well to keep in mind.
Imagine the section as a rectangular plate of unit mass per unit area,
(Fig. 194).
Then, area of the strip AB, of length b and breadth dz> is equal to b.dz.
And, therefore, its mass = b.dz.l b.dz.
p A Q Hence, geometric moment of inertia of
the strip about MNb.dz z*, and, therefore,
moment of inertia of the whole plate or sec-
tion about MN
I*
m
S R 26
"124-J
^ 12
Fig. 194.
ELASTICITY
The quantity YJ = Y.ak* is called the flexural rigidity of th
beam.
/. bending moment = (Y/R)x geometric moment of inertia of the
section.
= flexural rigidity / R,
whatever the shape of the cross-section of the beam.
For a rectangular cross-section, a = bxd, and fc
2 = d 2 /12.
Hence, bending moment for a rectangular cross-section = Y.b.d*ll2R.
For a circular section, a = 7rr
a
and A 2 = r2 /4.
I9 = 0A-2 = 4
7rr /4,
/.., the same as the moment of inertia of a disc about a diameter.
.*. bending moment for a circular cross-section = 7.irr /4/?.
4
Note. We
have seen above how strain in a beam is proportional to the
distance z from Us neutral axis, and is equal to z\R, where R is the radius of
curvature of the poition of the ncutial axis under consideration. So that, if F
be the stress cor res ponding to the strain z//?, we have
F _ F Y '
>-*/*'
r'
z ~R
If, therefore, F F
lf 2 e,c. be the values of stress at distances z lt z 2 . from the
neutral axis, we have
And .*. bending moment M= y / ff //?.
ra ^L /
^
- 2
^tr Jfr
F
f
Fa
"~ -r etc
.
/(/ .//7 etc. ./i CIL.
^1 22 -I 22
- Zi F, *Z F 2 2 etc.,
where Zt /^/^ and Z =/ a ff /z 2 are called the moduli of the section under consi-
deration.
- - moment
~, u , . Ai - geometrical of inertia
Thus, modulus of a section =-
^-. .
r ,. ~i ; .
distance from the neutral axis
Now, in the case of a flat bar or
beam, of rectangular cross-
section, if the bending be small, there is brought about a change in
the shape of th3 section, such that all lines in it, originally perpendi-
cular to the plane of bending, get bent into arcs, which are all con-
centric and convex to the axis of bending. In other words, the layer of
the beam, which was originally plane and perpendicular to the plane
of bending, and which contained the neutral filament, now gets changed
into what is called an anticlastic surface (Fig. 195), of radius / in
the plane of bending (which, here, coincides with the plane of the
paper), ^nd, of radius R in the plane perpendicular to it. the two
f
centres of curvature lying on either side of the beam. This is uhat
is to be expected, because a transverse bending must, of necessity,
be associated with a longitudinal bending of the beam, with the cur-
vature of the former opposite to that of the latter. For, the filaments
above the neutral axis, which get extended, must obviously suffer a
lateral contraction a times as great and, similarly, the filaments below
the neutral axis, which get compressed, must suffer a lateral extension.
310
Thus, by way of illustration, if a rectangular piece of India-
rubber Le bent longitudinally in the form of an arc, it takes up the
form shown in Fig. 196, with its longitudinal
fibres bent so as to be concave with respect to
\A
a P^ below, and the transverse fibres, so
as to be concave with respect to a point
above, the rubber piece, in the case shown. It is
this bending, which occurs in a plane normal to
the longitudinal plane, that gives the rubber
piece (or the beam) an anticlastic curvature.
Fig. 195.
And, therefore, as we have seen before, (page 307), the longi-
tudinal and lateral strains in a filament, distant z from the neutral axis
will be given by zjR and zjR' res-
pectively. So that, Poisson's ratio a, for
the material of the beam, is given by
the expression
lateral strain __ zJR^ _. R Fig. 196.
~~
longitudinal strain zjR R''
This, then, gives us a method for the determination of cr for the
material of a given boam or bar, the two radii being determined
directly by attaching suitable pointers to the rod and noting the
distances and angles traversed by them, when a known couple is
applied to the beam.
130. The Cantilever. A cantilever is a beam fixed horizontally
at one end and loaded at the other.
(i) Cantilever loaded at the free end. Here, two cases arise, viz.,
(a)when the weight of the beam itself produces no bending, and (bj
when it does so. Let us consider both the cases.
(a) When
the weight of the beam is ineffective. Let AB, (Fig. 197)
represent the neutral axis of a cantilever, of length L fixed at the end
A, and loaded at B with a
weight W, such that the end B is
deflected or depressed into the
position B' and the neutral axis
takes up the position AB, it
being assumed that the weight
of the beam itself produces no
bending.
W Consider a section / of the
beam at a distance x from the
fixed end A.
Fig. 197.
The moment of the exter-
nal couple at this section, due to
the load W 9 or the bending moment acting on it
311
Since the beam is in equilibrium, this must be equal to
YI^R = Y.ak*IR, where R is the radius of curvature of the neutral
axis at P.
Therefore, W.(L-x) F./,/^ =
7.^ /^- = -(0 2
Since the moment of the load increases as we proceed towards
the fixed end A, the radius of curvature is different at different points
and decreases as we approach the point A. For a point Q, however,
at a small distance dx from P, it is practically the same as at -P.
So that,
PQ = R.d6. Or, dx = R.d&, iwhere do is the L POQ-
whence, R =
dxjdO*
Substituting the value of R in (/) above, we have
*- -
Draw tangents to the neutral axis at P and Q, meeting the
vertical linethrough BE' in G and D respectively. Then, the angle
subtended by them is also equal to d6 the radii at P and Q being
t
perpendicular to the tangents there.
Now, clearly, the depression of Q below P is equal to CD, equal
to dy, say.
rru i IT so = (L-X)W.(L-X).dX
= (Lx).dO
^ ----~
Then, dy * fFrom ( '7) above>
jTak*~~
JV(L-x)*.dx
-"
Y.ak*
....... "' V ' ;
Therefore, the depression y =
/?' of the loaded end B below
the fixed end yl, is obtained by integrating the expression for dy
between the limits, x =
and x /. =
1
"377"* [Putting back Ig for oA: .
Thus, the free end of the cantilever is depressed by
"" _'
ZY.ak* "377,
(b) When of the beam is elective. In this case, in
the weight
addition to the weight W
at B, the weight of the portion (Lx) of
the beam is also acting at the mid-point or the e.g. of this portion so ;
that, if w be weight per unit length of the beam, a weight w(Lx)
is acting at a distance (L x)/2 from the section PQ. And, therefore,
*See solved example 4, page 332, where it is shown that l/R d*y/dx*, the
rateof change of slope. A- mathematical minded student will find the solution
given there with this value R. much neater and also perhaps a trifle easier.
312 PBOPEBTIES OF MATTEB
<
the total bending moment on the beam
w
Since the beam is in equilibrium, this must be equal to YLJR or
And,... rffl== _
Then, dy = (L-x).dd ==
And ... y=-
Now >v.L = W^j, say, the weight of the beam.
so that, y-+ WL* WJ2
8; 7/
' "' '
3
Or,
i.e., the beam now behaves as though it is loaded at the end B with
a weight W plus 3!8ths of the weight of the beam.
(ii) Cantilever
loaded uniformly. Let the uniform load on the
cantilever be w per unit length. Then, the weight of the portion
of the beam (Lx), ie., \v(L x) alone produces a bending moment
about the section PQ, there being no weight suspended from the end
B. And, since this weight w(Lx) acts at a distance (L x)/2 from
the section PQ, we have
ding moment due to it = w(Lx).(Lx)l%.
For equilibrium of the beam, therefore,
whence,
J*
d0 = --_-..
Substituting this value of dd, in the relation dy=z(Lx)d9 t
?e have
Clearly, w.L = FF, the total load on the beam
BLASTIOITB 818
So that,
WL*
'-817,'
It will be seen that this expression could be obtained directly
from the result in case (/) 6, above, by putting W
', the
load at the end
B equal to zero.
131. Limitations of the simple theory of bending. In discussing
the above simple cases of bending, we have tacitly made the following
assumptions :
(i) That the cross-section of the beam remains unaltered during
bending. This, as we have seen, is not strictly true for, the exten-
;
sion of the filaments above the neutral surface brings about their
lateral contraction, a times as great, and the contraction of the
filaments below the neutral surface brings about their lateral exten-
sion. So that, the cross-section of a rectangular beam, bent so as to be
concave downwards along its length is convex downwards across its
length. Similarly, a circular cross-section may change into an oval
form. This change in the shape of cross- section of the beam, due to
bending, results in a change in the value of the cross-section and
hence in that of Ig for it. Usually, however, it is much too small to be
of any practical consequence and may safoly be ignored.
(/"/') That the radius of curvature of the bent beam, or rather that
of its neutral surface, is large compared with its thickness. This is
almost always true for all cases of elastic bending.
(///) That the minimum deflection of the beam is small compared
with its length. This, while more or less true for ordinary engineering
problems, is not strictly so in quite a number of cases. Thus, for
example, in the case of a clock spring, the deflection produced is very
large evon within the elastic limit. We shall, therefore, do well to
discuss this particular case here, as representing the more general case
of strongly bent beams.
132. Strongly bent beams When a beam bonds very strongly, its
inclination to its original, unbent or unstrained position, and hence
the tangent of this inclination, is no longer small. Consequently, its
curvature (l/R) can no longer be taken to be equal to the rate of
2
change of slope, d*yl<Jx as is done in the ordinary cases of small
,
curvatures (see solved example 4, page 332) but it is now given by
The problem thus bee >mes quite complicated in many a case, with
the differential equations obtained not being amenable to easy
solution.
However, there are also some cases which can be investigated in a
much simpler manner and we shall here consider only one of these, v/3.,
that of & flexible cantilever, like a clock-spring, clamped at one point
and loaded at its free end. As we pass or 'pay out' more and more of
the spring through the clamp, keeping the load constant, its free end
drops further and further down, as a result of the large amount of
bending, until finally it becomes quite vertical. The horizontal distance
between the clamp and the loadod eud of the spring is now the
maximum and any more of the spring 'paid out' through the clamp
merely hangs vertically.
314 *BO*BRIMS Of MATTBB
Thus, let OAB, (Fig.198), be the bent position of the spring,
changed at O and loaded with a weight at the end B 9 such thatW
^ netangent at A, (coordinate x x), =
makes an angle #, and that at B
(coordinate x tf),
=
an angle <, with
the axis of x. Then, the bending
moment at A is clearly equal to
W(ax). So that,
-x) = YJ 1 .
R g ,
where ^ is the radius of curvature of
portion OA of the spring.
d6
'Now, - = r~Sec solved
Kxample 4,
Lpage 332.
de
Fig. 198.
And
ds'
dx
YI
YJ '
-
*'-
dx ds
Y.Ia cos . 6- ~. ['.- dxjds = cos 6.
k
Or, W(a-x).dx== Y.Ig .cos Q.dB.
.*.
integrating this expression between the limits
x and
X = a, the horizontal distance of the loaded end from 0, we have
[ W(a-x).dx = cos 6.dQ.
Or,
Or, ~= Y.I .sin6-
ff
Now, when the loaded end becomes vertical, <f> = 90 and the
horizontal distance a becomes the maximum, say, a m . So that, sub-
stituting a = am and <j>
= 90 in expression / above, therefore, we
have
2 *
H>fl w /2 5= Y.* g> whence, a m =
Or, am = ^/ZtQW. ...(II)
It will be seen that the value of Y for the material of the
flexiblebeam can easily be determined from either of the relations /
or // above, ifwe know the angle of inclination $ of the loaded end
of the beam with the horizontal, or the maximum horizontal dis-
tance, a or a m ) of the loaded end from the clamp.
(i.e.,
133. Transverse Vibrations of a Loaded Cantilever. If the
loaded free end of a cantilever be depressed a little and then released,
it starts moving up and down its original position, i.e., executes
transverse vibrations. Let us calculate the time-period of these
vibrations.
Sift
We have seen above, ( 130, pages 311), how
= WL*
y -s-rrv- ,
,
whence, W=
TT7
which gives the load or the force W
\ required to maintain the canti-
lever in equilibrium, with its free end depressed or displaced through
y. This, thus, also measures the elastic reaction of the cantilever,
which is oppositely directed to it.
Now, if a =
dzyjdt* be the acceleration of the mass suspended M
from the free end of the cantilever, (i.e., if be the mass of the load M
W), the force of inertial reaction on it is equal to .a. M
Hence, since the cantilever is in equilibrium and there is np
other external force acting on it, we have
.. 3.YyIg 3.37-
M.a = ----
i-' whence, a=-- 9
,
Or, a = u.y,
where 3 YIg [ML* = fi 9
a constant for the given cantilever, with the
given load.
Thus, a oc y,
i.e., the acceleration of the mass (or of the free end of the cantilever) is
directly proportional to its displacement. It is thus a case of simple
harmonic motion, and its time-period is, therefore, given by
= A / JL = A / -_ X
t 27T
V ft
27T
yZYIJML
As can be seen at once, this relation for t gives a good dynami-
cal method for the determination of the value of Young's modulus
( Y) for the material
of a given beam or rod. It is particularly suit-
able for beams like a metre stick etc.
134 Depression of a Beam supported at the ends.
hen the beam is loaded at the centre. Let a beam be
(/) \*
supported on two knife edges at its two ends A and B, as
shown in Fig. 199, and let it be \y/ w/
loaded in the middle at C with a A 2 " * 2
weight W.
The reaction at each knife-
edge will clearly be W/2, in the up'
ward direction.
Pig. 199.
Since the middle part of the beam is horizontal, the beam may
be considered as equivalent to two inverted cantilevers, fixed at C, the
bending being produced by thu loads Wfi, acting upwards, at A
and B.
If, therefore, L be the length of the beam AB, the length of
each cantilever (AC and BC) is L/2 f and the elevation of A or B
316 PROPERTIES F MATTER
above C or, what IB the same thing, the depression of C below A and
B is given by
whence, y - 4
.
[v V
.
If the beam be of a circular cross-section, we have ak z 7rr 4 /4, =
where r is the radius of the cross-section so that, for such a beam,;
WL* 4 H/L 8
......... CO
And, if the beam be of a rectangular cross section, of breadth
b and depth d we have ak 2
y
=
bd*/l2, and, therefore, for such a beam,
(//) When the Here, let w be the load
heara is loaded uniformly.
per unit length of the beam, so that the total u eight icting down-
r
<
** wards at tho c g, is M'L IV, =
wliere L i,s the length of the beam.
The reaction at each knife-edge is
thus obviously J ivL, acting up*
wards* (Fig 2i)(>) with the beam be-
having as a s} stem of two canti-
T
W(l-X) fixed at"C.
W*urL s,
1
pi 200 tnsidoi'ing anain, a section
(
PQ
distance .v from the mid-point
C of the beam and taking half-length of the beam equal to /, the
weight of the portion (/Jc) of the beam, /., a weight w(lx) acts
downwards at a distance (/ ,v)/J from tho section PQ.
Thus, the bending momjnt about the section
For equilibrium, therefore, this must be equal to the moment
of the resistance to bending viz.. Y Ig iR, where R is the radius of
curvature of the neutral axis at PQ.
d
i.e., Y IJR = y./f . ,
page
C/ J* _
[_
j'JO.
1 U.
wl.ence,
/. /
,, f/
A
And hence y =
Jo
- a
f' Fr f. C
ELASTICITY 317
--
2 3 _
'
wL w 1 wL J*
YL
.,-2YI.. 12 6 877,,
Now, substituting L/2 for /,
we have
w L*\ M'
_
y (L* _
YL \ 48 '1287 Yf
"384 YT 384
But wL=W t
the total weight on the beam.
Hence
Determination of F by bending of a beam. It will be easily seen
that we measure the depression (y) of a beam of known dimen-
if
sions, supported at the ends and loaded at the centre, as in case (/)
above, we can easily determine the value of Y for its material, by
applying relation (/) or (//), as the case may be. In practice, it IB
convenient to use a beam of rectangular cross- section so that, know- ;
ing W, L, b d and y Y can be easily calculated from relation (//)
} t
above.
The arrangement is as shown in Figs. 201 (a) and (b). The beam
is supported horizontally and symmetrically, on two parallel knife-
Fig. 201.
edges, a known L
apart and the load is applied by placing
distance
weights in a scale pan, also supported on a knife-edge, midway bet-
ween them, as shown. The depi ession y of the mid-point, thus pro-
duced, is noted directly with the help of a micrometer screw, [Fig.
201 (0)], or, more accurately, with the help of a microscope, the eye-
.
piece of which is fitted with crossfires, [Fig. 201 (b)].
Readings are taken, first with the load increasing, in equal steps,
and then with the load decreasing, in the same equal steps, and their
mean taken. This gives y. Then, if the load were increased (or
decreased) in regular steps of IV each, we have, as explained above,
WL*
y "
A v i% wk*
318 FBOPBBTIES OF MATTE*
where b and d are the breadth and the depth of the beam, and Y, the
Young's modulus for its material.
Hence Y = r-r-ji-
4y &.d 8
Now, since the depression of the beam is given by the relation
y = WL*/4Y.b.d3 it is clear that, for a given load, the depression of the
,
beam is
(i) directly proportional to the cube of its length,
(ii) inversely proportional to its breadth,
(Hi) inversely proportional to the cube of its depth, and
(iv) inversely proportional to the Young's modulus for its material.
It follows, therefore, that in order that the depression of a beam
may be small for a given load, its length should be small, i.e its span ,
should be small, its breadth and depth should be large and the
Young's modulus for its material should also be large.
When a girder is supported at its two ends, its middle part is
depressed, and the surfaces above and below the neutral surface are
respectively compressed and extended, the compression being the
utmost at the upper face, and the extension, the maximum at the
lower face, the stresses being the maximum there and decreasing as
we proceed towards the neutral surface from either side. It follows,
therefore, that the upper and the lower faces of the beam should be
much stronger than its middle portions In other wor Is, the middle
portions may be made of a much smaller breadth than the upper and
the lower faces, thus affecting a good deal of saving in the material.
It is for this reason that girders are usually manufactured with their
cross-section in the form of the letter I.
Stiffness of a beam. The ratio between the maximum deflection
of a beam and its span measures what is called the stiffness of the beam.
It is usually denoted by the symbol 1//7. For steel girders of large
span, n should lie between 10UU and 2000 and for those of shorter
spans, between 500 and 700. And for beams of timber, the value of
n should in no case be less than 360.
135. Searle's Method for the Comparison of Young's Modulus
and Coefficient of Rigidity for a given material. A short length of the
wire, the values of Y and n for the material of \*hich are to be com-
pared, is fastened to the middle points of two similar and equal metal
bars AB and CD, (Fig. 202), of circular or rectangular cross-section.
The bars are then suspended from a rigid support by means of two
small vertical lengths of threads, so that, when the wire is straight,
the bars are parallel to each other, as shown.
On slightly pulling together the ends A and C of the two bars
symmetrically and through equal distances, the wire is bent into a
circular arc, (Fig. 203). On releasing the bars, they begin to vibrate
in a horiz >ntal plane from a circular arc on one side to a similar arc
on the other, due to the torque exerted on them by the wire, the mid-
point of the bars remaining almost at rest.
If /be the length of the wire and 0, the angle of deflection of
each bar from its normal position, the angle subtended by the wire at
ELASTICITY 319
the centre of curvature of the circular arc into which it is bent; is
clearly 20, such that
/ as R.2Q, where R is the radius of the arc.
Or, R= 112$.
Fig. 202. Fig. 203.
Now, the bending moment of the wire and the couple exerted
by it on each bar is, as we know,
YL Yirr*
R Lfbr the wire.
This couple produces an angular acceleration dwfdt in each bar,
and, therefore,
r //
I.datjdt
is* = -- Y.TT.r'.O
2[
- ,
where 7 is the M./. of each bar about an axis through its mid-point
and perpendicular to its length, i.e., about the thread from which it is
suspended.
7 Trr 4
And /.
i.e., the acceleration is proportional to the (angular) displacement.
Therefore, the motion is a simple harmonic one, and hence the
time- period of each bar is given by
whence, Y = ?--- .
... (I)
The suspension threads are then removed, and one of the bars
is clamped horizontally, so that the other bar hangs vertically below
it at the other end of the wire. The suspended bar is then turned
about the wire in the horizontal plane, so as to twist the wire when,
on being released, it begins to vibrate torsionally. Its time-period f
is noted.
Now, tl -a
2wy^/C where C is the twisting couple set up in the
wire per unit deflection or twist, and is equal to nnr^fiL ( 122)
whence, n =*
ysyr*
320 PROPERTIES OF MATTE*
Dividing relation (I) by relation (II), we hav
- SnJJ
Zn ~~ r
- "" - JL1
r*.tS "87T./.7 //*
This gives the ratio of Young's modulus and the co-efficient of
rigidity of the material of the wire in terras of t l and f ,.
Now, Poissorfs ratio, a = ~Y 1.
>Yl
So that, substituting the value of Y[2n, we have
/
*
2 /
*
2 o/
^* 2
Thus, Poisson's ratio for the material can also be easily deter-
mined.
N.B. As will be readily seen, the radius (r) of the wire, the measurement
of which is the chief source of error ;see page 303) has been eliminated altogether.
136. Strain energy in a bent beam We have seen before, (page 307), how when a
small portion AB of a beam is b^nt into ths form of a circular arc (Fig. 204), sub-
tending an angle 89 at its centre of curvature,
the strain produced in an element of it at a
distance z from the neutral axis is given by
z/R, where R is the radius of curvature of the
neutral axis.
Now, energy per unit volume in any
type of strain i stress* strain.
So that, energy associated with, the element in
question =
J stress X strain X volume of the
g lenient.
if the stress be F, the strain, e,
Then,
the of cro^s section of the element
area
normal to the plane of the diagram equal to
<M, and ths length of the neutral axis, Sx,
clearly,
Fig. 204. energy in the element =
Now, Y= stress I strain = Fje and
1
.'. F = Ye = Y.zjr.
2
So that, energy in the element = f Y. z
^$A$x.
Integrating this expression over the whole cross- section, we have
strain energy in the entire portion AB of the beam
Since, as we know, fz*.dA =/<,, the geometrical moment of inertia of the
section considered.
f
f Y1 1
Or, strain energy in portion AB of the beam -^
1
-~ .
1
-^rp.&x.
* L -K J X'ff
But YlglR -A/, the bending moment of the section.
Hence strain energy in portion AB of the beam = ~-*r
*
&*.
-y^-
And .*. strain energy E in the whole beam of length L = I v>y- . dx>
y/^
JO
^fjf
ELASTICITY 321
So that, substituting the relevant values of the bending moment, we can easily
determine the strain energy of the beam in different cases.
Thus, for example, in the case of a light cantilever with a load suspended W
from we have
its free end, M
= W(L x), (see page 310), and, therefore,
1 f
strain energy, in this case - W*(L-x)*.dx
1
l
.W ZL*.
2 Y[
Jo g
137. Resilience of bent beams. The work done in deflecting a horizontal
beam of whatever type, loaded with a weight W is equal to \W
x (deflection at the
loaded point). Since this work do.ie measures the resilience of the beam, as ex-
plained in 120, we have
resilience of the beam = i W.y,
where y is the deflection of the loaded point.
Thus, in the case of a light beam, of length L breadth b, and depth d, sup^
y
ported at the two ends and loaded with a weight at the centre, we have W
y ~ , ,
3
WL*/48YIg (page 316) and Ig in this case, is given by bd /\2, (page 308).
So that, we have
12
of such a beam
'
resilience
96Y bd*
138. Colums, Pillars and Struts. A long beam of an isotropic
material used for supporting loads is called a column, a pillar, or a strut.
Now, whereas a column or a pillar must always be vertical and
generally fixed rigidly at its ends, a strut may be vertical, horizontal
or inclined and may either have bath its ends fixed rigidly or both con-
nected to the surrounding structure through flexible joints, or it may
have one end rigidly fixed and the other connected to a joint, The
theory underlying the two is, however, the sama, the commonest case
being that in which the load applied is a compressive one, i.e., acts at
one end of the column or strut, along its axis,
tending to compress
r shorten lengthwise, though, in some cases, there
it may as well be
a lateral load, in addition.
Let us take the case of a column or a pillar first,
Let us take a long and straight
139. Critical load for a long column,
strip AR,
[Fig. 205 (a)] of wood or metal,
t
arranged in a vertical
position, representing a column, with
both its ends rounded and fitted into
metal sockets, as shown magnified in Fig.
205 (#), so as to allow it freedom to bend
all along its length, and let a load be
applied to it at the top in the form of .a
metal cylinder, containing lead, shot or
mercury, so that its magnitude may be
varied at will, with the cylinder moving
between two parallel guides GO to ensure
its vertical descent.
Now, first, with the load insuffi-
cient to bend the strip or the column, we
apply a lateral force /t at its mid-point
0, 0,3 shown, to make it bend a little and
we find that, on removing the lateral force, (a)
the column straightens itself out. We Fig. 205.
increase the load at the top, apply the
lateral force, as before, and then remove it.
Perhaps, the column
322 FROPEBTIES OP MATTER
again bends and then straightens itself. In this manner, we go out
repeating the experiment with successively increasing loads at the
top until we find that when the lateral force is applied and then*
removed, the column remains bent. At this stage, we find that
whatever the deflection we produce in the column by the lateral force,
the column continues to retain the same on the removal of this force,
provided, of course, that the elastic limit has not been exceeded. This-
load which just keeps the column bent, but does not bend it further, z>
called the critical load/br it.
we increase the load beyond the critical value and give a
If
slight bend to the column, as before, we find that the load now
increases the bending further and the column either acquires a perma-
nent set or collapses due to buckling,*
Let us see how we may account for this critical load. Let us,
therefore, consider the equilibrium of the column AB, under a verti-
cal load P l and a lateral force
\(P+Q) /! at its mid-point 0, with the
deflection of the column equal
to y v as indicated in Fig. 206
(a).
Since, for equilibrium, the
lateral force fv must bo balanced
by two horizontal forces, each
equal to fJ2, acting at A and
B, in the opposite direction to-
that of/j, we have
total bending moment about O
(a) (b)
= A>
jpj
be the maximum
And, if
Fig. 206.
due to bending and Z,
stress
the modulus of cross-section at
O (see note on page 309), the moment about due to stress or the mo-
ment of resistance to bending = FX Z.4 So that, for equilibrium,
If now we decrease the lateral force /i to and increase load Pl
to \P (the critical load) so that the deflection of the column remains-
the same y lt clearly, the condition for equilibrium demands that
P. yi = ^Z, whence, P = F Z/y 1
l [v/i is now 0.
| Again,the column be in equilibrium when subjected to a ver-
if
tical load P2 lateral force /2 with its deflection now equal to j a
and a ,
and we reduce /2 to and increase P2 to P', with the deflection-
remaining unaltered at J 2 we have, proceeding as before, P
,
f
=
where Fa is now the maximum stress due to bending.
Since the bending is
proportional to stress, we have F /y =F2 ly^
1 1
And, therefore, P' =P
(the critical load), thus clearly showing that
the column will remain^ equilibrium under the same critical load P for
/.. bv bending or bulging out.
1LASTICITY 323
any value of the deflection we choose to give it within the elastic limit,
as we have seen already in the experiment discussed above.
however, wo increase the vertical load to a value beyond its
If,
criticalvalue P, say, to (P+Q), as shown in Fig. 206 (b), the bend-
ing moment will clearly increase to (P-\-Q) y^ or to P^i+Qy^ And,
since the moment of resistance to bending, v/z., Fr Z balances only the
portion Pl y l of it (as we have just seen above), the portion Qyl
remains unbalanced, resulting in an increase in the bending or deflec-
tion of the beam beyond y 1 In order to keep the deflection at the
<
.
same value y v therefore, we shall have to apply a force/, say, at the
mid-point 6 of the column, in the opposite direction this time, so as
to balance the portion Qy of the bending moment. Since/ is sup-
l
posed to be balanced by two equal forces //2 and//2 acting at A and
B, as shown, its moment about O =s (//2).(i/2) =
/.L/4. So that,
to prevent the column from bending further (beyond y\) we must
have/L/4 = Q.y r
Now, within the elastic limit, the moment of resistance to
bending is proportional to the stress, i.e., FZ oc F, and hence also to
the deflection of the column (because, then, y oc F). But, once the
elastic limit is exceeded, the column acquires a permanent set, though
it is also possible that, due to the moment of resistance due to bend-
ing now increasing more rapidly (as it always does beyond the elastic
limit), the column may acquire a new position of equilibrium under
the additional load Q. But, if this does not happen, the column will
continue to bend further and further and finally collapse.
140. Filler's Theory of Long Columns.
(/) When the two ends of the column are rounded or hinged. Let
AB represent a long and initially straight column of an isotropic
material, of length L and of a uniform cross-section
and uniform elasticity, with rounded or hinged
ends so as to be free to bend throughout its length.
~
Further, let the critical load P act axially upon it, f
i.e., in a line with its axis in its straight unloaded ^
position, and let it be given a slight bend by the ;
2
application of a lateral force for an instant, (Fig. i
207). !
*~
Now, consider a point C in the column, at a
distance x from its mid-point O. If the deflection
here be y, clearly, the bending moment here due to
P= P.y But, if the radius of curvature of the
t
bend at C
be R, the moment of the resistance to
bending there is YJgiIR. And, clearly, therefore,
Y.I /R =
P.y, whence, IjR P.ylY.Ig . =
But, as we know, l/R =
d yldx 2 (the 2
ve sign
,
Fig. 207.
being given to make jR positive, for dyjdx decreases
as y increases). We thus have the differential equation
Ylg
324 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
The solution of this equation gives
y = A sin
A x+ B cos A x l9 (!)
where A =
<\/ P\Y.Ig and A and B are constants to be determined.
Differentiating this, we have
dy/dx = A\ cos \x~~- B\ sin pc.
(a)Now, when sin Ax =
x = 0, rfy/rfx = and, obviously, ;
so that, = 0. From equation I, therefore, we have 7 = B cos \x.
A
But when x = 0, we have j> = ; 1? Ax --= and .*. 05- AX = 1
J
and sin Ax = 0. So that, from equation I, we have y = B.
(b) When x
==
L/2, (i.e., at 4), >> = 0. And .-. B cos A^/2=0.
[From (a) above.
This means that either B = or cos AL/2 = 0. But, as we
have seen [in (a) above], B = y\. It follows, therefore, that
cos 7\ L/2 = 0, or. that A /2
= ir/2,
L/2 ="- w /2 [for> A
=
9 87 YI g
whence,
L*
This therefore, the value of the critical load, or the load which
is,
can just keep the column bent at the initial curvature given to it An
addition to this makes the column collapse.
It will be clear from this expression for the critical load that for
the same values of Y and /,, the smaller the length of the column, the
greater the critical load for it.
(ii) When the two ends of the column are fixed. Let the ends A
and B of the column bo now fixed, as shown in Fig. 208 (a), so that
when it gets bent or deflected, the tan-
gents to it at points A, O and B are all
vertical, with the line of action of the
resultant load now no longer passing
through the centres of its end-points. It
passes, instead, between the initial un-
bent position AB of the column, and its
mid-point O in the bent position, cutting
the bent column in points C and D. At
these points, therefore, there is no bend-
ing moment, RO that they are points of
opposite flexure.
considering the portions CA
Now,
and CO
of the bent column, we observe
that the deflections at certain points in
the two curves (as measured from the
vertical line through C ) are equal. At
(I))
all such points in the two curves, there-
fore, the bending moments must bo
Fig. 208. equal, and hence also the radii of curva-
ture there must be the same, in view of
ELASTICITY 325
the fact that the column is of a uniform cross- section. Further, the
two curves (GA and CO) have clearly the same slope at C and also
at A and O, the tangents at all these points being vertical. Obviously f
therefore, the two curves are equal and similar. The same is also*
true of the curves DB
and DO. The points (7, O and D
thus divide
the whole column into four equal parts and the length of the portion
COD of the column is, therefore, equal to half its total length, i.e.,
COD = L/2.
Clearly, this portion COD
of the column, the whole of which i
bent, behaves exactly as the cases considered above, i.e., like a
column of length L/2, with its ends rounded or hinged and carrying
an axial load P at C So that, proceeding as in case (/) above, we
have
P --
L*
the critical load (P) for the column, in this case,
i.e., is four times
that in case (/).
Thus, a column with its ends fixed, has four times the strength (to
resist thrust) that
it will have with its ends rounded or hinged. Or,
putting it differently, ci column, with its ends fixed, can support,
without bonding, the same load as one of half the length, with its-
ends rounded or hinged, would do.
(Hi) When one end of the column is fixed and the other loaded,
This is an easy deduction from case (i) above. For, suppose we have-
a column AS, with rounded or hing-
ed ends, and of length L as shown in 1
',
Fig, 209 (a), with P as the critical
load on it. Then, the tangent to
it at its mid-point O is ver-
tical. If, therefore, we clamp it
tightly at O, without disturbing the
direction of the tangent at that point,
the lower half OB
of the column might
as well be removed, without in any
way affecting the upper half OA.
So that, the upper half then behaves
as an independent column, of length
L s= L'fi, fixed at its lower ends and
(b)
loaded at the top, as indicated in
Fig. 209.
Fig. 209(&).
All that we have to do to calculate the critical load, in this-
case, to consider the column of length L and fixed at one end, as
is
equivalent to a column of length L' =
2L, with both its ends round-
ed or hinged. Therefore, proceeding in the same manner as in case
(i), we have the critical load given by
P =
which is clearly one-fourth of the critical load for a column of length
L, with its ends rounded or hinged.
326 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
Thus, we find that a column, hinged at one end and loaded at the
of the same column when hinged
other, has only one-fourth the strength
at both ends.
N.B. Exactly a similar treatment to that in cases (i) and (//) applies to
the corresponding cases of a strut, arranged horizontally, so long as the strut is
Fig. 210.
toaded axially, or along its axis, like the columns incases (/) and (//). Thus, if
the two ends of the strut be rounded or hinged, so that the whole of it can
bend,
we can represent its behaviour as in Fig. 210 (a), and, when its two ends are fixed,
as in Fig. 210 (b). It will be noted that these are essentially the same
figures as in
cases (i) and (//), respectively, but are rotated, as it were, through an
angle of 90,
so that instead of a vertical load we now have a horizontal load. The method of
calculation for the critical load, therefore, remains the same.
141. Elastic Waves. When a system of stresses, to which a body or a me-
dium is being subjected, is suddenly altered, we have (/) a corresponding motion
of the body or the medium itself and (11) propagation through it of the changes in
i\\t two occurring
stress, simultaneously and constituting what is called the propa-
gation of an elastic or a stress wave.
Now, as we know, even in the case of an iso tropic medium, a deformation
in one direction is invariably
accompanied by deformations in two other direc-
tions, at right angles to the first, (the familiar case of the deformation of a cube),
so that the theory of elastic waves is
really quite a complicated one ;and this
complication is further aggravated in the case of bodies like the earth, for
example, where the elastic properties vary with depth, which explains at once
the complicated pattern of the seismic waves ( 100).
In general, however, we have three types of elementary elastic waves in the
case of a uniform, isotropic medium, viz., (i) compressional, (//) shear and (///)
fltxural waves. We shall only briefly touch upon them here.
(/) Gompressional Waves. These waves are produced when we give an
axial blow to a long bar, i.e., strike it along its axis, and, assuming the sides of the
barJo have freedom of movement, their velocity is given by the relation v
V Y l9, where Y is the value of Young's modulus for the material of the bar and p,
its density. But, in case the sides of the bar too are fixed, Y is to be replaced by
Y(l a)/(l + a)(l-2(j), where a is the value of Poisson's ratio for the material
of the bar. This expression takes many forms, the simplest among them being
K+4nfi, where K and n are the coefficients of bulk and rigidity modulii for
the material of the bar. Thus, we have different types of compressional waves, all
of which, however, have the common features that (i) the vibrations occur along the
direction of propagation of the wave, i.e., the wave is of the longitudinal type, and
<//) the velocity of the wave is given by
~~
modulus of elasticity
aentity
Thus, in the case of a liquid or a gas, n = and we, therefore, have the
HYDBOSTATICS
.Pascal discussed this result in his 'Treatise on the equilibrium oj
liquids', published in the year 1663, with reference to vessels of different shapet r
known as- Pascal's vases, (Fig. 213), all having equal bases and containing wafer
upto the same vertical height h, so that the pressure on the base of each vessel was*
equal to hgms. w/./rmV, and, therefore, the thrust on it was h.a. gms* wt., where^
a is its area.
He was perhaps the first person to have pointed out the paradoxical truth
that even if vessel (i) contains 100 Ibs of water and vessel (v) only 1 oz. of it r
the thrusts on the bases of
both is the same. Aptly,
therefore, it is called the
hydrostatic paradox.
Strange as it may
seem, but if the water in ELB
vessel (v>) be frozen into ice
and detached from its
sides, the thrust exerted by
this ice on its base will be only 1 oz. >v/., but once this ice is melted back into-
water, the thrust again increases to 100 Ibs. wt. The explanation of this seem-
ing paradox is, however, simple. The ice does not exert any upward thtttittyl
the part of the vessel opposite to the base and the latter, therefore, exerts
tify
squal and opposite thrust on it. But the water does exert an upward thrust O$
it and hence receives back an
equal and opposite downward thrust from itt
In case of vessel (/), the thrust on the base is equal to the entire weight
of the water on it.
In vessel (//), the upward component of the thrust due to the left side of
the vessel supports the weight of water in it, between the left side and the dotted
line A, while the downward component of the thrust due to the right side of the
vessel exerts a downward thrust on it, equal to the weight of the water in-
between the right side of the vessel and the dotted line B ; so that, the thrust or*
the base is the same as due to a vertical column h of water.
In vessel (///), the upward components of the thrusts due to both the left
and the right side* of the vessel support the extra weight of the water, in-
between the two sides and the dotted lines C and D, and, again, therefore, the
thrust on the base is equal to that due to the cylindrical column h of water in-bet-
ween the dot ted lines C and D.
And, similarly, in vessel (/v), the downward components of the thrust
due to the two sides of the vessel exert an extra thrust on the base, equal to the
weights of the water contained between either side and the dotted lines and F;
so that, once again, the total thrust on the base is the same as that due to a cylindri-
cal water column of
Pascal ex t above fact by supporting, by means of
.verified the
a separate stand, vases of the above shapes, one by one, on a large-
disc, D (Fig. 214), suspended from
the shorter pan of a hydrostatic
balance and kept pressed against
their bases by placing a heavy weight
in the longer pan, and pouring water
into the vessel. The disc just got de-
tached from its base as the water
reached the same level in each case r
thus clearly demonstrating the equi-
valence of the thrust on the disc in*
each rase and fully vindicating his-
deductions.
Fig. 214.
328 PEOPBBTIES OF MATTER
mum values being respectively 1, in the case of perfectly elastic bodies,
and zero, in the case of perfectly plastic ones.
Thus, if M t and u 2 be the velocities of two bodies before the im-
pact and v l and v 2 after the impact, we have
,
v a/) the ve sign of the-
(v
= e ,
(-"neglecting
relative velocity after the im-
(U l u t) L pact.
Or, ( Vl
-v = <?K-wa) 2 ),
... (i>
where (U L w 2 ) and (v l v2 ) are their relative velocities, before and
after impact.
It will thus be seen that if e = 1, i.e., if the bodies be perfectly
elastic, (Vj v2 ) = (i^ w 2 ), i.e., //*e relative velocities of the bodies are
the same before and after the impact, (suffering only a reversal of
direction, in the latter case).
But if e =
0, i.e., if the bodies be perfectly plastic, (v^v^) 0,
or, vl =v 2 , i.e., the two bodies move with the same common velocity r
after the impact.
What happens is that when one elastic body, of mass m v moving
with a velocity u v collides against another elastic body, of mass m zr
moving with velocity u^ (where u l w 2 ), the surface between then* >
gets compressed and when this compression or pressure reaches-
its maximum value, their relative velocity becomes zero. Thereafter,
the elastic stress between them makes them recede from each other,
the compression is released, and the two bodies move away with
v
different velocities, say v 1 and v 2 .
Clearly, then, in accordance with the law of conservation of
momentum, we have
sum total of momenta after the impact
= sum total of momenta before the impact.
Now, sum total of momenta after the impact = /W 1 v 1 +/w a v
and sum total of momenta before the impact = m^+m^.
So that, m jVi+ AW 2v 2 = m u1 -{-m 2 u 2 ... (//')
1
.
From relations (/) and ('), we can easily calculate the values of
vt and v2 For, multiplying relation (i) by m 2,
we have
"Vi w 2 v = a w^K ,). ...(/>
And, adding relations (//) and (///), we have
'WiVi+/w a v 1 +m v a 1 mv = 2 2 m^ i-m u +m e.(u -u 2 2 2 l 2 ).
Or, v^
,
whence, vl =
ll99
-
x^ 1 2
,
2
,
^
2
.
v t
l 9
a/.
,..(/v
v
Similarly, multiplying relation (i) by m lt
and subtracting from
relation (ff), we have
(m 1+ m 2 )
Further, it can also be shown that
_
"""
Impulse during restitution
Impulse during compression
ELASTICITY 329
The value of e, nowever, is found to diminish with increase in the
velocities of the approaching bodies, and vice versa, and it has been
shown by Sir C.V. Raman, that its value is very nearly equal to 1, if
the collision be very weak.
143. Loss of Kinetic Energy on Impact. It can be shown from
the above relations, that
i * , i > i * , i 9 ^ (1 e^.ttiiWVfW! w2 ) a
where J^v^+Jw^Vj 1 is the total kinetic energy E2 of the colliding
bodies, after the impact, and Jw 1 w 1 2 +|m 2 w 2 2 their total kinetic ,
energy E1 before the impact.
2
1
Thus E2 = ,- .
Or E 1
-E ~ 2
l ( 1
r
/ f = ^-'
i.e., toss o/ energy on impact >
J
an expression, with always a positive value, showing that there is
always a loss of energy on impact between two bodies.
Now, the following
special cases arise :
(i) When =
1, i.e., when the colliding bodies are perfectly
e
elastic. In this case, (EL 2) E =
0, i.e., there is no loss of energy on'
impact of perfectly elastic bodies.
(ii) When e = 0, i.e., when the colliding bodies *are perfectly
plastic. Here (E1 E2 )
has the maximum value, viz.,
1
*
(/W1 m |.(w
2 1
w2 ) 2
(Wi+wtaj 2
i.e., there is maximum
of energy on impact of plastic bodies.
loss
(Hi) When u^
=
w 2 i.e., when the bodies have the same velocity,
,
(in magnitude as well as direction). In this case, the relative velocity
of one body, witli respect to the other, is zero, so that no impact takes
place at all between the two bodies, and, therefore, (El -r-E2 ) 0, or =
again, there is no loss of energy.
The question now arises as to what happens to this loss oi
energy on impact ? Until very recently, it was supposed that the
energy lost during impact was converted into (i) sound, (ii) heat, or
(7) vibration or rotation of the colliding bodies.
Sir C. V. Raman's experiments have shown, however, that the
production of sound is in no way related to the energy of impact,
being solely due to the impulse set up in the air during the reversal
of the motion of the colliding bodies, after impact.
The change
in temperature too is almost always very small and
hence appears that an appreciable portion of this energy lost during
it
impact is used up in bringing about a re-distribution of the molecules
in the surface layers of the colliding bodies. Indeed, it has been shown
by Hertz that impact produces a definite flattening of the point of
contact of the colliding bodies, with a finite common area between
33U PROPERTIES OF MATTER
them, each body being compressed in its neighbourhood, the com-
pression increasing at first to a maximum, (which is proportional to
the two-fifth power of the velocity), then diminishing and finally
vanishing altogether, when the bodies get separated from each other.
Prof. Deodhar has also verified this molecular displacement in
the surface layers of the impinging bodies, by making different bodies
('similar and dissimilar') impinge upon each other, with 'extremely low
velocities' and measuring their velocities before and after the impact.
Prom his experiments, he has come to the following conclusions :
(/) great velocities of the colliding or impinging bodies, the changes
With
in their surface are 'vivid*, and a greater portion of their energy of impact is used
jp in producing these deformations.
(//) With very small velocities of the colliding bodies, on the
other hand,
-he value of e increases, in the limit, to unity the increase of e with the 'minimal
velocities' being independent of the nature of their material.
(HI ) The rate of change of e is qui te independent of the medium in which
the impact takes place.
(iv) The duration of impact is observed to be greater in water than in air,
depends upon the density of the medium.
i.e., it
(v) A distinct change in the structure of the impinging bodies is noticeable
under the microscope, though no trace of it is visible to the naked eye.
He estimates from this that energy, of the order of 1000
Jc.gms.lcm*. is used up 'in displacing the molecular aggregates'. Further,
bodies, when strained, take time to recover their original condition,
and a rapid rise and fall in the stress may result in the dissipation of
some energy, provided the elastic limit of the bodies, for gradually
varying forces, is not exceeded.*
Relative masses of colliding bodies.
144. If, in the above
example of two colliding bodies or balls, the second one be at rest, so
as to have no kinetic energy, we have
total kinetic energy before impact = Jm 1 .w 1
a
.
A
And,
i if
loss of energy during impact =
i - ! , -
(
v
So that.
!?"f"*W
total energy
Or, loss of energy = -^
m 1
I "h
Clearly, therefore, the loss of energy will be small if mjm 3 be large,
and vice versa.
Thus,order to minimise loss of energy, the ratio mj/n, must be
in
made large, the mass of the striking body must be much greater
i.e.,
than that of the body struck. Hence it is that a slow-moving heavy
hammer is more suitable for imparting momentum to a body than a
*This should not, however, be understood to mean that an exceeding OF
'overlapping* of the elastic limit is necessary for a loss of energy to occur.
ELASTICITY 331
quick- moving lighter one, even though the two may possess the same
'momentum.
On the other hand, if the loss o energy is to be converted inta
useful work, the ratio 1 /m 2
m
must be small, i.e., 2 must
be much w
greater than w
r That is why while forging instruments etc., we
(must have heavy anvils underneath them.
SOLVED EXAMPLES
1. Show
that (a) a small and uniform strain v is equivalent to three linear
strains v/3, in any three perpendicular directions;
(h) the bulk modulus for a gas (/) at constant temperature (i.e., under
Isothermal conditions) is equal to its pressure and (/*) when the temperature is not
constant, (i.e , when the conditions are adiabatic), it is equal to r times its pressure,
where y is the ratio c p /c v for it.
(a) Imagine a unit cube to be compressed equally and uniformly from all
ides, so that the length of each edge is decreased by a length /, i.e.. becomes
Then, clearly, decrease in volume of the cube, i.e.,
v . l-(l-/) = i-i + 3/_3/4-/ = 3/, i.e.. I
= v/3,
2
neglecting / and
the value of/ being small.
/*,
Thus, a small uniform volume strain is equal to three linear strains, each
equal to v/3, in three perpendicular directions.
(b) (/) Let P be the pressure and K, the volams of a gas, and let it be
compressed isothsrmally* by increasing the pressure to (P+dp), so that the
volume is reduced by dv and becomes (K dv).
Then, clearly, stress = force per unit area pressure applied
= dp, and volume
=
strain = change in volume/ original volume = d\\V.
.-. Bulk modulus for the gas, i.e.. K= = * .K.
-j?. y
Since the temperature of the gas remains constant, Boyle's law holds
good, and we, therefore, have
PV = (pdp}x(V-dv] = PV-P.dvdp.V-dp.dv.
Or, PV = PY-P.dv+dp.V. Or, P.dv - dp.V. [neglecting dp.dv.
whence, V.dpjdv = P.
Since V.dp/dv = K, we have K
= P.
Or, the Bulk Modulus for a gas, at constant temperature, i.e., its isothermal elas-
ticity, is equal to its pressure.
(//) If, on the other hand, the change in the volume is brought about
we have
= a constant.
Diffrentiating this, we have
fa (" The ve sign merely indi-
-V~rV =
t
PyKr Vvf V r dp = 0. Or, rP- j cates that dv and dp arc
of opposite signs.
Or, JT-yr. |
thus, the adiabatic elasticity of a gas is equal to y times its pressure, i.e., is y
times its isothermal elasticity.
This may be done by using a cylinder and a piston of a perfectly con-
ducting material, so that the heat H conducted out into the surrounding air as
soon as it is generated and the temperature of the gas remains the same as
before.
fin this case, the cylinder and piston are of a perfectly non-conducting
material or the cylinder is placed on a perfect insulator, so that the heat gene-
rated on compression of the gas cannot escape out but remains inside the gas
itself, thus raising its temperature a little.
332 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
2. Show that the Bulk modulus K, Young's modulus Y and the Poisson'ff
ratio a are connected together by the relation, K= Y/3(l 2<*).
(Punjab, 1940 ; Delhi. 1947}
We
Now,
have A' -
-^
=
^^
l/a=y, and p/a
.
= a.
[See page 28 7 .
[See pages 288-8^.
Therefore, K- 7/3(1-2(7).
3. Show that lhe rigidity n, and Young's modulus Y are connected by the
relation, n = r/2(l -fo), where <r is Poisson's ratio. (Punjab, 1938)
We have n I/2(a+ = *
.
[See page 289.
zaii-t-p/a)
But I/a - Y, and p/a or.
4. Obtain an expression for the radius of curvature of a flat curve in term*
of the slope of the curve, and use the result to find the value of deflection in the case
of a bar fixed horizontally at one end and loaded at the other. (Bombay, 1928)*
Let APQ be a flat curve (Fig. 21 1), and let P and Q be two points on it
small distance $x apart. Draw tangents to the curve at Pand Q, and let O be
the centre and /?, the radius of curva-
ture of the portion PQ of the curve.
Then, if LPOQ = 9, we have PQ R.Q.
Or, Sx - R.e. (')
Now, 6 = difference in slope of the tan-
gents at P and Q.
And since slope of the tangents at a
point is measured by dy\dx at the point,
we have
Now, the rate of change of slope is given-
Fig. 211. by the second differential coefficient r
f change in slope from P to Q = *x d*y/dx*.
Or, = $v.d*yldx\ And, /. 8x = '*x.R.<Pyldx\ [From (/) above.
t.e. 9 R.d*yldx 1.
z =
Or, l/R d*y/dx* -= rate of change of slope at P.
Since in the case of bent rods, or beams, the curve of the neutral axis is-
very slight, the relation \/R d*yjdx* gives the radius of curvature of the axis-
at any given point.
Now, for a bar fixed horizontally at one end and loaded at the other,.
(/.*., in the case of a cantilever), we have
W.(L-x) = Y.Ig !R, [See page 310.
*he axis of x being taken along the horizontal and the axis of y, vertically down-
vards.
Here, L is the length of the bar from the fixed to the free end, x, the dis-
tance of the section PQ from^the fixed end, and 9
the weight applied at the- W
free end.
Therefore, substituting the value of 1 /R 9 from above, we have
-A ~ Y J
d'y Or YJff d *y
=* (T y\
x) r./flr.-. ur, F-'* .
(Lx).
Integrating this, we have
f- Y.I
Or, j'
ELASTICITY 333
where Q is a constant of integration, to be determined from the conditions of the
experiment.
Clearly, dy/dx is zero at A, i.e., dy/dx = 0, when x0.
Substituting these values of J and x in (//), we have Q =0.
2
r ~ x
dy = LX - ,... v
">
W-d* 2
'
(l
Again, integrating this expression (//), we have
y/ T Ya a; 8
Or. + C" - (/V)
TT->"- 2 6
where Ct is another constant of integration.
To determine
this constant, we observe that the depression y of the rod
us zero atthe end A ; so that, j=0, when x=0.
Putting these values of y and x in (iv), we have Ca = 0.
z
x9
r./^ v - Lx~-
Hence
^.y
2 6
'
Now, to obtain the deflection of the loaded end, let us put x =- L.
8 3
TU LJT'
Tben,
.
, y./r* = - = '
clearly,
^ .;>
2 6 3
Or, y =* W L*l3Y.Ig .
the rod be of rectangular cross-section,
if k bd3 /l2, where ^ and </ arc
its breadth and depth respectively ; so that,
f i j
for a rectangular rod, y
And, the rod be of a circular cross-section,
if (i.e., if it be cylindrical),
ia rcr/4, where r is its radius so that, ;
for a cylindrical rod, ^ = W -
/
3
4H^ /
3
'
5. A brass bar 1 cm. square in cross-section is supported on two knife-
edges 100 cms. apart. A load of 1 k.gm. at the centre of the bar depresses that
point by 2*51 mm. What is Young's modulus for brass ?
We know that the depression of the mid-point of the bar is given by
y = jF/ 3 /48 Yf ff
.
[See page 3 1 6.
Now, for a bar of rectangular cross-section,
jg = b.cl l\2.
s
[See foot-note page 308.
Here, b d = 1 cm., becauss the bar is 1 cm. square in cross* section.
b.d* = 1 x 1 - 1 ;
= 1 k. gm. wt. - 1000x981 dynes.
W
/ = 100 cms. and y = 2*51 mm. "25 i cm.
TMrcfort. , - -Wl* \2Wl*
- - --Wl* , Or, 1
r . _ . , 77x ou ,
x
11 9
Or, the value of Young's Modulus for brass is 9 77 x 10 dynes/cm .
Establish an expression for the work done in stretching a wire through
6.
J cms. assuming Hooke's law to hold.
Find the work done in Joules in stretching a wire of cross-section 1 sq. mm.
and length 2 metres through 01 mm., if Young's modulus for the material of the
18 1
^vire is.2x 10 dynes /cm .
(London Inter. Science)
For answer to see 112 (i), where
first part, it is shown that work done
In stretching the wire *= J stretching force* the stretch.
334 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
r, work done = -- '-'
'
wnereFis the stretching forces
F.l=-^ .,
Numerical. Here, Y = 2x 10 dynes /c/w a = sq. mm. = 1/100 =
l> 2
., 1 '01 sq. cm.,
/ '1 TW/W. = 01 cm. and L =2 metres ~ 200 aws- ;
-.
Therefore,
-
work done
. .
=
^
1 Y.al
-
^
.
./ =
\
--. ----
2xl0 12 x-01-x Olx-01
18 3
^5- 5000
10 x-01 10 10* ._ n
c - 5 - 5x10-
c ,A .
200 SOO 2 10? ro4
Thus, work done in stretching the wire is 5 x 10~ 4 Joules.
1. Show that for a homogeneous isotropic substance, YIN= 2(a-hl),
where Y is the Young's modulus, A , the simple rigidity, and a, the
r
PoissonV
ratio.
A gold wire 32 mm. in diameter, elongates by 1 mm., when stretched by
a force of 330 gm. wt., and twists through 1 radian, when equal and opposite torques*
of 145 dyne-cm, are applied at its ends. Find the value of Poisson's ratio for
gold.
An isotropic substance is such that two equal, similar portions cut from it,
with any orientation, arc exactly like and indistinguishable.
For proof of the relation, Y/N = 2(crH-l), see solved example 3, above,
(page 332), where it is shown that N= Y/2(cr-H), whence, Y/N = 2(cr-h 1).
Now, Y = FyLr
a <l
Here, F=330x 981 dynes; 1=1 ww.=-l cm. ; and a=rcx('016) 2 s<?. cms.,
[because radius =
032/2 = *016 cm., and a = nr ].
2
v ~ 330x981xL
Y
WX -016- xl
Since couple acting on the wire ~ 145 dynes-cm., and angle of twist = 1 radian ^
we have, couple per unit twist 145/1 *= 145 dynes-cm. =
This must be equal to N.nr*l2L, where r is the radius of the wire.
1
Thus, Mir/2I - 145, whence, N-
7 __
"" 3^0x98 lxl _
Ur> ^
-l 145X2L*
2 2
330x981x(016) 330x911 x(
"*
2x lxl45 :
29
016)
--^^.
Since = 2(a-fl), we have 2(<j + l)=2'858.
^-
Or, (a-fl) = 2-858/2
- 1'429. And, .-. a = r429-l = '429.
Hence, Poisson's ratio for gold 0'429. =
8. A square metal bar of 2*51 cms. side, 37*95 cms long, and weighing 826*
gms. suspended by a wire 37 85 cms long and 0501 cm. radius. It is observed
is
to make 50 complete swings in 335 7 sees. What is the rigidity coefficient of the
wire ?
Here, time-period of the bar, i.e., t 335'7/50 6'714 sees. - =
Now, time-period of a body executing a torsional vibration is given by
f=2TrV i\Ct where / is its moment of inertia aboutthe suspension wire as axis an(T
C, the twisting couple per twit deflection or twist of the wire.
n "'"
Here, 7 - mass = 826. ^
(^"'*' )
1440 63
6301 . 3
-
826. 826 x 826x120-5.
^ ^ ) ^J-
99540 gm. cm
2
. .'. 6-714 = 2*W 99540
^
ELASTICITY 33 1
squaring which, we have
^TUM
(6-714)'
A 2
9954 ^
Or,
^
C- 4Tr*x99540
-4*'x-c-.
Now, C is also = .wr 4 /2/,
where the symbols have their usual meanings.
4
= 4Tt*x 99540
77Xnx(-0501)
a
'
2x37-85 (6'714)
87CX 99540x37'85
whence,/i -
Or, the rigidity coefficient of the wire is 3'357x 10 11 dynesjcm*.
9. A disc of 10 cms. radius and mass 1 k. gm. is suspended in a horizontal
plane by a vertical wire attached to its centre. If the diameter of the wire is 1 mm.
and its length is 1*5 metres and the period of torsiona? vibration of the disc i:
5 sees,, find the rigidity of the material of the wire. Prove the equation you employ.
(Bombay, 1931}
For proof of the formula, see 126, (pages 300-301), which gives the
relation,
Here, in this case, t 5 sec., and /, for the disc, about the axis of sus-
2
pension, is given by A/> /2, where is the mass of the disc, and r, its radius, M
Since M=1 k.gm. 1000 gms =
and r -= 10 cms we have :
,
100 X 102
/ - = 500 x 100 = 5x 10* gms. cw a .
Therefore, r - 5 = 2*^/5 x~10
4
/C. Or, 25 - --
2
, _ 4Ti x5xl0 =
~~
4
4n3 X- 10 4
whence, C
WTTA** 4?^ X 10 4
Since C is also equal to nnr*!2l, we have - - =
/. substituting the values of r and /, we have
2
nxnx('05)*_ " 4* xlO^
^ """'
2x150 5
(V r == '5 771/w. *05 r/77. and /
~ 1*5 metres = 150 0777.5.)
4^ x 1 x 2 x 14 50"~
4
whence, /i - - - __ _4_xj
X7TX ( 5) Ifo
.'. the rigidity of the material of the wire is l*206x 10 ia dynes/ cm 2 .
10. An elastic string has a mass suspended at its lower end, the uppei M
being fixed to a support. The mass is pulled down over a short distance and let go
Explain the motion that ensues and find an expression for the time of oscillation.
If a mass 777 is added to the mass M, the time is altered in the ratio of 5 : 4,
Compare the masses 777 and M. (Bombay, 1936]
For first part, see solved example 10, Chapter IV, (page 143), where it i<
shown that if / be the extension produced in the string in the equilibrium positior
due to the mass, the string executes a S.H.M., its time period being given by
Let the time-period in the first case, when the mass is suspended frorr M
the end of the string be r 2 , and, in the second case, when the mass (77* -hM) is sus-
pended, be t t Then, if /! and lt be the respective extensions produced by the twc
.
masses in the equilibrium position, we have
tl = 2*V / i/ r
and / 2"VQg-
So that, /i //,
8 2 - /i//,.
if /! sees, and f t = 5 sees., we have 16/25
4 /V/V
Now, and / are "directly proportional to the stretching force applied
/!
v/i., Mg and (M-f m)g respectively ; for,
336 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
in the 1st case, Y *** and in the 2nd case Y-
a.li fl./i
-whence, /,.
= Mg.L/ya and /f = (M+m)g.LIY.a,
where L is the original length of the string, a, its area 0/ cross-section and y, the
Young's modulus for its material.
Hence
M+m = 25 .
Whence
M-hm-M 25-16 . m = 9
'
M 16'
'
M -"16" ''"
M 16
'
Thus, the two masses, m, and A/, are in the ratio 9:16.
11. The breaking stress of Aluminium is 7*5 X 10 8 dynes cm."* and of Cop-
2
per, 22 xlO dynes/cm.- . Find the greatest lengths of the two wires that could
8
hang vertically without breaking. Density of Aluminium 2*7 gms./c.c. and of =
Copper =
8 '9 gms /c.c.
cms. be the aica of cross-section of the wires and /x and
Let a sq. lt cms.,
their lengths respectively that could hang vertically without breaking.
(i) Case of the Aluminium wire.
Here, volume of aluminium wire = lxac cs., and its mass .'. /j x ax 2 7 gms.,
and its weight = ^ x a x 2 7 gms. wt. = x a x 2 '7 x 981 /j d>wi .
This must be equal to the maximum force the wire can withstand.
Now, breaking stress = 7 5
9
x 10 s dynes /cm a .
Therefore, total force that can be applied to the wire, without breaking it,
8
is equal to 7 5 x 10 x a dynes.
Or, /1 XflX2 7x981 -75 x'lO'xo,
7<; v 10 B
whence, I,
= -~r^t = 283,100 cms.* 2'831 kilometres.
( ii ) Ci ^ of coppe r wire .
Proceeding as above, we have, in this case,
/,Xflx8'9x981 = 22xl0 8 Xfl,
22* y 10 8
whence, /,
= Q ^ ,
- 252,000 cms. = 252 kilometres.
Thus the required lengths of the aluminium and copper wires are 2*831 and
2 52 kilometres respectively.
12. A copper wire 3 metres long for which Young's modulus is 12*5 x 10 11
dynes per. sq. cm., has a diameter of I mm. If a weight of 10 k. gms. is attached
to one end, what extension is produced ? If Poisson's ratio is 0*26, what lateral
compression is produced ?
Here, original length of the wire (L) = 3 metres = 300 cms.,
Young's modulus for the wire (Y) = 12*5x 10 U dynes. cm.~ a ,
radius of the wire (r)
**
Jmm. '5 mm. = '05 cm.
1
and .". its area of cross-section wr* 7ix('05) 5^. cms.
And force applied (F) 10 k. gm. wt. =
10 x 1000 1 gms. wt = t
= 10 x 100 x 981 dynes ** 981 X 10* dynes.
Now, we have the relation,
v - FxL .
whence,
,
/-
F.L
98 1 x 10* x 300
'5xlO n
981_x3 __
n x (-05) xT2r5 x W*
ELASTICITY 337
Or, extension produced '2997 cm.
_ lateral strain
. .
Again, we have
, .
Poisson
,
s ratio, a -
, ong ifu(, inal strain
JA
26 '
l,L
Or, lateral strain '26 x //L '26 x -2997/300= 2'598 x 10-*.
This, therefore, gives the value of lateral strain, i.e., d\D, where d is the
decrease in diameter and D, the original diameter of the wire.
Hence d\D ==2-598x10-*.
Since D= 1 mm. -= -1
cm-, we have
dl'l
- 2-598 x 10-*. Or, d - 2*598 x 10-* x '1 2'598 x 10~ 5 .
6
Hence, lateral compression produced 2'598 x 10~ cms
uniform glass tube is hung from a support and stretched by a weight.
13. A
It found that one metre of the tube stretches by '08 cm but that a column of
is ,
water 1 metre long contained within the tube lengthens by only 0'4 cm. Find POH-
son's ratio for glass.
We know that Poissorfs ratio, a = &/.
Now, let the stress be ~ P dynesjcm*.
and internal radius of the tube = r cms.
Then, increase per unit length of the tube =P cms.
And, decrease per unit^radius of the tube P.p cms. =
s. increase in 1 metre or 100 cms length of the tube 100.P = cms.
and decrease in the radius of the tube P.p r. cms.
So that, the radius of the tube is now (r~P.p.r ) cms. = r(l-P p) cms.
Now, increase in length of the tube = -06 cm.
lOO.P.oc =
whence, a = 06/100 P.
-06,
And clearly, initial cross-section of the tube = *r* sq. cms.,
"[/-(I -P
a
and, final cross-section of the tube
-= )] ^. rmv.
= nr 2 X 1 -2P ft 4- (P )*] ^. cms. 1
a
7rr x[l 2P./S] ^. c/W5.,
2
neglecting (P-jS) as a very small quantity.
Therefore, volume of water column initially
= 100 rcr c cs. 2
And volume of water column finally = 103 4x *r\\ -2P./3) c c^.,
v length of the water column is now 100-I--04 cms.
Since volume of the water column remains the same, we have
Or, 100-4-100-04x2P=100. Or, 100 04 x2Pj8=100'04- 100-00 ='04,
whence, =
ft
2Px TdOW
04 100P -04x100
== X
a 2Px 100-04
-
*06 2xlOO-04x-06
4 ______ 1
~ :
~~ =
2 x 1 00 04 x '06 50-02 x '06
Hence, Poisson's ratio for glass 0*3332.
14. A steel wire* 2 mm. in diameter is just stretched between two fixed
points at a temperature of 20C. Determine its tension when the temperature falls
to 10C. [Coefficient of linear expansion of steel
is 000011 and Young's modulus
12
for steel is 2'lx 10 dynes per sq. cm.]
Let the length of the wire be / cms.
Then, on a fall in its temperature, from 20C to 10C, its length will de-
crease by an amount =/x '000011 x 10 cms.
PROPERTIES OF MATTER
And .% strain produced in it = /x -000011 x 10//
= 000011 x 10=11 x 10~
5
.
Let T dynes be the tension in the wire.
Then,
stress=Tlnr***TjT*('\)*=TlKX '01 sq. cm.
V radius of the wire, r--=\ mm. '1 cm., and /. its area of cross-section*
=irr 8 = n x(*l) 2 sq. cms.
Now, Young's modulus, (Y) stress/strain. So that,
r=
r~ X
T- Or
2'lxl0 12 X7rx-ll xlO~ B =2 Ix 10 7 xnx'll=7 257x10'
'
ic
dynes.
whence,
Therefore, tension of the wire = 7'257x 10 dynes.
15. If one body impinges on another which is at rest, find the relation
between (a) momenta, (b) the kinetic energies of the system before and after
impact.
A steel ball is let fall through a height of 64 cms. on a plate of steel. The
height through which it rebounds is 36 cms. Calculate the coefficient of restitution.
,,,
We know
. ..
that
.
e = 77 ---- r t'
relative velocity after impact
----- - -
/
lelative velocity before impact
Here, relative velocity after impact, say, v= \/2..36, ['' n ~ 36 c ms -
and before impact, say, u = \/2.g.64. [v here, /i= 64 cms.
Therefore, e = V^-36/2 g 64= V36/64 - v/9; 1^-3/4 -'75.
Thus, the coefficient of restitution =-75.
EXERCISE VIII
1. Define Young's modulus. Show that a shear is equivalent to a com-
pression and an extension.
Find an expression for the work done in stretching a wire and hence de-
duce an expression for the energy per unit volume of the wire.
(Madras B.A., 1947)
A
wire 300 cms. long and 0*625 sq. cm. in cross-section is found to
2.
stretch 0*3 cm. under a tension of 1200 kilogrammes. What is the Young's
modulus of the material of the wire ? (A.M I.E., 1961)
Ans. 2'3x 10 1 * dynes I sq cm.
3. Explain the terms stress, strain, Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio,
:
bulk and rigidity moduli. Show that the value of Poisson's ratio must lie bet-
ween - 1 and +1/2. (Calcutta)
4. Define Young's modulus, Bulk modulus and modulus of Rigidity. If
, IT and n represent these moduli respectively, prove the relation E=9nKj3K+n.
(Allahabad, 1943)
5. A
solid ball 330 cms. in diameter is submerged in a lake at such a
2
depth that the pressure exerted by water is 1-00 k. gm. wt Icm Find the change .
in volume of the ball. (K for the material 1 '00 x 10
7
dynes/cm*.)
=
(Bombay, 1959)
1 386 c.cs,
Ans.
6. While at 0C., a square steel bar of 1 cm. side is rigidly fixed at both
ends so that it cannot expand. Its temperature is then raised to 20C. What
(Young's modulus for steel = 2x 10
lf
force does it exert on the clamps ?
dynes/ sq. cm. and coefficient of expansion of steel = 000011).
Ans. 448 k. g m.
7. Find the formula for the work done in stretching a wire, and apply it
to find the elastic energy stored up in a wire, originally 5 metres long and 1 mm.
in diameter, which has been stretched by 3/10 mm. due to a load of 10 k. gm. Take
g - 300 w. (Bombay)'
Ans. 4-5Tcxl0 4 er,s,
8. A
bar of iron, 0'4 sq. /.- in cross-section is heated to 100C. It is then
Hxed at both ends and cooled to 15C Calculate the force exerted by the bar on the
ELASTICITY 339
fixings. Young's modulus for iron is 30,00,000 Ib./sq. in. The coefficient of
linear expansion of iron is 0-0000121C.
(Institute of Civil and Electrical Engineering)
Ans. 5-464 tons.
9. A
wire of length 50 cms., and diameter 9 mms. was fixed at the upper
end while a wheel of 10 cms diameter was fastened to the lower end. Two threads
were wrapped round the wheel and passed horizontally over pulleys ; each
thread supported a scale pan. On placing a weight of 230 gms. on each pan
the lower end of the wire was twisted through 45C'. What is the rigidity coeffi-
cient of the material of the wire ? Ans. 7-96 x 10 11 dynes tmr*
Convert degrees into radians
[Hint. n radians = 180.]
10. Explain what you understand by 'shearing strain*. What are its
dimensions ? Deduce an expression for the moment of the couple required to
twist the lower end of a rod of circular cross-section by 90, the upper end being
clamped. (Agra, 1945)
e ~90 ~ Tt/2 radians.]
2
[Hint, Ans. Couple w .nr4 /4/.
11. What
couple must be applied to a wire, 1 metre long, 1 mm. diameter,
in order to twist it through 90, the other end remaining fixed ? The
one end of
rigidity modulus is 2 8x 10 dynes cm"
11 2
[Hint. 90 7t/2 radians.] Ans. 4'3x 10 6 dynes cm.~*
12. Explain what is meant by 'modulus of rigidity' and find out its dimen-
sions. Describe one method of finding experimentally the modulus of rigidity of
a v/ire and give the theory oi the method. Find the force necessary to stretch by
1 mm. a rod of iron 1 metie
long and 2 mms in diameter. Also calculate the
energy stored in the stretched rod, [Young's Modulus for Iron =2x 12
U C.G.S.
units ] (Patna, 1949)
Ans. (/) 64 k gm wt (//) TCX 10 6 ergs.
13. Find the relation between the bending moment and the curvature of
the neutral axis at any point in a bar.
A vertical rod of circular section of radius 1 cm- is rigidly fixed in the
earth and its upper end is 3 metres from the ground level. A thick string which
can stand a maximum tension of 2 A gm. is tied at the upper end of the rod and
pulled horizontally. Find how much will the top be deflected before the string
snaps. (Y for steel = 2x 10 C.G 5. units, g = 1000 C.G.S. units).
U>
(Saugar. 1948)
Ans. J 1 '47 cms.
14. If a brass bar,
cm. square in section, is clamped fiimly in a horizon-
1
tal position at a point, 100 <v//5. from one end, and a weight of one k. em. is
applied at the end, what depression would be produced ? (Y for bra^s 9-78 x
IQ 11 dynes cm.-*). Ans. 4-01 cms.
15. A
uniform beam is clamped horizontally at one end and loaded at
the othei. Obtain the relation between the load and the depression at the
loaded end.
Compare loads required to produce equal depression for two beams,
made of the same material and having the same length and weight, with the only
difference that while one has a circular cross-section, the cross-section of the
other is a square. (Saugar, 1950)
Ans. 3 TT. :
16. A weight is suspended from the free end of a uniform cantilever.
Find the equation of the curve into which the cantilever is bent. The weight of
the cantilever may be neglected.
A uniform rigid rod 120 cms. long is clamped horizontally at one end.
A weight of 100 gms. is attached to the free end. Calculate the depression of a
point 90 cms distant from the clamped end. The diameter of the rod is 2 cms.
11
Young's modulus of the mateiial of the rod is l'013x 10 dynes per sq. cm. and
g =='980 cm.lsec*. (Bombay, 1940}
Ans. 2*834 mmx.
17. A light beam of circular cross -section is clamped horizontally at one
end and a heavy mass is attached at the other end. Find the depression at the
loaded end.
If the mass is pressed down a little and then released, show that it will
form simple harmonic motion. Explain how from a knowlege of the period
340 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
of oscillation, the mass and the dimensions of the bar, the value of Young's
modulus for the material of the bar may be determined. (Madras)
18. A vertical wire is loaded (within the limits of Hooke's Law) by
weights, which, produce a total extension of 3 mms. and 5 mms. respectively.
Compare the amounts of work necessary to produce these extensions.
Ans. 9 : 25.
19. A sphere
of mass 800 gins, and radius 3 cms. is suspended from a
wire of length 100 cms- and radius 0*5 mm. If the period of torsional vibration
is T23 sees , calculate the'rigidity of the material of the wire. (Bombay)
Ans. 7'654 x 10 11 dynes cm~*
20. A bar, one metre long, 5 mmi. square in section, supported hori-
zontally at its ends and loaded at the middle, is depressed T96 mm. by a load of
100 zms. Calculate Young's modulus for the material of the bar.
(Take g 980 cm.} sec*.)
Ans. 19-99 x 10 U dynes cm.~*
21. Calculate the time of vertical oscillation of amass of 1 k. gm. hang-
ing by a steel wire 3 metres long and *5 mm. in diameter. (Y for steel
= 2x 10 11
C.G.S. units). Ans. '05 sec.
[Hint. Find extension I produced Then, t
2-K^ljg. (See solved example
W,page 143J.
22. Prove that Young's modulus Y, the bulk modulus K, the modulus of
rigidity n and Poisson's ratio cr satisfy the relations :
" 1+ff ( ">
= 1 - 2ff 3nd <"V > 4 = '
(/)
2n
;
IK
;
K I
23. Define Poissoa's ratio, and show mathematically, from first princi-
ples, that it must be ,* than 0'5 and cannot be less than 1. Calculate
Poisson's ratio for, anc. :.'w rigidity of silver from the following data :
Young's modulus for silver wire 7-25 x 10 11 dynes cw.~ a
Bulk modulus for silver wire x 10 U dynes cm.~* = 1 1
Ans. n =
2 607 x 10 11 dynes cm.-*, and cr = 0'39.
[Hint, (i) From (/) and (ii) above (Ex. 22>, we have 3K (/-2or)
= 2n(l i <*).
Since K and n are both -i-ive, G cannot be more than *5 and less than !.
(ii) See 116, page 288, whence, it can be shown that
3 FAT
^ nY A Y v-
n ~~ 9
and ~~
(9K~ Y) (9/i"-3 K)
AI 2 - 1
K 3Y~2n
-
Also 3^= 2n ^, whence, p
A
and a - ~
1
v .
^
Or,
v
F = 1
-
9AT/I
Or, directly from (/) (Ex. 22), a --1.
2
24. A metre in length and 1 mm. in diameter is stretched by 0'
wire 1
mm. by a load of gms M/. and is twisted through 70 by a force of 5 gms.
10 k.
wt. applied to each end of a 20 cm. rod soldered at its mid-point to the end of
the wire. Calculate (1) Young's modulus, (2) Shear modulus, and (3) Bulk
modulus of the wire.
Ans Y = 20-81 x 10 11 dynes cmr* n = 8-268 X 10 11 dynes cm~ 2 ;
and K = 14 35 = 10 11 dynes cm.-
[Hint. (/) Twisting couple
= mtQr*!2l = 5 x 981 x 20 dyne-cm.,
and 9 = 70 x TT/ 1 80 radians.
(ii) K nYI(9n-3Y). [see Ex. 23, Hint (//))
25. A
block of soft rubber, 5" square, has one face fixed, while the oppo-
site face is sheared through a distance *5* parallel to the fixed face by a tangen-
tial force of 39 Ibs. wt. How much work is done per unit volume of the cube to
do this? Ans. 8'64/r. Ibs.
ELASTICITY 341
26. Calculate the depression at the free end of a thin light beam, clamp-
ed horizontally at one end and loaded at the other.
For the same mass per unit length, show that a beam of square section
is stiffer than one of circular section, the deflections being in the ratio 3/w.
(Bombay, 1949)
27. A rectangular bar of iron is supported at its two ends on knife-edges
.and a load is applied at the middle point. Calculate the depression of the
middle point.
How can this be utilized to determine Young's modulus of iron ?
(Allahabad, 1947)
Find the value of Young's modulus for copper. In an experiment,
28.
the diameter of the rod was 1-26 cms. and the distance between the knife-edges
70 cms. On putting a load of 900 gms. at the middle point, the depression was
0*025 cm. Calculate the Young's modulus of the substance. (Agra, 1948)
Ans. 20-42 X 10 U dynes [cm*.
Define Poisson's ratio and describe a method for its determination-
29.
Derive the formula used. (Agra, 1947)
30. Derive the expression for the bending of a tube supported at the two
ends and loaded in the middle. (Banaras, 1947)
31. How do you differentiate between a column and a strut ? Obtain an
expression for the critical load for a long column with its ends rounded or
hinged.
32. Discuss Eulefs theory of Ions columns for the case (/) when both ends
of a column are rounded or hinged, (ii) when both ends of the column are fixed.
33. Show that (/) a column, with its ends fixed, has four limes the strength
to resist a thrust than a similar column, with its ends rounded or hinged and
(11) a column, hinged at one end and loaded at the other has only one-fourth the
strength of the same column when hinged at both ends.
34. Two steel balls of masses 1 and 10 k.g. respectively are moving
each towards the other with a relative velocity of 4 metres per second. Find the
loss of energy after impact and state the reason thereof. (Bombay, 1932)
Ans. 50290 ergs.
35. A sphere of mass 3 Ibs., moving with a velocity of 7 ft.jsec., impin-
ges directly on another sphere, of mass 5 Ihs., at rest after the impact, the velo-
;
cities of the spheres are in the ratio of 2 3.
: Find the velocities after impact
and the loss of kinetic energy. (London University)
Ans. (i) 2ft.jsec. and 3ft.jscc. (ii) 45 ft. poundals*
36. Explain briefly the terms resilience and stiffness of a beam. What
:
is proof resilience ?
37. Write a brief note on clastic waves.
CHAPTER IX
HYDROSTATICS
145. Fluids Liquids and Gases. Hydrostatics deals witn tne
mechanics of fluids in equilibrium and our first step, therefore, is to
9
understand clearly as to what exactly do we mean by a 'fluid .
Unlike a solid, in which, as we have seen, the strain set up
under a shearing stress lasts throughout the p3riod of application of
the stress, a fluid may be defined as that state of matter which cannot
indefinitely or permanently oppose or resist a shearing stress. In fact,
it constantly and continuously yields to it, though the yield may be
rapid in some cases and slow in others. In the former case, the
liquid is said to be mobile, (like water, alcohol etc.) and in the latter,
viscous, (like honey, treacle etc.). In either case, however, & fluid has
no definite shap 3 of its own and assumes ultimately the shape of the
containing vessel.
And yet, with all this seemingly clear-cut distinction between
a solid and a fluid, it is not quite so easy
to distinguish between the
two in many a border-line case. Thus, for example, pitch, which
looks so much like a solid that it has to be hammered in order to be
broken, is essentially a fluid for, when subjected to the shearing
;
stress of its own weight, by putting a piece of it in a funnel, or by
putting a barrel of it on its side, it does begin to yield or flow,
although intinitely slowly. On the other hand, metal wires, which
Are obviously solids, when subjected to an excessive tension, begin to
flow in the manner of fluids, and, indeed, may be considered to be
so, for the duration of the yield Once the yield is over, however,
they behave like solids they in fact are.
Then, again, we have, on the one hand, highly elastic solids,
like quartz, in which no change of shapo is discernible even in
millions of years, as is evidenced by the sharpness of its crystals
which look as though they head just been formed, and, on the other,
fluids, like water, the rapid flow of which almost instantaneously
does away with any sharpness of its edges and which, in small
quantities, assumes a spherical form, with no sharp edges or corners
whatever.
The fundamental distinction between the two nevertheless
remains, and we declare a substance to be a fluid or a solid according
as it does or does not yield to a shearing stress applied to it over a
long enough period.
Now, fluids too are further divided into two classes, viz., (i)
liquids and (ii) gases.
A liquid is a fluid which, although it has no shape of its own,
occupies a definite volume, which cannot be altered, however great the
342
HYDROSTATICS 343
force applied to it*. In other words, a liquid is a fluid which is quite
incompressible and has a free surface of its own as, for example, ;
water, alcohol, ether, honey, treacle etc.
<4* A gas, on the other hand, is a fluid, which cannot only be easily
compressed when subjected to pressure but, which, with a progressive
reduction of the pressure on it, can also be made to expand indefinitely,
occupying all the space made available to it. Thus, the whole of the
gas will escape out from a vessel, if there be the tiniest aperture in
it somewhere.
Summarizing then, a gas is a fluid which has neither a shape nor
a free surface of its own ; as, for example, oxygen, hydrogen, carbon
dioxide, air (a mixture of gases) etc. We shall consider first the case
of liquids.
146. Hydrostatic Pressure. Since a liquid possesses weight, it
exerts force on all bodies in contact with it, e.g., on the bottom and
the walls of the vessel containing it, the force duo to it being always
spread over an areaf And, if this force be uniformly distributed
.
over tho whole area, i.e be the same on each small equal element of
,
the surface, its value per unit area is called pressure or hydrostatic
pressure of the liquid, meaning pressure due to the liquid at rest%.
And, if the force be not uniform, the ratio between the small force
SFand the area BA on which it acts gives the pressure.
Thus, pressure = 8F/BA.
So that, when S A is
progressively diminishing, we have
Limit force
,
pressure at the point
.
- ^ -
Or, denoting pressure at the point by p, we have, in mathematical
notation,
p =
Tho total force exerted by a liquid column on the whole of the area
in contact with it is called thrust.
Thus, thrust = pressure X area.
That a liquid, at rest, always exerts a thrust normally to the surface
in contact with it is obvious. For, if it were not so, there would be
a component of the thrust along, or parallel to, tho bounding surface,
and an equal and opposite thrust on it due to the reaction of the
surface would cause it to flow, since it must, by its very nature,
yield to a tangential force. It follows, therefore, that since the
liquid at
usrest, the thrust due to it must be perpendicular to the
bounding surface at every point.
*Strictly speaking, all liquids do get compressed a little, when subjected
to very high pressures. The compression is, however, almost negligible. Thus,
water, when subjected to a pressure of about 200 atmospheres, undergoes a reduc-
tion of only a hundredth part of its original volume. I
fThe same is true of the force exerted on a liquid, as, for example, when.
we press the piston down in a cylinder containing the liquid.
}It is also sometimes called the pressur* in a liquid due to gravity.
344 PBOPEaTIBS OF MATTER
In other words, the free surface of a liquid at rest must, be at
right angles to the forces acting on it. Thus, when the only, force
acting on it is duo to gravity, its surface remains horizontal*, being
perpendicular to the force of gravity, but, with a steady wind
blow-
ing, it is slightly inclined, again, however, at right angles
to the
resultant of the forces due to gravity and the wind.
Further, since every layer of a liquid at rest is in equilibrium,
it follows that the downward thrust on it, due to the liquid column
above it, is just balanced by an equal upward thrust due
to the
liquid column below it. In other words, at any given level, in a liquid
at rest, tfte downward thrust due the liquid column is equal to jhe
upward thrust on it.
147. Hydrostatic Pressure due to a Liquid Column. Let us now
calculate the hydrostatic pressure due to a liquid column A. Imagine
a narrow metal cylinder, of area of cross -
section a and fitted with a frictionless pis-
^ on> ^ ne gl*e*k]e weight, to be supported
in a liquid of density p, (Fig. 212).
Then, the upthrust on the piston
if
due to the water below it be F, obviously
an equal and opposite force F has to be
exerted on the pistor^to keep it in position,
Hence, if the piston be moved down
through a distance x, work done on it i&
clearly equal to F.x.
2l2 -
This downward motion of the piston*
will obviously expel a volume x.a of the liquid out of the tube, its-
mass being x.a.9 and its weight, equal to x.fl.p.g.
Since the level of the liquid in the containing vessel is thus
slightly raised, it is tantamount to this weight of the liquid x.fl.p.g.
rising up through a vertical distance h up to the liquid surface.
In other words, increase, in potential energy of the liquid
x.a.p.g.h. And, this gain in potential energy will obviously be
equal to the work done on the piston. So that. we have
-
F.x x.a.p.g.h. Or, f\a h^jf
'"
^
i.e., the hydrostatic pressure due to a liquid ronfigi t depth h from
the surface is equal to h.p.g., (v Fja force /area = pressure).
N.B. The argument remains the same even if the metal tube is inclined
and not vertical, so long as the vertical depth of the piston remains the same. It
will thus be seen that the pressure due to a liquid column depends only upon its
depth and density, and not to any other factor like the surface area of the contain-
ing vessel etc.
148. The Hydrostatic Paradox. A remarkable fact follows from the
above, viz,, that so long as the vertical height of the column of a liquid remains
the same, the pressure exerted by it remains the same, 'irrespective of its actual
mass or weight.
*In the case of a large expanse of water, the surface is spherical and
thus again perpendicular to the direction of gravity at every point.
HYDBOSTATICS
.Pascal discussed this result in his 'Trefttise on the equilibrium oj
liquids',published in the year 1663, with reference to vessels of different shapet r
known as Pascal's vases, (Fig. 213), all having equal bases and containing water
upto the same vertical height h, so that the pressure on the base of each vessel was
equal to hgms. w/./rmV, and, therefore, the thrust on it was h.a. gms* wt. t where*
a is its area.
He was perhaps the first person to have pointed out the paradoxical truth
that even if vessel (0 contains 100 Ibs. of water and vessel (v) only 1 oz. of \\ r
the thrusts on the bases of
both is the same. Aptly,
therefore, it is called the
hydrostatic paradox.
Strange as it may
seem, the water in
t>ut if
EO3
vessel (v) be frozen into ice W
and detached from its
sides, the thrust exerted by
this ice on its base will 1 oz. \vt., but once this ice is melted back into-
be only
water, the thrust again increases to 100 Ibs. wt. The explanation of this seem-
ing paradox is, however, simple. The ice does not exert any upward thwft$fl
the part of the vessel opposite to the base and the latter, therefore, exerts
mjj
squal and opposite thrust on it. But the water does exert an upward thrtist Oil*
it and hence receives back an
equal and opposite downward thrust from it.
In case of vessel (/), the thrust on the base is equal to the entire weight
of the water on it.
In vessel (//), the upward component of the thrust due to the left side of
the vessel supports the weight of water in it, between the left side and the dotted
line A, while the downward component of the thrust due to the right side of the
vessel exerts a downward thrust on it, equal to the weight of the water in-
between the right side of the vessel and the dotted line ; B
so that, the thrust or*
the base is the same as due to a vertical column h of water.
In vessel (///), the upward components of the thrusts due to both the left
and the right side* of the vessel support the extra weight of the water, in-
between the two sides and the dotted lines C and D, .and, again, therefore, the
thrust on the base is equal to that due to the cylindrical column h of water in~bet-
ween the dot ted lines CandD.
And, similarly, in vessel (/v), the downward components of the thrust
due to the two sides of the vessel exert an extra thrust on the base, equal to the
weights of the water contained between either side and the dotted lines E and F;
so that, once again, the total thrust on the base is the same as that due. to a cylindri*
cal water column of htigtefa
Pascal
ex^lm^t|i||, verified the above fact by supporting, by means of
t
a separate stand, bottoMS* vases of the above shapes, one by one, on a large
disc, D (Fig. 214), suspended from
the shorter pan of a hydrostatic
balance and kept pressed against
their bases by placing a heavy weight
in the longer pan, and pouring water
. into the vessel. The disc just got de-
tached from its base as the water
reached the same level in each case*
thus clearly demonstrating the equi-
valence of the thrust on the disc ir>
ach case and fully vindicating his-
deductions.
Fig. 214.
346 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
149. A liquid transmits pressure equally in all directions-
Pascal's Law. Since we do not have any
boundary demarcated
x
in
the interior of a liquid,
we may define pressure
there as the force exerted
per unit area across any
plane in it, and it can
be easily shown that this
pressure is exerted
equally in all directions
in the liquid.
Thus, let us consi-
a portion of the
der
liquid, in the form of a
triangular prism, [Fig. 215 (/)] with its faces ABC and A'B'C' verti-
cal and its edges AA' BB' and CC' horizontal.
,
This triangular liquid prism is obviously in equilibrium under
the action of the forces acting on its different faces. Let us study
the inter-relation of all these forces.
It is clear that due to its small size, every part of this prism
can be taken to be at the same depth from the liquid surface and also
the pressure on each face of it to be uniform*.
Now, the forces on the two end- faces are equal and opposite,
thus neutralising each other's effect and may, therefore, be ignored in
our discussion. Hence, if Plt P2 and P3 be the pressures on the faces
BCC'B', CAA'C' and ABB' A! respectively, and /, the length of the
prism, we have
force Fl on face BCC'B' = /^xarea BCC'B' = Prl.BC,
force F2 CAA'C' = P xarea CAA'C' = P .lCA,
2 2
and force F, ,, ABB' A' = P xarea ABB' A' = P^.lAB.
3
Since these three forces keep the liquid-prism in equilibrium,
they can be represented by the three sides of a triangle, taken in
order. Let PQR, [Fig. 215 (/7)], be this triangle of forces, with its
sides PQ, QRand RP representing Fv F2 and F respectively. Then, 3
clearly,
[Lame's theorem.
sin a sin sin 7
Pr l.BC P .l.CA
2
Or,
sin a sin sin y
PV BC
Or, ..(0
sin a sin B sin
Now, since angles A, B
and C, of the triangle ABC, are respec-
tively equal to angles a, p and y (the sides PQ, f and being QR RP
perpendicular to y BC GA
and AB
respectively, we have
*This is so, because of the small dimensions of its faces.
"
HYDROSTATICS
EC ("The sides of a triangle being
-*L CA
^ _^L. = _fBA~ . .
(ft) proportion to the sines of the
sin a sin fi
sin y Bangles opposite to them.
From relations (/)
and (f/), therefore, we have
=P = 2
v.e.> the pressures on the three faces are equal
Further, since the same relation holds good in whatever position
the prism may be rotated, it follows that a liquid exerts pressure
equally in all directions within itself.
N.B. It also follows from the above that if we replace the liquid prism
would
by a solid ons, of the sans size and weight, the forces acting on the latter
.also be the same and hence it would also be in equilibrium.
150. Thrust on an Immersed Plane. If we have a plane hori
zontal surface of area A, immersed in a liquid of density P, the pressure
jPon it is uniform, since ail points on it are at the same depth h, say,
from the liquid surface, which, as we know, is also horizontal and,
therefore, parallel to the immersed surface.
So .that, P = h.p.g.
Now, force or thrust, i.e., F = pressure xarea = P. A = h.p.g.A.
If, on the other hand,
the plane of the immersed surface be
inclined' at an an^le 6 to the liquid surface, (Fig. 216), we must first
determine the thrust on a
small area dA of the surface
and integrate its value over
the entire surface.
Let h be the depth of
this element of area dA.
Then, the thrust dF on this
area is clearly equal to
Ji p.g.d.A.
Now, if x be the dis- Fig. 216.
tance of this element from
the line OF, in which the plane of the immersed surface meets the
liquid surface, we have
sin 6 = h\x. Or, h =x sin Q.
So. that, dF = p.g.sin b.x.dA.
And, therefore, the thrust on entire area A of the surface is given by
F =s
fp.g.sin e.x.d A = p.g.sin d J x.dA. .
.(/)
clearly the moment of the element
Now, x.dA is dA of the sur-
face about the lino OF, and, therefore, J" x.dA is the moment of the
whole area A about CF, i.e.,
$x.dA = A.X,
where ^.is the distance of the centroid* G of the area from CF.
"The term 'Centroid' or 'Centre of mass* is ordinarily used synony-
-
mously with "Centre of gravity'* and, in a uniform gravitational field, the two are
one and the sams point. Bat, in a non-uniform field, the weights of the particles
are not proportional to their misses. In such a case, therefore, the weights may
not form a system of parallel forces, reducing to a single resultant force, but
may form a couple, instead, varying with the different orientations of the body,
whereas the centre of mass is quite independent of the gravitational field.
PROPERTIES OF MATTER
So that, substituting the value of fx.dA in relation (i)
for F above,
we have F = p.g.sin 0.A.X.
Again, if H be the depth of the centroid G of the immersed
surface from the liquid surface, we have sin 9 = H/X.
And, therefore, F= *.g.~.A.X.= H.P.g.A. . .
(fl)
A.
Clearly, H.p.g is equal to the pressure at the centroid or the centre of
area. So that, we have
resultant thrust on the immersed plane = pressure at centroid or centre
of area x area of the plane.
It should be carefully noted that the thrust on the immersed plane
is quite independent of its angle of inclination (0) with the liquid
surface.
151. Centre of Pressure. Having obtained the value of the
resultant thrust on the immersed plane, our next step obviously is to
determine the point of the plane through which this resultant acts,
this point be ing known as the centre of pressure.
We know that the liquid pressure acts normally at every point
of the immersed plane. So that, the forces h.p.g.d.A acting on elemen-
tary areas of the plane, (like dA), are so many like parallel forces. We
ma y, therefore, determine the centre of these parallel forces (i.e., the
point through which their resultant acts) b}^ an application of the
principle of moments, viz., that the algebraic sum of the moments of a
system of parallel forces, about a given axis, is equal to the moment of
the resultant about the same axis.
Now, clearly, moments of the thrust (or force) h.p.g.dA acting on area dA
about CF t (Fig. 216) = h.p.g.dA.x = p.g.x sin 0.dA.x. r ...
x
.
n sin cr-
= p.g sin0.x*.dA.
f L
.
Therefore, total moment of the forces on such like elementary
areas dA of the plane about CF = 2
J p.g.sin 9.x .dA,
= p.g. sin 6 J x 2 .dA, ("')
where the integration extends over the entire surface of the plane.
2
Now, J x .dA is the geometrical moment of inertia Ig of the area
A of the plane about OF. So that,
total moment about CF = p.g. sin 8.1ff .
And, since Ig = Ak where k 2
,
is the radius of gyration of the
area A about CF, we have
total moment about CF = p.g.sin Q.Ak 2 .
Again, if A" be the distance of the point P through which thfr
resultant thrust F acts on the plane, i.e., the distance of the centre of
pressure from CF, we have
moment of the resultant thrust about CF = F.X .
And, therefore, by the principle of moments, we have
= p.g. sin
whence, X,
H.Q.g.
HYDROSTATICS 349
Or, ..(iv)
B= XsinB.
If fc be the rqdius of gyration of the area about a parallel axis
through its centroid G, we hav, by the principle of parallel axes
f where 7 is its moment
7 = IQ-^A.X*, | of inertia about fto axis
L through G.
Or,
*
Ak 2 = Ak*+A X\ whence, k* --- k
And, therefore, (v)
whence, Z may be easily determined.
Alternatively, equating F.XQ against expression (Hi) above, for
totalmoment about GF due to tho thrusts on elementary area dA, wo
have F.XQ = p.g.sw J x*.dA (vi) . .
And, clearly, if
Q
H
be tho distance of the centre of pressure from
the liquid surface, we have 7/ /A" s/Vz and, therefore, = ;
ffjsin 0. A"
Putting this value of A^ in relation (v/) above, we have
F'Hn
^ Pig ' 5w ^
* ^ %
,
jw /
h ~ x sin 0.
Or, .dA.
\ and.'.
'\ /f
sin L J//I
2
R.g.j//i -
,
-dA
j oin (7
Or, TT*
the value of the integral J A .<i4, like ths expression J
2
depend-
ing upon the shape of the immersed plane.
We thus see that whereas the distance of the centre of pressure
from the liquid surface is quite independent of the density of the liquid, it
depends upon the shape of the plane.
152. Particular Cases of Centre of Pressure. Let us now con-
sider some simple cases of centre of pressure on surface of a definite
geometrical shape.
(/) Centre of Pressure on a Rectangular
Lamina. Suppose we have a rectangular
lamina of length I and breadth b, immersed
vertically in a liquid to a depth h below its
free surface, (Fig. 217).
Then, since for a rectangular lamina-
7 = A.kQ* = /.6 3 /12, (see page 308),
where 7 is its geometrical moment of inertia
about an axis through its centre of area (or
Fig. 217.
centroid) and parallel to its length, and k ,
its radius of gyration about this axis, we have
350 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
A.k Q *=l.b.b*II2=Ab*l\2 t p.. ixb=A, the area of the
lamina.
And, clearly, X == h + ~ .
2i
b2 / ft
V2
---
12
+ (//+-
, i ,
So that, * = --V == "
"&
~
2
whence, the position of the centre of pressure for the rectangular
lamina may be easily calculated for any depth h.
the liquid,
Clearly, therefore, if the lamina be just submerged in
i.e., with its upper edge just lying in the liquid surface, A 0, and we
therefore, have X$ lb*/b |fr,
= =
i.e., the centre of pressure, in this particular case, lies two-thirds below
the top of the lamina.
Centre of Pressure on a Circular Lamina. Let the centroid
(ii)
of a circular lamina, ot radius r, lie at a depth from the free sur- X
face of the liquid.
Then, since & for a circular lamina is r /4, we have
2 2
r*
+x*
X = = =
X X 4X
r2
Or, the centre of pressure lies at- below the liquid surface.
^ +/Y
-
//*, however, the lamina be submerged in the liquid, with its edge
just touching the liquid surface, we have X= r, and, therefore,
^~-
X r2
4r
+r =
+
r
4
-
+r ~
^~
5
r '
Or, the centre of pressure, in this case, lies at 5r/4 from the liquid
surface.
Centre of Pressure on a Triangular Lamina. Hero, two cases
(iii)
arise when the lamina is immersed upright into the liquid, i e.,
viz., (a)
with its vertex up and base down and (b) when it is immersed upside
down, with its base up and vertex down.
(a) When the Lamina is immersed Upright. Let h be the height
of the lamina and let its apex^be at a depth d below the free surface
of the liquid. Then, clearly,
k* = /i
2
/18 and X= d+\h. [
Its centroid lying 2/J/3-
[below the apex,
*
-
8
And, therefore, A>=
--
" _, =
HYDBOSTATICS 3511
If, however, the vertex of the lamina just touches the free surface'
of the liquid, we have d = 0. In this case, therefore,
X = Q 3A 2
/4/z
= f h.
i.e., the centre of pressure now lies $ths down the height of the lamina.
(b) When the Lamina is immersed Upside Down. Again, let the-
depth of the base of the lamina be d from the free surface of the*
liquid.
Then, we have Jr
2 = /z
2
/18 and X = (
And, therefore, X=
And, i/ Me lamina be just submerged in the liquid, with its base in the
surface of the liquid, we lave, d 0. =
In that case, therefore,
/.., the centre of pressure lies a distance \h below the liquid surface.
153. Change of Depth of Centre of Pressure. Let a plane
lamina of area A be immersed in a liquid such that its centroid is*
at a depth X from the liquid surface CD,
(Fig. 218),
y
Then, if k Q be the radius of gyration- -X >
of the lamina about the axis AB passing ^J^v _ ./_ V.
N
through G, in the pJane of the lamina, snd ^^j
parallel to the liquid surface CD, itBradiu8^..^i
of g} ration about a parallel axis, lying in -^f^E7 ^-^!^
the liquid surface, will clearJy be k l9 ^uc
that kf = k *+X*. r
Now, let the level of the liquid sur-
face be raised through a distance h by Fig.
adding some more liquid to that already present. Then, clearly,
radius of gyration k z of the lamina about a
parallel axis to AB, and'
lying in this elevated liquid surface is given by kJ /:</ CD 1
,
=
Subtracting one from the other, we have
k*-k* = [k
Or, &a2 &j
2 =
If XQ be the depth of the centre of pressure of the original
amount of the liquid from its free surface, we have
X = Q kf\X, [ See relation (/v), Page 349v
So that, after the addition of a liquid layer of thickness h, its depth*
becomes
jrt y i L _
352 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
whence, - X.XQ ~. Or, k* = X.XJ-Xh X(XQ '-h).
k,*+Xh =
And, if be the depth of the new centre of pressure from the
X"
raised surface of the liquid, after the addition of the liquid layer,
we
jfaave
*'-(* -- *'-*<*+>
80 that, =
k^-W X '(X+h)-X(X9 '-h). ...()
From relations (/) and (//), therefore, we have
XJ(X+h)-X(XJ-h) = h(2X+h).
Or, X (X+h)- X.X + Xh = 2Xh+h 2
H
a
'
.
Or, XQ "(X+h) -
Or, X "(X+h) =
X " *.(* +fc)
Dividing throughout by (X+h). we have Q
h +
is
&nd, therefore, the shift in the position of the centre of pressure
liven by
Or, A O '-~AY' --
It will also be easily seen that the distance between the depths
-of the new centre of pressure and the centroid of the lamina is given by
Or, X Q
"
which approaches zero as h approaches infinity.
Thus, the greater the depth of the liquid, the nearer does the
centre of pressure come to the centroid of the lamina so that, at an ;
infinite distance, the two must just
coincide with each other.
154. Principle of Archimedes. Imagine a body ABCD to be
immersed in a liquid, (Fig. 219),
and a vertical line GA to travel
round it, touching it along the line
AECF and meeting the liquid surface
in the curve GHKL.
Then, clearly, the resultant up-
ward thrust Fl on the surface ABCEA
and the resultant downward thrust F2
on the surface ADCEA are given by
the weights of the liquid that would
occupy the spaces ABCKG and ADOKO
respectively, acting through their res-
pective centres of gravity. So that,
the resultant thrust on the whole body
Fig. 219. is given by
HYDROSTATICS 363
F l Fa = 'weight of liquid occupying space ABCKG minus weight of
liquid occupying space ADCKO.
= weight of liquid occupying space ABCD.
=
weight of liquid equal in volume to that of the immersed body,
= weight of liquid displaced by the body.
In other words, when a body is immersed in a liquid, it experi-
ences an upward thrust equal to the weight of the liquid displaced by
it. It can easily be shown that the same is also true for/ a body
which is only partially immersed in the liquid, the upward thrust oa
it being
equal to the weight of the liquid displaced by its immersed
part. We may, therefore, generalise and state that
when a body is wholly or partly immersed in a liquid, it experi-
ences an upthrust equal to the weight of the liquid displaced by it, (i.e.,
by its immersed part}.
This is known as the Principle of Archimedes*, for it was he
who first enunciated it.
The point where this upthrust acts is obviously the e.g. of the
displaced liquid, which is called the centre of buoyancy, the upthrust
being referred to as the force of buoyancy.
N. B. The applications of Archimedes Principle are many and. -various
It gives us the method of determining ipecific gravities or densities of liquids
as well as the instruments, kn^wn as Hydrometers, with which the Degree
students are no doubt already familiar.
155. Equilibrium of Floating bodies. A body, immersed wholly
or partly in a liquid, is subject to two forces, viz., (i) its own weight
W> acting vertically downwards at its v ,
e.g., G, and (il) the upihrust W*', act-
ing vertically upwards at its centre of
buoyancy B, (Fig. 220).
If these two points of applica-
~
tion, (G and B), of the two forces :
respectively, coincide or lie in the
game vertical line, called the centre
line, the body sinks, just remains sus- -_}--~\
pended (or float ing), or rises up, accord- i ji~-r-J- I _ -.!*-'_"
ing as W is greater than, equal to, or
less than W. Fig. 220.
For, obviously, if W>W'
the body sinks further down, dis-
t
placing more and more of the liquid and thereby increasing the
upthrust until the two balance each other, and the body just stays
there, i.e., is in equilibrium.
If W= W, then obviously, the two forces on it are equal and
opjtosite and their line of action being the same, they just neutralise
*
Archimedes, (287212 B.C.), was a Greek philosopher. He was asked
by King Heiro, at Syracuse, to test the gold-content of a crown. Engaged on
this problem, he suddenly discovered the law of upthtust, while taking a bath,
w hich enabled bun to determine the specific gravity, and hence the quantity of
gold in the crown, without in any way damaging it Overjoyed at his success,
he ran home, with the triumphant cry 'Eureka', 'Eureka'. 'I have found it, 1
have found it.*
354 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
each other and the body remains suspended or floating in the liquid.
And finally, if W <W
the body rises up, so that a lesser volume of
',
it is under the liquid, i.e., it
displaces a smaller volume of the liquid,
and the upthrust on it is now less. This rise of the body continues
until the upthrust is just equal to the weight of the body, and the
body then continues to float in that very position.
Thus, two conditions are necessary for the equilibrium of a float-
ing body, viz., (/) its weight must be equal to the weight of the dis-
placed liquid*, and (//*) the e.g. of the body and the centre of buoyan-
cy of the displaced liquid must either coincide with each other-f or lie in
the same vertical line.
156. Stability of Equilibrium. If the floating body be tilted a
little to one side or the other from its original equilibrium position,
through a small angle 6, (Fig. 221),
so that the weight of the displaced
liquid, or the upthrust on it, remains
pj the same, then, since the shape of the
-jz displaced liquid changes,
its centre
of buoyancy shifts a little, say, in-
to the position B' so that, the ver-
;
tical line drawn through the new
centre of buoyancy B', meets the
old centre line in M. This point M
is called the metacentre of the body
and the distance MG', where G' is
its centre of gravity, is called its
Fig. 221.
metacentric height.
Now, whether the meta-centre (M) coincides with, lies above, or
below, the shifted position of the centre of gravity (G') of the body,
depends upon the shapo of the body and determines whether the body
will be in neutral, stable or unstable equilibrium.
(/) Thus, in the case of a sphere, [Fig. 222 (/')], a tilt this way
or that brings about no change in the shape of the displaced liquid,
(/) Fig 222. (//)
the metaoentre coinciding with the e.g. of the body all the time.
*lt for ihis reason that the weight of a ship or boat is often referred to
is
is {^displacement^ the weight of the water displace J by it being equal to its
own weight
| As happens in the case of a spherical body.
HYDROSTATICS 355
It is, therefore, in neutral equilibrium and continues to float in ail
positions.
(ft")
In the case of a rectangular body, floating in a liquid, as
shown in Fig. 222 (ft*), M
lies above G' the position of the e.g. of
',
the body in its tilted position, and a couple is formed by and W\ W
the two equal, opposite, parallel and non-collinear forces acting at G'
and B', which represent the shifted posi-
-tions of the e.g. of the body and the centre
of buoyancy of the displaced liquid respec-
tively. This couple tends to rotate the body
back into its original position, thus making
its equilibrium a stable one.
Obviously, the moment of this restor-
ing couple =
W.G'M sin 0. It has been
appropriately called the 'righting moment',
(particularly in the case of ships and other
floating vessels), because it tends to bring
the body, or to 'right it' into its original Fig. 222. (///)
position.
la the case of a rectangular body, floating in the manner,
(//'/)
shown in Fig. 222 M
lies below G' and the body is, therefore,
(///'),
in unstable equilibrium. For, the couple formed by
',
and tends W W
here to rotate the body further in the same direction in which it has
-been tilted already. There is thus no prospect of its coming back (or
being righted) into its original position.
Let us now discuss the problem in a little more detail, with
particular reference to a floating vessel or ship.
Identical consideration to the above applies also to a floating
Tihip ;
so that, when the ship is 'on an even keel\ its centre of gravity
</ md the centre of buoyancy B, of tho displaced water, he in the
same vertical line, i e. its plane of symmetry (W'} is
9
vertical
(Fig. 220).
If, however, the ship rolls or gots tilted through an angle 0,
(Fig. 221), its plane of symmetry (VV') is no longer vertical, and, al-
though this roiling or tilting does not alter its. e.g. with respect to the
shifts to B\ giving rise to the righting
ship, the centra of buoyancy
moment sin W.G'M
or W.h sin 0, where h denotes the metacentric
height G'M. If $ be small, so that sin 9 =
8, this righting moment is
equal to W.h 9.
It will thus be clear that the greater the value of h, the metacen-
tric height of a ship (or a floating body, in general), the greater the sta-
bility of its equilibrium. It is for tiis reason that heavy cargo is stow-
ed as low as possible in a ship or that it is provided with a leaden
keel, to lower its e.g. or to increase h*.
"
N.B The lowering of the c g. is, however, not quite so desirable beyond a
certain point. For, due to the waves ia the sea, the ship is subject to lateral for-
ces in different directions and the moment of thsse forces can
be quite consider-
able if the e.g. of the ship is very low down, resulting in its being tossed about
*The~stabiHty may also to increased by making the ship quite
broad at the
i.e.. ths lins along which it is just touched by the water-surface.
line,
856 PROPERTIES^ OF MATTER
this way and that, which is obviously most unpleasant and annoying to those on
board. Judicious care must, therefore, be taken to lower the e.g. of the ship with-
in reasonable limits.
157. Rolling and Pitching of a Ship- The righting moment W
h.O, acting
on the ship when it is tilted through a small angle results in its oscillation (or
rolling), as we have seen above; and if T be its natural period of oscillation, we
have
T=
where /is the moment of inertia of the ship and
unit (radian) deflection.
2 V WM, the turning
[See pages 300-301
moment on it per
,
Obviously, the turning moment per unit deflection is also equal to W.h ;
for, if
= 1, the value of the righting or turning moment becomes W.h. So that,
substituting W.h for M, we have
It is thus clear that the period of rolling (T) of a ship is inversely proportional to the
square root of its metacentric height (h). A
ship, with a small metacentnc height,
is, therefore, less liable to rolling. It is for this reason that large ocean liners are
designed to have a comparatively small metacentric height of just a few metres, for
small displacements, which obviously makes them much steadier. At the same
time, however, to avoid the danger of the ship turning over or capsizing, if the
deflections be large, the designing is such that the metacentric height increases for
large deflections*.
Similarly, to avoid 'pitching', or tilting of a ship in the direction of its
length, its metacentric height in this direction also is suitably adjusted.
158. Determination of Metacentric Height. The displacement
of the ship through an angle B causes a wedge -shaped portion of the
ship, (shown shaded in Fig. 221), to be immersed on the right hand
gide and an equal wedge-shaped portion of it to rise out of the water,
on the left hand side. Let these wedge-shaped portions be divided
into a number of elementary vertical prisms, by planes perpendicular
to the water surface, on either side, and consider one such prif m, of
height //, at a dt&tance x from O, where the plane of symmetry meet&
the water- surface.
Since is supposed
Then, clearly, H *= x tan Q =3 x.0. small.
If the base area of the prism be dA, we have
volume of the prism x.Q.dA, an= its mass = x.O.dA.p,
where P is the density of water.
Clearly, therefore, weight of the prism, or the weight of the water dis
placed, i.e.,
the upthrust on the prism = x.Q.dA.p.g.,
and its moment about O =-x0 dA.p.g.x = p.g.0.x*.dA.
Similarly, considering the equal wedeje-shaped portion on the left-
hand side, we find that there is a loss of upthrust due to its rising out
of the water, whose moment about O is, obviously, also equal to-
z
fi.g.Q.x .dA> the direction being anticlockwise
in either case. Hence,
the moment of the couple acting on the ship (or a floating body, in
general, due to displacement 0, is given by
its
2
J P.g.0.x .J4
=
P.g.0. jx*.dA p g.OAk* = .......
(/)
The rolling motion of a ship can be greately minimised by the use of a
Gyrocompass (See page 98).
HYDROSTATICS 367
-where / x*.dA = Ig =.y4fc 2 the geometrical moment of inertia of the
,
surface-plane of the liquid about the axig through O, k being its
radius of gyration about this axis.
This displacement (0) of the ship being small, the volume V of
water displaced remains unaffected by it, and the upthrust p g.F, due
to this displaced water, acts through its new centre of buoyancy after
the displacement 0. The floating body or ship is thus acted upon by
a couple equal to
p.g.V.BM sin 6 = p.g.V.BM.O. ...(ii) [Q being small.
Equating the two values of the couple, we have
p.g.V.BM.O = 9 .g.0.Ak*.
Or, V.BM = Ak*. Or, EM =
So that, the metacentric height h of the ship or the vessel is given by
Ak 2
<}'M=BM--BG' = BG' and may thus be easily determined.
Alternatively, in the case of a ship, its metacentric height
may be easily determined by moving a known weight w from
point A to another point B across
the deck, say through a distance */,
i.e., AB = d.
Now, this shift of weight w
from A to B is equivalent to an
,upward force w at B and a down-
ward force w at A, (Fig. 224), thus
constituting a couple, of moment
w.d cos 6. For equilibrium, there-
fore, this must be equal to the
couple due to the weight of the W rr
ship and an equivalent upward
thrust at the new centre of buoy-
^^"^-^^^3p~^^^
~ ~-r-_:r-_r-jr-~ ?j^
T
-JT
ancy B', i.e.. equal to couple of mo- Fig. 224.
ment W.G'M sin 9.
[See above]
Or, W.G'M sin = w.d cos 8.
s\
**> GM =
rntr
W
W.d COS 6
sine-
W.d
W
Wt(i
' C te
n W.d
-^tanO
1
Or G'M = T $ being smaU '
W.6 L rfl/l ~ 0.
Thus knowing w, W, d and 0, we can easily calculate the metacentrio
height of the ship.
159. Pressure due to a Compressible Fluid or a Gas. A gas
differs from a liquid in that, unlike the letter, it is highly
compres-
sible* and, therefore, also highly expansible, tending to
expand
perpetually and indefinitely.
*An idea of the high compressibility of a gas, compared with that of a
uquid, can be had from the fact that whereas the density of sea- water at a deptb
3f 5 miles is about the same as that of the surface layer, the density of the
atmosphere at the same height above sea -level is reduced to one quarter of that at 1
the latter.
PROPERTJ&S OF MATTER
The pressure exerted by a gas, is thus fundamentally different in
the nature of its cause from that of a liquid and cannot be taken to be
proportional to the height of the gaseous column, for the simple
reason that, except in the case of a small volume of a gas, the
density goes on progressively increasing as we go further down the
column, due to the layers above pressing down upon the layers
below, thus giving riso to a well defined pressure gradient ail along the
column.
So that, whereas a liquid everts pressure only under the action
of gravity, i.e., due to its weight, or due to an external force applied
to it, as, for example, when it is pressed down by a piston, the pres-
sure due to a gas is entirely a consequence of the incessant mobility and
the kinetic energy of its molecules, or due to what Boyle called the 'spring
of the gas.
The mad and random motion of the gaseous molecules results
in their colliding not only agairst eech other but also against the
walls of the containing vessel, and it is this bombardment of the
walls by the fast and haphazardly moving molecules that causes the
pressure. (See Chapter XV).
We are here concerned mainly with the pressure exerted by the
gaseous mantle or envelope, surrounding us over land and sea alike
and in all latitudes, which we call 'air' or 'atmosphtre' and which, as
we know, is a mixture of a number of gases and vapours, In
pursuance of its inherent property of indefinite expansion, this air or
atmosphere should expand to an infinite distance above the earth,
but the earth's gravitational attraction on a huge mass like it sets a
limit to its expansion. Even so, it has been known to exist up to a
height of 300 miles from the surface of the earth, although even at
25 miles or so, its density and pressure start falling oif so rapidly
that at altitudes above 300 miles, it may be said to be as good as
non- existent, \*ith just a void or a vacuum beyond.
Now the atmosphere can be divided into two very distinct
regions, viz., (i) a lower region, called the troposphere or the convective
zone, and (//) an upper region, called the stratosphere or the advective
zone, the surface ol separation of the t\*o being known as the tropo-
pause, which varies with the latitude and falls from a height of about
14 kilometres at the equator to about 8 or 10 kilometres at the poles,
and is found to be higher in summer than in winter.
(0 The Troposphere This extends to a height of about 6 miles at the
poles and about 10 miles at the equator, with a vertical distribution of temperature
as its chief characteristic, the temperature falling off rapidly with altitude, there
being a vertical temperature gradient or a lapse rate* of 1C per 500 feet rise in
altitude.
This temperature gradient is probably due to a variety of causes. Lord
Kelvin attributes it to the atmosphere being in a state of C3nvective equilibrium,,
which is brought about, on the one hand, by the earth getting hcaied by the
solar radiation Jailing on Uf, and then warming up the layers above it, by direct
*UsuaUy, a vertical temperature gradient is taken 10 bd the fall in tem-
perature per 100 metres rise in altitude and the lapse rate, as the fall in tem-
perature per one kilometre rise in altitude.
t Little or no heat is absorbed by the air during the passage of the solar
radiation to the earth through it, and whatever little is, is distributed over too
large a mass to be able to produce any appreciable rise in its temperature, this
absorption being the same at all altitudes,
HYDROSTATICS 359
contact and by emitting out radiations which are absorbed by them, and, on
the other, by the lower atmosphere getting cooled by radiation due to its
emitting out more energy than it absorbs at the ordinary temperature. The
two processes, going on side by side, produce changes in the density of the air,
conducive to the setting ip of vertical convection currents, the lower warmer
air rising up and getting cooled by adiabatic expansion and the upper coldei
air coming down and getting heated up by adiabatic compression. vertical A
temperature gradient is thus established and maintained throughout this region
of vertical convection. Hence the name, 'convective zone* also given to it.
This seems to be amply borne out by the fact that the lapse rate for
dry air, calculated on this assumption, comes out to be 3C
per 1000 ft., which,,
though appreciably higher than the observed value, is quite understandable,
considering that the air is really never 'dry' and the moisture present in it
inevitably tends to lower the lapse rate.
(//) The Stratosphere. Also known as the a&dctive zone, it is the regidb
above the troposphere, where the vertical convection, relerred to above,
becomes much too feeble, with the temperature falling to such an extent that
the heat radiated out is equal to the heat absorbed from radiations from the
earth and the solar radiation parsing through it, there being set up a radiative
equilibrium in the region, the temperature remaining constant at about 55C,
hence the name, 'isothermal layer* also given to it.
,
It will thus be readily seen that the stratosphere is a direct consequence
of, and is characterised by, the cessation of vertical convection and the setting
c
up of a radiative equilibrium, with the temperature constant at 55 Cuptoa
height of 300 miles or so, after vihich it probably shoots up to 700C or there-
abouts.
160. Measurement of Atmospheric Pressure. The instruments
used to measure the atmospheric pressure are known as barometers,
one of the bast forms of which is the cistern-type Foriin's baro-
meter. Another hand}7 and portable type of barometer is the
9
Aneroid barometer, (from 'a without, and 'neros' liquid) s no
mercury or any other liquid is used in it. We have already studied
these in good detail in the junior classes and shall not, therefore,
repeat them here. Instead, we shall pass on to a consideration of the
corrections that must be applied to the readings obtained from them.
161. Correction of Barometric Reading. Although the Fortirfs
barometer is quite an efficient instrument, a few corrections Lave to
be applied to its readings for greater accuracy. We shall consider
here only t\vo important ones of them, v/z.,
(/) correction for
the expansion of the brass scale, on which the
reading is taken, and which is usually calibrated at 0C ;
(//) correction for expansion of mercury, and consequent lowering
of its density.
(/) Let the temperature, at which the reading is taken, be /C,
and let H be the observed reading at this temperature. Then,
t t
is H
in fact just the value of the divisions of the scale, correct only at 0C.
If, therefore, a be the coefficient of linear expansion of brass, the
correct length at tC, is given by H= H
t (l+at) cms.
Again if v and P O be the volume and density of a certain
(ii)
mass m
of mercury at 0C, and v t and P/, its volume and density res-
pectively, at tC, we have
v .P m=
v t?f =
^ P - (l+70
V JL* r
whe r e _ is the cofficient of
Or,
n=
ur,
- .
'>'
of mercury
-^ ^ ^cubical expanssion
Or, po/p,
= 1+yt, whence, Po
= p,(l+70-
360 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
Now, clearly, H Q .? Q .g
= tf.p,.g,
where H is the true barometric height at 0<7.
Or, # .
Po
= H.? t .
Or, //O .p/(l+70 = H.? t = //,(l+a/). P< ,
whence, #
neglecting squares and higher powers of a and J.
Or > # = #,!l-(y-<*)']-
For mercury, y = -00018 and for brass, a =-000019.
#o = fli[l - (-00018
-000019X]. Or, #,=jf7,(l-'0001610,
whence, the barometric height at can be easily calculated. 0C
Other errors, due to pressure of mercury vapour and
capillarity
etc., are much too small for tubes of
reasonably wide bores, and are,
therefore, usually neglected.
162.
Change of Pressure with Altitude. Consider two points
A and B 9 distancedx apart, vertically below each other, in
air, (Fig. 225). If A be at a height jc above the ground,
B , the height of B from the ground is obviously (x+dx).
x *
Since the density of air and, therefore, its pressure, de-
creases with altitude, for a pressure p at A, that at B will
T be pdp, say. If, therefore, p be the density of air bet-
j
ween A and B, and g, the acceleration due to gravity, we
x have dp = p.g.dx, ...(/)
I the ve sign being used, because the pressure decreases
i _ with height.
Fig. 225. If the temperature of the air be constant, P oc p.
~ rn T v l/^
= K'P> A (Boyle's law)
Or > P
[ and l\V oc p.
where K is a constant, equal to p//?.
Substituting this value of p in
relation (/) above, we have
-dp - K.p.g.dx. Or, - -2- = K.g.dx.
Or, dptp+K.g.dx = 0.
Integrating this, we have
s= a constant C.
loge p+K.g.x ...(#)
Kfow, if the pressure at heights h and I/be p and P respectively,
we have, from (ii) above,
log, p+K.g.h.
= C, ...(/ii) and log, P+K.g.H
= C ...(/v)
.-. subtracting (iv) from (in). w h av
log, p-log, P = K.g.H-K.g.h = K.g.(H-h).
Or, ^K.g.(H-h). ...(v)
log,(^-)
Thus, (//-/( )
= ~- ...(v)
HYDROSTATICS 361
Or, substituting the value of K 9 i.e., p//>, in (v/), we have
.P
(H-h) P-
p.g
Thus, knowing p 9 P, p and g, the altitude (H-h) can be easily
determined.
In the above treatment, it has been assumed that the tempera-
ture of the air, or the atmosphere, remains the same throughout.
the case. Nevertheless, the result
This, as we know, is far from being
is accurate enough for the determination of
small heights.
If now we have a number of A
heights, 1? A 3 A 3 etc., in arithme- ,
tical progression then (A a A,) (63^2) and s6 on = -
at these heights, we have
And, if p L9 /> 2r A
etc., be the pressures
from (v) above,
log, (pjp2 ) = K.g.fa-hJ, and log, (pM = K.g.fa-hJ.
Since (A 2 Aj = (A, A we have a ),
== lo S (A/ft)-
log, (ft/A)
Or, A /A = A/A-
f
^-> Pv A A etc - Sression.
are in S eometrlcat P r
increases in arithmetical
or altitude
Thus, we see that as the height
progression, the pressure decreases in geometrical progression.
Note. To convert logarithm* to the base e
into common logarithms, (i.e.,
2'302.
o the base 10), multiply the former by
SOLVED EXAMPLES
with water
r ft long and 5 ft. wide is filled
a
A !u
a depth
-
f
A
^
.
r ct ng u lar clster
l
.
of 3 ft. Taking one cu. ft. of
l .J
nd position of the resultant fluid thrust
.
on
,
V w
B 62'5 Ibs., find the magnitude
Af water to weigh
2ft-
ach side.
(a) Here, clearly, (Fig 226),
depth of water 3 ft.
. centre of area for each side of the cistern
= 3/2 = 1-5 ft.
-*. pressure at centre of area = h.p.g.
= I'5x62'5x32poundals.
= 1-5X62-5 lb. Wl .
Fig 226 7
Now, area of each longer side in contact with water 3 x3 9 sq. ft. = =
and area of each smaller side in contact with water = 2x3=6 sq.ft.
Since thrust pressure at centroid or centre of area X area,
we have pressure on each longer side = 1'5 x 62 5 x9 = 843*7 Ibs. wt.
and, pressure on each smaller side = 1'5 x 62 5 X6 = 562*6 Ibs. wt.
And, centre of pressure = ~ -
x depth = - - x3 == 2/r.
2. Find the position of the centre of pressure of a triangular plate immers-
ed in a liquid with its plane vertical and one side in the surface.
ABC is a vertical triangular door in the side of a ship, AB is horizontal,
C below AB, and the triangle equilateral of side 5 ft. The door is hinged along
AB, and kept shut against the pressure of the water by a fastening at C. If the
362 PBOPEETIES OF MATTER
water rises to the level of AB, find the force on the fastening. (One cu. ft. of water
weighs 62-5 Ibs.) (Liv. Inter.)
The centre ofpressure of the triangular plate, with one of its sides in the
plane of the liquid surface will be at a depth /z/2, from the liquid surface,
where h is the height of the plate, (see page 351).
Let ABC be the triangular door hinged
along AB and having a fastening at C wheie
ABlies in the plane of the water surface, (Fig.
227).
Obviously, height h of the triangular door
75 = 4 329 ft. I
Since the centre of a triangular lamina is-
its height below the vertex, its depth be-
\rds of
low AB, or the water surface, is $rd ot its height,.
Fig. 227. ,e., equal to Jx4329=r443/r.
Therefore, pressure at the ccntroid=
Ibs wt. = 1-443x62-5 Ibs. wt.
And /. thrust on the door 1 '443x62 5 = X area of the door.
Ibs.
= 1 -443 x 62-5 x i base x altitude = 1 "443 x 62 5 x i x 5 x 4-329 Ibs. wt.
= 1-443 x 62-5 x 2-5 x 4 329 Ibs. wt.
Now, centre of pressure of the triangular door lies at i h, i.e., at
ix4329 =
2 164ft. [See above-
/. moment of the thrust about AB
=-~t'nrustx depth of centre of pressure.
= 1-443x62 5 x2 5 X 4-329x2- J 64 /6s wt.
And, if Fbe the magnitude of the force on the hinge, its moment about
Ibs. wt.
Clearly, therefore, Fx4 329=1-443x62 5 x2'5x 4 329x2 164.
Or, F-=l 443x625x25x2-164-487-5 Ibs. wt.
Thus, the force on the fastening at C= 487 5 Ibs wt.
3, Find the centre of pressure of a rectangular sheet 'a' in, long and 'b' in.
of unifoim density, with one side
wide, of uniform thickness, immersed in a liquid
of length V?' in. in the surface, the plane of the rectangle being inclined at a
angle to the vertical.
If the rectangular sheet remains in the same position with respect to the
\essel containing the liquid, and the depth of the liquid be increased by h in , find
the new position of the centre of pressure. (London Higher School Certificate)
Let^BCDbe the rectangle, immersed in the liquid, of density p, with
its side AB = b in the liquid suiface F, and its plane loclincd to the vertical
a tan angle 0, (Fig. 228)
Then, since the vertical depth of the rect-
angle is clearly BK^BC cos = a cos 9, its cen-
troid lies at a vertical depth -r- cos 0, from the
liquid surface.
And, hence, proceeding as in 152 [case
(i),page 349], we have
depth X ef the centre of pressure
.
P from
the surface of the liquid, clearly given by
X = |- x vertical depth = a cos Q. Fig. 228.
Now, let a column of liquid EE'F'F, h in. thick, be added on to the top
of the liquid surface to increase its depth by h in., and let P' be the new centre
of pressure of the rectangle, whose position is otherwise unchanged with respect
to the vessel; at a distance XJ from the new surface E'F'.
HYDROSTATICS 363
Then, clearly, thrust on the rectangle due to the original liquid column
area of the rectangle X depth ofcentroid G x density oj the liquid* g
=ab^ . cos e x p xg = -r- a*b cos 6 x p xg ;
and increase in thrust on the rectangle due to the new layer h of the liquid added'
of rectangle x depth of new liquid column added x density of liquid* g.
So that, the total thrust on the rectangle = \a*b cos 9 X P x g-}- ab X h x p X g.
~ab$g(\a cos 0-f/z).
Clearly, therefore, the moment of this thrust about the new liquid surface E'F'
~ab9g(\a<osQ + h).XQ '. ... ..... (i)
Again, the distances of the new centre of pressure P' and the centroid of the
rectangle from the new liquid surface E'F' = (X ^fi) = (| a cos -h h) and
(J a cos 0-f-/z) respectively.
And, therefore, the moment about the new liquid surface E'F' is also equal to
ka*b>cos 6>p-g(% a cos -f h) + ab.h p-g. ($ a cos 6 +h),
=abpg[$ a cos B (| a cos e+A)+Mi a cosQ + h)]. (//)
Equating (/) and (//), therefore, we have
cos e + /0 Xo'=a.b.p.g[k a cos 0(*. a cos 6-h/iH /*(i a cos Q+h)]
Or, ( a- cos- * '= K cos* o + lah cos <j + $ah cos
Or, A'o', or the depth of the new centre of pressure of the rectangle from
the new liquid surface
_ .
ro5^
- + 2/z\
( 2 )
Neglecting atmospheric pressure, find the depth of the centre of pressure
4.
of a circular lamina just completely immersed with its plane vertical in an incom-
pressible liquid.
A circular door in the vertical side of a tank is 'hinged' at the top and
opens inwards, and the tank contains water to a height just sufficient to cover
the door. If the diameter of the door is 2 ft , find the magnitude of the force that
must be applied normally to the centre of the door in order just to open the door.
Find also the reaction at the hinge when this force is being applied.
(Cambridge Higher School Certificate)
The centre of pressure of the vertical circular lamina, just immersed in an
incompressible liquid, is equal to 5r|4, as explained in 152 (//;, (page 350).
Here, obviously, the centroid of the circular lamina is at its centre, at a
depth equal to its radius from the water surface, / e. 9 at a depth 2 ft. 12 or 1 ft.
below it, (the lamina bemgyw^/ immersed in water).
pressure at the lamina = // p.# = 1 x 62 Sxgpoundals = 62'5 Ibs. wt.
and area of the circular lamina = nr 2 = TT x 1 = TT sq. ft.
So that, thrust on the lamina = pressure on the centroid x area of the lamina
= 62*5 XTT /fo. wt. = 196-3 Ibs. wt.
This thrust acts at the centre of pressure of the lamina, whose depth from
the water surface, as we know,
5r/4
= =
5x1/4= 5/4 ft.
.'. moment of this thrust about the liquid surface, or about the hinge
=
62-5 XTTX
5/4 245-5 Ibs. wt.=
If F Ib. wt. be the force applied to the centre of the door,
just to open it,
we have
moment of F above the hinge = Fx r = Fx 1 Ib, ft.
And /. Fx 1 - 245*5. Or, F- 245*5 Ibs. wt.
364 PBOPERTIBS OF MATTER
The force required to be applied to the centre of the door to just open it is thus
equal to 245*5 Ibs. wt.
Thus, the forces acting on the two sides of the door are respectively 245 '5
Ibs. wt. and 196*3 Ibs. wt. ; and, therefore, reaction at the hinge
=
245 5-196-3 = 49 '2 Ibs. wt.
5. If a load of 20 tons, moved 50 ft.across the deck of a ship of 20,000
Ions displacement, causes the ship to tilt through i, vhat is its metacentric
height ?
Let a load w 20 tons be moved across the deck of a ship from A to B
through a distance of 50//. (Fig. 229;, and let the ship be tilted through an angle
i into the position shown. This, as we
_r -_~^.-^_-_~ __-_-__--_ --_i -
know, is equivalent to the application
of a couple, of moment 20x50 ton-feet,
tending to turn the ship clockwise, [see
158 (alternative treatment), page 357}.
And, the couple, formed by the
weight of the ship acting vertically at
/X2 its c g., G' and the equal weight of dis-
Jj-JE placed water at its centre of buoyancy
B 1
,
-^= tends to restore the ship back into its
original position, the moment of the
couple being WxMP. where is the MP
perpendicular from the metacentre on M
to the vertical line through G 1
.
Since the ship is in equilibrium
under the action of these two opposite
Fig. 229. couples, they must obviously be balanc-
ing each other. So that,
= 20x50. 20,000 x MP = 20 x 50.
Or,
Or, -20x50/20,000 = 1/20 /V. = -05 ft.
Now, MP^ MG' sinV '= AfG'X'0087,
whence, MG' = = 5-748 ft.
0087
Thus, the metacentric height of the ship 5 '748 ft. =
6. State the theorem of Archimedes, and explain what you understand by
the terms "force of buoyancy", "centre of buoyancy". A cylinder of radius 1 cm.
and length 4 cms., made of material of specific gravity 0*75 is floated in water with
its axis vertical. It is then pushed vertically downwards so as to be just immersed.
Find (a) the work done, (b) the reduction in the force on the bottom of the contain-
ing vessel when the cylinder is subsequently taken out of the water,
(Oxford and Cambridge Higher School Certificate}
Here, the volume of the cylinder is clearly equal to m*l = TT. 1. 4 c-cs.
And .'. its
weight =
n X 4 x 0*75 =
3rc gms. wt.
Since it floats vertically in the water, we have
weight of displaced water also =
3 n gms. wt.
Let length of the cylinder inside water be = x cms.
Then, the volume of the immersed part of the cylinder = IT. 1.x =* *x c.cs.
i.e., volume of water displaced by the cylinder = *x c.cs.
And /. the weight of this displaced volume of water = it.x.l gms wt.
Hence, *x = 3^. Or, x 3 cms.
i.e., length of the cylinder inside water 3 cms. =
And, therefore, =
length of the cylinder outside water= 1 cm. 43
Thus, to immerse the whole of the cylinder just inside the water, we have
to simply push it down through 1 cm.
Obviously, the volume of the displaced water or upthrust on the cylinder
will be TT x 1 x4x 1 = 4*
gms. wt.
Hence, increase in the upthrust on the cylinder will be = 4rc 3* = n gms. wt.
HYDROSTATICS 365
Since this increase in the upthrust takes place gradually from to w, a*
the cylinder is pushed steadily down into the water from its initial position, we
may take the average value of the upthrust against which we work in pushing the
cylinder down through 1 cm. to be (0-j-7i)/2 or ir/2 gms- wt.
And, therefoie, work done in pushing the cylinder down through 1 cm ,
against this average increase in the upward thrust, will clearly be equal to
average thrust x the distance through which the cylinder is pushed down.
i.e , work done (^12) x 1
=
?i/2 1-571 gms. wt. cm. =
Now, with the whole of the cylinder immersed in the water, the weight of
water displaced
= 4n gm. wt. = 12-57 gm. wt.
This must also, therefore, be the downward thrust ori the bottom of the
containing vessel. So that, when the cylinder is removed out of the water, the
reduction in the thrust on the bottom of the containing vessel will also be the
'
same, viz., 12-57 gm. wt.
7. Calculate the metacentric height and determine the necessary condition
for the stable equilibrium of a cylinder of length /, radius r, and density p, floating
vertically in water.
Let a portion x of the cylinder be inside water.
Then, volume of water displaced by the cylinder, i.e., v n r z .x c.cs.
And .*. weight of water displaced or upthrust on the cylinder nr*.x.l m x.
z
This must, for equilibrium, be equal to the weight of the cylinder, i.e.,
2
equal to w.r logins- wt.
.
Or, *r .x
2
=
7tr ./.p gms. wt.
2
Therefore, x / p.
The
centre of buoyancy of the displaced liquid must, therefore, be at a
height xj2 = /p/2 from the bottom of the cylinder.
Now, as we know, the distance between the centre of buoyancy of the
z
displaced liquid and the metacentre is Ak jv t (see page 357), where Ak is th(
2
moment of inertia of the surface-plane of the cylinder about its diameter. Sc
that, /c
2
=/ 2 /4,
k being the radius of gyration of the plane about the surface-line or the diamete
of the cylinder.
Substituting the value of v =
iir x, therefore, we have
2
distance between the centres of buoyancy and metacentre
rtr* x
Now, distance of the e.g. of the cylinder from the centre of buoyancy
1
_ * - JL ~ JP .JLLiP)
~~
""2 2" 2 2""~ 2
And, therefore, distance between theof the body and the metacentre
e.g.
or the metacentric height, h, of the cylinder = distance between the centre o
buoyancy and the metacentre minus distance between the e.g. of the body an<
the centre of buoyancy.
a 2 a 2
- r ~2/p/(l-p)
/(1-p)- _r -2/ p(l-~p)
- _
- r
Or, n
^- ^-p
-
2 4/p
Now, for stable equilibrium of the cylinder, the metacentre should be
above the e.g. of the body, i.e., h should have a positive value.
2 2
And, obviously, this is only when r >2/ p<l p). This is, therefore,
possib^
the necessary condition requirea,
EXERCISE IX
Define pressure at a point in a fluid. Find the total thrust on the
1.
sides and vertical ends of a V-shaped trough, 1 ft. deep, 2 ft. wide at the top
and 4ft. long, when nlled with water, density 62*5 Ib.jcu. ft.
(Oxford and Cambridge Higher School Certificate)
Ans
9
m Ibs. wt.;2Q'Zlbs wt.
2. Define clearly the term 'Centre of pressure Determine its position .
for (/) a circular lamina of radius r just immersed vertically, and (11) a triangular
t
366 PROPEREIES OF MATTER
lamina of height h, immersed apex, and (b) its base in the
vertically with (a) its
mrface. 5r/4 ; () (a) 3H/4 ; (b) h/2.
Ans. (/)
3. A square lamina with its sides 3ft. long is just immersed vertically
a water with an edge in the surface and is then lowered 10 ft. Find the dis-
,ance of the centre of pressure in the new position from the centre of the square
;Neglect the pressure of the atmosphere in each case).
(Joint Matriculation Board and H-S. Certificate)
Ans. 0-0303 //.
4. A circular area of radius a ft is immeised in water, with its plane
vertical. The surface of water rises from 2a ft above the centre of the circle to
[aft- above it. Neglecting atmospheric pressure, prove that the centre of prts-
,ure rises through a distance a\ 16 ft (London Higher School Certificate)
5 State the Principle of Archimedes and define clearly the terms (i)
Centre of buoyancy, (it) Metacentre, and (///) Me tacentric Height. Discuss in
^detail the conditions for the stable equilibrium of a floating body, with particu-
lar reference to a floating ship.
6. Show that if a floating body be given a small rotational displacement
in itsplane of symmetry, the distance between the centre of buoyancy of the
displaced liquid and the metacentre is Ak^\V\ where A is the area of the surface
plane of the body, k, the radius of gyration about the surface-line and V, the
volume of the displaced liquid
Discuss the conditions necessary for a hollow cylinder of height h, and
density p, open at both ends, with i\ and r a as its internal and external aradii, to
float vertically in a liquid in stable equilibrium. Ans. r^-f r 2 2 >2/z .p(l p)
7. Discuss how the atmospheric pressure changes with altitude above
the surface of the earth, the temperature remaining constant, and show how if
the altitude increases in arithmetical progression, the pressure decreases in
geometrical progress ion.
8. A mercury barometer is known to be defective and to contain a small
quantity of air in the space above the mercury. When an accurate barometer
reads 770 mm the defective one reacts 760 mm- and when the accurate one
,
reads 750 mm., the defective one reads 742 mm What is the true atmospheric
pressure, when the defective barometer reads 750 mm. ?
(Cambridge Scholarship} Ans. 758'8 mm.
9. A simple barometer has the glass tube attached to a spring balance.
What weight does the balance record when the open end of the tube is just dip-
ping under the surface of the mercury in the reservoir, and what changes occur
when the tube is lowered so that m:>re of it dtps under the mercury ?
(Oxford Higher School Certificate)
Ans. (/) The balance records the weight of the tub and the mercury column.
,
(//) A progressive decrease in the weights, due to buoyancy of the tube, un-
til the fatter is full, when finally it decreases to zero.
10. A sealed spherical cellophane balloon has a diameter of 5 metres and
weighs, with the apparatus it carries, 1 k.gm* It contains one-tenth of the
volume of hydrogen required to fill it at atmospheric pressure. The balJoon is
illowcd to ascend if the cellophane does not expand and if the temperature of
;
,he atmosphere is assumed to be constant at 0<7 at all heights, calculate at
vhat height the envelope becomes full and the height to which the balloon rises.
The pressure p at height h (km.) is related to that at the ground (p Q ) by the re-
ation/i = 20 log lo ip n lp). (Densities of air and hydrogen atO'O and atmos-
)heric pressure are 1'29 and 09 gm per litre respectively).
(Oxford and Cambridge Higher School Certificate)
Ans (/) 20 km. and () 34'5 km.
CHAPTER X
FLYING MACHINES
Jet Planes, Rockets and Satellites
163 Flying Machines. There are two types of flying-machines,
mz., (/) light er-than-air machines, or Air ships, (//) heavier-than*air
machines, or Airplanes.
The Airship. An airship is based on the principle of Archimedes. The
weight of the air displaced by it is greater than its own weight, i.e., the upward
1
-thrust on it, due to the displaced air, is greater than the downward thrust,
(due"
to its weight), and hence it rises up.
An airship is "in fact a big cigar-shaped balloon of a light material, like
aluminium or its alloy, covered with a specially treated water- proof linen or silk
and divided up into a number of compartments contain iag bags filled with a
'light g is like hydrogen or helium (preferably the latter, due to its non-inflamma-
ble nature) from which it derives its buoyancy, i.e., which makes the total weight
of the airship less than the weight of the air displaced by it, or the upward thrust
on it greater than its weight. This excess of upward thrust that it possesses over
jts weight is called its liftm ; power, and gives the maximum extra load it can be
made to carry.
For steering purposes, it is fitted with rudders or other suitable devices and
for horizontal motion, it is provided with propsllers, worked by light and power-
ful engines.
164. The
Kite. Before dealing with the airplane, it will be help-
ful tostudy the principle underlying the ordinary kite. This will be
understood from the following :
Let AB,
(Fig. 230) represent the mid-line of the kite. Then,
the different forces ou it are (/) its weight W, acting vertically down-
wards at its e.g., G. (//) the tension
T of the acting along the
string,
string, as shown,
(///) the pressure
due to the wind, acting along the
direction of the wind, all along the
undersurface of the kite.
Now, this pressure of the
wind may be resolved into t\\o
rectangular components at all
points, (/) perpendicular to the
plane of the kite, and (b) along the
plane of the kite. These latter com-
ponents play no part in supporting
the kite and may thus be ignored ;
and the former components p, p...
being so many like parallel forces,
have a resultant P, equal to their sum, called the effective pressure of
the wind, acting at the point C. Thus, the three forces acting on the
kite are
(/) W> acting vertically downwards at G, the e.g. of the kite.
367
368 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
(//) T, acting along the string at E, and
(Hi) P, acting perpendicularly to the plane of the kite at C.
Condition for the Kite to be in Equilibrium. In order that the
kite may be in equilibrium, these three forces acting on it must be*
represented by the three sides of a triangle, taken in order. And
in
order that this may t>e so, they must all meet in a point, say, at O.
It will easily be seen that this can be possible only when G, the e.g.
of the kite, lies below the point C, where the effective pressure (P) of
the wind acts. In other words, the e.g. of the kite must be pretty low
down for it to be in equilibrium. It is for this reason that the lower
part of the kite is made slightly heavier, and that a small paper tail
is sometimes attached to it, which, in addition to bringing its e.g.
down, also makes it look more attractive.
Condition for the Kite to rise up. The effective pressure P
of the wind may also bo resolved into two rectangular components,
viz.,
(/) D, along the direction of the wind, called the drift,
or the-
drag.
(ii) L, upwards, perpendicularly to //, called the lift.
If be the angle that the kite makes with the direction of the;
wind, we have
Drift (D) = P cos (90 0) = P sin 0,
and Lift (L) = P sin (90 -0) = P cos 6.
Similarly the tension (T) of the string may be resolved into two
rectangular components, (/) along the horizontal and (ii) downwards,*
along the vertical, (shown dotted).
Now, clearly, the only force tending to make the kite rise up-
wards is the lift L =P
cos 0, and the forces tending to make it fall
downwards are (/) its weight W
arid (//') the downward component of
the tension of the string. The moment, therefore, that the lift (L) is-
greater than W
4- the downward component of T, the kite rises upwards.
Thus, to make the kito rise up, we must increase the lift, i.e^
P cos 6. This can be done by increasing P, i e. by running against t
the wind, and by decreasing 0, by giving small jerks, (Tanka) to th&
string. If, however, the drift (P sin 0) be greater than the lift
(P cos 0), the kite drifts along in the direction ol the wind.
165. The An airplane is a heavier-than-air machine
Airplane.
and the underlying it is in main the same as that of
principle
the kite. Obviously, however, there is no tension of the string,
here, pulling it downwards, so that the only force ttnding to-
take it up is the lift and the force tending to take it down is its
weight.
Farther, as the propeller- blades rotate rapidly, they throw the
air backwards from in front of the plane, and its reaction is a thrust
R, forwards.
Let us now consider the relation between these different forces-'
on the plane in the different phases of its flight, viz., (i) when itflie&
level, (ii) when it climbs, (Hi) when it dives and (/>) when it glides.
FLYING MACHINES 36
(/) Level Flight. An aeroplane flying along the horizontal is-
said to be flying level.
HORIZONTAL I P<
ATTITUDE W
LINE OF FLIGHT
w
W (c)
Fig. 231.
Fig. 231 (a)* shows an aeroplane in level flight, from right to left,
with a constant speed K. This is tantamount to wind blowing from
left to right with velocity V and striking the undersurface of the
plane so that, proceeding, as explained above, we have
;
Reaction or Thrust R, forwards =
the drift or drag backwards, D y
both acting practically along the horizontal ;
and, weight W
of the plane downwards = the lift if, upwards, both
acting along the vertical, [Fig. 231 (b)]
Or, L=W, (/)
and, R = D, ... ...
...(//)
which, represented vectorially, form a closed polygon, [Fig. 231 (c)],
the plane being in equilibrium.
It will at once be clear from relation (//) that, for level flight, the
forward thrust R must just be balanced by (i.e., must be equal to) the
backward drag D, at that particular speed of flight.
Further, if the speed falls, the lift decreases and the 'plane
starts losing altitude so that, a minimum speed (about
; 50 m./hr.) is
essential to keep the plane at a certain height.
(ii) Climbing. If an aeroplane flies obliquely upwards, it is
said to be doing a <climb\
HORIZONTAL _ * * ^
ANGLE OF AT JACK
(WOW*)
W
\f
*&,
W
% (W (c)
Fig. 232.
We shall, for the sake of simplicity, take the line of flight dur-
*For simplicity, the student may simply show these forces acting on the wing
or the aerofoil, instead of sketching the whole plane.
fine lift is not necessarily vertical. It is just the component perpendicular
io the current of air.
370 PBOPEETIBS Of MATTEB
ing the climb to coincide with the direction of thrust R due to the
propeller, or with the attitude of the plane.*
Since the relative velocity of the wind now makes an angle a
with the horizontal, the lift (L) no longer acts in a vertical line with
the weight (W) of the plane and is, therefore, balanced by the com-
ponent W
cos a of the weight [Fig 232 (a) and (b)] and, similarly, ;
the thrust R of the propeller, by the drift or drag
(D) along the line
of flight plus the component W
sin a of the weight, i.e., now
L = W cos a ...(/)
and R = D+W sin a. (*>)
It will thus be clear that
for a climb, the thrust R
must be greater than
the drag (D) by the factor W
sin a and that it increases with the angle
& or the steepness of the climb.
It follows, therefore, that if a =
0, sin a =
and cos fl=l ; so
that, equations (///) and (/v) reduce to (/) and (//) respectively. In othei*
words, the plane then flies level with a constant velocity, without a
climb.
The forces in equilibrium, during the climb of the 'plane, repre-
sented vectorially, give a closed polygon [Fig. 232 (c)], which, in the
case of level flight, reduces to a rectangle, [Fig. 231 (r )], with R and
D equal and horizontal and L and W, equal and vertical.
(Hi) Diving. When a plane flies obliquely downwards, it is said
to be making a dive.
Again, taking the speed of the plane to be constant and its line
of flight coincident with its attitude, the different forces on the 'plane
are as shown in Fig. 233 (a) and (fe).
VERTICAL
COMPONENTS
Of
L&D ~
L/
(a) (b) (c)
Fig. 233.
Since the relative wind velocity (V) makes an angle a with the
horizontal, the lift here also does not act along the vertical line with
W\ and, since it makes an acute angle with the downward vertical line,
the vertical components of both the lift and the drag act upwards,
thus opposing W. A& will be readily seen from Fig. 233 (a) and (b).
the lift is balanced here by the component W
cos a of the weight (W)
of the 'plane, the other component W
sin a of which acts along the
same direction as the thrust (R) so that, for equilibrium, we now
;
have
*lt is by no means necessary that it should always be so. The line of flight
can & fact it often does make an angle with the thrust (R), which, of course .
jicts along the attitude of the 'plane.
FLYING MACHINES 37)
R = D - W sin a, . .
.(v/)
showing that,/0r a dive, the thrust R must be less than the
drag (D) by
the factor W
sin a and, therefore, it decreases with a or the
steepness
of the dive,
necessitating the throttling down of the engine.
And, once again, if a=0, sin a =0 and cos a 1, so that re- =
iations (v) and (v/) reduce to (i) and (//)
respectively, the 'plane flying
level with a constant velocity, without a dive.
Representing the different forces vectorially, we again obtain *
closed polygon. [Fig. 233 (c)], which with a =
0, becomes a rectangle,
with R and D equal and opposite, and acting along the horizontal,
and L and W equal and opposite, and acting alohg the vertical.
',
(iv) Gliding. With the engine not functioning, i.e., with R = 0,
a,8 the 'plane descends down, it is said to be
gliding.
In this case, obviously, the lift and the drag are balanced by
the components W
cos a and W
sin a of the weight (W) of the 'plant
respectively, and we have, for equilibrium,
L = Wcosa, ...(vff)
and D = W sin a ;
...(viff)
so that, with the increase of a, the drag increases and the lift
decreases.
166. Different parts of an Airplane and their functions.
The following are the
different parts of an airplane and their
respective functions.
(i) The Wings. The wings or the aerofoils, as they are techni-
cally called, are, appropriately, the most important part of an
airplane (a flying machine) and much research has gone into perfect-
ing their design, in order to obtain the maximum lift for the 'plane.
In fact, the lift due to them accounts for as much as about two -thirds
of the total available lift.
To minimise the fractional force to its motion and to ensure a
smooth air-flow along its surfaces, the wing is shaped to the stream*,
lines of the air through which
ft passes, witha gradual taper-
ing of its thickness from its
ff
front or leading edge to its rear
or trailing edge, with the upper
surface more curved than the
lower, as shown in Fig. 234.
The axis of wing (shown dotted)
is called the chord and the angle
Fig. 234.
that the chord makes with the
direction of the wind is called the angle of attack.
The air, moving more rapidly over the upper than the lower
surface, brings about a difference of pressure on the two surfaces,
In accordance with Bernoulli's principle, (see and Chapter XII)
this gives the wing an upward lift. This lift on the wing really
consists of (/) an upward thrust on its lower surface and (it) a suction
effect on its upper surface. For, as the leading edge of the wing
372 PROPEBTIES OF MATTER
moves through air, it parts the air stream into two parts, which
tend
to flow as close to the two surfaces as possible. The upper stream
is, however, deflected upwards by the
curved shoulder of its upper
surface and its return back to that surface is retarded due to its
inertia, resulting in an area of partial vacuum above it
and a conse-
quent upward pull on it due to suction.
For a given wind- speed, the lift increases with the angle of
attack up to a certain limit, beyond which it begins to decrease and
the 'plane begins to sink. This limiting value of the angle of attack is
called the stalling angle and its value varies from about 15 to 20.
The ratio lift/drag is, however, the maximum when the angle of attack
is about 4. Hence we have the maximum efficiency in flight at this
angle of attack.
An important consideration in the structure of the wing is to combine
lightness with strength, and it, therefore usually consists of two main spars of
wood or metal, running all along its length, with light girders of the same
material, set perpendicularly to them at suitable intervals, the whole frame-
work being covered with a 'skin' of sheet metal or thin plywood, having a tightly
stretched fabric over it, well coated with a liquid solution, called 'dope', which
not only shrinks the fabric and makes it taut like the skin of a drum, but also
serves to increase its strength and to make it water and air-proof.
It is found that the force or effective pressure (P) due to the
-wind, as is called, depends (/) directly upon the area A of the
it
the wind,
aerofoil, (ii) directly upon the square of the velocity (V) of
and (i/f) directly upon the density (p) of the air at the height of the
'plane. Thus,
P oc A.?.V*. Or, P=K.A. 9 .V 2 ,
where K is
a constant, depending upon the shape of the aerofoil and
the angle of attack.
Since the lift, L P cos 0, =
and the drag D =* P sin 0,
we have
L = K.A. ? V*.cos 9 and D= K.A.p.V
2
. sin 6.
Or, multiplying and dividing each expression by 2, we have
L =2K cos 6 \A$V* and D = 2K sin
The factor 2K cos is called the Lift coefficient and the factor
2K sin 0, the Drag coefficient, usually denoted by the symbols
CL and C^ respectively. So that,
L = CL } ApV* and
. D = CD .\ A?V\
where L and D are expressed in Ib. wt. ; A, in sq. ft. ; p, in slugs* per
c.ft. and V, in ft. per
sec.
The Lift and Drag coefficients increase with the angle of attack,
the former having its maximum value 1-2 at about 16, when the
value of CD is about 20. The ratio of the two coefficients i.e., CL \CD
or the ratio Lift /Drag also varies with the angle of attack, and has
its maximum value (12) at about 4, at which value of the angle of
attack, therefore, we have the maximum efficiency
in flight. Nor-
the of attack is arranged to lie between 3 to 6.
mally, angle
Further, it will be clear from the expression for L above that a
certain minimum wind speed is essential for the lift to be large enough
to make the 'plane rise up against the force of gravity. It is for this
*Mass in slugs is equal to weight in pounds weight, divided by 32.
FLYING MACHINES 373
reason that the plane must first be made to run on the ground before
it can take off.
() The Propeller or the Air-Screw. It is a large fan- like
structure, carried right in front* of the plane and rotated rapidly
about a horizontal axis by an internal combustion engine. Its tw<?
(or more) blades are set at an in a central hub, a shown in
angle
Fig. 235, and may be made of
wood or metal, consisting, in
the former case, of a number
of layers firmly glued to- Fig- 235
gether, with their edges tipped with metal, and their surface provided
with a suitable protective covering of fabric or cellulose.
A propeller blade is in fact a small wing and functions precisely
as such. For, just as a moving wing, meeting the air at an angle,
experiences an upward thrust in a direction almost at right angles to
that of its motion, so also does a revolving propeller blade experience
a thrust at right angles to its direction of motion, i.e., along the
horizontal, for the very air which it sweeps from in front of it and
throws backwards, pushes it forwards.
Thus, because the propeller cuts its way through air, much in
the manner of a screw cutting its way through wood or metal, it is,
on that analogy, also referred to as the air-screw.
Apart from the two most important parts of an airplane, discussed
above, there are others which make for its stability and easy manageability
In any desired position and direction in the air. These together constitute what
are called the surface controls of the airplane and we shall now deal briefly with
these.
(Hi) The Tail Unit. Carried at the rear end of the airplane, it consists
of two sets of surfaces, (/) vertical and (//) horizontal, each being made up of two
parts, one fixed and the other movable, viz., the/z/j and the rudder ; and the tail
plane (or stabilizer) and the elevator respectively.
(a) The Fin. It is the fixed or the front part of the vertical surface of
the tail unit and takes the form of a vertical plate, arranged at a small angle with
RUQDEP
ELEVATOR
LEFT
WING
Fig. 236.
the central line of the fuselage or the body of the 'plane, (Fig. 236). Its function is
*This is the most usual position of the propeller in most 'planes, such
to the tractor type, because of their being pulled through ail
planes belonging
by the action of the propeller. In what are called the pusher type of 'planes, the
propeller is carried behind the line of the wings, so that it exerts a pushing action
OB them.
474 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
to give directional stability lo the 'plane, (very much in the manner of the featheis
and
tipping a dart), making for its straight-line flight in the horizontal plane
it to
tending to bring it back to its original course, should a disturbance cause
turn to one side or the other.
Thus, if the 'plane be thrown to the left, the fin will deflect the air to the
right, which would then push it back to the left, to resume its original straight
course and vice versa.
The student may perhaps wonder as to why the/w, with its avowed purpose
of keeping the 'plane along its straight-line course, should be offset a few
degrees from the central line of the fuselage. The reason is that the air stream,
blown back by the propeller, (and called the slip stream), shares with the latter
its corkscrew motion and would strike the fin at an angle, were it set along the
central line, producing precisely the opposite of the desired effect ; for, it would
result in turning the plane rather than keeping it along its straight course. The
small inclination of the fin to the central line just counteracts this turning effect due
to the slip stream.
(b) The Rudder. It is the rear portion of the vertical surface, (Fig. 236),
hinged on to the front portion or the fin, and has freedom of lateral movement in
the vertical plane. Its function is very much similar to the rudder on a boat and
it enables the 'plane, in level flight, to be steered to the right or to the left ID
the horizontal plane.
Connected by means of cables to the rudder bar, pivoted horizontally OD
a central vertical pin in the cockpit*, it is operated by the pressure of the pilot's
feet, (see Fig. 236) a pressure with the right foot (i.e., on the right-hand end ol
the bar) makes it swing out of the central line and turns the plane to the right,
and a pressure with the left foot similarly turns the plane to the left.
(c) The Tail Plane or the Stabilizer. This is the fixed pat t of the horl-
lontal surface of the tail unit, (Fig. 236), and its function is identical with that
of the fin, but in the up and down direction, i.e., it serves to give the airplam
Mobility in the vertical plane, or the 'fore and aft* stability, as it is called.
(d) The Elevator. It is the movable part of the horizontal surface
of the tail unit and controls the vertical motion of the 'plane, i.e.,
its climbing and gliding movements.
Lying normally in level with the tail plane or the stabilizer, it
up and down movement controlled by the central column, or the
is
central stick, (or, simply the stick, as it is usually called), which is
connected to it by cables and is arranged conveniently in front of the
pilot'i seat, (see Fig. 236, above). A
backward or inward pull on the
stick raises the elevator up above the level of the tail plane and the
air, rushing over the surface of the plane, strikes against it, tending
to blow it down to its original position, in level with the tail plane,
thus exerting a downward pressure on the tail of the 'plane, as a
whole, with the result that its nose is pushed upwards and it climbs
up.
Similarly, a forward or outward push on the stick lowers the
elevator below the level of the tail plan and the air thrust on it now
pushes the tail up, which is the same thing as pushing the nose down,
and the 'plane, therefore, now glides down.
(/v) The Ailerons. These are hinged flaps, free to move up and down ai
the rear or the trailing edges of the two wings, extending from the tip of eacl
wing to almost its mid-point, (Big. 236), their up and down movement being con
trolled by the side-ways pull on the stick-f, to which they are connected by meani
*The Cockpit is a closed or open well, in the front portion of the aer*
plane in which the pilot takes his seat, (Fig. 236), with different controls and 10
it rumen ts arranged in front of him .
fin the larger type of aircraft, the aileron is controlled not by the sticl
but by what looks like an incomplete steering wheel of a motor ear, fitted on t<
4he top of the stick.
FLYING MACHINES 375
of cables. The arrangement is such that as the stick is pulled to one side, it
simultaneously causes one aileron to be raised above, and the other to be lower*
ed below, the undersurface of the corresponding wing, with the result that the
lift on one
wing increases and that on the other decreases, making the plane
'bank' or heel over to one side, a pull on the stick towards the left making the
'plane bank to the left and a pu)l towards the right, making it bank to the right.
It will thus be seen that the stick and the rudder bar, between them-
selves either singly or in combination with each other enable the 'plane to bf
manoeuvred into any desired position and to perform all sorts of aerobatics.
The Tail Trim. If an airplane continues to fly level, even when the
(v)
9
pilot releases his hold on the stick for a while, it is said to be 'flying trimmed *
This ideal state of affairs may however be easily disturbed by the entry or exit
of a passenger or two, the plane becoming 'nose heavy' or 'tail heavy' and thui
starting to fall down or to rise up. This puts an undue strain on tbe pilot, al-
ways alert to exert an inward or an outward pull on th;s stick.
The tail trim is just the device to prevent all this and to enable the 'plane
to fly trimmed even with different loads in it, by automatically adjusting the in-
ward or outward pressure on the stick, to suit the load. Of immense help to the
pilot during 'take offs' and 'landings', it just consists of a lever on one side of the
cock pit which, working on a quadrant, suitably alters the tension of a spring
Attached to the lower end of the stick*, always exerting the requisite pull, com-
mensurate with the load in the 'plane.
(vi) The Undercarriage or the Chassis. It is that part of the airplane
behind the engine and at the base of the fuselage, which serves as a carriage for
the 'plane to run on the ground and includes the wheels and a shock-absorbing
mechanism (the oleomechanism) to take up the unavoidable impact on landing or
the bumps on uneven ground, which may otherwise severely strain the fuselage
even to the extent of damaging it.
To minimise the air resistance to the flight of the airplane, the under-
carriage is now almost universally made retractable (except perhaps in the case
of very small aircraft) ; so that, it can be drawn up into the fuselage once the
'plane is up in the air, and lowered again when about to land, there being a
suitable device to warn the pilot in time, when preparing to land, m case his
undercarriage remains retracted.
(v//) The Wheels. The undercarriage is supported on twof wheels (ex-
cluding the one at the tail end), fitted with wide-track pneumatic rubber tyres, in-
flated at low pressure. These, besides enabling the 'plane to run on the ground
before a take off also absorb part of the shock of impact, on landing, passing on
the rest to the oleomechanism.
In modern aircraft, we have also wheel brakes fitted more or less in the
manner of our motor car brakes, which (a) keep the plane stationary during the
running of the engine on the ground and (b) also shorten its run on landing. In
addition, they enable more pressure to be applied to one wheel than to the
ther, thereby greatly facilitating the steering and the manoeuvring of the plane,
while still on the ground.
(v///) The Tail Skid. The rear of an airplane is supported either on a
small wheel or a spar-like structure, called the (ail skid- When the two front
wheels and this spar, or small wheel, touch the ground simultaneously on land-
ing, the plane issupposed to have made a perfect 'three point landing'.
a
(tx) The
Slot. Oftentimes, when an aeroplane climbs too steeply, or
when it is about to land, and in fact, when for any reason, the speed of the
'plane falls below a certain minimum, the lift on the wings becomes insufficient
to keep the 'plane flying and there 15 every possibility of its 'stalling'. Not only
that, but with an insufficient air-fbw, the other controls, and particularly the
ailerons cease to function properly and the 'plane starts dropping in a dive.
^Sometimes, the lever is replaced by a wheel, whose movement suitably
adjusts the position of the tail plane instead of acting on the stick.
tin some cases, we have a three-wheeled or a 'tricycle' undercarriage, the
third wheel being arranged well ahead of the other two. This not only prevents
the 'plane tipping on its nose, thus greatly reducing the possibility of accidents
on landing or manoeuvring the plane on the ground, but also greatly simplifies
both take-offs and landings.
"376 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
An
ingenious saftcy device, known as the Handley Page Slot, or, simply
the Slot, therefore, used to avert this danger of a 'stair. It is just a small gap
is,
between the upper surface of the wing and another miniature wing-like structure
9
the 'slat arranged over its leading edge*.
Without the slat, if the airplane were to stall, the air-flow ceases along
the upper surface of the wing and breaks up to form a series of eddies, as shown
THE SLOT
(a) (b)
Fig. 237.
In Fig. 237 thus depriving the 'plane of about 60% of its lifting power
a),
When, however, the slat is fitted to the 'plane, it opens up as shown in Fig. 237
(6), and forms t small passage or slot between itself and the wings and the
ait
stream is directed through it on to the wing surface, instead of breaking up into
eddies. The lift on the wing is thus avoided and the danger of a stall averted.
If, however, the wing be tilted too steeply, a stall may eventually occur,
but the 'plane recovers from it much sooner than would be possible without the
slat.
(x) Engine Controls and Other Instruments. Among these, the main 01
the important ones are the following :
The Throttle. This corresponds to the accelerator of the car and controls
the speed of the 'plane. Operated by the throttle lever on one side of the cock-
pit, it differs from the car accelerator in that it stays in the position in which it
is set, without spring ng back when the pressure is released on it, thus enabling
'plane to fly at the desired constant speed. There is no gear changing or slowing
down for negotiating corners, for which, indeed, it must fly a little faster.
(xi) The Altimeter. As its very name indicates, it is an instrument to
indicate the altitude of the airplane. It is, in fact, a modification of the aneroid
barometer and is calibrated to indicate height or altitude in terms of 'thousands'
of feet. Thus, if the pointer be at 5, it indicates a height of 5000 ft and so on.
Since, ho ^ever, the altimeter really measures variations of pressure at ground
level, which can occur due to changes of weather, it may indicate different height
even at one fixed point on the ground, and its readings may thus be highly mis-
leading and may prove dangerous. To obviate this risk, therefore, it is so
arranged that the pilot sets it at zero altitude before taking off, so that its read-
ings later indicate the heights above this starting point, and not the absolute height
above the ground at any given moment. Thus, even if it indicates a height of 5000
//., it may well be within a couple of hundred feet from a mountain top.
Improved instruments to indicate the absolute height of the 'plane above the
ground at a given moment (instead of from the starting point) are however well
in the offing and would greatly reduce the hazard of an airplane flight in fogg>
weather.
(*//) The 'Engine' Revolution Counter This enables the pilot to feel the
of the engine, as it were, telling him all about the condition of the engine,
pulse
Including its undue vibrations and uneven running etc. Further, should there be
an unexpected or unaccountable drop in the revolutions of the engine, it is a
warning to the pilot that trouble is jmminent. The revolutions are measured in
terms of hundreds per minute.
The Oil Pressure Gauge. It is a small but vitally important instru
(xiii)
ment and indicates the pressure (in pounds) under which the oil is pumped round
to the different parts of the aeroengine, an operation about just as essential to
*Sometimes the slot is also arranged close to the aileron flap, when it
helps to maintain the requisite air flow over the aileron surface, thus enabling it
to function effectively even at low speeds of the 'plane.
FLYINQ MACHINES 377
Us life as the blood supply to ths various parts of our body. A sudden drop in
this pressure forewarns the pilot of a coming serious trouble and alerts him to
take remedial measures in time.
Airship Airplane
1
I. It is a 'lighter-than-air flying 1. It is a 'heavier-than-air' flying
machine. machine.
2. It is on the principle of
based Here, the lifting power is due
floatation and its lifting power is to thrust
the produced by a
provided by the buoyancy of the air strong artificially created wind
displaced by it. and the characteristic shape of its
wings.
It rises vertically upwards, directly !* 3. It must first be made to run
from the ground. I on the ground before it can 'take
off*.
4. It is very much bigger in size than 4. It is comparatively smaller ID
an airplane. size.
Thus, though the air-ship arid the airplane are based on entirely
different principles, they have in common (/) an upward motion against
the action of gravity and (//) propulsion through air.
167. Jet Propulsion, We
are all familiar with the meaning of the
word which is just the term applied to a high velocity stream oj
'jet*
fluid (liquid or gas) issuing out of a nozzle, as for example, a 'jet of
water' or a 'jet of steam' etc. And, therefore, jet-propulsion is
obviously the method of driving or propelling a body or a machine
forwards through the agency of a jet, the body or the machine thus
driven being said to be jet propelled.
That a jet possesses such a motive or tractive force can be
easily seen from a number of facts of every day life, if only we care
to stop a while and analyse them. Thus, for example, when a bullet
is forced out of the barrel of a rifle by the exploding mixture of gases
inside the rifle suddenly moves or 'kicks' back in a direction oppo-
it,
site to that of the bullet and the exploded gases.
So that, if we continuously fire a rifle fastened to the rear of a
boat, with its barrel facing outwards, we shall find that the boat
continues to move forwards with a jerky motion so long as the firing
continues, each bullet fired producing a push forwards. We, therefore,
have here a jet-propelled boat In fact, even when we ply the oais,
!
the action is similar. For, what we do is simply to push some volume
of water backwards and the boat, as a consequence, moves forwards,
Indeed, if we did nothing else but simply sit quietly in the boat
and throw stones into the water, with our face towards the stern of
the boat, the boat will still move forwards (i.e., opposite to the
direction in which the stones are thrown).
All these examples are, as the student is no doubt already
aware, a consequence of the well known Newton's third law of motion,
according to which action and reaction are equal and opposite, or what
follows from it, viz., the Jaw of conservation of momentum, which
378 PEOPERTIES OF MATTBB
demands the equality of the momentum lost with the momentum
gained. So that, the boat, in the cases above, moves oppositely as a
result of the reaction to the motion of the bullet (and the gases) 01
the stones, or because the momentum lost by the bullets or the stones
is
equal to the momentum gained by the boat. A force such as the one
experienced by the boat is called the reactive force and, in the case
;
of a jet, sometimes alo the jet-force.
Now, does it surprise the student when he is told that even the
usual type of airplane, in which we use the ordinary reciprocating
(i.e., the piston- type) engine makes use of a jet for its propulsion
for-
wards* ? For, the propeller, as it whirls round at a high speed,
throws a jet of air (or in the case of a ship, a jet of water) backwards,
as a reaction to which the plane (or the ship) is pushed forwards
against the viscous resistance of tiie air (or water). The question,
therefore, naturally arises as to why then do we not call them jet-
propelled planes. The answer is that, technically speaking, the
narrower the cross-section of the high- velocity fluid stream, the more
nearly does it come up to the definition of a jet, and the term jet-
propelled planes is, therefore, reserved for planes in which the jet is a
narrow one, about one foot in diameter, as compared with ten feet of
more in the ca.se of the ordinary airplane.
Again, it must not be inferred from wheat has been said above
that a jet must necessarily consist of hot gases. No, it may just as
well be of cold air, as in the case of what are called the ducted-fan
type of planesf, or as was the case with perhaps the earliest jet-
propelled plane, constructed by CampM
in Italy, the jet in this
latter case, being produced by a compressor, driven by the ordinary
reciprocating type of engine.
168. Thrust supplied by the jet. Let us now calculate the thrust
supplied to an aircraft by the jet produced by the power unit
inside it.
Suppose we have an aircraft travelling with a speed V and fitted
with a power-unit which produces a jet of fluid, of velocity w, relative
to the aircraft, where u is higher than F, the velocity u of the jet
being measured at a point in it a little away from the nozzle, where
the static pressure is the same as that in the surrounding air. Then,
if a velocity V on the aircraft in the opposite direction to
we impose
itsown, the aircraft comes to rest, with the air streaming past it with
velocity V. So that, if a be the area of cross-section of the jet at the
point where its velocity is u, the volume of the fluid flowing per second
In the jet is clearly a.u. If, therefore, p be the density of the fluid, we
have
mass-flow of the fluid per second in the jet =a.u.p
= m, say
And, therefore, momentum of this fluid in the jet = m.u.
If this mass (m) of the fluid finally emerges out from the aircraft
*The same being the case with a ship.
tin these planes, air is sucked in through two holes or ducts, by two fans,
rotating in opposite directions, the latter thrusting the air away with consider-
able force, propelling the plane forward. This sucking action also helps to buoy
the plane up. Further, the gyroscopic effect, produced by the oppositely rotatini
fans greatly helps in enhancing and assuring the stability of the plane.
PLYING MAOHINBS .
3713
with a velocity F, its momentum is clearly reduced to m.V. It thus
suffers a loss of momentum, equal to (mu mV) or m(uV)pcr second t
I.e., its rate of change of momentum m(uV). =
And this, therefore, in accordance with Newton's second law oj
motion, must be the force, or the thrust, F supplied to the aircraft bj
the jet in the direction opposite. So that,
F = m(uV) = 0wp (ti V)
169. Efficiency of the jet. If we consider the exact state oj
affairs in the case above, viz., that the aircraft is really not at rest, as
fre had
imagined, but is moving with velocity V, then, the velocity ot
the final jet, moving in the opposite direction clearly becomes (w V)
and, therefore,
K.E. of the final jet \ (u-V)* = m =
\F(u-V) [-.- m(u-~V)-P}
Also, the aircraft does FV amount of work per second against
ihe air resistance'as it moves forwards. So that,
must be supplied by the jet propulsion unit,
total energy that
by the power-unit) = FV+\F(u V).
(i.e.,
Of this, obviously, the portion usefully employed is only FV, the
rest being simply a waste, creating a disturbance behind the aircraft.
So that,
efficiency of the jet, or the Froude efficiency, as it is commonly
.
_
~~ energy
converted into useful work
~~ _ FV _
total energy supplied FV~+\F(u^V)'
2V
~ '
u+V
Note. Clearly, the efficiency will have the maximum value 1, when
a V /.., when the initial jet velocity is equal to the flight velocity of the air-
y
craft, for, then, the energy wasted in the form of K.E. of the final jet [\F(u V)]
will also become zero. But, then, the thrust on the aircraft [m(u-V)} will also
become zero. .This condition of maximum efficiency is, therefore, not a practi-
it is not in any other type of machine also.
cable proposition, just as
170. Effect of smaller cross-section of the jet. As indicated earlier,
the cross-section of the jet in a jet-propelled plane should be narrow,
Let us see what advantage is to bs gained by it.
Apparently, from the relation F =
m(u V) for the thrust
supplied to the aircraft by the jet, we find that a reduction in its
cross-section will mean a diminution in the value of the mass flow of
the fluid, m, so that, to obtain the same thrust F, as before, (u V)
will have to be correspondingly greater. This will naturally mean a
higher value of \(u K)*. the K.E. of the final jet, which, as we have
seen, is a mere waste of energy. Not only that, but, as a natural
oonsequence, the efficiency of the jet FF/FK+|F(wF), will also fall
below its previous value. It would thus appear that a decrease in the
cross-section of the jet, far from improving matters, does just
the reverse, viz., increases the loss of energy and decreases the
fficiency for propulsion, In what manner, then, is jet-propulsion a
better mode of propulsion ?
The answer is manifold :
(i) Initially, when jet-propulsion was just introduced round
bout the year 1940, it was intended to render auxiliary support to
380 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
the then prevalent gas turbine engine. The materials of the gas
turbine could not function satisfactorily at the temperatures obtaining
in the earlier reciprocating type of engines and the products of com-
bustion required to be diluted with a large excess of air. This seeming
difficulty was actually turned into an advantage by the engine-
designers, who used this necessary excess of air as a narrow jet
to supply the entire thrust required to be given to the aircraft, thus
eliminating the necessity of the propeller and quite a few other
accessories. The jet was made to escape through a small turbine
which then supplied the necessary power to the generator, the fuel
pumps and the compressor etc. Thus, although the introduction of the
jet inevitably entailed a loss in efficiency, with the fuel -consumption
rate rising higher, it gave the distinct advantage of reducing the weight
of the whole unit for the same value of power. In view of this smaller
weight but higher rate of fuel-consumption, the turbo-jet engineg, ae
these engines were aptly -christened, came to be considered more
suitable for flights of shorter durations, say, of less than 2 hours in
those early days when the highest speed was only 400 miles per hour.
(//) It was found that although the efficiency
of a narrow jet is
rather low at moderate flight speeds, it increases rapidly with the
flight speed. In fact, if we take into consideration also the other
advantages that go with higli speed, (e.g., assistance given to
the compress ion- process in the engine, etc.), the over-all result is that
the po^er output (FF) increases directly with flight speed with only a
comparatively very small increase in fuel consumption, i.e., FV oc V.
Clearly, therefore, F remains practically constant for varying flight
epeeds.*
This linear increase in power (FK) with speed (K), with practi-
cally a constant fuel-con sumption rate, necessarily implies that if the
flight speed bo high, the turbo-jet unit will also be about as economi-
cal as the ordinary propeller-engine and will, in addition, possess the
advantage of (a) having less weight and (b) capacity of packing large
power in a smaller space.
In fact, both the turbo-jet and the propeller engine will have
the same efficiency, i.e., their power output for the same fuel-
consumption will be the same, at a speed of 700 m.p.h., provided the
propeller engine had a constant power-output upto this speed. And this
is the point where the jet-unit scores over the propeller unit. For, the
power output of the propeller engine does not really remain constant
with speed but falls steeply as the flight speed approaches the speed
of sound, v/j., 762 m.p.h. at ground level and 660 m.p.h. at altitudes
above 3600 ft. This is so, because a propeller may be regarded
essentially as a wing, with the difference that whereas the latter pro-
vides a lifting force to the aircraft against the force of gravity,
the former supplies a similar force in the form of a thrust in the direc-
tion of its motion, for which purpose it is rotated in a plane perpendi-
cular to the direction of flight, the lifting force in the case of
the wing and the forward thrust in the case of the propeller being
always roughly perpendicular to the direction of their respective
motions through air, both experiencing an air-resistance or 'drag*
"That is why, in the case of a turbo-jet unit, only its thrust (F) is indicated
and not its power (FV).
FLYING MACHINES 381
opposing their motion, with some power used up in overcoming the
same.* So that, despite all improvements made in the designs-
of propellers (such as making their sections near the tips very thin,
etc.) their propulsive power falls greatly at high flight speeds, whereaa
that of a jet-unit rises equally greatly. This comes about because the
actual velocity of the propeller blade is the resultant of its velocity of
rotation and translation and, as such, is higher than the flight speed
of the aircraft itself, even a non-rotating wing experiencing a large
increase in the drag on it much before the speed of sound is attained.
Thus, from the point of view of over-all efficiency, a jet unit is
certainly superior to a propeller- unit at speeds of 600 tn.p.h. and
above.
Then, again, another advantage that a jet unit possesses over
the propeller- unit is that there being no accessories and profcubrancea
like radiators, oil-cookers etc., the drag is comparatively less. And
the absence of the propeller which makes for a smoother flow over the
entire surface of the plane, cuts down the drag over these surfaces by
as much as 20 to 30 per cent.
171. Rocket Planes. The small fire-work rockets, rising pretty
high up in the air, to the amusement of on-lookers, are a common enough
sight everywhere and they
are obviously jet-propelled
on their own small scale, A
rocket plane is merely a large
scale version of the same PROPELLED,
It possesses a NOZZLE
phenomenon.
higher speed and can rise to '(HOTGASES)
a much greater height than
even a turbo-jet plane. In
fact, it is a turbo-jet plane, (0
in which the technique of
OXIDI- r
SER foil is carried a
jet- propulsion
stage further, with the jet
still narrower in cross-section
(COMBUSTIONJ
<s
JTmtm .
PROPELLER
NOZZLE and its
velocity higher.
? CHAMBER! X
t/F
(HOT6ASZS)
Isthis difference in
degree, then, the only factor
that distinguishes it from a
. ,
jet-plane? Of course not;
Fs ' 2 8
for, the essential difference
between the two lie* in the method of production of the jet. In a jet-
is carried on the aircraft, with the oxygen
propulsion unit, the fuel alone
necessary for its combustion being drawn from the surrounding air, [Fig,
238 (/)] only a fraction of which is usually consumed, the rest, together
with the considerable larger quantity of nitrogen 'swallowed', merely
the jet-propulsion
serving to keep the temperature down throughout
_____ ~~
^^comprised iairki front of the aircraft is of little
^
moves away with the
consequence at speeds below that of sound, for it simply
that of sound,
loeed of sound. But when the speed of the aircraft is higher than
with the result
the condensed air in front can oniy move sideways but not forward
witn a
that the nose of the aircraft has to carry along a bulk of compressed air,
consequent large increase in the drag on it.
382 PROPERTIES OF MATTEB
tinit. In the case of a rocket-propulsion unit, on the other hand,
the fuel as well as the oxidising agent, required for its combustion, are
together carried on the aircraft and no air has to be drawn in from tht
surroundings. It is thus a self-contained unit in itself, ['Fig. 238 (//)].
This is a point of great importance in that it makes the working
of the motor quite independent of the presence or absence of any
surrounding air. Thus, whereas a jet plane can only attain a height
of 50 to 80 thousand feet up to which it can have its supply of
air from the surroundings, there is no such limit to the height
of a rocket-plane, which alone is capable of rising up to higher alti-
tudes beyond the earth's atmosphere, where there is obviously no air
to be drawn in. So that, its being self-contained, with its own supply
of the oxidising agent, while it may be a comparative disadvantage at
lower altitudes, is clearly a tremendous advantage at higher altitudes
Calculating the thrust (F) given to the aircraft by the issuing
jet in the same manner as in the case of the jet propulsion unit
( 168, page 378), we have Fin.u, where m is the mass-flow of the flui<3
per second in the jet and u, its final velocity, its initial velocity hert
being zero, since all the constituents are carried on the aircraft itself.
Its efficiency thus works out to 2Fw/(w 2 2
), +F
which again, as in the
ase of jet propulsion, will have the maximum value 1, when u V. =
Further, the power-unit, in the case of the rocket plane, is also
much lighter. Thus, while, for supplying a thrust of 1 Ib. at ground
level, or of 0-2 Ib. at an altitude of 50,000 ft. a turbo-jet unit weighs
about 0*3 Ib., a rocket-unit, weighing only 0-1 Ib. can supply the
same thrust of 1 Ib. at all altitudes. It follows, therefore, that a
rocket plane is the more suitable for use only for flights of short
duration or at very high speeds.
The rocket-unit, in which both the fuel and the
172. Rocket Fuel.
required amount of oxygen for its consumption are carried on the
aircraft itself, is much simpler than that other one which requires the
compression of large quantities of air. For in this case, the only
problems with which we are concerned are those of the combustion
chamber and the propelling jet.
The oxygen may be carried either in the liquid form, or in the
form of oxidisers rich in oxygen, like hydrogen peroxide, (H2 O t ) or
nitric acid (HNO Z ). In the latter case, the remaining part of the oxidi-
ser, going into the propelling jet, merely serves to cool the jet and the
combustion chamber.
Now, if the fuel and the
oxidiser are carried in separate con-
tainers, the system is knownas a bipropellant rocket but if the fuel
',
contains its own oxidiser with it and is carried in a simple container,
It is known as a monopropellant and its decomposition is broughl
about either by the application of heat or through the agency of
catalyst. Obviously, a monopropellant must be some sort of an ex
plosive and, therefore, requires careful handling. Quite a commoi!
one being hydrogen peroxide, which decomposes as shown by thi
equation
2H2Oa 2HiO+O a +69Q C.H.U. Ib*
*1 C.H.U. (Centigrade heat unit) is the heat required to raise the tempera
tore of 1 Ib. of water through re.
FLYING MACHINES 383
The products of decomposition of a monopropellant substance
are sometimes themselves rich in oxygen, as we can see in this case
of /JgOj, and the substance can, therefore, also be used as one of the
components of a bipropellant. Thus, for example, H^O^ used with
methyl alcohol (CH$OH) would react as shown :
releasing heat at a much higher rate and hence resulting in a much
higher exit velocity of the gases through the exhaust nozzle or the
*enturi, as it is called, and consequently a much higher thrust*
The propellant may be injected into the combustion chamber in
one of the two ways (/) by exerting pressure by a compressed gas, like
:
nitrogen or air on the propellant tanks or (') by means of a pump-
ing mechanism, usually a turbine. The former method admits of no
variation or control of thrust and is, therefore, suitable only for
short-duration flights or remotely controlled missiles, and the latter
Is the one
commonly used for rocket-propelled air-crafts.
173. Specific Impulse. The performance of a rocket motor is
measured in terms of what is called the specific impulse or the specific
pull, /, which is the thrust generated by unit rate offuel-consumption, i.e.,
~~
thrust (Ibs,)
_ F
~~
rate offuel consumption (Ibs. /sec.) nig'
So that, the dimensions of / are the same as those of time. Phy-
time for which a unit thrust can be generated
sically, therefore, it is the
by a unit weight offuel.
Now, as we have seen, the thrust in the case of a rocket is
equal to mu, where m is the mass-flow through the nozzle and u, the
exhaust velocity of the gases. So that,
/ = mujmg = ujg.
And, therefore, the higher the jet-velocity, the higher the specific im-
pulse and the smaller the fuel-consumption for a given thrust.
Besides fuel-consumption and thrust, there are quite or few
other factors which determine the suitability of various fuels, e.g., the
weight of the engine, the temperature in the combustion chamber etc.,
etc. In the modern rocket motors, the total weight of the pump,
control and installation etc. must be about one-tenth of the maxi-
mum thrust developed. In short, the performance of a rocket depends
chiefly upon three factors, (/) jet velocity, (ii) density of the propellant
and (Hi) weight of the power plant, which includes that of the propel-
iant tanks and the fuel-supply system etc., into details of which we
need not enter in an elementary discussion of the type we are con-
cerned with here.
174. Shape of the Rocket. During an upward flight, particularly,
through the denser layers of the atmosphere, the components of the
rocket are subjected to intense air pressure, and also a lot of heat
is produced due to viscous friction of the air. Both these factors
are taken into account while designing a rocket. Its frame is accord-
ingly made of a heat-resisting material and its velocity during the
first part of its flight, through the denser layers of the air, kept suffi-
eiently low. Further, it is so designed as to reduce the air pressure
384 PBOPBETIBS OF MATTBB
on each individual part to the very minimum, its over-all shape
its
being more or less like that of a cigar.
175. The Multi-stage Rocket. If a rocket is hurled into space be-
yond the earth's gravitational field then, supposing that its acceleration
takes place in tho latter region, where the value of g is 32 ft. /sec*.,
the velocity F that it must acquire to escape from the earth's gravi-
as it is called, is given by the
7
tational field or the 'escape velocity ,
2 = of
relation V 2MG/P, (see 92, page 251) from which the value
K works out to about lM9x 10 cms. [sec. or about 36000 ft.jsec.
s
Now, at the present stage of rocket development, no single roc-
ket can achieve this velocity. To tide over the difficulty, therefore,
we make use of what is called a ww///-
stage rocket, which is just a combination
of rockets, either (i) joined consecutively
or in series, as it were, or (//') one inside
the other or (///) with the rear port oj
-3RD STAGE
one inside the nozzle of the other, as in-
dicated diagrammatically in Fig. 239. In
ENGINE Of all these three types, the first stage
STAGE
3RD.
ROCKET rocket is the largest in both dimen-
sions and weight, and the last stage
one, the smallest.
2ND. STAGE Naturally, the first stage rocket is
used first and when it has done its job,
it gets detached and IB discarded, with
the second stage rocket taking over the
task of producing further acceleration.
ENGINE Of Then, this too is discarded and the
2ND. STAGE
third stage rocket takes over and so on.
ROCKET
The velocity thus goes on increasing at
each stage by the same amount as it
1ST. STAGE
does in a single stage rocket and each
stage has its own propulsion and con-
trol system. Obviously enough, the
ENGINE OF fuel-consumption and the thrust for
1ST. STAGE
the first stage rocket are the highest
XOCKET
of all, say about a hundred times the
corresponding values for the third stage
rocket and the fuel-stock too in the
;
first stage is about sixty times that
in the third stage, the same being the
Fig. 239. ratio of the total weights carried by
the former to that by the latter.
Considerations of both weight and cost demand that the number
of stages should not be large and that, therefore, the pay-load of
each stage (which includes, in addition to the useful load of the
final stage, the weights of the intervening stage rockets to be discard-
ed later) be limited to about 20% of its own weight. Clearly, the
useful pay load of the final stage thus works out to be a very small
fraction of the initial over-all weight. Thus, for example, if there be
n
n stages in all, this fraction is just l/5 of the initial total weight. Or,
FLYING MACHINES 385
to give a more concrete example, a space ship of the size of the well-
known V2. designed by Dr. Verner Von Braun, would be about just
sufficient to land a match box or a packet of cigarettes, by means of
a purachute, on the planet Mars.
Each individual rocket of the multi-stage rocket, has its own
independent design and basic characteristics, with its function
correlated with those of the others. These characteristics include the
following :
(i) Net weight. The net weight for a single stage rocket includes also
the weight of the instruments and appliances or the weight of ammunition,
if any, etc. And, in the case of a multi-stage rocket, obviously, the total weight
of the second stage is the net weight of the first stage and the total weight
of the third stage, the net weight of the second and so on, the ratio between the
two being usually for 3 1 for each stage.
:
(ii) Steering Equipment. This is necessary to steer the course of the
rocket during its flight during the other stages except the first which only serves
as a sort of runway for the rocket, as it were.
(///) Design. This includes the frame of the rocket or of the indivi-
dual rockets, m the case of a multi-stage rocket, with its fortifications and fasten-
ings etc.
(iV) Rocket-length. This obviously means the height of the rocket or
that of the individual rockets of the multi-stage one. This is an important fac-
tor in as much as the very stability of the rocket in its trajectory depends upon the
ratio between its length and in mean diameter (ie. the mean diameter of the
y
whole rocket or of each one of the stage- rockets)
(r) Number of Motors. Each stage rocket has its own separate motors.
The stage rocket, naturally, in view of the highest total weight it has to
first
carry and the greatest resistance of the lower denser layers of air it has to
overcome, has more thin one motor and the last stage rocket, because of its
lightest load and the least resistance to be overcome, is provided with only one
motor.
Apar* from these, there are also other characteristics of a rocket, like
fuel-consumption, thrust, specific pull or impulse, time of combustion (in seconds),
\\.%
acceleration, lift or range etc.
176. Take off of the rocket. This is perhaps the most important
part in the flight of a rocket and must be fully ensured to be correct.
The slightest error in the timing or the accuracy of firing makes all
the difference between the rocket returning back in this generation or
the next or perhaps not at all.
177Salvaging the various stage rockets. Let us wind up our
elementary study of a rocket flight with a word about salvaging the
various stage rockets which are discarded after they have performed
their respective functions. This problem cannot yet be said to have
been satisfactorily solved. Experiments however, being made with
are.
various systems of parachutes and other devices and, if they succeed,
it will mean a tremendous economy in cost. And for all one knows,
the ideal solution may turn out to be the utilisation of the material
of the stage used up as fuel for the next stage.
178. Satellites. Among celestial bodies, a satellite is what may
be called a minor or a junior member of the solar system revolving-
round one of the major planets in its own prescribed orbit. Till recently,
it was not thought possible that anything man-made could also be so
placed round the earth or any other major planet to revolve in a given
orbit. But, then, with the development of jet-propulsion (in the year
1940), followed by that of high speed rockets, man began to dream of
386 PBOPBBTIES OF MATTER
flight into space an'd of inter-planetary travel, when, all of a sudden,
on October 4, 1957, the Russian scientists made the whole world gasp
with wonder and surprise by launching their first 'sputnik' or artificial
satellite. This Sputnik /, of the form of a ball, 58 cms. in diameter
and weighing 83-6 kilogrammes (roughly 185 Ibs.) was placed into an
elliptical trajectory round the earth exactly like a celestial satellite
making, in its initial phase, one full revolution in 96 2 minutes and
attaining a speed of 8 km. or nearly 5 miles/'sec. at a distance of 950
km. from the earth.
The progress of this latest wonder was watched with dumb ad-
miration by scientists all over the globe and the radio signals sent out
by it listened to attentively as long as its source of power lasted. It
existed as a satellite for full 58 days, during which it made 1400
revolutions of the earth, thus covering a distance of 39 million kilo-
metres. Its existence, however, continued for 92 days and the entire
distance covered by it totalled up to the enormous figure of 60 million
kilometres, when, finally, on January 4, 1958, it entered the denser
layers of the atmosphere and got burnt out due to the intense heat
produced by friction.
This artificial satellite was obviously an automatic rocket, hurled
into its pre-determinod and well-calculated orbit by a multi-stage
rocket. Indeed, the rocket carrier too continued to revolve round the
earth at about the same height as the sputnik but at a distance of
about a thousand kilometres from it and, then, while descending
;
through the denser layers of the atmosphere, it also began to burn
out, with fragments from it falling somewhere in Alaska and North
America.
After almost exactly a month, on November 3, 1957, the
Russians put their socond artificial satellite 'Sputnik IT into orbit
round the earth, containing scientific equipment for exploratory pur-
9
poses, as well as the first space traveller, the dog 'Laika , in a sealed
cabin, which they successfully retrieved back, safe and sound. The
total weight of the Sputnik was this time much greater, being 508'3
kgms. or 1126 Ibs. (including the dog). Its distance from the earth
was al-o greater, 1700 kms. f its period of revolution, 102 sees.,
with the angle of tilt of its orbit roughly 65 from the equatorial
plane.
This wis followed by the first American artificial satellite, 'The
Explorer', on January 31, 1958, though of a comparatively much
smaller weight and size.
These sensational events brought still more sensational and
breath-taking ones in thoir wake, with the Russians putting the first
cosmonaut of the immortalised name, Major Yuri Gagarin, into space
in a much larger space-vehicle or space-ship and retrieving him back,
with the Americans later repeating the performance. The race in still
on in right earnest and who knows what greater wonders yet are in
store for us.
Let us try to understand the basic principles underlying this
phenomenon.
179. Conditions for a satellite to be placed in orbit. It is obvious
that an artificial satellite goes round the earth exactly as a celestial
SATELLITES 387
satellite goes round a planet, as the moon, which, for all practical pur-
poses, is a satellite of the earth, goes round it, or as the earth and the
other planets go round the sun, i.e., in accordance with the laws, first
enunciated by Kepler, leading to Newton's celebrated Law of Gravita-
tion, which forms the basis of the entire celestial mechanics.
The student is quite familiar with the whirling motion of
-a stone, tied to one end of a string, the other end of which is held in
the hand. Precisely similar is the case with a planet going round the
sun or an artificial satellite going round the earfch, with the force of
gravitational attraction replacing the tension in the string. There is,
however, one fundamental difference between the two, viz., that where-
as the tension in the string is, within limits, a variable quanti-
ty, permitting a lower or a higher velocity
of the stone, the attractive
force of the earth onihe satellite in a specific quantity and thus per-
mils only a specific velocity for the satellite, if it is to remain in orbit,
this velocity for a satellite close to the earth being, as mention-
ed already, about 8 kms. or 5 miles per second. Since, however, the
gravitational force decreases with increase of distance from the centre
of the earth, a satellite further away from the earth will need
a smaller velocity to remain in its orbit than the one nearer to the
earth, though up to about a 1000 kms. above the earth's surface, this
reduction in velocity is only nominal. This is clear from the fact that
the moon, which is roughly 38000 kms. away from the earth and,
therefore, moves in a much larger orbit, has only a velocity of about
1 km. /sec., which is about one-eighth of a satellite close to tho earth ,
so that, whereas the moon makes only one revolution of the earth in
one month, the satellite makes as many as 15 revolutions in one day.
Now, the question is how to have the satellite with such a high
into arbit around it.
velocity away from the earth, to enable it to go
As can be seen, not only has the opposing gravitational force to be
overcome but also the very considerable air resistance, particularly
in the lower denser part of it. As we have seen above, the least velo-
5 miles j'sec. called the first
city for the purpose is about 8 km. or ,
cosmic velocity. But, if the velocity rises to about 11-2 km. /sec.,
called the second cosmic velocity or the velocity of escape, the satellite
field and flies away into
passes right out of the earth's gravitational
the cosmos, within the range of the solar system.
This formidable problem, can, as mentioned earlier, be easily
solved by carrying the satellite on a multi-stage rocket, for no single
rocket can possibly (at any rate, not yet) achieve the requisite velo-
city all by itself alone.
We have already discussed the essential
features of such a rocket in 175. Let us now see how exactly to
launch the rocket, carrying the satellite, into the required orbit.
180. Launching of the Satellite. Apparently, the shortest route
for the satellite to take from the launching base to its assigned orbit
would be the vertical one. This, however, is not feasible in actual
reason that the gravitational pull of the earth
practice, for the simple
will then be in the directly 'opposite direction
to its motion and coun-
it can gather the-
teract the pull of the engines. So that, before
its limited fuel -stock may get exhausted, resulting in
necessary speed,
down. Vertical
its first coming to a stop and then starting falling
not a practicable propositian.
launching of the satellite is, therefore,
388 PROPERTIES OF MATTEB
To ensure that the satellite does not fall back to the earth, it is
essential to give it a sufficient horizontal velocity. Its upward flight
is, therefore, so arranged that it is brought into its orbit in the
shortest possible time, acquiring meanwhile the requisite horizontal
velocity. It is thus clear that the particular trajectory that will take
the satellite to its assigned orbit has first to be most carefully
calculated.
It is usual to arrange the first portion of the flight of the rocket
to be vertical, so that it may pass through the first 20 kms. of the den-
ser portion of the atmosphere the earliest. Thereafter, as it enters the
rarefied portions of the atmosphere, it is given a gradual tilt by means
of a mechanical pilot, so that it emerges into its orbit with a horizontal
velocity large enough for the centrifugal force coming into play on it,
(on account of its circular motion), to just balance the force due to the
gravitational pull. And, the trajectory of its path is so chosen that the
loss of velocity entailed, due to air-resistance and the earth's pull, is
a small percentage of its required or characteristic velocity. In fact,
to make up for this loss, the actual velocity given to it is a little
higher than the computed value of its characteristic velocity. When
launched laterally to the earth's rotation, however, an increase in its
velocity is automatically obtained at the expense of the velocity of
the earth's rotation, depending upon the latitude of the launching
site. Thus, for example, this increase is the maximum at the equator,
being as much as 400 met res /sec., which is higher than that of the
fastest fighter planes of the day.
If it be desired to give the satellite an elliptical orbit, instead
of a circular one, the rocket carrying it must either be given a higher
velocity than the perepheral on$ or its velocity, immediately alter
completion of the motor's performance, must not be directed along the
tangent to the circular orbit. In the elliptical orbit, the point near-
est to the earth is called 'per the' and the farthest from it, the 'acme'.
And it is quite possible that the satellite at the former point may be
nearer to, and at the latter, farther from, the earth than at any
point in its circular path.
In any case, the accuracy demanded in the firing of the rocket
into its correct orbital path is really exacting. For, even an error of
1% in the direction of velocity may produce a height variation of the
perihe and the acme which may be as much as 120 kms. or more. This
firing accuracy is secured by means of proper steering devices, direct-
ing the course of the rocket at every stage of its flight. And, clearly,
rudders of the type used in the ordinary jet air-craft, are hardly
suitable for the purpose, since they cannot possibly function equally
effectively both in the denser and the rarefied regions of the atmos-
phere.
The necessary steering control can, however, be effected in a
number of ways but the one usually resorted to is to so design the
rocket as to enable it to change the direction of the escaping jet by
a mere tilt of the longitudinal axis of its motor with respect to its
.own. This is actually the device adopted in most of the present-day
long-range rockets.
The manner in which the angle of inclination of the longitudi-
SATELLITES
axis of the rocket with the horizon is varied, will be clear from
Fig. 240. As will be readily seen, the trajectory of the rocket from
BURN OUT OF IGNITION
2nd STAGE Jrtf STAGf
(10 MINUTES
SEPARATION oft SEPARATISTS Af TR L A UNCH/H6)
2nd STAGE \OF 3rd STA6f OffBH OF SATELUT6
BURN OUT -2SOOOft /Sec)
AND
SEPARATION OF
STAGE ROCKET i (2OO TO 400 MILES)
Fig. 240.
its very start until its longitudinal axis takes up the horizontal posi-
tion, (/.., until its outward motion towards its orbit) is split up into
a number of stages, indicated by A 1 A 2 h 3 etc., depending upon the
, ,
height of the orbit. The angles that its horizontal axis makes
with the horizon at each stage is carefully, calculated before hand and
the control instruments set accordingly, to ensure that the rocket
takes its assigned trajectory. And, this very setting of the instru-
ments also regulates the fuel- sup ply in keeping with the pre-
determined requirement at the lime.
Now, it will be easily understood that, while going round in it
allotted orbit, the Scitellite passes over different parts of the globe in
its successive rounds. For, by the time it has completed one round,
ihe earth has also rotated about its axis and hence, in its next
round, itnaturally passes over other parts that now fall below its
orbit. This will always be so except when the satellite goes round
an orbit coinciding with the equatorial plane, in which case, obviously,
it will always pass over the same parts or countries situated at the
equator. It docs not mean that we can launch the satellite in
Any orbit we choose. For, the orbit must be one such that its plane
passes through the centre of the earth and it will, therefore, clearly
depend upon the site of launching.
Not only that, but even the time of the day and the season at
'the time of launching matter a great deal. For, a satellite receives
energy direct from the sun through special type of solar batteries fit-
ted into it, a particular side of which must all along be illuminated
by the sun. The satellite must, therefore, be launched in an orbit, the
plane of which is perpendicular to the rays of the sun, and this
is possible only at a particular hour of the day, v/z., when
the radius of the earth connecting the starting point of the satellite
with its centre is perpendicular to the sun's rays. And, the season is
important because, with the satellite launched in its orbit, as
explained, the earth which also moves round the sun, comes in-between
it and the sun at a particular time, thus
preventing the rays of the sun
from reaching it. Account has, therefore, to be taken of this occur-
rence and the season of launching chosen such that the satellite
390 PBOPBBTI1S OF MATTER
can get the maximum time to store up enough energy from the
sun to suffice for the period when the sun will remain hidden from it
later during its flight.
And, finally, it must also be clearly understood that in view
of the uneven distribution of the mass of the earth and, there-
fore, with its e.g. some 500 km. away from
its geometric centre,
the satellite in its orbit is subjected to varying forces of attraction at
different intervals, with the result that its real course is neither
circular nor elliptical. It does not even lie in either of the two planes
and is, in fact, a curve of a complicated pattern. For the same
reason, there are variations in the velocity of the satellite
at different
points along its path.
181. Stability of the rocket during flight. It is imperative that
its along its allotted trajectory, the rocket should
throughout flight,
not get tilted. This is achieved by means of an auto-pilot (see 46)
and a suitable gyroscopic arrangement.
182. Form of the Satellite. In designing a satellite, attention is
to ensure
naturally paid to the geometrical shape it should be given
its smooth motion in its orbit. The present view is that this form
should be spherical, for, then, it will always have the same area
of resistance and thus help calculation of the air resistance to its
motion at higher altitudes and hence in the assessment of the density
of air at those altitudes. Further, with a spherical shape, there
will be less chances of its getting overturned than if it were cylindri-
cal or of any other shape. At the samo time, a spherical shape
is also a drawback, since it doss not make for an easy setting of
the various instruments and other equipment inside it For, as will
be easily realised, the instruments must be sot, not haphazardly
but in a definite order so as to ensure both an equitable distribution
of the total weight inside the satellite and a specific position of
its e.g. This 'balancing* of the satellite, as it is called, is obviously
important and must be done with great precision.
183. Weight and size of the Satellite. The weight of a satellite-
clearly depends essentially on the potentialities
of the rocket carrier,
and its dimensions, upon those of the last stage rocket, which is
usually the third stage one.
The satellite which gets detached from the last stage rocket
may not necessarily be included as part of the rocket itself and may
of it. In
simply be arranged to lie inside a cavity in the nose-part
such a case, it is possible to give the satellite a bigger diameter
than the mean diameter of the rocket, as a whole, but only slightly
so, or else it will mean a change in the ballistic characteristics
of the
rocket as also an increase in the air-resistance encountered. The
satellite in the cavity is sometimes covered by a protective streamline
cone, during the course of the flight of the rocket, which is later
discarded and the satellite pushed out by means of a spring or a
compressed gas, when the rocket has actually reached the orbit irk
which the satellite is intended to move. This was exactly the case
with Russian Sputnik /, whereas Sputnik /f formed part of the third
stage rocket itself and did not get detached from it.
184. Material of the frame of the satellite. Obviously, the material
SATELLITES 391
of the frame must be both light and strong, the former from
satellite
considerations of its weight and the latter, to make sure that the
instruments etc. inside it are securely attached and that it 'can
withstand the onslaught of micrometeorites to which it is subjected
during its orbital motion in space. Then, the material must also
be less sensitive to changes of temperature and must be able to
properly reflect radio-waves. It must, therefore, be either aluminium,
magnesium or one of their alloys, with, in some cases, a suitable outer
covering,
If, however, it is desired to study the electric currents in the
ionosphere, the frame of the satellite should neither be a conductor
of electricity nor should it possess any magnetic So that,
properties.
in this case, a metallic frame is clearly ruled out in favour of one of
a plastic material, some of the modern varieties of which are just as
tough and durable as steel.
185. Duration of satellite's existence. It is only natural to
enquire
as to how long can a satellite be
expected to stay in its orbit. Well, if
the space in which it moves along its orbital
path were completely
devoid of air, there would be nothing to stop it and it could go on
perpetually, like the moon, for instance. But there being air even
at a height of 1000 kms. and above, it has to encounter resistance
due to it, however small, this resistance being greater for orbital
paths nearer the earth than further away from it. So that, when
its velocity is thus sufficiently retarded, it cannot possibly remain
in its orbit and starts falling down
along a spiral path. In doing
so, it either gets burnt up due to the heat produced by friction in
the denser atmosphere or drops down to the earth with the
help of
parachutes.
The actual calculation for its 'life' is rather a complicated one,
but it basically depends upon the density of the
upper regions of the
atmosphere, i.e., on the height of its orbit from the earth.
186. Other Essentials. In case a man is to be placed in* the arti-
or the sputnik, there are
ficial satellite
quite a few other problems
to be tackled, as, for example,
provision of an hermetically sealed
ca,bin, with requisite conditions for the sustenance of life, and with
windows fitted with the type of glass that absorbs ultraviolet and
X-rays, a prolonged exposure to which is harmful in its effects. It
is, however, almost impossible to afford
any protection to the cosmo-
naut inside the cabin against cosmic rays which, as we know, can
penetrate even through a block of lead, one metre thick. Luckily,
although their effect on human or animal life is yet not quite clear,
they do not appear to produce any baneful effects. Then, there are
other problems, like those of
weightlessness etc. All four have now
been more or less overcome, as is evidenced
by four Astronauts,
two Russian and two American
having made orbital flights and
come safely back to the earth.
Another very essential item is the special
type of dress that
an astronaut must wear during his voyage in the cosmos. This is
fittingly called the Astrosuit and must at once be air-tight and
loose-fit to allow free respiration. In fact, the astronaut needs one
type of dress during the tifce-off of the rocket from the earth, which
392 PROPERTIES OF MATTES
must be so designed as to free him from the feeling of overload, ex-
perienced during a vertical ascent. Then, he should have another
lighter dress for free locomotion inside the cabin. A small cylinder,
provided in the girdle of this dress, creates an artificial pressure
on him to increase his blood pressure (which falls appreciably at
greater heights) as also to counteract weightlessness. The dress should
have provision to ensure normal respiration and the requisite body
temperature and must not restrict movement.
187 Return of Artificial Satellite. For the return of the satellite
back to the earth, the main problem is of sufficiently slowing down
its motion or braking it. There are two devices for it, v/z., (i)
utilising air as the resisting medium and (ii) using rockets.
is to be used for slowing down the motion
If air-resistance
of the satellite on journey back, it must be given the form of a
its
rocket. For, then, as it enters the denser layers of the air, its
velocity falls but it rebounds back into the cosmos it then re-enters
;
the air with a reduced velocity and goes a little deeper than before
and there is a further reduction in its velocity. This process is
repeated a few times and the velocity of the satellite is thus suffi-
ciently reduced to enable it to continue falling on specially provided
slide- wings and sliding planes.
On the other hand, if a rocket is to be used for its downward
journey, an automatically-controlled rocket-motor is necessary, the
reaction of which is in the opposite direction to that of the motion
of the satellite, i.e., it produces an effect opposite to that of the
rocket carrier during upward flight. It is, therefore, called a retro-
rocket, (i.e., a rocket, taking the satellite back). The velocity
of the satellite is thus reduced and can be controlled by regulating
the fuel-supply to the rocket motor, the distance it thus has to cover
up to the landing strip being carefully estimated with the help of
a radar or other similar appliances. And, an automatic guidance
system is provided to control and manoeuvre the downward descent of
the satellite.
Now, the first method is certainly the simpler of the two, from
the technical point of view, but its great handicap is that it is
extremely difficult to design a landing strip to receive the landing
satellite. The second method, although more complicated technically,
ensures a smooth and an accurate landing on a properly constructed
landing strip.
188. Uses of an Artificial Satellite.
Ignoring the military uses to
which a satellite be put, we shall concern ourselves here only with
may
its uses for strictly scientific purposes, among the more important
ones of which may be mentioned the following :
(/) Proper study of the upper regions of the atmosphere. Despite the fact
that the atmosphere is being studied for a long enough time, our present
knowledge of it is still much too meagre and superficial, particularly about
the region, called the Ionosphere, as also about cosmic rays. The artificial satellites
will, it is hoped, help to improve this.
(//) Weather forecasting. This can be made much more accurate and
dependable with a number of satellites around the earth in various orbits.
Meteorological observations over various countries could then be made simul-
taneously, thereby greatly improving the reliabilr of weather forecasts.
SATELLITES 393
(iii) Determination of the exact shape and dimensions of the earth. This
4s the task that scientists all over the earth have set for themselves during the
third International Gco-physical year.
(iv) Detailed study of the solar radiation.
(v) Study of meteorites.
Experimental verification of the theory of relativity.
(vi)
Use of a system of three artificial satellites for universal telecasting.
(vii)
(viii) Study ofpropagation-characteristics of radio waves in the upper regions
*f the atmosphere.
(ix) Astronomical observations, without atmospheric and other disturbances
etc., etc.,
EXERCISE X
1. Explain clearly the principle underlying an airplane. How does it
remain in equilibrium in air and how does it rise up ?
2. Differentiate between climbing, diving and gliding of an airplane and
explain the co- relation of forces in each case.
3. Name the principal parts of an airplane and mention concisely
but clearly their respective functions.
4. What do you understand by the term 'jet-propulsion' ? Give, in brief,
in account of jet-propelled planes.
5. What is a rocket 1 How do rocket-planes differ from et-planes 1
Explain the principle underlying a multi-stage rocket.
6. What is an artificial satellite 1 Explain as clearly as you can how a
latellite may be placed in its orbit around the earth.
7. Mention the essential pre-requisites and conditions for a satellite to
be placed in its orbit and its return back to the earth.
Also mention some scientific uses of an artificial satellite.
CHAPTER XI
FRICTION AND LUBRICATION- PRINCIPLE OF VIRTUAL
WORK AND ITS SIMPLE APPLICATIONS
189. Static Friction Laws of Friction. In all cases of motion
of material bodies, counter forces come into play in-between their
surfaces which tend to nullify or neutralise the effect of the driving
force applied. These counter forces are called resistances, the most
important among which is friction. As we have already learnt in our
junior classes, when one solid body is sought to be moved over the
surface of another on which it rests, an opposing force, called the
'force offriction', comes into play in-between the two surfaces, tend-
ing to destroy the relative motion between them,* and which is
usually measured by the force required to produce uniform relative
motion between the two surfaces. It is this force which always acts
in a direction opposite to that in which the motion is desired and
which is called the force of friction or rather static friction^ Experi- .
ment shows that friction roughly obeys the following laws, called
the 'laws offriction', discovered by Amontons (1699) and Coulomb
(1779) and hence sometimes referred to as Coulomb's laws :
(/) The ffictional force a self-adjusting force and increases
is
with the applied force, so as to be equal and opposite to it,
until motion is just about to ensue this maximum ;
fnctional force is called the 'limiting friction' and its
value is different for different pairs of surfaces.
Before this limiting value of friction is reached, its magnitude
is just enough to preserve equilibrium. J
(ii) The limiting friction between the surfaces of two bodies is
directly proportional to the normal reaction of the support-
ing surface,
Thus, if R be the normal reaction of the supporting surface and
F, the limiting friction set up between the two surfaces, we have
F oc R, Or, FIR .=
M ,
where p a constant, called the 'Static Coefficient of Friction' or
is
simply the coefficient offriction for the given pair of surfaces.
... ^
static coefficient
.
, rr
of
. .
= limiting friction
i.e., " JJfriction ,--
normal reaction
.
*Strictly speaking, this is not the only force that opposes the relative
l
motion between the two surfaces. There is also another force, called the force of
adhesion', (from the Latin word 'adhaerere' to stick or to cling, which is mole-
cular in origin and which tends to make the bodies cling together.
t'Sffl/Jc', because the two surfaces are initially at rest with respect to each
other.
tit will be readily ssen that this really follows from Newton's third law oj
motion.
394
FRICTION 395-
Thus, obviously, F =
nR so that, if R
;
=
1, we have F p, =
i.e.,the coefficient offriction for a given pair of surfaces may be denned
as the limiting friction coming into play in-between them, for unit
normal force applied to them, or, as the fraction of the normal force that
is required to keep the two surfaces in uniform relative motion.
(Hi) The frictional force is independent of the surface areas, in
contact with each other* and of their relative velocities.
(iv) The frictional force is independent of the relative* velocities
of the two surfaces.
It may be pointed out here that these laws apply only in the
case of clean and smooth or well-polished surfaces.
190. Sliding Friction. We have already seen how the force of
friction between the surfaces of two bodies, one resting over the
other, continues to increase with the applied force and is always equal
and opposite to it until its maximum or limiting value is reached for
that particular pair of surfaces.
If at this stage, v/z., when the friction is about to attain its
limiting value, we apply a force in the form of a gentle push to the
body resting over the other, such that it is maintained in uniform
motion over the latter, then, this force measures what is called the
sliding friction between their surfaces, i.e., the frictional force in-bet-
ween them when motion ensues It is also spoken of as kinetic or
dynamic friction, to distinguish it from static friction (that comes into-
play before motion actually takes place) and is found to be some-
what less than the limiting friction for the same pair of surfaces. That
is why we find it easier to maintain a body iii uniform motion over the
surface of another than to start it moving.
The ratio between this sliding friction and the normal reaction
then gives the coefficient of sliding friction for the given pair of
surfaces and is also obviously less than the coefficient of static fric-
tion for them. The difference between the two is however quit
small and we usually assume them to be the same for all practical
purposes.
191. Angle of Friction Cone of Friction. If we place a body
Fig. 241.
*This is no longer so, if what are called lubricants, like grease, graphite,
talc etc., are introduced in-between the two surfaces. For, the normal force
applied is more likely to squeeze out the lubricant from in-between the two
surfaces, when applied to a small area than when applied to a larger area.
396 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
on an inclined plane, [Fig. 241 (a)], it is clear that it is under the
simultaneous action of three forces, viz.,
(/) its weight W, acting vertically downwards at its e.g., G ;
(//) the normal reaction R of the plane, acting perpendicularly to
the plane ;
and
(in) the tlimiting friction F, acting upwards along the plane.
If the angle of inclination of the plane be so adjusted that the
body is just on the point of sliding down, it is clear that the three
forces are in equilibrium and, therefore, concurrent, so as to be re-
presented by the three sides of a triangle, taken in order. This angle
of inclination of the plane, ft, at which the body is just on the verge
of sliding down, is called the angle offriction.
W into two rectangular components, we have
Resolving its (/)
somponent W sin \, along the plane, tending to move the body down
bhe plane and component W cos A, at right angles to the plane.
Since the body is in equilibrium, we have
F= W sin X and .R = W cos \.
= * =
So that, ., tan >.
-5
Or, the coefficient of friction for a given pair of surfaces is equal to
the tangent of the angle of friction for them.
From the above relation for /*, we have tan ft, from F= R
which follows that the resultant of
it and F
must lie along the sur-R
face of a cone, with \ as its s^mi-vertical angle, and the direction of
the normal reaction, as its axis.
The same is true in the case of two horizontal surfaces, where
the frictional force F acts along the supporting surface and the nor-
mal reaction R, perpendicular to it, [Fig. 241 (b}]. Their resultant
P then makes with the latter the angle of friction ft and, again, there-
fore, the resultant (P) lies along a cone of semi- vertical angle X, such
that tan A =
F/R.
is called the cone of friction, and it is obvious that
This cone
no whatever its magnitude, with its line of action lying within
force,
the cone, can possibly produce motion in the body, its component
along the surface of contact being less than the limiting friction (F)
between them.
192. Acceleration down an Inclined Plane. have just seen We
in 191, above, that a body placed on an inclined plane will not start
sliding down along "it until the angle of inclination of the plane is
equal to the angle of friction ft for the surfaces of the body and the
plane ; for, at a smaller angle of inclination than this, tan 0<F/J? or
/*, where F is the limiting friction
and ^, the coefficient of friction for
the two surfaces in question. And, when 0=\, clearly tan 9= tan A
= F/R and sliding just commences.
But when > ft, so that tan Q >
tan ft and hence greater than
F/R, the body slides down the plane with an accelerated motion. Let
us calculate this acceleration of the body.
As before, resolving the weight of the body W=mg (where m is
FRICTION 39T
the mass of the body) into two rectangular components, along and
perpendicular to the plane, we have
component along the plane == mg sin 0.
and component perpendicular to the plane = mg cos 6.
Since there is no motion perpendicular to the plane, the normal'
reaction R of the plane is equal to mg cos 6 and the two, being equal
and opposite, neutralise each other. And, thus, the only two forces
effective on the body are (/) mg sin 0, downwards along the plane,
and (//) the sliding fractional force F upwards along it. So that, the
resultant force acting on the body downwards along the plane is equal*
to mg sin 6 F.
Now, if n be, the coefficient of sliding friction for the given pair
of surfaces, we clearly have
F= /ijR = n mg cos Q.
So that, the resultant force on the body downwards along the plane
= mg sin dnmg cos 6 = mg (sin QLL cos 6).
And since acceleration = force/mass, we have
acceleration of the body downwards along the plane
= mg (sin Qn cos 0)jm = g (sin 0v> cos 0).
If the plane be perfectly smooth ,
the acceleration of the body
sliding down the plane would be g sin 6. Clearly, therefore, the acceler-
ation of the body down the plane is reduced by n g cos 6 due to
the frictional force between them.
193. Rolling Friction. The frictional forces between two sur-
faceswhen one roils over the other is called rolling friction and is
found to be much less than when sliding occurs between the same
two surfaces. That is why vehicles are provided with wheels and
their axles, with ball- bearings*, the latter converting the chief fric-
tional loss of the wheel that occurs at the axle or the journal in the
form of sliding friction, here, called journal friction into rolling-
friction.
It was shown by Osborne Reynolds that in rolling an appreci-
able amount of slipping or sliding of one surface over the other
occurs and that the frictional resistance to this slipping, or sliding,
really constitutes rolling friction. As extreme cases of this slipping
between two rolling surfaces may be mentioned (?) an iron cylinder
rolling over a plane rubber surface or (ii) a rubber cylinder rolling
over a plane iron surface. In the former case, the cylinder covers
a distance equal to only nine- tenths of its circumference in its one
full turn and, in the latter case, a distance equal to eleven- tenths of
its circumference eo that, in either case, there is a slip of one-tenth
;
of its circumference In ordinary cases too, some slip always occurs
between two rolling surfaces, even when the two surfaces are of the
same material*
It follows as a natural consequence that rolling friction between
two surfaces would be zero, (a) T\hen either tie sliding friction
between them is zero, i.e when for them is zero, (b) or when no
, v.
*Here, there is a ring of small balls between the wheel, (pulley or disc
etc.) and the axle, so that when the former rotates, the balls all roll also.
398 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
slipping occurs between them during rolling, i.e., when v> for them is
infinite. For all other values of \i (between and oo) there must be
friction and, for a particular value of M, it must have its maximum
value.
It may as well be mentioned here that while lubrication of
the surfaces always reduces the value of the coefficient of sliding friction
(M) for them, it may or may not reduce the rolling friction between
them. Thus, as is so well and so generally known, lubricating ball-
bearings only results in increasing friction*.
194. Friction and Stability. When a body, say, a block of wood,
rests on a plane horizontal surface, it does so because the weight
D A
D
<>
Fig. 242.
of the block W, acting vertically downwards at its
e.g., is just
neutralised by the equal and opposite normal reaction R
acting there.
And, when a horizontal force Fis applied to the block to move it for-
wards on the plane, it does not move or slide along it so
long as
F<uR, where u is the coefficient of friction between the surfaces of
the block and the plane, (see page ,196). The possibility is, however,
there that the block may topple over for, the moment the horizon-
;
tal force F is
applied, at a point P, say, a frictional force F', equal
and opposite to F, comes into play in-between the surfaces of the
block and the plane, [Fig. 242(0)], thus constituting a couple =Fx PB,
tending to rotate the block (in the clockwise direction, in the
case shown), and thus making it topple over.
Now, as Fis gradually increased, this couple formed by Fand
F' makes the centre of reaction of the plane shift from //towards J5f,
with the force at C progressively decreasing and that at B, increasing,
until, in the limiting case, the whole reaction R acts at B (that at C
being zero). We thus have another couple, formed by W
and 7?,
equal to WxHB, tending to rotate the block in the opposite direction
to that due to the first couple (in this case, anti-clockwise) which thus
tends to restore the block back to its original position. So lon#,
therefore, as this restoring couple W XHB, is greater than the couple
*This might raise a question in the mind of the student as to why then
are they lubricated at all ? The simple answer is that it is done only with a view
to reducing wear.
tFor, with no force F acting on the block, its weight is uniformly distri-
buted over its base B,
FBICTION 399
FxPB, due to F and
the block remains at rest and upright,
F',
i.e., in stable equilibrium, if but WxHB<FxPB,
it topples over.
Let us now investigate the conditions under which the block will
remain upright but slide along the plane. For this, let us first deter-
mine the resultant of F and W
by the ordinary application of
the parallelogram law of fordes and then take the moments of this re-
sultant R' and the frictional force F about B. Let R' be represented
1
by the diagonal EL of the parallelogram EMLN, with its adja-
cent sides EM
and EN
representing Fand W
respectively, and let it
cut the plane in K, [Fig. 242(6)].
Now, clearly, moment of F' about B is zero, since its line gf
action passes through B. So that, so long as HK<HB, i.e., so long as
the resultant R' passes through the contour of the ba^e of the block,
it will have a restoring moment about B and the block will remain
upright. But, if the angle made by R' with the vertical, or the
direction of the normal reaction R, be greater than A, the angle
offriction for the surfaces of the block and the plane, (see 191), it
will slide along the surface. If however, HK>HB, i.e., if the
resultant R of F and W, passes outside the contour of the base
r
of the block, the block will topple over.
Another important case of stability due to friction is that of a
fast movingvehicle on a curved track, discussed already in 18 (4).
195. Friction, a Necessity. Taking most of our daily activities
in life as a matter of course, we seldom care to pause and think as to
bow much they are dependent on the existence of friction. Thus, for
example, in the absence of friction, we would find it impossible
to walk or to drive on a road, and if we just start moving, we shall
not be able to stop again, it would be impossible to climb a tree, tie
;
a knot or even fix a nail in the wall. Brick would not stand on brick
and buildings would tumble down like a house of cards and so
on. Indeed, we find it so much of a necessity that we deliberately in-
crease it for many of our purposes, as, for instance, when \vo
.apply brakes to our bicycles or cars.
In many other cases, on the other hand, we find friction
so irksome as, for example, in the various parts of our machines,
;
making their speed slower and their output lower and bringing about
a greater wear and tear in them. And, yet, we know that friction is
necessary even for thorn. What we do, therefore, is just to adopt
ways and means of minimising it in such cases by means of oils
and other lubricants, and ball-bearings etc. etc., (see page 404).
196. Simple Practical Applications of Friction Rope Machines. Apart
from the ordinary uses of friction, some of which have been mentioned above,
there are various types of useful machinci based on it. We shall consider here
a couple of them by way of illustration of the principle underlying them.
1. The Prony Brake. This is a simple appliance to measure the power
of machines, which we owe to Baron G. C. F, Prony, a French Mathematician,
(1750 1839). It is in fact a broke dynamometer and consists of two wooden arms
or, *cheeks\ A and B (Fig. 243) in between which can be clamped the shaft of
the machine whose power (i.e., rate of working) it is desired to measure. The
frictional force between the shaft and the cheeks is regulated by tightening or
loosening the screws S and 5. provided on the uoper cheek A % to which is also
attached a small rod /?, about *5 to 1*0 metre in length, carrying a scale pan at
its other end.
400 PEOPEBTIBS OF MATTEB
Suppose the shaft of the machine turns in the anti-clockwise direction, at
shown. Then, if there be no weights placed in the scale pan, i.e., if the brake
Fig. 243.
be unloaded, it will tend to be carried around with the shaft due to friction
between itself and the shaft. But, if the brake be sufficiently loaded, before the
shaft starts rotating, i.e., before starting the machine, the moment due to
the load may be enough to overcome the nioment due to friction between the
brake and the shaft and the brake may turn in the clockwise direction so that, ;
it is quite possible to so adjust the weights W
in the scale pan, i ?., to so load
the brake, that the rod R remains quite horizontal in-between and equidistant
from the stops s t and J 2 placed on its two sides, a little distance away from it.
When this is so, obviously, the frictional resistance between the brake and the
shaft is equal to the force F exerted by the machine on the periphery of the shaft
and is exactly balanced by the \\eights or the load W
placed in the scale pan. So
that, we have
moment of force F(due to machine) on the shaft = moment of weight on it. W
be the radius of the cross-section of the shaft and /, the length of the;
If r
rod R, we clearly have
moment of F on the shaft = JFx r,
and moment of W ,, ,,
= xl. W
Thus, Fxr = Wxl, whence, F - W.lfr.
If the shaft makes one full rotation in time r, we have
work done by the shaft, i.e., by the machine, in time T
= Fx circumference of the shaft = Fx2nr.
And .'. work done by the machine per unit time, i.e., the power of the machine
~ Fx2nr '
T
Or, substituting the value of F, obtained above, we have
power of the machine = ^x = -
W.I = _ x moment of the load.
Thus, knowing W, I and T we t can easily determine the power of th<
machine, which, as we can see, is clearly proportional to the moment of the
load.
N.B. If W
be taken in dynes, I in cms. and Tin sees., we get the power ol
the machine in ergs per second.
The Rope Brake. Before discussing any rope-machines, we
2.
must be minds as to what exactly is meant by a rope and
clear in our
what, if any, are the peculiar properties possessed by it that make
for its usefulness.
A rope, then, is any flexible body or combination offlexible bodies,
capable of transmitting tension. Thus, the string of a violin, apiece ojf
spring, a strap, a band&nd a chain all come under the definition of a
rope.
When one. end of a rope is connected to a body and its
*>ther end pulled, stresses are caused at every cross-section of it,.
FRICTION 401
in exactly the same manner as in a rigid rod. The stresses in neigh-
bouring cross-sections neutralise each other and the pull is thus
directly exerted on the body at the other end. A rope can thus trans-
mit a tension, undlminished in magnitude, from one end to the other.
Due to its flexibility, however, it cannot transmit any compressional
forces along it but, at the same time, its flexibility is of great
;
it particularly suitable as a
advantage in many ways and makes
means of transmitting tensional force, unaffected even by a change of
direction*, as in the case of a pulley etc.
On the other hand, when coiled round a cylindrical body, a
rope can exert a very large couple on the body, due to frictiojn
between itself and the body, so
much so indeed, that a man pulling
at one end may even hold a ship,
fastened to its other end. Let us
see how this comes about.
Let A BCD
be the cross -
section of the cylindrical surface,
with its centre at O
and let a rope
PABCQ, coiled round it, leave its
surface at points A and C, (Fig.
244).
Consider an infinitesimal por-
tion of the rope at B and let
EF
the mean tension over this portion
Fig. 244.
be T, with the angle subtended by
it at O equal to eld.
Then, representing the tensions T, at E and F, by the tangents
EG FH respectively, we have their resultant force represented by
and
BJ (by the simple application of the parallelogram law of forces)",
where BJ is clearly equal to BG.dO =
T.dO, [v BG represents T
and BGJ =
d6], in the direction BJ, normal to the section EF.
at B.
If, therefore, \i be the coefficient of friction for the ropo and the
c3 lindncai surface,
T
we have
frictional force between the rope and the surface = /i.T.rftff*
in the direction of the rope at B.
Due to this frictional force, there comes about a change in the
tension at the two ends of the rope, which, in the absence of any
friction, would have been the same, (see above). In fact, the differ-
ence in the tensions at the two ends is just equal to this frictional
force. So that, if dT be the difference in tensions at E and F, wo
have
dT = Or,
l
.dT
T
"This is possible only so long as the body, (e.g., the pulley or the ring
etc.) over which the rope is passed does not interfere with its freedom of motion
i.e., is perfectly smooth and round.
tBecause frictional force J*x normal reaction R* and here, R
402 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
integrating which, we have
<..dd. Or, log, T = nO+K, (0
where g is the angle EOA and K, a constant of integration.
Clearly, if Q = 0, T =T l9 the tension at A so that, we have
log, 2\ = nxQ+K = K.
Substituting this value of K in expression (i) above, we have
log, T= ne+logt T,. Or, log, T-log, T, = rf.
Or, log, 7) 7\ ^0. =
Or, 7)^ = e^,
whence it is clear that the tension increases as T increases.
Obviously, therefore, if <f>
be the total angle AOC, and T2 ,
the
tension at C, we have
It is thus clear that if ^ bs large, i.e if the
1
rope be coiled many,
times round the cylinder, 7 ,/ 7\ is also very
large and a small tension
applied at P rcuiy be made to exert a large pull at Q.
(3) The Band Brake. The principle, discussed in 196, (2)
above, is made use of in many forms of brakes, for the measurement
of the power (or the rate of
doing work) of machines, one
of the simplest of which is the
Band brake.
is a
It simple device,
consisting of a pulley fixed on
to the rotating shaft of the
machine whose power is to be
A band (or a
determined.
passed round the
cord) is
once, twice or thrice
pulley,
Fig. 245. etc., and has its two ends
attached to two spring
balances A and B suspended from a rigid support, as shpwn in
Fig. 245.
Then, if7\ and T2 be the readings in the two spring balances
respectively, we have
couple exerted on the pulley due to friction = (T^T^.R,
where R is the radius of the pulley.
Now, work done by or against a couple = couple x angle of rota-
tion (in radians).
And, therefore, work done against a couple per second
-= couple x angle turned through in one second.
Or, rate of doing work, i.e., power = couple x angular velocity.
Thus, work done per second by the machine against the couple
due to friction ^(T^T^.R x 2-nn,
where n is the number of rotations made by the shaft or the- axle of
the pulley per second and hence 2;r, the angular velocity
of the shaft.
MECHANISM OF FBIOTION 4t)3
This, then, gives the work done per second by the machine, or
the power of the machine. Thus, we have
power of the machine (T^
=
ri )./?x27m.
Thus, knowing Tt and Tz (from the two spring balances), R and n, we
can easily calculate out the power of the machine.
Further, we have the relation TZ IT: e* = ,
where ^ is the coefficieat of friction for the cord or band in question
And the surface of the pulley and 0, equal to TT, STT, or STT, efc. accord-
ing to the number of times the cord or the band passes round the
pulley. So that, knowing 7\, T2 and 0, we can also easily calculate
out the value of M.
197. Mechanism of Friction. Since the laws of solid friction were
enunciated by Amontons and Coulomb, much has come to be known as to the
jfiow and why of friction, thanks to^he work of Hardy, Bowden and others.
According to Dr. Bowden' s lucid exposition, the mechanism of friction
imay be summed up as follows :
The smoothest or even the most polishsd surfaces are really not smooth
-enough, having projections and depressions of larger than molecular dimensions
on them so that, the area of the two surfaces, in actual contact is much smaller
;
ithan the apparent one we see to be so, being less than ten-thousandth part of
the apparent area of contact, in the case of plane steel surfaces.
It is possible now to form a fairly correct estimate of the actual area of
contact between two metals by measuring their electrical resistance, and it is
ifound to be practically independent of the size and roughness of the surfaces and
to depend only upon the load The obvious inference is that the projections on
the two surfaces get shorn off or crushed down under the load, until an area,
enough to support that load, is cleared up and comes into actual contact.
Viewed in this light, Amonton's law, regarding th3 independence of the
foice of friction of the surface area, means no more than that, for a given load,
a change in the apparent area makes little or no difference to the area in actual
contact.
A
logical consequence of this smallness of the area of true or actual con-
tact is that the pressure at the points of contact must be enormously high. In-
deed, it is estimated to be of the order of 100 tons per square inch in the case of
mild steel. And this inevitably Isads to the result that during sliding between
the two surfaces, the temperature at these points of actual contact must rise to
-equally enormous proportions All this now stands amply verified by actual ex-
periment. For, it has been found possible to measure the temperature of the
points of actual contact iq the case of two dissimilar metals by using them as a
thermocouple and by amplifying and applying the ther mo -electromotive force thus
generated to the deflecting plates of a cathode-ray oscillograph. Temperatures,
as high as 1000C*, have been found to obtain at these actual contact points or
9
'hot spots although they last only for just a split second, the temperatures thus
reached depending upon (/) the magnitude of the load, (//) the speed at -which
sliding takes place, (Hi) the thermal conductivity and (iv) the melting points of the"
metals in question.
In most cases, therefore, there is welding at these points during sliding,
due to melting and consequent flow of metal. The surfaces of both metals
thus get damaged by this sliding occurring between them. The surface of the
softer metal gets torn and 'ploughed* by the projections on the surface of the
harder metal and the latter has the softer metal welded on to it, -the maximum
damage occurring in the case of two similar metals sliding one over the other, the
coefficient of friction being the highest in their case.
*Even higher temperatures are reached in the case of poor conductors of
heat. Thus, for example, glass rubbed against glass, or quartz against quartz,
gives tiny sparks of light, changing from reddish to white as the vigour and speed
of rubbing is increased,
404: PROPERTIES OF MATTER
The frictional force between two metal surfaces may thus be attributed
to the shearing of these temporarily- welded points as well as the 'ploughing""
resulting from the projections of the harder metal, the former being by far
the greater of the two forces, depending upon (a) the actual contact area of the
metals and the shear-strength of the softer metal*. To minimise friction,
therefore, both these factors should be made as small as possible. In almost all
cases, however, if one is less, the other is high as, for example, if a hard metal
4
;
is made to slide on steel, factor
(a) i.e , the actual area of contact, is small, but
factor (b), i e., the 'ploughing" is greater, and if a softer metal is made to slide
on steel, the ploughing, [factor (b)] is small, but the contact area [factor (a)J
becomes greatei As a consequence, for most pairs of metals, the coefficient of
.
friction comes to he within the same common limits, '6 to I'O.
198. Lubricants. A like lead or iridiumi",
thin film of a soft metal,
smeared on a harder surface, like steel, often reduces friction, because of its-
reducing the shear- strength without unditlv increasing the contact area. This explains
why we frequently use copper or silver bearings, smeared with lead or iridium in
our modern aero-engines. A
substance so used to minimise friction is called a
lubricant.
Even apparently clean metal surfaces in an have a thin smearing of some
sort of a lubricant between them, e g., a thin film of air or a thin film of oxide
or some such other contaminant, like moisture etc., which greatly reduces
their shear-strength and hence the inction between them. Consequently, the
friction between two metal surfaces is found to be greater in
yacuo than in
air, the cause of this enhanced friction in* the former case bsing the force of
adhesion between the two surfaces, which grip or seize each other under the
smallest load. Thus, as Dr. Bowden so aptly puts it, it is really fortunate that
all metal surfaces are more or less contaminated in air, or else the world would
be a very sticky place indeed.
All cases of friction fall into one or the other of the following three cate-
gories, viz.y (/) dry fnotion between solid surfaces, ie the frictior.al force en-
,
countered when no lubricant is present between them (//) boundary friction,
;
when only a thin film of a lubricating material is present between the two^
given solid surfaces ; and (///) fluid or floatation friction, when there is plenty
of a liquid lubricant present in-between the two surfaces ; so that, the friction,
in this case, depends almost wholly upon the properties of the lubricant, in
particular, upon
its viscosity, (sec Chapter Xll).
We have already studied briefly the essential details of the first tuo
categories, ^iz friction between solid surfaces in the absence of any lubricating
,
substance, and 'boundary friction', with a thin film of lubricant present in-bet-
ween them. The ordinary cases of friction between solid surfaces, which, as we
have already seen, are almost always contaminated, to some slight extent, with
oxide or moisture etc., strictly belong to this second category of boundary fric-
tion. Hardy thoroughly studied this type of friction and, according to him, it
is the chemical natures of the metal and th<* lubricant which determine the
strength of the boundary film, a metal attracting more strongly the polar
group (COOH) at one end of the molecules of an oil than the non-polar ones at
the other. This results in the layer of molecules nearest the metal surface being
orientated so as to stand upright (i.e., normal to the surface), with their polar
ends inwards, with possibly further double layers, having their polar ends adjacent,
being formed on them so that, sliding actually occurs between pairs of these
;
molecular layers ovsr their non-polar ends Obviously, therefore, the more
strongly doss the lubricant adhere to the surface, the more effective will it be in
minimising friction.
In the case of fluid or floatation friction, the thickness of the film makes
most of the molecules lie outside the range of the adhesive force of the solid
surface, so that the only force to be overcome now is that due to the viscosity of
the lubricant.
*Coulomb had originally suggested that the frictional force between two-
surfaces was purely a consequence of their roughness and consequent interlock-
ing of their projections and depressions, so that there should be practically no-
frictional force between perfectly polished surfaces. This is, however, not found**
to be so, as we shall presently see.
tlridium is even softer than lead.
VIRTUAL WORK 405
Beuchamp Tower, in 1883, experimented on a revolving shaft, resting
in a well lubricated bearing and showed that not only was the friction between
the two greatly reduced but that the laws obeyed by frictional force were entirely
different from those in the cass of dry friction. For, (i) while in the case of dry
surfaces* th2 frictional force is proportional to the normal reaction between them, it
45 practically q ate independent of the normal reaction in the case of lubricated sur-
faces, (it) while in the case of dry surfaces, the magnitude of the frictional force
depends upon the nature of the two surfaces, it is quite independent of the nature of
it he lubricated surfaces, depending only upon the nature of the lubricant, and (in}
whereat in the case of dry surfaces, the frictional force is quite independent of their
relative velocity, it varies directly with the relative velocity in the case of lubricated
surfaces. Three y^ars later, in 1886, Osborne Reynolds put forward his funda-
mental theory of lubrication. Tower had shown that a film of the lubricant
vas formsd in between the shaft and the bearing and Reynolds showed that the
film, which he thought must be several molecules thick, could be maintained
in spite of the enormous pressure between the two surfaces, provided that the
diameter of the bearing were a wee bit, (about one-thousandth part) greater than
ths diameter of ths shaft. This makes the two surfaces slightly eccentric,
with a wsize-shap'd cle&ranc 2 between them, filled in with the lubricating oil,
its pressure increasing with the narrowing down of the wedge and being equal
to that developed between the sliding surfaces.
The oil is carried round by the adhesive forces on layers, nearer the shaft,
and by viscous forces on those away from it, and the two surfaces are thus kept
reasonably apart for the quantity of the labricant in this wedge to be sufficient
to have its normal bulk-properties and thus to be able to resist the shear, pure-
ly by virtue of its viscosity. The shearing of the temporarily welded points between
the twj surfaces is thus replaced by this inter-liquid shear.
Obviously, therefore, liquids, possessing the two essential properties of
viscosity and of adherence to the solid surfaces will be the best lubricants. But,
from the practical stand-point, perhaps by far the most important property required
of a lubricant is that of chemical stability, and mineral oils undoubtedly claim
a definite superiority over vegetable oils in this respect as well as in supplying
the necessary minimum viscosity* required to maintain a multi-molecular film
between the two surfaces.
Onthe other hand, vegetable oils excel over mineral oils in their property
of forming strongly adhering films on the solid surface, (/*., the boundary
films), in view of the polar groups in their molecule, due to the presence of free
fatty acids in them.
To take full advantage of both these properties, therefore, the modern
lubricants used are a mixture of mineral oils with vegetable oils (like castor oil)
in proper proportion, ike former supplying film lubrication and the latter, boun-
dary lubrication. In addition, it is also quite usual to add to the above mixture
of lubricating oils, a measure of colloidal graphite, a thin film of which is
formed on the solid surfaces, so that even if contact occurs between the two metal
surfaces, seizure takes place between the graphite layers, offering little or no
resistance to any relative motion between them.
In addition to all this, other factors, such as change of viscosity with
increase of temperature and pressurcf between the two surfaces have also to be
taken into consideration.
199. Virtual Work.
Principle of The principle of virtual
work was enunciated by John Bernoulli, in the year 1717, and
first
later, in 1788, quite independently by Lagrange, and applies to all
cases of equilibrium, thus leading to the deduction of all theorems
relating to mechanical transmission of force, (of course, neglecting
*A high viscosity of the lubricant being also not quite desirable, in view
of the resistance it would offer to the sliding motion between the two surfaces*
Further, since the resistance to motion, due to viscosity, increases with speed,
a higher viscosity at lower speeds, and a lower viscosity at higher speeds, is
deemed to be more desirable
fAs we know, viscosity decreases with temperature and increases with
pressure.
406 PBOPERTIES OF MATTJJB
friction). Let us, before coming to the Principle itself or its appli-
cations, try to Understand clearly as to what is meant by the te.rm
virtual work. ,
we imagine a system of forces, acting on
If a particle, .to suffer
a slight displacement, consistent with the geometrical conditions,
/.e,, compatible with the constraints to which the particle is subjected,
the displacement so imagined is called a virtual displacement, for it
may never really occur in actual practice, and is thus purely arbi-
trary, existing only in our imagination. The product of each force of
the system and the virtual displacement along its line of action is called
virtual work*.
The principle of virtual work may now be stated as follows :
A
system offorces, acting at points, connected by any mechanism,
will be inequilibrium, if the total work, accompanying a virtual dis-
placement, is zero.
Let us consider a few simple cases, illustrative of this principle :
(/) Case of
a body in equilibrium on a smooth inclined plane
under the action of a force. Let P be a body of mass w, on a smooth
incline, of angle 0, (Fig. 246) such that a
force F, acting on it at an angle ^ w ith the
plane, keeps in it
equilibrium. The
normal reaction R
of the plane, obviously,
acts perpendicularly to the plane, as shown.
In order to eliminate any reference to it
and thus to simplify our calculations, let
us imagine a virtual displacement dr of the
body, along the plane, so as to be per-
pendicular to R, so that R,dr is zero.
mff , Then, clearly,
Fig. 246.
virtual work clone by the weight mg of the body = mg sin Q.dr,
and virtual work done against force F = F cos <j>.dr,
where mg sin Q and F cos arc the components of
(f> mg and F along
the plane, the negative sign, in the latter case, merely indicating that
the work is done against the force.
Hence, according to the principle of virtual work, the condition*.
that must be satisfied for the equilibrium of the body is that
mg sin 0.drF cos <f>. dr 0. =
Or, that (mg sin 6F cos fy.dr
= 0.
Since, obviously, dr is not zero, we have
mg sin QF cos $ = 0. Or, F cos <f>
* mg sin 9,
which gives the condition for the equilibrium of the body, and
which we know, is the one we obtain by the ordinary conventional
method, in which we also take into consideration the normal reaction
of the plane.
(//') Case of equilibrium of a body on a rough inclined Plane*
Let a body, of mass m, be just in equilibrium i.e., just on the point
*Very aptly so, since the displacement is only virtual or imagined,
VIBTUAL WORK 407
of sliding down a rough incline of angle 0, when a horizontal force
F acts upon it, (Fig. 247).
Here, obviously, the reaction R of
the plane will make an angle, a, say, (the
angle of repose) with the normal PN to
the plane.
Again, considering the body to
have a virtual displacement dr, perpendi-
cular to the direction of R, we have
R.dr = 0. And, therefore,
virtual work done by the weight mg of
the body = mg sin (0a).dr, Fig 247.
and force F =
virtual work done against F cos ($ a) dr.
So that, by the principle of virtual work, we have, for equilibrium,
mg sin (e~*).dr-Fcos (6-a).dr 0.
Again, since dr is not zero, we have F cos (9 a) = mg sin (fl a).
Or, F=mg.tan(6-a),
which thus gives the condition for the
equilibrium of the body.
(Hi) Case of equilibrium of a system of two or more connected
bodies. Here, a slight complication arises in that, if we imagine the
bodies to undergo virtual displacements dr dr etc., under the action
lt 2 ,
offerees Fv F2 etc., acting on them
respectively, these displacements,
since they must be compatible with the constraints of the system,
cannot possibly be completely
arbitrary, but will rather be inter
related to each other, although
they wilf satisfy the relation
F .dr + F^.dr^+
l l Fn .drn = 0. ... /
We
can, however, tide over the difficulty by first writing down
the above general relation for the different
impressed forcesFv F2 ,
etc., and then deducing, from the geometry of the system, the
inter-relation between the different virtual
displacements. This will
then enable us to obtain a set of completely arbitrary displacements,
and hence the necessary conditions that the different forces must
satisfy for equilibrium of the given system of bodies.
Let us, for example, consider the of two bodies,
equilibrium ml
and W 2,
tied to the two ends of astring, passing round a smooth peg
or pulley, (Fig. 248), and subjected to two
impressed forces Fl and F% respectively, as
shown.
Taking, for convenience, the virtual dis-
placements dr: and rfr2 of the two bodies in the
downward direction (which is quite compati-
ble with the restraints imposed upon the sys-
tem), we have, for equilibrium, on the principle
of virtual work,
(Fl +m g).dr +(F,+m g)dr =
1 l 2 2
0.
f
x m%
I
q
Now, an examination of the situation at
once reveals the relationship between dr^ and
F* viz., that the string being inextensible,
dr^
408 PROPERTIES OP MATTER
So that, the above relation reduces to
).drl
= 0,
whence, Fi+mg F2 2 g, = +m
which thus gives the necessary condition for the equilibrium of the
two bodies.
must be noted here that if we were to use the old conven-
It
tionalmethod to determine the equilibrium condition of the bodies
we should have had to take into account the tension in the string.
Since it is not an impressed force, we can clean ignore it in our calcu-
lations, on the principle of virtual work.
(zv) Relation between Equilibrium and Potential Energy. We
may express relation /, of case (Hi) above, in Cartesian form, and write
for the/?th particle, in a system of particles,
dr, =
idxp +\.dyp +li.dzp>
and Vp = iFA^+jF^+k.Fz/,
where dxp dyp and dzp denote the virtual displacements of the particle
,
in the x, y and z directions respectively, and Fxp Fyp and Fzp the , ,
components of the applied force F^ in these directions.
The principle of virtual work may now be expressed in the
form
2 (Fxp .dxp +Fy p .dyp +Fzp .dzp ) == 0.
P=*I
If the forces be conservative (i.e., for which the total mechanical
energy remains constant or 'conserved'), so that there exists a potential
energy function Vp (xp .yp .zp ), such that
Then, the total potential energy of the whole system of particles is
given by
2? Vp K.
*=i
The principle of virtual work then takes the form
2 dVp = 0,
/-i
for the virtual displacements considered, the change in the total
(i.e.,
potential energy is zero.
In other words, for the equilibrium position, the potential energy
must either be a maximum or a minimum for only then, can the vari-;
ation due to a small displacement be zerof. In the latter case, the
equilibrium is said to be stable, and in the former, unstable.
*In vector notation, i, j and k denote vectors of unit magnitude* inx, y
and z directions respectively.
mathematically speaking, it is not quite correct to say so, and
fStrictly,
all we canreasonably assert, therefore, is that the potential energy will have a
stationary value: In most mechanical problems, however, it is quite enough to
confine our attention to maxima and minima.
VIRTUAL WOBK 409
Thus, taking the simplest case of a single particle, acted upon
t>y the force of gravity and resting on a smooth surface, we have
potential energy given by V =
mg.z, taking the z-axis vertical,
z being positive upward.
Now, if the particle be in equilibrium on a concave surface, the
total force acts on it normally to the surface, so that z and, therefore,
V is a minimum, and hence the equilibrium, stable for, any finite ;
displacement of the particle on the surface tends to increase its po-
tential energy. But if it be in equilibrium on a convex surface, we
liave z and, therefore, F, a maximum, and hence the equilibrium un-
stable for, a finite displacement of the particle on the surface now
;
tends to decrease its potential energy.
(v) Tension in a Flywheel. Let us now consider the application
of the principle of virtual work in a problem on the mechanical
transmission of force and calculate the tension in a rotating flywheel.
If the radius of the ring-shaped flywheel be r and its angular
velocity, to, it is clear that an element Sm of it will experience a cen-
2
trifugal force Sw.ro> outwards, at right angles to its circumference,
,
.and the ring will thus tend to stretch itself, i.e., will be in a state of
stress.
If we imagine each element of the ring to suffer a radial virtual
2
displacement dr, the virtual work done by it would be Sm.ro> dr. And, .
therefore,
total virtual work done by the ring, as a whole = (8m.rar.dr).
Obviously, if the ring be cut at any point on its circumference,
its two ends will, under this centrifugal force, fly apart through a
distance
In order to hold the two ends of the ring together, obviously,
an external force F, equal to the tension in the ring, will have to be
applied to it inwards.
And, therefore,
work done against the force F
virtual F.27T.rfr,
For equilibrium, therefore, we have, in accordance with the
principle of virtual work,
Z(Sm.ra>*.dr)-F.27r.dr = 0. Or, 2(Sm.ra>*.dr) = F.2ir.dr.
Or, rajt.drZSm F.Zv.dr.
Now, E&m SB M, the mass of the ring or the flywheel.
So that, r.rfr. M _ F.^.dr. Or, F= '-- - ---,
which enables the tangential tension in the flywheel to be easily cal-
culated.
The above examples hoped, suffice to bring home to the
will, it is
student the great utility and importance of this rightly celebrated
principle of virtual work.
SOLVED EXAMPLES
1. A
gramophone disc is set revoking in a horizontal plane and reaches
a steady state of motion of two revolutions per second. It is found that a small
410 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
coin placed on the disc will remain there if its centre is not more than 5 cms. froiro
the axis of rotation. Explain this and calculate the coefficient of friction bet-
ween the coin and the disc. (Oxford and Cambridge Higher School Certificate)
When the small coin is placed on the rotating gramophone disc, it is
subjected to a centrifugal force tending to pull it outwards, away from the
axis of rotation of the disc. Its motion is, however, opposed by the force of
friction coming into play in-between the surfaces of the disc and its own. But,
as the distance of the coin from the axis of rotation increases, the centrifugal
force pulling it outwards also increases, (being equal to /wrw , where m is its mass r
a
, its angular velocity and r, its distance from the axis of rotation)
and is just
balanced by the limiting friction between itself and the disc, when it is at a
distance of 5 cms. from the axis of rotation. Beyond this distance, the centrifugal
force on it is greater than the limiting friction between it and the disc and it,
therefore, moves outwards.
TV in 1 rotation, the disc
=
r = 5 cms. and co
f
Here, '
4rc. , ., I
,
~
L describes an angle 2*-
So that, if m be the mass of the coin, we have
centrifugal force on the coin
= mx 5 x (4*r) 2 -* 80 r.*.m dynes.
mrco 2
And, clearly, the normal reaction (R) of the disc on it = its own weight mg.
And, therefore, the limiting friction between the coin and the disc = PR = P.mgr
where /* is the coefficient of friction for them.
Since the coin is just in equilibrium here, we have p.mg = 80 7i
2
m.
= 2
* 80 *'/980 = 4n*/49, r gTaking
Or, P-g 807i ,
/* = 80* / = 980 cms.jsec*.
2
whence,
I* = '8054,
'
Or, L
Thus, the coefficient of friction for the surfaces of the coin and the disc
is equal to '8054.
2. Define the coefficient of sliding friction.
A uniform ladder of length 21 and weight W
rests against a vertical wall
with its foot on the ground at a distance / from the wall. If the coefficient of
friction between the wall and the ladder and between the ground and the ladder is-
0*4, find how far up the ladder a man of weight 2W can ascend without disturbing:
equilibrium. (Joint Matriculation Board)
For definition of coefficient of sliding friction, see 190, page 395.
Here, let PQ be the ladder resting against the wall AB, (Fig. 249), such,
that it makes an angle with the ground, the ladder being in the vertical plane,
perpendicular to the wall, with its weight
W acting vertically downwards at its mid-
point O.
Let the man climb up a distance x
on the ladder, up to T before the ladder
9
starts slipping. Then, clearly, the weight
2W of the man acts vertically down at T.
And since, when the ladder on the is just
point of slipping, its upper end P moves
downwards towards B and its foot Q awa>
from B, the frictional forces at P and Q act
away from and towards B respectively. If
R and R' be the normal reactions of the
wall and the ground at P and Q, and P 9 the
coefficient of friction in either case, we have
limiting frictional force at P
Fig. 249.
=s
/*/?, along the wall, away from B
and limiting frictional force at Q
PR', along the ground, towards B.
=
In the equilibrium position of the ladder, clearly.
R t*R\ ...(/) and jR'-f f<R - 3^.W+IW .
.07]
So that, substituting the value of R in relation (//) we have
..(///) Or,
FBICTION AND LUBBICATION VIBTUAL WOBK 411
whence, /?' 3FP7(l-f /**) ; ...(v) And,.*.
Now, taking moments about Q, we have
WxQM+2WxQN RxPB+pRxQB.
Or, Wxl cos b + 2Wxx cos = jRx2/ sin 0-f/*Rx2/ cos 0,
where, QM = cos 6, QN = * cos 0, P = 2/ sm and QB = 21 cos 0,
/
Or, Jf7 co s 4- 2fP* cos
- 2/*/?/ cos 6 = 2RI sin 0.
Or, cos (HP7+2Wx-2/*/tf) = 2RI sin 0.
Or '
2*r
So that, Wl+2Wx-2pRl = 2>/3 .
Or, substituting the value of R from relation (vi) above, we have
6
Or. /+2* =,":!;, (+v - (-4+^3).
N
v *--4.
,,a i ,
+
J.t'
16 [
L
Or, , ,
^- 1<16
2'4x2'132/ ./2'4x2-132 ,\
= .
~
Ur
(j| '
7r
ZX - -
1-16
/
'
\
/I
116
-
V
1 1
Or. 2x = (4-411
- 1)/ 3-411 /, whence, ^ = ~- j
- 1'7055 /.
Thus, the man can ascend up a distance i'7055/ without disturbing the;
equilibrium of the ladder.
3. A rough plane is inclined to the horizontal at an angle 6, where 6 is les
than the angle of friction A, and a body of weight is placed on the plane. W
Calculate the minimum horizontal force required to make the body move (/) down the
plane and (u) up the plane.
(/) Let AB be the rough plane, inclined to the horizontal
at an angle r
and let the body of weight be placed on it, W
as shown, (Fig. 250).
Then, since Q is less than the angle of
friction A for the body and the plane, it will
not by itself slip down, (see page 398).
Let P be the least horizontal force
required to mate the body just move down
the plane.
Then, clearly, resolving Pinto its two
rectangular components, we have its compo- *
nent P cos 0, acting downwards, along the B
plane and its component P sin 0, acting
upwards, perpendicular to the plane- Fig. 250.
Similarly, resolving W
into its two rectangular components, we have its
component sin W
acting downwards, along the plane and its component cos 9 W
acting perpendicular to the plane.
Thus, since there is no motion of the body in a direction perpendicular to
the plane, we have
normal reaction of the plane cos - P sin 0, R~ W
and the downward force along the plane sin 0-f P cos 0. W
Since the body is just on the point of moving down the plane, it is clear that
WsinQ+PcosQ = F, ...
(/)
where F is the
limiting friction between the body and the plane, acting upwards.
along the plane.
412 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
Now, F = /*/?, where /* is the coefficient of friction for the surfaces of the
body and the plane.
Again, P =
tan A, where A is the angle of friction for the given pair
of surfaces. So that,
F= i*R = tan X (W cos 0-Psw 0).
Substituting this value of F in relation above, we have
( i)
W sin 0-f-P cos & tan X (W cos P sin 0).
Or. P cos = W tan X cosQP tan X sin QW sin 0.
Or, P = W tan X-P tan X tan Q-W tan 0. e., dividing both
Or, P+Ptan X tan 8 W tan \-W tan 0.
|~i
[sides by
cos 6.
Or, P(l-f tan \ tan = W (tan X-tan
e) o).
tan A tan
Or, W 1-htaw X tan
. '
Clearly, (tan X-tan 0)/l + /* A tan = tan (\-0).
So that, H'tart(A--o) P=
Thus, the least horizontal force required to make the body move down the
plane is W/an(A-8).
(//) In this case, again, let P be the least force required to make the body
lust move up the plane. Obviously, it will now have to be applied in the oppo-
* .site to that in the first case, as
A " showndirection
in Fig 251, and the frictional force F
will now act downwaids along the plane.
p
Resolving P, as before, into its two
rectangular components, we have
"
component P cos 0, acting upwards, along
riS ix
ttf
lll
Xx ~^WCOS6 the plane,
\\^ Ps in ft an<J component P sin acting downwards, per'
pendicular to the plane.
.WAT So that, the normal reaction on the plane
is now R cos f Psin 0. W
Fig, 251.
for equilibrium of the body, we have
P cos sin -I- =W F= W sin Q + V-R.
Or, P cos = Jf j/ii 04- ta/z A (W cos Q+Ps!n 0). p-' P ~ tanX and
_
Or, = W sin Q+W tan X cos 64-P ta X s//f {).
Or, F= W ta taw A4-Pta A ta 0.
Or, P-P tan \ = H^ (tan A + taw 0).
Or, P(l-tan X 0) = fiK (taw A -f tart 0).
P tart A-f tart
whence, yy '
1-tart A
Since (/// X+tan Q)/i--tan X tan = /#/* (X-f-0), we have
Or, the minimum horizontal force required to make the body just move up the
plane is W tan(\ + 0).
4. (a) Define the angle of friction.
A
uniform rod rests in limiting equilibrium In contact with a horizontal
Boor and a vertical wall, the rod being in a vertical plane which is perpendicular to
the wall. If the wall and the floor be equally rough, prove that the angle between
the rod and the wall is twice the angle of friction.
(London Higher Secondary Certificate)
(b) What would be the value of the angle in the question above, (/) if the wall
and the floor be unequally rough, (//) if the wall be smooth, (in) if the floor
tie smooth, and (iv) if both be smooth ?
FRICTION AND LUBRICATION VIRTUAL WORK 413
with
(a) Let PQ be the rod, of length 2/, resting in limiting equilibrium,
upper end Pin contact with a vertical wall AB and its foot with a
its horizontal
floor, (Fig. 252), such that it lies in a vertical
plane perpendicular to the wall and makes an
angle o with it. {#**
Then,
its vi eight acts vertically W
downwards at its mid-point O, with the
normal reactions R
and R' of tjie wall and
' \+y Q
the floor acting at P and
'
respectively, Q
as shown.
Since ths wall and the floor are
equally rough, the coefficient of friction for
either of them and the rod must be the same.
Let it be /*. Then, the frictional forces at P
and Q are clearly t*R and /*', acting in the
directions shown, as explained in answer to
Ex. 2 above.
Fig. 252.
The rod being in limiting
equilibrium, we clearly have
R - i*R' ...
..(/) and i*R+R' =
.
(/> W
So that, substituting the value of R from expression (i) in expression (//),
we have R' + V**R' = W. Or, .K'U-f/* ) = W.
2
..(///)*
whence, ^ /^//([.j.^ = _ ... (
V ),
Now, taking moments about Q, we have
Or, ^x / .y/Vf R x 21 cos e-f t*R X 2f n 0- -
(vi>
Or, Wl sin Q--PR.21 tin *=* 2/?/ ro^ 0.
Or, / sin $(W - 2t*R) = 2RI cos 0.
sln
Or * tan - ~
So that, substituting the value of R from relation (v) above, we have
tan *
Or - '- (r pp3? r -i ..... (tH>
Now, /* tan A, where A is the angle of fnet i OIL
And, therefore, tan =*
rzy^'44
* tan ^ whence, $ 2A.
Thus, the angle 8 (hat the rod makes with the vertical wall is twice the angle
of friction.
(b) (i)
9 // the wall and the floor be unequally rough, the coefficient
of friction for the rod and the wall will be different from that between the rod and'
the floor. Let these be /* and v-' respectively. Then, clearly,
R = p'x an d R'+pR ** W.
Or, R'+WR' W. Or, JR'(l+ /*/*') = W.
So that, /*'H'(1+/*/*') p'W. Or, J?(i + /*/*') /*W. ['.* A*'U' == >?.
Or, ^=
And, /; /7n ; - -- _, . [See above, .
.(v///>
Or,
1 /
Thus, rod now makes with the wall an angle
//;tf /fln- [2^ /(l
(//) If the wall be smooth, we shall have the co-efficient of friction for
rod and the wall equal to zero, i.e, /* * 0. ,
414 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
And, therefore, expression (vitf) above become!
tan e = 2/*' * 2 tan \.
i.e.,the tangent of the angle that the rod makes with the wall is twue the tangent of
the angle of friction.
(I'M) // the floor be smooth, the coefficient of friction for the
rod and the
floor is equal to zero, i e., /*' = 0. So that,
tan = 0. Or, 6 =0.
Thus, in this case, the rod can rest only in the vertical position.
(iv) If the wall and the floor be both smooth, the coefficient of
friction for
the rod and the wall as well as that for the rod and the floor is equal to zero, i.e. I
P and also /*' = 0.
Again, therefore, we have tan B
= 0, Or, 8 = 0-
Thus, here also the rod cannot possibly rest in any inclined position*.
5. If a ladder rests in the limiting position against a vertical wall and
a horizontal floor, how far can a man climb up the ladder before the ladder starts
slipping ?
Let the ladder PQ, of length /, rest in the limiting position against a verti-
cal wall AB and a horizontal floor, as shown in Fig. 252, making an angle 6 with
the wall. Then, the weight W
of the ladder acts vertically downwards at its mid.-
point, as shown. So that, using the same symbols as before, in Ex. 4 (6), above,
we now have
R' = P'R' and R' + vR = (W+ w\
where w is the weight of the man, also acting vertically downwards.
And, therefore, R'+w'R (W+ w). Or, *'(1+^') - (W+ w).
Or, t*
f
R'(l + w') - t*'(W+w-).
Or, *(l + w') - i*'(lV+w)
*[
9 whence, R-
f
(
+^- ['-' W=*
Now, if the man can climb a maximum distance x up the ladder before
slipping just occurs, we have, using the same symbols as in Ex. 4 (b) above, and
taking moments about Q,
Wl sin Q+wx sin =R 21 cos Q+pR.21 sin Q.
Or, Wl sin + wx Q-pR.21 sin sin $ = R.21 cos Q.
Or, sin 6 (Wl+wx+lpRl) = 2RI cos $.
^
Or
sin B
= tan 8
2RI
But, tan B = 2p'l\-w>', [See Ex. 4 (b), above.
A . . . 2A*' 2RI
And, therefore, -
Or, 2
Or, WWl + lv'wx = 2Rl2w'Rl+4w'Rl = 2Rl+2w'Rl.
Substituting the value of R from above, therefore, we have
Or, 2l
Or, 2/*VA: = 2p'wl.
whence, x = /.
Thus, the man(irrespective of his weight) can climb up the ladder to only
a maximum distance equal to half its length before slipping occurs.
6. A framework ABCD, consisting of four uniform, freely jointed rods, each
of the same length and weight w, is hung from A, and the corners A, C are connect-
ed by a string. Find the tension in the string.
Let/4Cbe the string, connecting the opposite corners of the framework
ABCD, formed by the four equal and uniform rods, AB, BC, CD and DA, (Fig.
253), in which the tension is to be determined.
*This is obvious otherwise also ; for, in this case, the three forces acting
on the rod do not all meet in one point.
FBITCION AND LUBRICATION VIRTUAL WORK 415
Clearly, the weight w, of each rod acts vertically downwards at its e.g.,
i.e., at its midpoint, (the rod being uniform).
Then, if 21 be the length of each rod and
,the angle it makes with AC, we have
cos d API AD =a/2/, whence, a 21 cos 0.
(P being the mid-point of AC, and AP d).
=
So that, .4C = 2AP = 2a = 2.2/ cos 4/ aw 0.
Now, let x be the depth below A, of the
4-g., of each of the two upper rods. Then
clearly, x = / cos 0.
And, therefore,AC * 4J cos
9 4*. =
And since the e.g., of each of the lower
pair of
cods lies a distance x above C, its
depth below
A is 4x-x = 3x.
If
we, therefore, imagine the whole system
to be displaced downwards a little, so that the
<c-g. of the upper rods is shifted through a
KJistince 8x, we have
virtual work done by the weights
~ 2w*x. of the two
Mpper rods
Similarly, virtual work done by the weights of the
two lower rods 2w.8(3x) 6w.8x.
And, therefore, total virtual work done by the
weights = 2w 8x+6w.$x = &w.8x.
And, if T be the tension in the string, we have
string =
virtual work of the
T$ (4jc) = -47 Bx
the negative sign indicating that Tacts in the
opposite direction to the displace-
ment of C.
Since the system is in equilibrium, we have total virtual work = 0.
' '
r = 2w.
'
whence,
Thus, the tension in the string is
2w, i.e., equal to twice the weight of
each rod.
7. A uniform rod oflength 27 lies in equilibrium over a smooth peg, with
nts lower end resting against a smooth vertical wall. If the
peg be at a distance d
from the wa U, show that the rod is inclined to the wall at an
angle sin- \d\ 0*
Let PQ be the rod, resting in
equilibrium over the smooth peg K and
against the smooth vertical wall AB, such that it makes an angle with the wall
at P, (Fig.
254).
Obviously, the weight w of the rod acts vertically
downwards at its e.g., i.e., at its mid-point 0, at a
vertical height MN x, above the peg K, where
x = MN =* P#~PM. = OP cos
= OP cos QKM cot f v PN 0,
[and PM = KM cot 0.
Or, x * / cos B-d cot 9. T v OP / and
Differentiating this with respect to 0, we have
dx = ( / sin $+d cosec2 0) . d.
Since the rod is in equilibrium, we have dx = 0.
And, therefore, d cosec* 0-/ sin = 0.
Or, djsin* = / sin whence, sin* 6 = d\l.
Or,
Thus, the rod makes an angle siir\d\\)* with the
wall, in its position of equilibrium.
fig. 254.
416 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
An elastic ring of weight
8. W
rests on a smooth cone of semi-vertical
angle 6. Find the tension in the ring.
Let the elastic ring be in the position shown in Fig. 255, with its centre
O at a depth h below the vertex A of the cone, so that its radius r =? h tan 0.
Clearly, the forces operating on the ring
are (/) its
weight ', W
acting vertically downwards
at its centre of gravity or centre O, (ii) the tension
T of the ring acting along the circumference of the
ring and (til) the normal reaction R
of the cone,
acting at right angles to the surface of the cone*
its surface being smooth (and *hence there being
no frictional component along its surface .
Now, imagine the ring to be given a:
small downward displacement S/z, so that its.
distance from th* 1 apex A of the cone now be-
comes /j-f Sh and hence its radius becomes
(/H Shi tan 0.
Its radius thus increases by
(h+h) tan 9~h tan Q=8h. tan 0,
and its circumference, by 2nSh tan Q.
Fig 255. Clearly, then, we have
virtual work done by the weight W of the ring = WM.
and ,, against tension ring -^-T.2n8h. tan 0,T of the
the negative sign, indicating that the displacement here takes place in the direc-
tion opposite to that of T.
And, because the ring moves at right angles to the direction of R, no work
is done by or against R.
Since the ring is in equilibrium, the total virtual work done must be zero.
We, therefore, have
0-0. Or, 7' 2*8A tan = WM,
This, therefore, is the tension in the elastic ring.
EXERCISE X
1. A man
weighing 140 Ibs. climbs up a uniform ladder, 20 ft. long and
70 Ibs. in weight, which rests against a rough vertical wall at an angle of 45. If
the coefficient of friction at each end of the ladder is 0*5, how far will the man
be able to climb up the ladder before it begins to slip.
(Northern Universities Higher School Certificate)
Ans. 13-0/r.
2. A
uniform rod is in limiting equilibrium, one end resting on a rough
lorizontal plane and the other on on equally rough plane inclined at an angle
* to the horizon. If A be the angle of friction and the rod be in a vertical plane,
ihow that the inclination of the rod to the horizon is given by
3. Distinguish between static and sliding (kinetic) friction and define the
coefficient of sliding friction.
How would you investigate the laws of sliding friction between wood 1
md iron ?
An iron block, mass 10 Ibs., rests on a wooden plane inclined at 30* to
he horizontal. It is found that the least force parallel to the plane which causes.
he block to slide up the plane is 10 Ib wt. Calculate the coefficient of sliding
riction between wood and iron.
(Northern Universities Higher School Certificate^
Ans, 0-5&
FRICTION AND LUBRICATION VIRTUAL WORK 417
4.. A uniform ladder, 13ft. long and weighing 60 /&$., rests with its
upper end against a smooth vertical wall and with its lower end 5 ft from the
wall on rough ground. By a graphical method find the magnitude and direction
of the reaction at the foot of the ladder. Check your result by calculation.
What is the least coefficient of friction between ths ground and the ladder nec-
cessary to maintain equilibrium ? (Cambridge Local Higher School Certificate)
Ans. 61 '3 lb wt. at 78* 10' to the ground 0'2l
; ;
.
[Hint. To determine the magnitude and direction of the reaction at the
foot of the ladder, we must remember that the resultant reaction of the ground
passes through the point of intersection of the lines of action of R and the 50
lb. wt. since, as we know, three forces in equilibrium must all be concurrent.
t
The angle X (i.e.* the angle between the resultant ground reaction and the verti-
cal) is then measured and tan A = /* determined.]
5. Explain the meaning of the term coefficient of friction and describe an
experimental method of measuring it.
A rectangular block with a square base of side 10 cm. rests on a horizon-
tal surface. If a horizontal force is applied near the bottom of one vertical face,
the block slides. If the force is applied near the top, the block topples over.
When the force is applied at 20 cm. from the bottom, the block sometimes slides
and sometimes topples. Find the coefficient of friction between the block and
the surface. (Cambridge Higher School Certificate)
Ans. 0-25.
6. W
A uniform rod of weight rests with its me end against a rough in-
clined plane AB y of inclination a, and the other end against a smooth vertical
wall ED, B being higher than A If e be the inclination of tne rod to the verti-
cal in the limiting position of equilibrium, show that tan = 2 tan (A )> where
A is the angle of friction for the plane.
Define the terms friction, limiting friction, angle of friction (A) and
7. :
coefficientof friction (/*), and show that the coefficient of friction (/*) = tan \.
What is meant by the cone of friction ?
8. A square framework formed of uniform heavy rods of equal weights
W, is hung by one corner. A weight W is saspended from each of the three lower
corners <tnd the shape of the square is preserved by a light rod along the hori-
zontal diagonal. Find its tension ? (Allahabad and Delhi)
Ans 4 W.
9. Three equal smooth pencils, each of weight W, are tie^l together by
a single loop of fine inextensible cotton S3 that each touches the other t>vo.
Prove that the bundle can rest in stable equilibrium on a smooth table only if the
breaking tension of the cotton is not less than JFV3/6.
(Oxford Scholarship and Higher School Certificate}
10 A
cylinder of radius 1 cm. and length 4 cms. is standing on end on an
inclined plane, the angle of which is gradually increased. If the coefficient of fric-
tion between the cylinder and the plane is 03, find whether the cylinder will
slide or topple first. Ans. Slides first.
CHAPTER X1F
FLOW OF LIQUIDS VISCOSITY
200. Rate of Flow of a Liquid. A liquid, for our present pur-
pose, taken to be perfectly mobile and practically incompressible
is
and, therefore, the same amount of it fl^ws across every section of a
tube in a given time. The rate offlow of a liquid is, therefore, defined
as the volume of it that flows across any section in unit time.
If the velocity of flow of a liquid be v, in a direction perpendi-
cular to two sections A and B, (Fig. 256), of area a, and distance /
j| jj apart, and if t be the time taken by the
f^jp liquid to flow from A to B, we have
Obviously, the volume of liquid
flowing through the section A B, in
Fig. 256. time, is equal to the cylindrical column
AB /Xtf, or = =
vtxa. This, there-
fore, is the volume of the liquid flowing across the section in time t .
f n /*,. .1
= vtxa =
/. rate cf flow of liquid vxa.
= \elocity of liquids area of cross -
section of the tube.
Sometimes, the rate of flow of a liquid is also expressed in terms,
of the mass of the liquid flowing across any section in unit time ; so
that, in this case,
rate offlow of liquid == mass of liquid flowing across any section
per unit time.
= velocity of Hquidxarea of cross-section x density of liquid.
= vxaxp.
201. Lines and Tubes of Flow. In a simple flow of liquid, i.e.,
when it is not turbulent but steady , the velocity at every point in the
,
liquid remains constant, (in magnitude, as well as direction), the
energy needed to drive the liquid being used up in overcoming the
'viscous drag" between its layers. In other words, each particle
follows exactly the same path and has the same velocity as its pre-
decessor and the liquid is said to have an orderly or a stream-line
flow. In such a case, if we consider a line along which a particle of
the liquid moves, the direction of the line at any point is the direction
of the velocity of the liquid at that point. Such a line is called a
stream-line. More correctly, a stream-line may be defined as a curve
the tangent to which at any point gives the direction offlow of the liquid
at that point for, it may be straight or curved, according as the lateral
;
pressure on it is the same throughout or different, in the latter case the
pressure being greater on the convex side than on the concave one.
418
FLOW OF LIQUIDS 419
This holds goad, however, only so long as the velocity of the
liquid does not exceed a particular limiting value, called its critical
velocity, bayond which tha flow of the liquid loses all its steadiness or
orderliness, and becomes zig zag or sinuous, acquiring what is called
a turbulent motion. This may be
easily seen by introducing a small jet
of colouring matter into a tube r --- .-'":' : -.-*
- -'
-'
through which a liqui'd may be made .
to flow with a gradually increasing , .
^ '
velocity when, as long as the velo-
;
city remains below its critical value, ...
^
we see only a thin streak of the '
colouring matter along the axis of the
tube. [Fig. 257, (a)], representing a Fig. 257.
stream-line motion, but when the
velocity reaches this value, the colouring matter takes a zig zag path,
[Fig. 257, (b)] 9 and later, when this value is exceeded, the colouring
matter spreads put in all directions, filling the entire tube, showing
that the motion is no longer steady or orderly but has become
'turbulent'. The energy needed to drive the liquid is here dissipated,
for the nmst part, in setting up eddy currents in the liquid.
Consider two areas, A and B, at right angles to the direction of
flow of the liquid, (Fig. 258), and draw stream lines through their
boundaries then, a tube of the ;
AB
liquid is obtained. This is known as a
^^j^vi? tube of flow.
-i**"^ As explained above, the volume of
pjg 258. passing through section A is
liquid
equal to that passing through section B.
For, the sides of the tuba being everywhere in the direction of flow
of the liquid, no liquid can cross the sides but must enter or leave
through the ends. Since the velocity is constant over a section, i.e.,
the motion is steady, (if the tube be narrow), the volume of the liquid
entering section A is equal to a .v l per sec., and the volume of the
l
liquid leaving section B is equal to a^v 2 per sec., where a lt a%, and
v lt v 2 are the areas of cross-section and velocities at sections A and B
,
respectively.
we have ^i- v i-Pi
= #2- v -P2>
where p and t p2 are the densities of the liquid at the two sections res-
pectively.
The liquid being incompressible, p A = pa, and so we have
i.e., the volume of the liquid entering section A is equal to that
leaving section B.
202. Energy of the Liquid. Since a liquid has inertia, it pos-
sesses kinetic energy, when in motion. It is also subject to pressure,
and may also have potential energy, due to its position. have We
thus three types of energy possessed by a liquid in flow, viz.,
(i) kinetic energy, (ii) potential energy, and (Hi) pressure energy.
(i) Kinetic Energy. We know that K.E. mv\ so that the
kinetic energy of a mass m of a liquid, flowing with a velocity v, is
420 PKOPEETIBS OF MATTER
given by \ mv*. If we consider unit volume of the liquid, m= p, the
density at the liquid, ani, tharefora, we have
=
kinetic energy per unit volume of the liquid pv
2
.
And, if we consider unit mass of the liquid, m = 1, and, therefore,
kinetic energy per unit mass of the liquid = J v
2
.
(/i) Potential Energy. We have P.E. = mgh so that, the po-
;
tential energy of a liquid of mass m
at a height h above the earth's
surface (i.e., in its gravitational field) is equal to mgh. Again, if we
consider unit volume of the liquid, m =
p, the density of the liquid,
and, therefore,
=
P.E. per unit volume of the liquid p.g.A,
But, if we consider unit mass of the liquid, m = 1 and we have
P.E. per unit mass of the liquid = gh.
(Hi) Pressure Energy. Consider a tank A, containing a liquid
of density p, provided with a narrrow side tube T< of cross-sec-
tional area a, properly fitted
with a piston P that can be
smoothly moved in and out,
(Fig. 259). Let the hydrostatic
pressure due to the liquid, at
the level of the axis of the side
tube, be p, so that the force on
~
"rlV: ":T5r lfr~ "^' '
~^ ^
P iston * 8 P- a =
If* there- -
fore, more liquid is to be intro-
Fig. 259. duced into the tank, this much
force has to be applied to the
piston in moving it inwards. Let the piston be moving slowly in-
wards through a distance x, so that the velocity of th liquid be very
small and there may be no kinetic energy acquired by it. Then, clear-
ly, a volume of the liquid a.x., or a ma^s a.x.p of it, is forced into
the tank, and an amount of work p.a.x is performed to do so. This
work, (or energy), p.a.x, required to make the liquid move agdinst
pressure /?, without imparting any velocity w
it, thus becomes the ener-
gy of the mass a.x.p of the liquid in the tank, for it can do the same
amount of work iti pushing the piston bade, when escaping from the
tank. It is referred to as the pressure energy of the liquid.
Thus pressure energy of a mass tf.x.p of the liquid is equal to
p.a.x, and, therefore.
/.,,.., = p.a.x
= p pressure
pressure energy per unit mass of the liquid =~j
-
r~
Now, if we consider unit volume of the liquid, we have
pressure energy of volume a.x of the liquid = p.a.x, %
and /. pressure energy per unit volume of the liquid = ^-'--'- ==
/?,
the pressure of the liquid.
FLOW OF LIQUIDS 421
The three types of energy possessed by a liquid under flow are
mutually convertible, one into the other. For, consider a liquid of den-
sity p contained in
a vessel, and let its
depth be h, (Fig. 260). Then, pressure
due to the liquid column h at the bot-
tom of the vessel is p =
h p.g. If we _^_
IT" - Z"jnr~
,.-
-T"_
-._
ar_rLTT."
fL.
~ HM"*-!
take unit mass of the liquid from the
bottom B to the surface A, clearly, h.g.
units of work has to be done against
gravity, and, therefore, the potential pig. 260.
energy of the liquid increases by this
much amount or this much work is done by gravity if unit mass of
;
the liquid comes down through a depth h. Hence, potential energy
of unit mass of the liquid is equal to h.g. And, since pressure at a
depth h, is given by p =
A.p.g, and pressure energy per unit mass of
the liquid = pressure/density, we have pressure energy per unit mass
of the liquid = A.p.g/p h.g
~ potential energy lost by the liquid in
descending through h.
Thus, we see that pressure energy and potential energy are con-
vertible, one into the other, and, therefore, their sum for a liquid at
rest is constant.
Again, consider the flow of liquid through a tube, (Fig. 261). If
the liquid has a constant velocity, there is no resultant foice acting
upon it. But, if the flow is accelerated,
AB ^j> there must be a pressure gradient along
the tube of flow. Let the change of pres-
sure for a distance dx be dp, i.e., let the
pressure gradient be dp/dx, which may be
Fig. 261. taken to be constant for a short length of
the tube.
If the direction of flow be from A to 5, the pressure decreases
from A to B. If, therefore, p be the
pressure at the cross-section B,
that at A will
be greater by Sx.dpjdx, if the small distance be 8x, AB
i.e., the pressure at A will be/? Sx.dpjdx. The resultant force on
the slice AB of the liquid will, therefore, be a.&x.dp/dx, where a is the
cross-section of the tube, (force being equal topressurexarea).
Let the velocity gradient along the tube of flow be dv/dx then, ;
if v be the velocity at A, the velocity at B will be v+Sx.dvJdx, be-
cause the velocity increases in the direction A to B, and, therefore, in-
crease in velocity through the distance S* will be Sx.dv/dx.
If the liquid covers this distance in time S/, we have
Bt = &C/V, whence, v = $x/8f.
Or, in the limit, v =dxjdt.
Now, acceleration =
rate of change of velocity and, therefore,
acceleration at the section AB =
dv/dt, and mass of liquid in the
section =*= a.Sx.p ; so that, force on it =
a.Sx p dv/dt, (because force
ss mass x acceleration).
But force on this slice of the liquid is also equal to a.Sx.dpjdx.
- dp dv
422 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
the ve sign merely indicating that the pressure and velocity gradi-
ent! are opposite in sign, i.e. % whereas the pressure decreases, the
velocity increases along AB.
~ dv dvdx dv
Or>
dp
*
~ = p'
v '
= ?-- =
dxldt - v -
-
And /. ,
dp =s p.v.t/v. Or, dpjp = v.dv.
1 Cv t ( where/?i, p* anJ v,, v t are pressures
Q fj __ [PI
t
dp = I
v.dv.
j
and velocities at sections 1 and 2, res-
P JPi J vi C
pectively.
Or, -?*.
P
J7j ji/2
i -
i.e., piessure energy and kinetic eneigy are ccnvertible, one into the other.
Since pressure energy is also convertible into potential energy,
it follows that the three types of energy are mutually convertible into
each other.
Bernoulli's Theorem and its Important Applications. Ber-
203.
noulli's theorem states that the total energy of a small amount of liquid
flowing from one point to another, without any friction, remains cons-
tant throughout the displacement^
We
have seen that pressure energy and potential energy of a
liquid are convertible, one into the other, and so are its pressure
energy and kinetic energy. It follows, therefore, that in any stream-
line* flow of liquid, the loss of energy in one form is
equal to the gain
of energy in another, or that the sura total of Its energy, viz.,
potential energy +prbss!ure energy -{-kinetic energy = a constant.
Or, hg+plp+% v2 = C, a constant (j)
This relation is known as Bernoulli's Equation*
If we divide relation (/) by g, we have
p 1 v2
A-f- -+~rt C", another constant. ... ... (//)
Now, h is what is called the gravitational head, plpg, the pressure head
and \ v z /g, the velocity head*. Thus,
head +preswre head+velocity head = a constant.
gravitational
We may, therefore, alsD state Bernoulli's theorem in another
way, viz., that at all points, in the stream-line flow of a liquid, the sum
of the gravitational head, the pressure head and the velocity head
remains constant throughout.
It follows at once from relation (//) that if the flow of the liquid
be horizontal, the gravitational head h is a constant so that, here, ;
2
p 1 i
^._2 = a constant.
g Pf
Similarly, from relation (/), we would have/?/p-fv* = a 'constant,
since the potential or gravitational energy hg would be a constant,
Or,
-
p + }p v2 = a constant . ...
(Hi)
*For, the liquid must fall through this much height to attain the velo-
city v.
FLOW OF LIQUIDS 423
He^re, referred to as the static pressure of the liqtiid and Jpv 1 as
p is
its dynamic or
velocity pressure So that, we may express this result
by saying that for a horizontal motion of the liquid, the sum of its static
and dynamic pressures remains a constant.
Thus, if in a liquid, flowing herizontall j the pressure and velocity ,
at one point be p t and v 1 and at another, /> 2 and v a respectively, we have
which show$ that pressure and -velocity (and, therefore, kinetic energy)
can only increase at the expanse of one another, i.e., points of
maximum pressure correspond to thost of minimum velocity, and vicg
versa*. This principle is made use of in various important practical
applications, (see 204).
Important Applications of Bernoulli's Equation
204.
(/) Velocity of Efflux of a Liquid. Let the surface of the liquid
be at a height h above the level of the orifice O in a tank, (Fig. 262).
If the tank be sufficiently wide, the velocity
at the liquid surface may be taken to be zero,
the pressure there being, clearly, atmospheric.
Since the pressure is also atmospheric at the
orifice, where the liquid emerges, it plays no part
in the flow of the liquid.
at 0,
total energy at A
TF v be the velocity at
the level of the orifice, we have, considering
a tube of flow beginning at A and ending 262^ "
pressure energy-}- potential energy -{-kinetic- energy,
_
'
^ '
because pressure at A 0, P.E. *=* gh and= K.E. ~ 0. ['* *"
' "
total energy at O, the level of the orifice
'
-
And,
'
!
became pressure at O = 0, P.E. ---=
0, arid K.E. = Jv
1
.
Sinca total energy remains the same t
we have
v
8 = hg. Or, _v = 2gh,
whence, v = ^/ 2gH.
Th's, then, the velocity of efflux of the liquid at the orifice O.
is
This result was first obtained by Torricelli (in the year 1644)
and hence is known as Torricelli's Theorem, or the Law of Efflux, and
may be stated as follows :
,
,
The velocity of efflux of a liquid through an orifice is equal to that
which a body attains in falling freely from the surface of the liquid to
the orifice.
if the liquid had fallen freely through this heigh<
For, clearly,
h t
its velocity would be given by the relation, v
8
2gh, to be equal =
to v = \/2gh, the same as obtained above.
This ideal velocity is, however, seldom reached, for no liquid is
perfectly free from friction (or viscosity).
This result is also true for compressible fluids and is sometimes referred t<
as Hawksbee's law.
424 PBOPBETIES OF MATTBB
Now, the liquid-jet flows out in the form of a parabola^ and
takes time equal to <\/2hJg to fall through a height h t to a plane, in
level with the bottom of the vessel, striking the
plane at a distance d,
called its range, such that
~ v x 1
=
V"?
For a given height (h+h,) of the liquid column, this range will
%
be a maximum when h=h lm And, obviously, if the jet were directed
upwards, it should theoretically rise to-the level A of the free surface
of the liquid. But, again, due to air-resistance and viscosity, the
height attained is actually less than this ideal one.
(//) Vena Contracta. The whole of the liquid entering the
orifice does not move
perpendicularly to it, but comes from all direc-
tions, as shown in Fig. 263, the stream-lines
near the edges being curved. The liquid coming
from the sides of the vessel, as it enters the
orifice, has" still a lateral velocity due to inertia
and continues to move inwards towards the centre
of cross- section of the jet, until the increasing
outward pressure is balanced by the atmos-
F- 253 pheric pressure at the jet. The liquid jet thus
contracts at C y a little outside the orifice, to a
neck, called the Vena Contracta. It is here that the jet becomes uniform
and the velocity becomes the same throughout ^and it is this velocity
which is given by Torricelli's equation, feee 204, (/), above,
page 423).
Obviously, the area of the jet at the Vena Contracta is smaller
than the area of the orifice and
found to be about *62 times the
is
latter. The volume of the liquid passing out through the orifice in
unit time is, therefore, equal to '62ay/2gh. This ratio between the
area of the Vena Contracta and the orifice is called the coefficient of
contraction.
N.B. If outflow tubes of suitable shapes be used, the Vena Contracta may
be almost completely avoided, but the velocity of efflux always suffers a diminu-
tion in its value due to a loss in the kinetic energy of the liquid, caused by its
internal friction or viscosity, this diminution being quite independent of the
Vena Contracta.
(Hi) Venturimeter. It is an arrangement to measure the amount
of flow of a liquid in a pipe, usually water, when it is called a
venturi water-meter.
The principle underlying it is that when a liquid flows through a
tube of a varying bore or cross-section, the velocity and pressure vary
along the tube, the pressure being the least where the velocity is the
greatest, and vice versa.
For, if we have a tube KLM, with a constriction at L, (Fig.
264), the velocity of the liquid will be greater at L, the narrowest
part of the tube, than that at or K M
Let the velocity at L be v,
.
and that at K be v*. Then, v/ v^. >
Applying Bernoulli's theorem, we have
FLOW OF LIQUIDS 425
(potential energy -{-pressure energy -{-kinetic energy) at L
= (potential energy + pressure energy + kinetic energy) at K.
Pl
Or, h l .g+
P
+4^ v ? K
-- = n-^i _L - M
=*,.*+ -*-
where /?,, p l and v/ are the height,
pressure and velocity of the liquid at L
and k k p k and,v^, their corresponding
values at K, p being the density of the
liquid, supposed constant, because the
liquid taken to be incompressible.
is
If the tube be horizontal, h l hk = ,
Fig. 264.
so that the above relation becomes
p
- " '
p
'
" - r' ^ * V **
p p
*
'"^
Since v/ >
v^, it is clear that/?* >p /( /.e., the pressure at L is
less than at K. This can be shown by attaching a vertical tube,
connected to KLM
at Zr and dipping it into a liquid, not miscible with
the one in KLM, when the liquid rises up in the vertical tube, as
shown at AB, and it will be seen that the narrower the bore at L, the
greater the rise of the liquid in the vertical tube.
Let us now consider a pipe through which water is flowing, such
that it has a cross-section a l at and 2 at L, (Fig, 265). Then, if K
v 1 and Vj be the velocities of water at
UL.*Jr 2L?!^^>:*--"!!i ^-1 T^yeT i^vf: -
K
and L respectively, we have
fl
lVl
= tf
8
v 2 , [see 201, (page 419).
whence, vt = a l v 1 ja 2 .
And, since p is 1 for water, relation (i)
above becomes,
1
1211
Fi 8- 265 -
where p and p2 are the pressures at K and
L, respectively.
Or, substituting the value of V2 ,
we have
I ff -gV - <A-*>- Or
T 1 - - *- A) '
'
"i ( ST (
Or
Ur>
- v *
Vl
2
whence v^fl, S
,
\/ a^^'
Thus, if we know t a, and (Pi~-p^> we can determine ,
the volume of the liquid flowing across the section per second. K
The difference of pressure (p l p^) at and L is read directly on the
vertical tubes AB and CD joined together to form a manometer, as
shown.
(iv) Pitot Tube. This arrangement is also used to measure the
amount of flow of water through a pipe and is based on the same
principle as the venturimeter*
426 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
It consists of two
vertical tubes, with small apertures at their
lower ends, the plane of the aperture of one tube
(Fig. PQ
266), being parallel to the direction of flow of
water and the aperture of the other tube RS,
facing the flow. The rise of the liquid
column in the tube PQ, therefore, measures
the pressure at Q. And since the water is
stopped in the plane of the aperture S of the
tube
RS, its velocity there becomes 2ero.
*z? ^^i^Mim^m^^^m Therefore, its kinetic energy is reduced from
2
v to zero, where v is the velocity of flow of
Fig. 266.
water. Its pressure, therefore, increases by an amount iv 2 and the ,
water consequently rises to a higher level in the tube RS than in
PQ. If h be the difference of level in the two tubes, we have
jv
2 =t=
hg. Or, v1 = 2g/?,
whence, v \/ 2gh. =
This multiplied by 0, the cross-section where the
tubes are placed, gives the Volume of water
section and the
flowing per second past that
amount of flow of water is thus easily
measured.
(v) Other Common Applications of
Bernoulli's Theorem.
1. The Steam Injector. It is a simple
device to accelerate the ejection of the exhaust
steam from the cylinder of a steam engine, and
consists of a tube A, (Fig. 267), narrowing down
into a nozzle Nat its lower end, inside another
tube B, having a side-tube C, which is- connected ,
to the cylinder of the engine.
A jet of steam is introduced
into A, and as
it issues out of the nozzle N, its velocity is con-
siderably increased, resulting in a corresponding
fall in pressure there, and the steam from the
engine-cylinder thus rushes into this region of
reduced pressure, whence, it is ejected out through
the lower, end of B. Fig. 267.
2. The Filter Pump. It is also based on
WATER FROM TAP
the same principle and is used to reduce the pressure
in a vessel. Here, a stream of water from a tap,
flowing through a tube A, (Fig. 268), issues out in the
form of a jet from its narrow orifice O, which results
in a great rise in its velocity and proportionate fall
in its pressure, which is thus soon reduced to a value,
below that of the atmosphere The air from the
vessel, connected through a fide-tube B to this region
of reduced pressure, then rushes into it, and is
carried away by the stream of water as it flows down
through C.
In this way, the pressure in the vessel is
ultimately reduced to just a little above the vapour
pressure of water, in a comparatively very short time.
If the inlet water tube be a twisted, instead of
a straight, one, the exhaustion proceeds more rapidly,
due to the rotating water-jet in the tube breaking up
more readily and mixing up easily with the incoming
TO SINK air from the vessel.
># The Atomizer. The atomizer or sprayer,
used for spraying scents etc. is yet another example
268 of a fall in pressure due to an increase in velocity.
FLOW OF LIQUIDS 427
Here, (Fig. 269), air is blown through a tube T, (usually by compressing a
rubber bulb) fitted on the tube at one end, which, when it rushes out of the
aperture O, where the tube narrows down, acquires high
velocity. The pressure in ths vicinity of O is thus greatly AiR
reduced, and since O lies directly above the vertical tube,
dipping in the liquid in vessel K, the liquid rises up
through it, when, on issuing out of the aperture at the
1
top, it is blovn into a fine spray by the air stream
from T.
4. The Attracted-disc Paradox. The following
is a simple and interesting experiment, which the
student may well try for amusement at a small gathering
at home.
DEis a flat card-board disc (Fig. 270), over which
is placed another flat disc BC, fitted with a tube A. the
,/./A opening of which is
in flush with BC. Fig. 269.
On blowing air down through A, on
to DE, the latter, instead of being blown
A away frzm BC, as one might ordinarily
expect, sticks on to -it mofe and more
closely, and might even be lifted up a little.
B This seeming paradox is, however,
D easily .explained.For, as the air from A
rushes through the narrow space in
Fig. 270. between BC and DE, its velocity increases
and consequently the pressure there
decreases, so that it soon falls below the atmospheric
pressure on DE, which
thus pushes it up towards BC.
\5fr The Bunsen-Burner. This too is a familiar example of a fall of
pressure due to increased velocity. For, as the gas issues out with a great
velocity from the fine nozzle, down bslow, ths pressure
fails in its immediate neighbourhood, and tht air is thus
sucked in through the hole O, (Fig. 271), and gets mixed
up with the gas. >
\r The Magnus Effect. If a ball, or a sphere be
rotated about an axis through it, perpendicular to the
gftmrii
?
. TTTfftt
L
^
plane of the paper, the air surrounding it is also set into
mot ton, -rth e streamlines taking the form of concentric Fig- 271.
circles in planes, parallel to the plane of the paper, their direction being the
same as that of the rotation of the ball, shown in Fig. 272 (a). And, obviously,
the rougher the surface of ths hall, the thicker the layer of air thus set into
motion.
If, however, the ball be given only
'
liraar forward motion, it pushes
aside the air in front of it, to make rrom foi Jf, and this displaced air then
flows along its sides on to its
back or the rear end, the
form of the streamlines being
as shown in Fig. 272 (b).
And, finally, if the ball
be given both, a rotatory and
circular motion simultane-
ously, it is clear from Figs.
272 (a) and (b) that the
streamlines due to the two
motions run in opposite dir-
ections on the underside of
the ball, but in the same
(a) direction on iti upper side.
Thus, there is a decrease of
Fig. 272. velocity or an increase of
428 *ROPBRTIES OF MATTER
sure, on the lower, and an increase of velocity
or & decrease of pressure on its
in the lateral pressure on it,
upper, side. The ball, as a result of this difference
takes a curved p^h which is convex towards the greater pressure side. This is
what is called The Magnus Effect and is easily observed when a tennis or a golf
ball is given a spin.
~*1. The Cylindrical Shape of a
Bullet. We have already seen
{ 46, (//), page 98], that for giving directional stability, it is
?
desirable to give the shot or bullet a rapid *spin* about an axis,
along its direction of motion, and how this object
is achieved by
9
'rifling the barrel of a gun or rifle, (i.e., by cutting spiral grooves
inside it).
Now, if the bullet were spherical in shape, there will come
about, as explained above in case 6, a difference in the lateral pres-
sure on it during its passage through air, on account of its simul-
taneously possessing a rotatory and a linear motion
and the bullet
will thus be deflected from its straight path To avoid this, the
bullet is made cylindrical in shape, so that the lateral pressure on
it remains uniform and it flies undeflected along its path.
v^. Streamline Bodies. The student has no doubt heard of
streamline bodies of automobiles, particularly of racing cars etc.
We shall discuss in brief here as to what this streamlining of a body
really connotes in the language of Science.
As a body moves through air, or through a fluid, in general,
it carries along with itself, pushing the rest on to either
a part of it
side. The steamlines of the fluid, directed towards the body, open
out to either side to make way for it, as it were, and meet some
distance behind it. This fluid at the rear of the body, enclosed by
the streamlines meeting there is thus carried by the body as a sort
of a 'tail*. Some extra work has thus to be done by the body, in
carrying this extra burden, resulting in an appreciable
decrease in
its kinetic energy and velocity. In fact, the body has to encounter
a double opposition to its forward motion, v/z., (/) an increased
a decreased
pressure in front, called the head pressure, and (it)
pressure or the tail suction behind, (which exerts
a backward pull
on it).
rear region of
Naturally, the surrounding fluid flows into this
decreased pressure or tail suction, and is thus thrown up into vor-
tices (i.e., whirls and eddies) there, which results in a further fall in
pressure in this region. These vortices are thus responsible
for
away a fairly good part of the energy of the body, thus
dissipating
decreasing its velocity or offering resistance to its motion.
therefore, the resistance to the forward motion of the body
If,
is to be minimised, it should be given a shape similar to that of the
9
fluid forming its 'tail so that there is no tailsuction region firmed
,
at all at its rear, and no energy is thus dissipated in the formation of
whirls and eddies. is thus made with a gradually decreas-
The body
ing cross-section, taperingtowards the rear, and having no sharp
corners or edges anywhere. The body is then said to have a streamline
shape and the resistance to its forward motion is considerably
decreased. This explains the shape of the bodies of big airliners and
of most of the modern cars.
VISCOSITY 429
205. Viscosity. When a liquid flows slowly and steadily over a
fixed horizontal surface, i.e , when its flow is streamline, its layer in
contact with the fixed surface is stationary and the velocity of the
layers increases with the distance from
the fixed surface, i.e. ,
the the distance of a layer from the fixed surface, the greater its
greater
velocity.
Considering any particular layer of the liquid, we have the
layer immediately below it moving slower than it,
and the one imme-
above it moving faster than it, so that the former tends to
diately
retard its motion and the latter tends to accelerate it. The two layers
thus tend to destroy their relative motion, as though there were a
backward dragging force, acting tangentially on the layers. If, there-
fore the relative velocity between the two layers is to be maintain-
ed, an external force must be applied to overcome this backward
drag. In the absence of any such outside force, the relative motion
between the layers is destroyed ajid the flow of the liquid ceases.
This property of a liquid by virtue of which it opposes relative motion
between its different layers is known as viscosity or internal friction of
the liquid.
206. Coefficient of Viscosity (y). Newton showed that the back-
ward dragging, or viscou*, force, acting tangentially on any liquid layer,
isdirectly proportional to its surface area A, and velocity v,
and
inversely proportional to its distance x from
the stationary layer.
Denoting this fofrce by F, therefore, we have
Foe A ; Foe -v ; F oc ;
the ve sign of v merely indicates that the direction of the force is opposite to
that of velocity.
^ / r
Foe
A.v
~-
.
i.f.,
^A.v
F =-*.-->
Or, / ,
where ^ is a constant, depending upon the nature of the liquid, and
is called its coefficient of viscosity.*
v/x may be put as dvldx, which gives the rate of change of
Now,
velocity with distance, and is called the velocity gradient so that, we ;
have
~~ "~^' '
dx
This is know as Newton's law of viscous flow in streamline motion.
If. A ~
1 sq. cm., and dv/dx = 1, we have F = 7.
Thus, the coefficient of viscosity of a liquid may be defined as the
tangential force required per unit area to maintain a unit velocity
gradient, i.e., to maintain unit relative velocity between two layers
unit distance apart. Arid, clearly, if this tangential force be unity,
the coefficient of viscosity of the liquid is unity, and is called Poise,
after Poiseuille, whose work on viscosity is important.
This coefficient n is someumes referred to as the dynamic viscosity of the
liquid, with Poise asC.G.S. unit (see below).
its On the other hand, the ratio /p
(where p is the density of the liquid) is called its kinematic viscosity {), and the
corresponding C.G.S. unit tor it is the stokes.
430 IpPERTJES OF MATTER
Dimensions of *n It is clear from relation / above that
~~
A.dv/dx'
So that, the dimensions of y are those of ,.- , .
'
area x velocity gradient
- MLT-* _MLT~*1
_ (..dv
**
PL/rn
L
'
[LI]
rL/ri-L'T- T L J
Or, *7 - UL-^T-\
Viscosity in liquids corresponds to solid friction in so far as,
like the latter, it also opposes relative motion between two layers.
It, however, differs from solid friction in that, unlike solid friction, it
depends upon (i) the surface area of the liquid layer, (ii) its distance
from the stationary layer end (Hi) its velocity with respect to the
stationary layer.
-JL07. Fugitive Elasticity. The expression for F, above, may be
re-arranged and put as
=, dv/dx
.
.
. / , .
= tangential stress*
i.e..' coefficient
JJ of
J viscosity
J . . ,. .
velocity gradient
This is an expression similar to the one for the coefficient of
._ F/A r dy
i. =
.
. .
=> - ,, --
rigidity, viz..
_
~~
tangential stress*
displacement gradient'
Maxwell, therefore, considered a liquid to possess a certain
amount of rigidity, breaking down continually under a shearing
stress. Very fittingly, he imagined viscosity of a liquid to be the
limiting ease of the rigidity of a solid, when the latter breaks down
under the shear applied. A liquid is thus regarded as capable of
exerting and sustaining an amount of shearing stress for a short time,
after which it breaks down and the shear is formed over again.
_
In
other words, a liquid offers a fugitive resistance to shearing stress,
which is continually breaking down, and it may thus be said to
possess a fugitive rigidity.
Now, if the rate at which the shear (0) breaks down be taken
to be proportional to shear, we have *"
rate of the breakdown of shear oc 8.
Or, ,, ,, ,, ,,
= \.0 where
t 7\ is a constant.
And, clearly, the rate of formation of the shear
~
=s dj) ~
_. __^ ( dy N _
~~ _d_ ( dy \ _
~ dv
'
~dt dr( dx ) ~dx{ dt J dx
_ [ v being the velocity in the same plane.
*It will be noted from expressions (a) and (b) that whereas in a fluid, the
viicous drag is proportional to the velocity gradient, perpendicular to the direc-
tion of motion, the shearing stress, in a solid, is proporlional to the displace-
ment gradient, perpendicular to the direction of shear.
VISCOSITY 431
Thus, when the motion of the fluid becomes quite steady,
the rate of formation of the shear must be the same as that of its
foieakdown. So that,
-
*/-!; *>
Now, dividing relation (a) by (b), above, we have
->?
= -, -.-* .
i?
'
dv
,\ substituting
- --
for tf . in relation (c) above, we have
n / uX
-n\n
= I/A.
This quantity I/A is called the '//me o/ relaxation of the*
medium' and gives the time taken by the shear to disappear, provid-
ed no fresh shear is applied.
^208. Critical Velocity. It was Osborne Reynolds who first
showed by direct experiment that the critical velocity v c of a liquid
is given by the relation, v
c
= fc.^/pr, called Osborne Renyold's
formula, where ^ is its coefficient of viscosity, p, its density and r,
the radius of the tube, the constant k being called Reynold's number,
its value being about 1000 for narrow tubes.
The expression for v c may, however, be easily deduced by the
method of dimensions, as explained below :
S'nce v c is fouud to depend upon (/) ??, (ii) p, and (Hi) r, we have
vc = fc.?7 pV, say. [ k being a constant.
So that, putting the dimensions of the quantities involved, we
have
[LT~
l
]
^ [Mlr l T-*]*[ML-*\
b
[L\* r k having no dimen-
Since the dimensions on the two sides of the equation must be
the same, (by the principle of homogeneity of dimensions), we have
a+ b = ...(/) ; -a~3b+c = 1 ...(//); -fl=-l ...(/)
So that, adding (/) and (///), we have b = 1.
Substituting this value of (6) in (/), we have a = 1,
[ or, directly from (in).
And, substituting the values of a and b in (ii), we have c = 1.
Hence
^^
v c ==
/:.^7/pr,
where fc (Reynold's number) is, as mentioned above, near about 1000
for narrow tubes. Thus, for narrow tubes, v c 100 J.^/pr. =
It must be emphasized again that this relation applies only to
narrow tubes. For tubete of wide bores, the value of v c is very
much greater, and may be even a thousand times greater than that
given "by the above relation.
Now, a mere glance at the expression for v ct deduced above, will
show that
(i) v, oc -7 ; () v, oc 1/p ;
and (in) v c oc 1/r,
432 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
i.e., of a liquid is (i) directly proportional to its
the critic4&B!Qcity
viscosity, inverv^ty proportional to its density and (in) inversely
(ii)
proportional to the radius of the tube through which it flows.
It follows, therefore, that narrow tubes, and liquids of high vis-
cosity, and low density tend to promote orderly motion, whereas tubes
of wide bores, and liquids of low viscosity and high density lead to
turbulence.
Again, if wte have a perfectly mobile or inviscid liquid, i.e., a
liquid, for which ?7 =
0, then, obviously, v c so that, its flow = ;
would be turbulent and not orderly, even for the smallest velocity
and in the narrowest of tubes.
Thus, we see that // is the viscosity of a liquid alone, due to
which its flow may possibly be orderly and thus approximate to that of
a perfect fluid.
Poiseuille's Equation for flow of liquid through a tube. Ima-
209.
gine a cylindrical layer, or shell of liquid, of radius x, flowing
through a capillary tube of radius r. Then, the velocity of flow at
all points on this cylindrical shell will be the same. Let it be v. As
the velocity of the layers in contact with the walls of the tube is
zero and goes on increasing towards the axis, it is obvious that the
liquid inside the imaginary cylinder is moving faster than that
outs'de it, and the backward tangential force due to the outer slower,
moving liquid on the inner faster moving liquid is, in accordance with
relation / above, given by i7.2irx.I.dv/dx, where *n is the coefficient of
viscosity of the liquid, [because, hers, surface area (A) of the cylin-
drical shell of radius x is equal to 2nx.l, where / is the length of the
capillary tube, and dvjdx is the velocity gradient there].
Let the difference of pressure at the two ends of the capillary
tube be P Then, he forward force on the cylindrical liquid shell, in
the 'direction of flow, is. clearly equal to Pxirx*, and tends to accele-
rate the motion of the liquid. If, therefore, the motion of he liquid
be steady, we have
~dx =
the ve sign showing that the two forces act in opposite directions.
A
And ,
.-. dv
,
= --7, -
P.ib^dx
r
4-*7.2^*./.
= P.x.dx
-----
'
,
Ivl
,
Integrating this expression for d\, we have v = PC
-~ Ix.rfx.
" ti^l J
where Ca constant of integration.
l
is
Now, 0, when x v = =
r, because the layers in contact with
the sides of the tube are stationary.
_
= whence, C, =
-^-j-f C,,
Pr* Px* P
VISCOSITY 433
This, therefore, is the velocity offlow of ftp liquid &t a distance
x from the^ axis of the tube, and a glance at the expression for v will
show that the profile or the velocity dis-
tribution curve of the advancing liquid
in the tube is a parabola, (Fig. 273),
the velocity increasing from at the
walls of the tube to a maximum at its
centre.
Now, imagine another co-avial Fig- 273.
cylindrical shell of the liquid, of radius (x+dx). The cross-sectional
area between the two shells is clearly 2nx.d* and, since v is the velo-
city of the flow of liquid in-between the two shells, the volume of
liquid flowing per second through the cross-sectional area is given by**
dV = 2nx.dx v. If we imagine the whole of the tube to be made up
of such like concentric cylindrical shells, the volume V of the liquid
flowing through all of them, i.e.. through the capillary tube, in unit
time, will be obtained by integrating the expression for dV between
the limits, x =
and x r. =
Or,
-r. 2-nl 4 Jo
r*
= 7r
/C*___ "\ = itP.r*
2il V 2 )
7T/V*
whence, ..//
Thus, if we know P, r, V and /, the coefficient of viscosity of
the liquid (n) can be easily determined. "^ %
The above relation holds good only when
(/) the flow steady and streamline, i.e., when its average velo-
is
city is less than its critical
Velocity ;
(//) the pressure is constant over every cross-section, i.e., there is
no radial flow ;
and
(in) the liquid in contact with the sides of the tube is stationary.
When the velocity of flow is small, and the tube is a narrow
one, these assumptions are mire or less valid. It is clear, therefore,
that for tubes of wide bores, the relation
breaks down for, in their case, tlfe value ;
of the critical velocity is much smaller
B
(v v c oc 1/r) and the flow of the liquid
becomes turbulent. Thus, if we were to
plot a graph between the pressure differ-
ence P between the two ends of the outflow
tube, and the rate of flow V of the liquid,
(i.e., the volume of the liquid flowing ouib
of it per second), we get a curve, as shown
(Fig. ?74), where the portion OA of the
Fig. 274. curve corresponds to the velocities lesthan
the critical velocity and the portion AB, to those above its.
434 r&OFHSTlJttt Of MATTJfiB
It is found that when the velocity of the liquid is below the
critical value, the rate of flow V is proportional to P9 the pressure
difference, (as indicated by the straight part OA of the curve). Thus,
within this range of velocity, the rate of flow of a liquid depends
chiefly on its viscosity (^), quite in accordance with Poiseuille'i
formula.
critical velocity, however, the pressure different
Beyond the
(F) almost wholly utilized in combating the turbulence set up ir
is
the liquid, and in imparting kinetic energy to it so that, its rate ;
of flow is now no longer proportional to jP, and hence no longei
depends upon its viscosity. In fact, it now depends mainly on the
density of the liquid (p) and is approximately proportional to *\/P.
The following interesting consequences follow from the above :
Since in turbulent motion, the rate of flow of a liquid ie
(/)
quite independent of its viscosity, it obviously follows that all liquids,
irrespective of their different viscosities, would require the same pressun
difference to be driven through a tube at velocities higher than theii
critical velocities. Thus, for example, a viscous liquid, like treacle
would require the same pressure difference to be driven through a
tube, at a velocity greater than its critical velocity, as would be need-
ed to drive water through it at the same velocity.
(//) Since the criticcil velocity of a liquid is inversely propor-
tional to the radius of the tube through which it flows, it is clear that
liquids of all viscosities would flow equally readily through tubes oi
sufficiently wide bores. Thus, in a wide tube, treacle will flow just
as freely as water. A
typical natural example of this is the free HOAK
of the highly viscous lava down the sides of an erupting volcano, ita
rate of flow being about the same as we would expect in the case oi
wateivx ^-tfBL -"
"V210. Experimental determination of y for a liquid Poiseuille's
method*. A capillary tube J, of known length / and radius r,
is fixed horizontally near to the bot-
LIQUID
tom of a vessel A, (Fig. 275), the
liquid level in which can be kepi
constant at any desired height by
means of an over-flow arrangement O,
A clean and dry beaker, of known
weight, is placed below the outer end
of tube T to collect the liquid flowing
out through it. The liquid is allowed
to flow out in a slow trickle and
collected in the beaker for a known
time, and the beaker is then weighed
again. The difference of the two
275.
weights gives the mass of the liquid
flowing out in that time. Then, knowing the density of the liquid
its volume can be determined and,
dividing it by the time for which
the liquid was allowed to flow, its volume V flowing out per second ia
known. Substituting the value of V, so obtained, in relation II,
The method is suitable only for comparatively leu viscous liquids, liki
water.
VISCOSITY 435
above, the coefficient of viscosity of the liquid can be easily cal-
culated.
There are two important sources of error in the above experi*
(/) part of the thrust, due to the difference of pressure
raent, viz.,
between the two ends of the flow- tube, imparts kinetic energy to the
liquid and the whole of it, therefore, is not used simply in overcom-
ing the viscous res 'stance of the liquid. This may be corrected
for by taking the effective ralue of the pressure difference to be
F2 p
P 2 4
, instead of P ; (//) the motion of the liquid, where it enters
the flow-tube, is accelerated, with the result that the velocity of flow
is not uniform for the first short length of the tube. This is elimi-
nated by taking the effective length of the flow- tube to be (/-f
instead of /. Thus, the corrected relation for *n becomes
~~8V.(/+1'04 r) 8ir(/+l-64 r)
A much better apparatus, however, is the following, in which
the flow-tube F H a long one, and of a uniform circular cross-
section, and the difference
of pressure for a length
AB of it is given directly
by means of a mano-
meterA/, whose limbs are
arranged over two fine J3
holes at A and B, as
shown, (Fig. 276), where
A and B lie at a distance
of at least 10 cm?, from OVERFLOW TUBE
!|f 2
the two ends of the flow- Fig. 276.
tube respectively, so that
the velocity of the out-flowing liquid becomes uniform near about
them. This very much minimises the two sources of error referred
to above, the second one, almost completely. So that, with a slow
rate of flow of the liquid and a fairly sm^ll size of the holes at A and
By no further corrections are necessary.
Note. In either of these apparatus, it is essential that the outflow tutje
should have a perfectly uniform bore. The uniformity of the bore may be tested
in a manner similar to that employed in the construction of a mercury thermo-
meter, i.e., by introducing a small thread of mercury into the tube and measuring
its length in the different parts of the tube. In no part should the length vary
by more than 5%.
And, since the 4th power of the radius occurs in the formula for i\ t it
should be determined most accurately. The tube is, therefore, properly dried
and filled with mercury, and the length of the mercury thread measured most
carefully by means of a vernier microscope, making the necessary correction
for the curvature of the ends of the thread. The mercury is then taken out in .
clean, dry and weighed watch glass and its mass determined as accurately a$
possible. Then, if m be its mass, p, its density at the then-temperature /', the
length of its thread in the tube, and r, the radius of the tube, we clearly have
tr.r'./'.p m, whence, r
So that, knowing m, /' and p, the accurate value of the radius r of the tube can be
calculated.
436 PBOFJBBTIBS OF MATTBB
211. Motion in a Viscous Medium. When a body falls through
a viscous medium, its motion is opposed by a force, frictional in nature,
due to the fact that whereas the layer of the liquid medium in im-
mediate contact with it is carried along with it, that at an infinite
distance from it is at rest. Energy is being continually absorbed by
the medium and is converted into heat. Possibly also, eddy currents
particularly when
and waves are set in the medium the body
up
moving is a fast one, like high speed cars and airplanes or projec-
tilesand these absorb still more energy. That is why cars etc., are
streamlined these days to minimise the absorption of energy in this
way. Even if the body be moving so slowly that no eddy
currents
or waves* are set up, energy is still wasted due to the viscous drag it
has to overcome.
Now, with the velocity of the
this opposing force, increases
body, becomes
until, in the case of small bodies, it just equal to the
motive or the driving force, and the body then attains a constant velo-
city, called its terminal velocity.
Stokes showed that the retardation F, due to to the viscous drag,
for a spherical body of radius r, moving with velocity v, in a medium
whose coefficient of viscosity is % is given by
F= 67rvr>7.
This relation, known as Stokes' law, may be deduced as follows,
by the method of dimensions :
For slow moving bodies,
F oc velocity v ;
F oc radius r of the body ;
F oc coefficient of viscosity y of the medium ;
F oc density a of the medium.
Or, F= /Cvr a W,
where K is a constant and a, b and c, the dimensional coefficients of
r, V and a respectively.
Now, putting the proper dimensions of the different terms, we
have
[MLT-*] = [iT-
1
]
b b
[L*][M L~ T-*] [A/'Zr*]
whence (/) b+c = 1, () 1+0 b3c =* 1, and (iff) 1 b= 2.
Therefore, from relation (///),
b = 1 ; and hence from (/)
we have
c = ; so that,
from (//), a = 1.
.-. F= K.v.r.y ;
and the value of K was found" by Stokes
to be 67T ;
so that, F= 6irvr^ 9 as stated above.
If the density of the spherical body be p,
its weight volume x p Xg =
-y.Trr
3 = X p Xg>
and the upthrust on it due to the displaced medium = 3
7rr .a.g.
.*. resultant downward force on the body = 7tr*.p.g.iirr*a.g
= 3
47rr ..(p-<i).
Equating this against the value of F, we have
67rvr*7 ~ 8
7rr .g(p a), whence, v = Jirr .(-p
8
a)/67rr*7.
Or 2
/'gfc^*).. - n
. 9V - riiiir-.riiim.uin -..-__.
-
.- < . * , ffJ
^
VISCOSITY 437
a small size),
Thus, the terminal velocity of a body, (of course, of
a viscous medium, is (/) directly proportional to the
falling through
2 to \he difference in
square of its radius (r ), (ii) directly porporti.nal
the densities of the body and the medium, (p-cr), and (Hi) inversely pro-
to the of viscosity of the medium (*?).
portional coefficient
In arriving at the above result, Stokes made the following as-
sumptions :
(a) That the medium through
which the body falls is infinite in
f extent.
(b) That the spherical body is perfectly rigid and smooth.
(c) That there is no slip between the spherical bodv and the
medium. *
That the medium is homogeneous, so far as the spherical
(d)
body is concerned, i.e., the diameter of the spherical body
is large compared with the spaces between the molecules
of
the medium.
(e) That there are no eddy currents or waves set up in the medi-
um due to the motion of the body through it in other words,
;
that the body is moving very slowly through it, or that the
motion of the medium is smooth and nob turbulent. Stokes
found that the relation holds good only when v is smaller
than ^7/crr*,
called the critical velocity.
A striking example of a body falling through a viscous medium
isthat of the tiny rain drops that form what we call clouds. These
tiny drops of water have a radius as small as -001 cm. and their
ter-
minal velocity, as they fall through air, for which ^ '00018, comes =
to about 1-2 cms. I sec., [fiom relation (/) above]. That is why they
remain suspended in the air and appear to us to be floating about as
clouds.
about 10
Bigger rain drops, on the other hand, have a radius
times as great (i.e., -01 =
cm.) and their terminal velocity, therefore,
comes to about 120 cms. Isec. so that, they fall through the air,
;
instead of floating in it, (v being proportional to r 2 ).
Also, if the density of the medium in which the body falls
be
greater than that of the body itself, i.e., if a> p, it is clear that
the
terminal velocity v will have a negative value. In such a case, there-
fore, the body will have an upward terminal velocity. That is why
bubbles of air or gas can rise up through water or any other liquid,
the smaller the bubble, the smaller its velocity.
v<1U2. Determination of coefficient of viscosity of a liquid
Stokes* method. The relation for v obtainad above, ( 211), has been
used to daterinine the viscosity of a liquid. The method consists in
in
finding the tim3 of fall of small sphores, such as ball-bearings etc.,
the liquid, and then to apply Stokes' relation,
.
**r_> .hence, , - . <*&). ...()
4. ,
J-
*It was shown by Arnold, however, that in actual practice v should be less
438 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
Care must, however, fee taken to see that the velocity of fall
does not exceed *67/crr, or else tho above relation cannot bs used.
Thus, for thin machine oils, for which -n I =
c.g.s. unit nearly,
spheres of 1 mm. radius are the maximum size that can be used.
For
thick oils, or liquids like glycerine, whose coefficient of viscosity is
greater than 10 e.g. 9. units, steel ball-bearings of about J" diameter,
are the largest that can be employed. For less viscous liquids,
'much smaller spheres are required, and these may be obtained, in
any desired size, from radii of 0002 to 1 cm. by flowing melted
Wood's metal into cold water through capillary tubes of different bores.
The diameters of these spheres, and hence their radii, are measured
accurately by means of a microscope.
The liquid is taken in a tall jar, of a large diameter, and the
time taken by a sphere of suitable size, dropped centrally into it, to
pass three marks at different levels is noted and the velocity calcu-
lated for each of the two distances between the three marks. If the
velocity over each path is the same, it means that it has acquired
its constant Velocity, or terminal velocity, v.
4
If, however, the velo-
cities be different, bein^ greater over the lower track than over the
upper one, a smaller ball-bearing must be tried, until the velocities are
the same, within experimental error. f
In actual practice, we have two marks A, and B, (Fig. 277),
r
some distance (say 10 to 12 cms.) below the top and above the
bottom of the jar respectively, and allow small
spheres of different known radii to fall through
the liquid centrally, noting the time taken by
each to cross the distance 5 between the two
marks A and B, it being assumed that due to
the small size of the *>phere, it has already
acquired its terminal velocity before crossing
the mark A. Thus, since it moves with a con-
stant velocity over this distance S, it* terminal
velocity, v = S/t.
Then, putting v = Sjt in the above ex-
pression for ??, we have
2 r2 #(p o).f
* ~~
Fig. 277. y S"
Now, since r 2 /constant in the case of a given sphere and a given
is
temperature remains the same, we plot r for a
2
liquid, providsd its
number of spheres against their corresponding values of l/t. The
slope of the straight- line curve, thus obtained, gives the mean, value
of r 2 ./, and this value is then substituted in the above expression
for ^.
Further, since viscosity of a liquid depends upon its tempera-
ture, (see 214), and the rate of change is fairly rapid in the case of
liquids like oils, a sensitive thermometer must also be put into the
jar of the liquid to indicate its temperature, and the experiments
.with the different spheres performed in quick succession.
For greater accuracy, a proper correction must be applied for
the finite size of the containing vessel, as the relation for 7) above
was deduced by Stokes on the assumption that the medium is infinite.
naoosmr
Ladenburg has shown that if the liquid column in the tall jar
be supposed to be divided up into three equal compartments, length-
the
wise, and the sphere be dropped into the central compartment,
velocity v^ of the sphere, as it would be in
the liquid medium,
if it were unbounded by the walls of the containing jar, is given by
the relation v^ =
v(l+2'4r/jR), where v is the observed velocity
of
the sphere and R, the radius of the jar. This is called the correction
for the 'wall-effect.'*
Similarly, he has shown that if the liquid medium
were unhin-
dered the bottom or the end of the containing jar, the velocity of the
by
sphere would be given by
v = v(l + 3'3r/f*), 4
where the full depth of the liquid column in the
u is jar. This is
called the correction for the 'end-effect'.
Combining the two corrections, therefore, we have the following
relation for TQ, v/z.,
=
|.
. __ !Lf^> _. ...(Hi)
N.B. Obviously, this method may also be used to determine the radius
of a small drop falling through air, if we know the coefficient of viscosity of air,
the method being applicable only to drops, bigger in size than the distance
between the air molecules, for otherwise Stokes" law no loger remains valid.
213. Rotation Viscometer. If we have two coaxial cylinders,
with the space in-between them filled up with a fluid, and then rotate
the outer one with a constant velocity SI about their common axis,
a torque will naturally be communicated to the inner cylinder also
through this intervening fluid, and its magnitude will depend upon
the viscosity of the fluid.
Let the 278 represent a transverse sec-
full line circles in Fig.
tion of the two
cylinders, of radii a and b, with their common axi*
perpendicular to the plane of the paper,
and
passing through 0.
Then, as the outer cylinder rotates with
its small angular velocity ft, (within the limits
of a streamline flow), about the inner cylinder,
the layers of the fluid in contact with the former
also rotate with it, with its own velocity ft, the
de-
velocity of the other layers progressively
creasing as we move inwards, until, for the
layers in contact with the inner cylinder,
it is
reduced to zero. There is thus brought about a Fig. 278.
relative motion between the different layers of the fluid.
Let us consider a co-axial cylindrical layer C of the fluid, at a
distance r from 0, and of thickness dr. If it be rotating with an
to ra>. And,
angular velocity o>, its linear velocity is clearly equal
A still more accurate correction of this effect is given by Faxcn in the
form
v-voo[
1-2-104
(x) + 2 "K 0'~'K ")']' **** ba8 bceD
verified by Bacon
440 PBOPBBTIBS Of MATTER
therefore, if its length or height be /, the viscous force acting on F
it, in accordance with Newton's Law, (see page 429), is given by the
relation,
F= its areaxyxdvjdr = Znrl.y dvjdr,
where y the coefficient of viscosity of the fluid and dvjdr, the velocity
is
gradient at distance r from O.
Now, dv/dr d(rw)ldr a^+r.dw/dr. = =
And, since w
a constant quantity and would represent the velocity
is
of the layer in the absence of any viscous slip, i.e., if it were to
rotate like a rigid body, it does not contribute at all towards the
velocity gradient and we may, therefore, take the velocity gradient,
;
responsible for the viscous drag on the imaginary cylindrical layer
C, to be simply equal to r dco/dr. Hence, this viscous drag or force
F= 2-jir.l.f).r'da)ldr. And, therefore, the moment of this force, or the
torque T, acting on the layer (7, clearly equal to r.ZTtr.l.y.r.dw/dr.
is
Or, T =
2Tir*.l.'>?.daj/dr, which may be put as 2?r l.y du\T =
dr\r*.
So that, the effect of the whole fluid in-betweeri A and B is
obtained by integrating this expression for the limits w = and
& = ft an d T = a and r = b. Thus, we have
The torque T tends to accelerate the motion of the fluid in-
between C and A.But this fluid being in a state of steady motion,
the inner cylinder A must also be exerting an equal retarding torque
on the fluid in contact with it. And, since action and reaction are
equal and opposite, it follows that an equal and opposite torque T is
also exerted on the inner cylinder A, tending to rotate it through an
angle 0, say, until it is just balanced by a resfor ing torsional torque
equal to T, set up in the suspension wire, carrying it.
Now, if C be the torsional couple, set up in the suspension wire
per unit twist of it, we have T CO. So that, =
In the above discussion, we have not taken into account the
wque on the base of the inner cylinder*, so that if this torque be
7\, we have
total torque on the fluid between A and B given by
In actual practice, we eliminate T b altogether, by repeating the
_
experiment with a different length or height /' of the fluid in-between
A and B. So that, if now the total torque be Tt and the angle of
rotation of the inner cylinder be 0', we have
*This torque on the base of the inner cylinder depends not only upon the
radii a and 6 of the two coaxial cylinders, but also upon the distance between their
bases.
VISCOSITY 441
subtracting relation (iv) from (///), we have
.-(V)
The
essential parts of the apparatus used are shown in Fig.
279, where the outer cylinder B
is clamped on to a table T, so as to
be coaxial with its spindle, which can be
rotated by a small electric motor at a
speed
of 20 to 60 rotations per minute.
The inner cylinder A is suspended
inside B by means of a long and thin sus-
pension wire, which carries a small mirror
m, to enable its angle of rotation, (caused
by the constant rotation of ), to be noted
accurately by the usual scale and telescope
arrangement.
The value of C, the torsional
couple
per unit twist of the suspension wire, is
determined by first setting the inner
cylin-
der alone into torsional vibrations about
it, and then with a hollow, metallic
disc,
of a known moment of inertia
/', placed
centrally upon it, and noting their time-
periods t and /' respectively.
Then, as we know,
= 27r\/y/C~an(U :==27r /
where / is the M. L of the inner"
cylinder Fig 279.
alone about the suspension wire.
4
So that, (/'*_/) = -
*Wl'zV
C ^ '
C
whence, C = 4:7i*r/(t'*-t
z
).
This value of C
then substituted in relation
is
(v) for % above.
It must be
emphasized again, that the speed of rotation of the
outer cylinder must be
kept low, or else the fluid-flow becomes
turbulent and T is then no longer pro-
portional to ft. This may be clearly -seen
from the
accompanying curve between
ft and T/ft, (Pig. 280). It will be noted
that T/ft remains constant
up to Q, be-
yond which it varies, as shown by the
dotted curve, in a somewhat uncertain and
irregular manner, and at higher values of ft,
1
1 the relation takes the form (a.ft 2
p.ft ), +
J\
where a and p are constants.
P
Note The rotation ^/iscometer may be
used for the determination of TJ for both liquids
and gases. Only, whereas for liquids, we take two
o X observations with different heights / and /' of the
liquid in the outer cylinder, in the case of gases,
Fig. 280. we use two different inner cylinders, of lengths /
442 PROPERTIES Of MATTKB
and /', the distance between their bases and that of the outer
cylinder being
Kept thp same in either case.
V214. Variation of viscosity of a liquid with Temperature. As we have
seen above, to determine the viscosity of a liquid we have to measure its rate of
flow through a capillary tube, (Figs. 275 276).
If, therefore, we wish to see how the
viscosity of a liquid is affected by a change in
its temperature, the capillary tube must
obviously be immersed in a bath of known
temperature. This is not possible in the case
of the horizontal tubes of the apparatus shown
in Figs. 275 and 276, A simple modification
of it, as shown in Fig 281, is, therefore, used
for the purpose.
Here, the liquid, whose coefficient of
viscosity is to be determined, is taken in
a beaker B and maintained at any desired
temperature, which can be noted on the
thermometer T. A capillary tube C is then
arranged vertically, completely immersed in
the liquid, and is connected to a wider tube
DEF, bent as shown, to siphon the liquid
over through it into a weighed vessel /.
The method of procedure is the same
as in the case of the horizontal capillary tube,
with the difference that here the flow of the
liquid through C
is caused by the liquid
column DF
or the head of liquid h ; for,
clearly, no liquid will flow if the end D of the
281
capillary tube were open to the atmosphere.
-
The pressure due to the column h is, therefore, the effective pressure difference P
responsible for the flow of the liquid through C.
Now, as the liquid flows through the tube, the liquid level falls in B, thus
altering the head of liquid h To maiptain it constant throughout the experi-
ment, B is gradually raised as the liquid flows through C and DEF, so that the
liquid level in B is always maintained at D. This is easily done by attaching a
bent pin in the tube, as show**, and making the liquid level in always touch its
tip at D.
The liquidis thus allowed to flo^v into / for a known time t and its mass
determined then, dividing it by its density and the time / (in seconds), the
;
volume flowin? out per second, i.e., its rate of flow V is determined. Substituting
the values of V, P, r (radius of the capillary tube C) and / (length of the tube C)
in Poiseuillc's formula ?) =
Prcr*/8W, we can easily calculate the value of rj for
the liquid, at the temperature of the bath.
The experiment is repeated with the liquid at different constant tempera-
tures and a graph plotted between t and vj. It will be found that vj usually falls
with a rise in temperature of the liquid, though there is no definite or universal
relationship between the two, the variation being more pronounced in some
caseVthan in others.
' 215. Comparison of Viscosities Ostwald Viscometer. The vis-
cosities of two liquids, or the same liquid at different temperatures,
may be conveniently compared with the help of the simple apparatus,
shown in Fig. 282, and known as the Ostwald Viscometer, a well
known form of the so called commercial viscometers, which avoid
the exact measurement of the dimension of the viscorneter, so tedious,
yet so essential, for the absolute determination of viscosities.
\s will be readily seen, this viscometer consists of a U-shaped
tube OGDEQT with two bulbs A and B, a capillary portion CDE,
and a side-tube T, fitted with a tap S three marks being engraved OB
t
nsoosiT*
it at Af, N and Q respectively. The apparatus whole can be kept
immersed in a suitable bath, to keep its temperature constant.
Each introduce 1 into the bulb A through the open end
liquid is
O of the tube, until, with the tap 5 closed, it occupies the space QDM
of its bent portion, thus ensuring
that the same volume of the liquid is
taken in each case.
Now, first with one liquid thus
taken into the tube, some air is
abstracted from it by connecting
T to a suitable pump through the
tap S, until the liquid column rises
above the level of Q, and the tap S
is then duly closed. The tap is now
opened again, when, due to the
increased pressure on it, the liquid
flows from the portion QE of the
tube into the portion CG. The time
when the liquid meniscus just passes
the mark Q downwards is carefully
noted, and again when it just passes
the mark N. The difference gives
the time t, say, taken -by the liquid
to flow from the position into QM
the position NG
its rate of flow
y
Fig. 282.
being determined by the capillary
portion EC of the tub3, tha wid^r pirbs of the tube hardly affecting
it, because, as we know, the retarding force due to viscosity varies
inversely as the fourth power of the radius of the tube. Thus, if V
be its rate of flow, we have
V = TT/V 4 /817/,
where / is the length of the capillary portion EC P, the pressure ;
difference across it and 77, the coefficient of viscosity of the liquid.
The experiment then repeated with the second liquid, of
is
coefficient of viscosity (at that very temperature).
?)' , Then, if be V
its rate of flow, determined as above, we have
Now, although the pressure difference keeps on changing during
the flow of the liquid it is proportional to the density of the liquid
for every position of it And, therefore, if in the corresponding
positions of the two liquids, of densities p
and p' respectively,
the pressure differences be P and P', we have
P oc p and P' oc p'.
And /. for the first liquid, V oc TrpH/8^7/,
and " for the second liquid, V oc trp'r
4
/Sy /.
Q . . V = -TrprW p V
So that, f//
-
Again, the rates of flow, V and V ', also vary (because
1
of the variation
in the pressure difference P and P') during the flow of the liquid, but
444 PROPERTIES Ot MATTEE
the times for the flow of unit volume of the two
liquids in correspond-
ing positions, vary inversely as K and K', and it follows, therefore,
that the total times t and t', for the flow of the two liquids respec-
tively must likewise vary inversely as V and In other words, V .
///'
= V'lV (ii)
From relations (i) and (//), therefore, we have
/
fn t *n t
-~
p^7
=
*
, whence,
ty
=, p t
... ...(ill)
Thus, knowing p and p', the densities of the two liquids, (or of
the same liquid at different
temperatures), and t and t' the times for t
their corresponding flows, we can easily compare their coefficients of
viscosities, ^ and ??'.
N.B. It will be seen that we may not be merely able to compare the vis-
cosities of the twj> liquids with the help of this viscometer, but may also
determine the viscosity of a given liquid. For, as have seen above, f\ oc p.r, where
p is the density of the liquid and /, the tim; for its fljw through the distance QN.
And, therefore, 75
= a ?.r,
where a is a constant oF th: viscometer and may be determined once for all, for a
given viscom:ter, by noting t for a liquid of known density (p) and viscosity (73).
Or, from relation (///) above, we have
Y)/P _ / k __ t
Or >
r/ i
ff' ^7 ~j~/*
where k and k' are the kinematic viscosities of the two liquids (see foot note on
page 429), which can thus be compired easily In fact, this was the relation actu-
ally used by OxtwM In practice, it is found t j be more satisfactory, however,
to plot a curve between k and / for a number of liquids, so that, from the noted
values of /, the corresponding values of k can be obtained straightway.
Among other commercial viscometers, based on a similar capillary
principle, may be mentioned the Redwood viscometer, used in England, the Engler
viscometer, used all over the continent and the Saybolt viscometer, designed by the
Standard Oil Company, and used in America.
216. Determination of Viscosity of Gases, Since the definition
of viscosity of a liquid deduced in 205, applies equally well to a gas,
it
might at first sight appear that Posieui lie's formula for the rate of
flow of a liquid should also apply in the case of a gas. But the* snag
is that whereas the
density of a liquid is practically independent of
the pressure on it, (liquids being almost incompressible), that of a gas
varies directly with it and hence whereas in the case of a liquid, the
;
volume (as well as the mass) of it flowing through any section of the
tube in a given time can be taken to be constant, in the case of a gas,
it is the mass of it
(and not the volume) flowing across a section of the
tube in a given time that alone can be taken to be constant.
Thus, if V be the volume of a gas flowing across a section
per second, at a distance x from the inlet-end of the tube, p,
its density at the uniform
pressure P over that section, we have
pK = a constant.
Since p oc we have
P, PV a constant.
Now, if we consider a section dx of the tube
at distance x from
the inlet-end, with a pressure difference dP across it, we have, in
accordance with Poiseuille's formula, the volume of the gas flowing
per second through the section given by
Y ^^
VISCOSITY 445
the negative sign merely indicating that the pressure P decreases
as distance x increases.
Or, multiplying both sides of the expression by P, we have
P.dP
T- =
m,
PV = 7rr
constant.
dx 8^7
So that, if Vl be the volume of the gas entering tha tub
at pressure P 19 we have P Vl = PK. fthe cross section of the
l
ube being constant.
Or
\ji ,
PV
jj K x ~-
P.dP
"~dx
Or, P
l
Vl ,
= -^ ./>.<//>.
Integrating this expression for the limits x and x / = =
and P = Pl and P =
P2 whore / is the length of the tube and Pl and
,
P2 ,
the pressures at its inlet arid outlet ends, we have
--
dx- Or '
Or,
whence ?, the coefficient of viscosity of the gas, may be easily deter-
mined.
This was the method actually used by Grindley and Gibson, who
noted the difference of pressure bstwecn the two ends of a flow tube
through which the gas was made to flow from one container to
another by forcing water into the former. The volume of the
gas passing through pc?r second could thus be easily determined and
*7 for the
gas evaluated from relation / above.
217. Rankine's method for the determination of the viscosity of a
gas. The simple apparatus used by Rank in e for determining the
coefficient of viscosity of a gas is shown in
Fig. 283, where ABCD
is a glass tube, one metre in
length, having a capillary section AB (of about o
2 mm. bore), and fitted with two stop cocks /and
O, which serve as inlet and outlet for the gas
respectively. A small mercury pellet is intro- M
duced into the part of the tube opposite to the
capillary section AB.
When the tube is held vertically in the posi-
tion shown, the mercury pellet starts falling down
under its own weight, forcing some of the gas into
the capillary BA, and its rate of flow is observed by
noting the time taken by the pellet to fall through
a measured distance. This is then equated against
its calculated rate of flow, whence the value of
*7 for the gas can be easily obtained.
To
start with, suppose the tube is laid hori-
zontally on the table, so that the gas acquires Fig. 283.
a uniform pressure P
all along the tube. Then, if p
be the density of the gas at unit pressure, and if the total volume of
the gas enclosed in the tube be K, we have total mass of the
KAI enclosed p.P.K.
446 PROPERTIES OF JBLATTBB
Let the tube be now held vertically, so that the mercury pellet
starts fallingdown. Let it be in the position at any given instant, M
and let the volume of the gas above it be v v Then, if pa be the
pressure of the gas above M, it is clear that the pressure of the gas
below M
will be pa +mg/a where mg is the weight of the mercury
f
pellet and a, the area of cross-section of the tube DC. Thus,
mass of the gas above =
p-/>a v i- M -
and mass of the gas below = M
pGpa + ^/a)(K-~v ), J
where (V vj is the volume of the gas below M.
.-. tital mass of the gas in the tube = p./V v i4-p(Pa+wg/a)(F~-- vj.
n
Or, 9.P.V = P.^V! + p(
which solves out to /> a
=P ^
+- ^ -
-p~.
...(/)
And, if p b be the pressure of the gas below M, we have
Or, A
Let the mercury pellet fall down to the position M', so that the
volume of the gas above M
now becomes v 2 Then, if the pressure of .
the gas now becomes p' a here, we have, as before
._ __. . .
And, if p\ be now the pressure of tho gas below the mercury pellet,
we have
Now, with the mercury pellet at M, the mass of the gas below
it up to B is equal to P./? (VvJ and that of the gas below it, when
ft
it takes up the position M' is equal to p p' b .(V
, v,). So that, the
difference of these two gives the masi of the gas forced into the
capillary tube by the fall of the mercury pellet from
to M'. M
Thus, mass of the gas forced through the capillary tube
= P- P(V - v i) - ?/>'* (
V ~~ V J*
If the position of the mercury pellet be so arranged that (v l +v 2) = F,
we have
mass of the gas forced through the capillary = p.P.(v 2 Vj).
Hence, if t be the time taken by the mercury pellet to traverse the
distance MA/', we have
mass of the gas flowing per unit time through the capillary tube
Now, if v be the volume of the gas flowing per unit time when the
pellet is at M, we have
Sce relation
where r is the radius and /, the length of the capillary section.
VISCOSITY 447
And, similarly, if v' be the volume of the gas flowing per unit time
when the pellet is at M ', we have
Hence, the average rate of flow of the gas is proportional to
(Pb*Pa2 )+(P'b*p'a 2 )l2y which works out to be equal to Zmg.Pja.
So that, mass of the gas flowing per unit time through the capillary
tube =Px2w.-^.7rr 4 /16W. ..(//)
Thus, from relations (/) and (II), we have
2*!*./>7rr* _p.P(v,-v 1 )
PX ~~ '
a 16W~~
,
whence,
.
* - mg.iir*.t
8^(7.^)'
from which the coefficient of viscosity of the given gas may be easily
determined.
As can be readily seen, the apparatus may also be used to study
the effect of pressure on the viscosity of a gas. Rankine determined
the viscosities of many gases with the help of this apparatus and
showed that viscosity is quite independent of pressure, as predicted
by the kinebic theory of gases.
For extreme accuracy, however, Rankine 's method is far from
suitable, with its inherent defect of a capillary tube experiment.
FOP such purposes, therefore, a rotating cylinder apparatus is found
to be more satisfactory and the one form of it almost universally
used is that due to Bearden, who gave the value (1-82462 ^
0-00006) X 10~ 4 poise for air at 23C.
SOLVED EXAMPLES
1, A flat plate of area 10 cms. is separated from a large plate by a
sq.
layer of glycerine i mm. thick. the viscous coefficient of glycerine is 20 gms. per
It
cm. per sec., what force is required to keep the plate moving with a velocity of 1 cm.
per second ?
We know that the viscous force is given by F= ti.A.v/x.
Here, >j
* 20
gm./cm. sec-, A = 10 sq. cms., v
*= 1 cm.Jsec., andx=l mm.-*'\ cm.
F= ~ = 20 x 10x10 = 2000 dynes.
Hence, the force required is equal to 2000 dynes.
2. Water flows along a horizontal pipe, of which the cross-section is not
constant. The pressure is 1 cm. of mercury, where the velocity is 35 cms./scc.
Find the pressure at a point where the velocity is 65 cms. sec." 1 .
Here,/?! 1 cm. = 1x136x981 dynes/cm*. ;
vt = 35 cms. I sec.
v,
= 65 cms. I sec. ; f = 1 gm./c.c. ; p* = ?
Applying Bernoulli's relation, we have
Or, J(65 -35 ) = (13'6x981)-/> f
1 1 f
j v, -^' -/7 1 ~/? 2 . .
Or, i(65+35)x(65-35) - (13'6x981)-/>,.
Or, ix 100x30 - 13350-/?,. Or, 1500 - 13350-/?,.
Or. />,
- 13350-1500 - 11850 dynes/cm*.
Thus, the pressure at the point is '8884 em, of mercury.
448 FEOFEKTIBS OF MATTEB
3. If the diameters of a pipe are 10 cms. and 6 cms. at the points where a
vtnturimeter is connected and the pressures at the points are shown to differ bj
5 cms. of water column, find the volume of water flowing through the pipe pei
second.
We know that thevolume of the water flowing across any section of th<
pipe is the same, i.e., a^ =
a a v 2 where a l and 2 are the areas of cross-sectior
at two different points, and v x and v,, the respective velocities of flow at lhes<
sections.
Further, we know that fljVj
* a^ \ I ?(^CT 'P* '
, (see page 425), where p
V ffi
2
-tf 2 2
and /> a are the pressures at the two points of cross-sectional areas a and a
respectively.
Hence, a\ =
nr-f
= TT.
(^P)*
== 25rc
sq. cms. ;
at = Trr 2
2
TT.
(.)*
= 9rc j#. c/?75.
and (p\pt) 5 cwj of water column = 5x1 x981 dynesjcm*.
.'.
substituting these values in the relation above, we have
A / 2x5x981 Or,
V
- 225rM / .981 22 5^ A 9810 3002
V
34rrxl6n V/ 34X16
Thus, the volume of water flowing through the pipe per second is 3002 c-cs., or
3-002 litres.
4. A tube having its two limbs bent at right angles to each other is hcl<
with one end dipping in a stream and opposite to the direction of flow. If thi
speed of the stream be 6 miles/hr , find the height to which water rises in th<
vertical limb of the tube.
Clearly, the flow of water will be stopped by the lube dipping in th<
stream and facing the flow, so that the loss of K E. per unit mass of water is Jv a
This much must, therefore, be the gain in the pressure energy, i.e., /?/p.
/>/P
- iv*.
Since p for water = 1, we have p = v*, or, hg = iv
s
,
lv p = h.p.g = Hg, as p == 1
Now, v - ^ .1
6 miles jhr.
it
= 6x1760x3 = 88
= rt ^
8 $ ft. /sec.
.
-^Q^^Q 10
Therefore, water risss to a height of 1*21 />. in the tube.
5
Calculate the velocity of efflux of kerosene oil from a tank in which th
pressure is 50 Ibs. wt. per sq. inch above the atmospheric pressure. The density o
kerosene is 48 Ibs. per cubic foot. (Bombay
Let h be the height of the level of kerosene oil in the tank above the axi
of the orifice.
Then, pressure due to it at the level of the axis of the orifice = h p
poundalstft*., i.e.,
= A.p. Ibs. w/.///.
a
But, pressure = 50 Ibs. wt. per sq. inch ~ 50 x 144 Ibs. w/.///
2
.
h.p - 50x144 Ibs. W/.//V
2
., whence, h = 50xl44/p 50xl44/48/f.
___ [v p 48 Ibs.lc. ft
Now, velocity of efflux i s given by v== >/ ~2gh
-v 2X32X^4
- 97-97 ft. Isec.
The velocity of efflux of the oil is, therefore, 91 '97 ft. / sec.
6, A vertical tube of 4 mm. diameter at the bottom has water passin
through it. If the pressure be atmospheric at the bottom, where the water emerge
FLOW OF Lt$tTlDS VISCOSITY 449
t the rate f 800 gins, per minute, what is the pressure at a point in the tube 25
cms. above the bottom, where the diameter is 3 mms. ?
Here, rate of emergence of water = 800 gms.fmt. ,= *. gms.lsec.
= 40/3 c.cs. per sec.
ttecause, density of water 1 gm.fc.c. =
This will be the same across any section of the tube.
Now, diameter of the tube at the bottom = 4 mm. = *4 cm.
radius = '4/2
= '2 cms.,
and .*. area of cross-section of the tube, at the bottom
=Trx('2)
2
-04TT sq. cm. =
volume of water passing through any cross-section
Since,
= cross-sectional area x velocity, we have
velocity of water passing through the bottom
volume ----- _per sec.
__ ----_ 'flowing
'
40
cross- sectional area
-- ...
3x*04rc
.
cm. sec. = "
v,. say.
J
K.E. per unit mass of water at the bottom
it 1 / 40
and pressure energy per unit mass at the bottom
= /> ( /p =/?i== 76x13*6x981 ews. [. p = 1 gm. c c
total energy K.E. -\-pressure energy.
Again, diameter of the tube, 25 cms. above the bottom = 3 mms. = '3 cm.
radius of the tube, 25 cms. above the bottom = *3/2 = *15 cm.
And .'. area of cross section of the tube = ?r x('15) 2 sq. cms.
40
= -
So that, velocity of water, here, cms. I sec. - -
.
^
Hence, K.E. of water per unit mass, here,
40
Let the pressure here be p 2 ,
Then, pressure energy per unit mass, in terms ot mercury column
Also P.E. per unit mass of water, here, = kg =
25x981 ergs.
And, .'. total energy, here, = K.E. i-pressure energy -\-P.E.
-
2
9
Now, in accordance with Bernoulli s theorem, the total energy must be the
same at the two places so that, we have
;
)
+'*"'> -
+ (/>,x 13-6x981)+ (25X981V
ROft
Or, +(76x13-6x981).
-^.j^
Or, -
Or, . 5627 f 1014000 177804-13350^,4-24520.
Or, 133507> a - 5627 f 1014000-17780-24520.
- 977327 - 977300, sa>*.
The figure is rounded off thus, to be able to use the ordinary four-figure
logarithmic table.
450 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
Or, Pt = 73-24 cms.
Thus, the pressure at the point where the diameter of the tube is 3 mm*.
is 73*24 cms. in terms of mercury column.
7. A
pitot tube is fixed in a main of diameter 15 cms., and the difference
of pressure indicated by the gauge is 4 cms. of water column ; find the volume of
water passing through the main in a minute.
Here, radius of the main = 15/2 7*5 cms
of cross-section of the main ** n x(7 5) a sq. cms.
area,
Loss of K.E per unit mass of water due to the stoppage of flow by the
tube = 2
iv ergs.
\nd, gain of pressure energy = p/p = p <*
h.g= 4x981 ergs. ['.' p * 1 gjn.jc.c.
iv - 4x981. - 8x981 * 7848,
a 2
Therefore, Or, v
whence, v = v/7848 = 88 '51 cms.! sec.
'. volume of water flowing per second across the section
= area of section x velocity ~ TC x (7'5)* x 88*57 c.cs.
\nd .*. volume flowing through the section per minute
- re x (7*5) 2 x 88*57x60 = 9'396x 10 5 c.cs.
.'. the volume of water passing through the main is 9*396 x 10 5 c.cs. per minute.
8. A water main of internal diameter 8" is fed by a pipe of internal dia-
meter 2", which delivers water at the rate of 1 c. ft per second. If the pressure of
water in the pipe be 50 Ibs. wt. per sq inch, calculate the pressure in the main.
Here, radius of the main = 8/2 = 4" ** J ft.
and radius of pipe = | 1" = _J_
ft.
cross-sectional area of the main = nx (
J)
2
= n/9 sq. ft.
and , , ,, pipe nx
(-
1
)
8 = */144 sq ft.
Rate of flow of water = 1 c. ft. I sec.
Now, rate of flow = cross-sectional area X velocity of flow.
velocity offlo* = ---- rate - - .
cross-sectional area
= 9
So thit, velocity of flow of water (v x ) in the main = -
]
,
TT
/ y "
144
and velocity of flow of water (v a ) in the pipe = ^TTX*
1
= ----
/. K.E. per unit volume (/ e., per 1 c. ft. of water) in the main = i pv,
1
, where
is the of water, (equal to 62-5 Ibs. per c.ft.)
density
- x 62-5 X ( V = ^2 8l
= 256 4 /' Poundals.
^
2 \ it / .-^
2n*
A ad ^T.E per unit volume in the pipe * Jpv 2
2
.
2
- X 62 5 x -!* . -A2 5 144)8 . 65660 //. a
Let pressure in the main be /?! /A5. w/ /^. inch. /? A x 32 x 144 poundals/ft*'
And, pressure in the pipe, as we know, /? a
= 50 wt.jsq. inch. //>5-.
- 50x32x144 = 230400 pottndalslft*.
equation, we have /?i + Jpvj
8 = /> 2 2
.'. applying Bernoulli's 4-ipv2 .
Or, P! x 32 x 144+256*4 - 230400+65660 * 296060
Or, P! x 32 x 144 = 296060 - 256-4 - 295803 6,
whence, P! = 295803-6/32 x 144 64-19 Ibs.
Therefore, the pressure in the main
* 64-19 Ibs. wt. per sq. inch.
FLOW OF LIQUIDS VISCOSITY 461
9. Water is escaping from a cistern by way of a horizontal capillary tube,
10 cms. long and 0*4 mm. in diuneter, at a distance of 50 cms, below the free sur-
face of water in the cistern. Calculate the rate at which the water is escaping.
(Bombay)
We know that the rate at which a liquid escapes out from a capillary tub-
liquid flowing out per second, is given by K
4
ing, i.e., the volume of the r.Pr /8TQ./,
where Pis the difference of pressure between the two ends of the capillary tube,
r its radius, /, its length and *], the coefficient of viscosity of the liquid flowing
through it.
Here, P 50 x 1 x981 dynes/cm 9 ., I =- 10
cms..
and r = '4/2 *2 mm. =* '02 cm.
- ., nx50x981x(02) 4
v_ _/___ ^ 3'082xlO~ 4
Hence K _. c
8r)XlO *)
where >) ii the coefficient of viscosity of water.
Thus, the rate at which the water is escaping from the capillary tube is
3*082 x 10~ 4 /?) c.cs. per second.
10. A gas bubble of diameter 2 cms., rises steadily through a solution of
density 1*75 gms./c.c. at the rate of '35 cms /sec. Calculate the coefficient of vis-
cosity of the solution. (Neglect the density of the gas).
We have the relation, 1 -= .
''
2
^ P ~ a)
f
, (see page 436), so that, neg-
9 v
lecting p, (the density of the gas bubble), we have ^ =*
-g
Here, r = 2/2 = 1 cm., g = 981 cms. /sec*., a = 1*75 gm.lc c. and v = "35 cms. / sec
2x1x981x1-75 = - 2x981x1-75 = , Aft 1A s . .
Hence, 7) .
l'09x 10 poise.
5 3 ]5
Thus, coefficient of viscosity of the solution is equal to T09x 10 a poise.
EXERCISE XII
1. Derive the formula for the flow of a liquid through a capillary tube.
Why does the formula fail in the case of a wide bore ? (Agra]
2. What is meant by the term 'coefficient of viscosity' ? Obtain an
expression for the rate of flow of a liquid through a capillary tube of circular
cross-section. Note the precautions to be adopted in the experimental determi-
nation of this coefficient, using this expression.
3. Define 'coefficient of viscosity' for a liquid. Describe how the coeffi-
cient of viscosity is determined for water.
Water is conveyed through a horizontal tube 8 cm. in diameter and 4
kilometres in length, at the rate at 20 litres per sec. Assuming only viscous re-
sistance, calculate the pressure requued to maintain the flow. (Coefficient of
viscosity of water is 0-01 COS. units). (Bancras)
Ans. l'274x!0 7 dynes/ cm*.
Define coefficient of viscosity of a liquid and find its dimensions.
4.
Describe the wiy in which the different parts of a viscous liquid move
\vhen flowing through a fine tube. What changes take place if the motion is in-
creased ? In an experiment with PoUeuille's apparatus, the following figures were
obtained :
Volume of water issuing per minute 7'08 r.cv. ; Head of water = 34-] cms.
Length of the tube =
56 45 cms. Radius of the tube = *0514 cm.
Find the coefficient of viscosity. (Calcutta)
0-01377 poise. Ans
5. Calculate the mass of witer flowing in 10 minutes through a tube
<0 1 cm. in diameter, 40 cm. long, if there is a constant pressure head of 20 cms. of
water. The cofficient of viscosity of water is 0*0089 c g.s. units. (A-M.IE., I960)
Ans. 81*19 gmt.
452 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
6. Define coefficient of viscosity. Give examples of some viscous sub-
stances. How would you determine the coefficient of viscosity of a liquid ?
Why do you find cloud particles floating in the sky ? (Agra, 1944}
7. Define coefficient of viscosity.
Describe fully what you would do to compare the viscosities of two
liquids. (Madras, 1949)
Explain what is meant by the 'viscosity of a liquid ? How will you
1
8.
study experimentally the variation of viscosity with temperature ?
What are the 'dimensions' of viscosity in terms of length, mass and
time ? (Allahabad, 1946)
9. Define the coefficient of viscosity of a liquid. What is the effect of
temperature upon it ? How would you determine the viscosity of water at
different temperatures ? Derive the formula you use. (Punjab, 1941)
10. A square plate of 10 cms. side moves parallel to another plate with a
f velocity of 10 cms. per sec., both plates being immersed in water. If the viscous
force between them is 200 dynes, and the viscosity of water is 0*01 gm./cm. sec.,
what is their distance apart ? Ans. 0*44 cm.
11. Enunciate and prove Bernoulli's theorem, and mention some of its im-
portant applications.
12. Two tubes, with small apertures at their lower ends, are held vertical-
lywith their lower ends dipping in a pips carrying water, such that the aperture
of one faces the flow and that of ths othsr has its plane parallel to the direction
of flow of water, which rises in the former to a height 10 cms. above that in the
latter. Determine the velpcitv of flow of water in the pipe. If the pipe has a
diameter 20 CTI*'., what is the volume of water flowing aloig the pipe per
minute ? . Ans. (/) 140'1 cms. /sec. (//) 26-4 x 10 s c.cs.
13. Calculate the velocity of efflux of alcohol (sp. gr. -80) from a cylinder
in which the total pressureis 2 atmosphere*.
[Hint. Here, pressure due to the alcohol is one atmosphere, equal to 76
cms. of mercury column. Ans. 15-92 metres./sec
14. A venturimeter is connected to two points in a main where its radii
are 20 cms. and 15 cms. respectively, and the levels oF the water columns in the
two limbs differ by 10 cms. H:>w much water flows through the pipe per hour ?
Ans. 43'H x 10* litres.
15. Water flowing in a horizontal main, of a non-uniform bore, has a
velocity 100 cmv./w. at a point where the pressure is l/l9th of the atmospheric
pressure. What will be the velocity at a point where the pressure is one half of
that at the first point ? Ans. 251 '1 cms /sec.
16. Deduce ths eipre^sion for ths rate of steady flow of a liquid
through
a capillary tube of circular section.
Avessel of cross section 20 sq. cm. has at the bottom a horizontal
capil-
lary tube of length 10 cms. and internal radius 0*5 mm. It is initially filled with
water to a height of 20 cm*, above the capillary tube. Find the time taken bv
the vessel to empty one-half of its contents, given that the viscosity of water is
O'Ol C.G.S. unit. (Madras, 1947)
Ans. 9 mm. 36 sees.
17. A capillary tube, 1 mm.
diameter and 20 cms. in length, is fitted
in
horizontally to a vessel kept full of alcohol, of density '8 gm.lc.c. The depth of
the centre of the capillary tube below the surface of alcohol is 30 cms. If the
viscosity of alcohol is 0'012 c.g.s. unit, find the amount that will flow out in 5
minutes. Prove the formula you use. (Bombay. 1933 -
Ans. 57'74gms.
18. Water at 20C(7j 010 gm. cm." 1 .vc.~ .) is escaping from a tank
.
!
by a horizontal capillary tube, 20 cms. long and 1'2 mm. diameter. The water
stands 10D cms. above the tubs. At what rate is the water escaping ?
Ans. 2-5 c.cs./sec.
19. If in question 18, the area ff the tank bs IQ* sq. cms,, how long will
it take for the water level to fall to 50 cms. above the tube ? Ans. 91 hours.
FLOW OF LIQUIDS VISCOSITY 453
20. A funnel is attached to a vertical capillary tube of length 49*6 cm*.
Water is poured into the funnel and kept at a height of 68*3 cms. above the
lower end of the tube, whilst 78 c a. are collected in 10 minutes. The tube wai
then removed and entirely filled with mercury 3-695 gms. were required. If
;
the density of mercury is \3'56gms. per c.c., find the viscosity of water at the
t emperature of the exp eriment. Ans. O'0 1 247 gm. I cm. sec,
[Hint. The radius of the tube can be determined from tht amount of mercury
filling the tube. For, mass volume x density.
.% volume of mercury filling the tube mass ofmercuryjits density.
Or, volume of tube = 3*695/13 56 c.cs.
Now, volume = wr 1 ./, where r and I are the radius and length of the tube
respectively.
wr1 cms.
volumell 3*695/13*56x49*6
~
sq.
Hence r - ?? AQ > or, r~ \/ JT *_
cms. 7.
71x13*56x49*6'
,
,
V rrx 13*56x49*6
*
This value ofris then substituted in the relation */] P.^r*/8 v/.]
21. Give Poiscuille's method of measuring the viscosity of liquids.
Derive the formula used. Indicate a method which could be employed to
measure the viscosity of liquids at different temperatures. (Banaras)
22. What kind or kinds of energy result from the work done by a fluid )
against viscosity ? How can the viscosity of a liquid be determined ? (Bombay) \
23. Define "coefficient of viscosity".
Derive Stokers formula for the velocity of a small sphere falling through
a viscous liquid. Explain how this is utilised to determine the viscosity of a
liquid like castor oil. Mention one more application of Stokers formula.
(Madras)
24. Determine the radius of the drop of water falling through air, if the
terminal velocity of the drop is 1*2 cms.lscc. Assume the coefficient of viscosity
for air =* l*8xlO~ 4 and the density of air = 1*21 x IQ-* gm.,'c.c. (A.M.I.E., 1961}
Ans. O'OOl cm. (approximately)
25. What is a rotation viscometer ? Explain clearly its construction and
working.
26. How may the viscosities of two liquids, or the viscosities of the same
liquid at two different temperatures, be compared with the help of Ostwald
mcometer ?
27. Explain the limitations of Poiseuille's formula for the rate of flow of
i liquid
through a capillary tube. Why does it fail in the case of a gas ?
Explain, with necessary theory, Rankings method for the determination of
ihe viscosity of a gas.
CHAPTER XIII
DIFFUSION AND OSMOSIS
216. Diffusion. If we place a solution of, say, copper sul-
phate, (or even solid crystals of potassium permanganate or potas-
sium dichromat e), in a beaker, and cover it with pure water, disturb-
ing it the least, so that the line of demarcation between the two is
clearly seen, we shall find that on standing for some time, may be,
even days or months, the characteristic colour of the salt ascends
upwards and fills the entire space occupied by the liquid, the concen-
tration of the entire solution becoming the same all over.
The same is true for gases also. For, if we divide a tall glasn
jar into two compartments by a movable horizontal glass plate and
put a heavier, or a denser gas, like carbon dioxide, on the lower
compartment and a lighter or a rarer gas like hydrogen, in the upper
one, we find that, on removing the glass plate, the molecules of the
two gases intermix with each other, until we get a mixture of the
two, of a uniform density throughout.
This process, by virtue of which the molecules of a solute, (in this
case, copper sulphate), move upward from the lower portions of greater
concentration to the upper ones of lower concentration, or by virtue of
t
which the molecules of one gas mix with those of another, even against
the force of gravity, is called diffusion.
The solute is pushed up as though under some pressure, until
equilibrium is attained, and the concentration and pressure of the
solution become uniform throughout.
Solids too, although they possess a definite crystalline structure,
have been known to exhibit the phenomenon of diffusion, if placed
in good contact with each other over a long enough time, the
diffusion taking place more readily between two different solids than
between two portions of the same solid. Thus, for example, the
diffusion of gold into lead has been clearly shown by Robert Austen,
by fusing a small lead cylinder (about 7 cms. long and 1*4 cms. in
diameter) into a thin gold plate and subjecting it to pressure for well
over a month, ia a constant temperature enclosure, the temperature
being kept below their lowest melting point. And, more recently, it
has been clearly established by Groh and Hevesy that radioactive lead
can diffuse into ordinary lead, if the two be kept iri contact for some
reasonably good time, / e., well over a year. This then, is a case of
what is aptly called self-diffusion, for we have, here, the case of a
substance (lead) diffusing into its own self, (i.e., into lead), for
although the atomic weights of the two types of lead are different,
they are otherwise identical in their chemical properties.
The phenomenon of diffusion of liquids was first investigated by
Graham, in the year 1851. It would, therefore, be of interest to
give a brief account of his experiments here.
454
DIFFUSION AND OSMOSIS
He filled a large- mouthed bottle with the salt solution under
investigation, to a level very near the top, floated a cork-disc cen-
trally on the surface of the solution and carefully filled the rest of
the bottle with pure water, (the solvent), by lightly squeezing it on
the discs from the sponge. Then, covering the mouth of the bottle
with a glass disc, lowered it lightly into a larger jar, containing
water, so that the mouth of the bottle was some distance below the
water surface in the jar. Then, allowing the motion of the two
liquids to subside, he carefully uncovered the mouth of the bottle,
causing the least possible disturbance to the liquids, and finally cover-
ed the jar with a glass plate to minimise evaporation, maintaining
the jar at a constant temperature to avoid convection currents.
Due to diffusion of the salt into the pure water above, the con-
centration of the solution began to change, and this was determined
from time to time by withdrawing portions of the solution by means
of a pipette. From the change in concentration of the solution,
Graham estimated the amount of the solute diffusing into the solvent
or the water above.
Graham repeated his experiment with different salt solutions,
and, although he was unable to formulate any exact law for the rate
of diffusion, he arrived at the following conclusions :
(/) that solutions of different salts, of the same strength or con-
centration, diffuse at different rates, and thus, the rate of diffusion de-
pends upon the nature oj the solute ;
(//) that solutions, of the same salt, of different strengths or
con-
centrations, diffuse at rates proportional to their concentrations ;
(Hi) that, in general, diffusion alters the proportion of two salts
in a mixture ;
(iv) that the rate of diffusion inceases with temperature ;
(v) that solutions may be divided into two distinct categories
viz., (a) crystalloids, consisting of mineral acids, salt solutions, sugar,
etc., which diffuse comparatively quickly, and (b) colloids, consisting
of albumen, gum, caramel and gelatine, etc., which diffuse more
slowly than the crystalloids.
Diffusion, in the case of liquids, may easily be explained on the
basis of the kinetic theory of liquids. For, according to this theory,
the molecules of the solvent possess kinetic energy of translation,
which is directly proportional to their absolute temperature. This,
they share with the molecules of the solute present and the latter
thus roam about in the solvent, so much so that they even rise up
against the force of gravity.
217. Fick's Law. Four years later, in 1855, Fick formulated
a law of diffusion, based on Fourrier's law of conduction of heat, due
to a close analogy between the process of diffusion of a solute and
the flow of heat through a solid. He established the law that the
rate of diffusion in any direction is proportional to the concentration
gradient of the solute in that direction. The law, after him, is known
as Pick's law.
Thus, if we imagine a rectangular slab of a solution, of thick-
ness x, such that the concentrations of the solute all over its two
456 , PROPEBTIES OF MATTER
opposite faces are C\ and C% respectively, Cl being greater than t C
then, the amount of solute passing into one face and out at the
other, i.e., passing any cross-section of it in a given time, is propor-
tional to the concentration gradient, (C l 2 )jx f
C
If we denote the change of concentration for a small distance
dx by dc, the concentration gradient is dc/dx, and the quantity (Q) of
the solute diffusing in unit time through an area A is given by the
relation, Q K.A.dcfdx, =
where K
a constant, called coefficient of diffusion, or the diffusivity
is
of the Solute^ and depends not only on the nature of the solute in a
given solvent but also on its concentration, i>. % mass (in grams) of
the solute per c.c. And, since the dimensions of Q are [AIT- 1 ], of A,
[L
2
] and of dcldx, [ML-*], we heave
[Mr-*] = [K] [L*][ML~*l
whence, [K] = [L*T~
1
].
the concentration at the first layer be e, the concentra-
Now, if
tion at a layer opposite, distance Sx apart, will be c-&x.dcldx, be-
cause the concentration gradient is dc/dx and, therefore, a change of
concentration in a distance Sx will be Bx.dcjdx. Thus, the quantity
of the solute entering the first layer in unit time is K.A.dc/dx and t
that leaving the second layer in the same time, (i.e., unit time), is
given by K.A.
~ (
c - -*.*
)
= K.A. - K.A. *.8x, i.e., the
rate at which the solute is leaving the second layer is lower than that
at which it enters the first layer by K.A.Bx.d 2 c/dx 2 This amount .
of the solute is, therefore, added in unit time to the volume of the
solution between the first and the second layers, i.e., to a volume
A.Sx.
Thus, the rate of change of concentration ~
K.A.8x.d 2 c/dx 2 IA.Sx
= K.d2cldx 2 Denoting
. this rate of change of concentration by
dcjdt, we, therefore, have
dc/dt = K.d 2 c/d\*,
a relation of fundamental importance in diffusion of liquids.
The analogy between Pick's law of diffusion and Fourrier's law
of conduction of heat on the one hand, and Ohm's law of conduction
of electricity on the other, will at once be apparent. For, just at
heat always flows from a point at a higher temperature to that at a
lower temperature, and just as electricity always flows from a point
at a higher potential to that at a lower potential, so also does a
solute flow from regions of higher concentration to those of lower
concentration. Not only that, but like conduction of heat and
electricity, diffusion too is, to all intents and purposes, an irreversible
process, because, if the solvent, or a portion of it, gets impregnated
with the solute, it can never divest itself of it without external aid.
218. Relation between Time of Diffusion and Length of Column.
Suppose we have two columns of solution, of lengths /r and /a respectively, having
identical concentrations at different points along them at a given instant. Let the
two columns again acquire similar concentrations at corresponding points after
intervals ti and r s respectively.
DIFFUSION AND OSMOSIS 457
Quite obviously, these time- intervals must be proportional (/) directly to
the distances covered by the solute and (//) inversely to the absolute velocity of
the solute at each layer. And, therefore, since the distances covered are in pro-
portion to these lengths of the columns, we have
where vt and v, are the solute- velocities at corresponding layers of the two
columns.
Now, by Pick's law, Q = K.A.dcfdx.
But Q =>
A.v.c, if v be the velocity of the solute at a given layer, of concentra-
tion c.
A
A.v.c.
^ A&
= K.A- ^ v
K dc-
= ---
, Or,
'
d* c dx
i.e., v oc dcldx,
[Kfc being a constant for the given layers
But dc/dx, will be inversely proportional to the length oC the column, if the twe>
columns have similar distribution of concentrations. And, therefore,
v oc I//, [where / is the length of the column.
Hence, v 2 /v, - /,//,.
So that, substituting the value of v 2 /v A in relation (ij above, we have
fi/'i
- /iW /, t <=< /"-
Or, the time of diffusion from one distribution of concentration to
another, in a given solution, is directly proportional to the square of the length
of its column.
*221. Experimental measurement of Diffusivity. The diffusivity of a
solution may be determined by measuring its concentration at a chosen point,
from time to time, and applying Fourrier's theorem to the relation,
dcldx = K.d c\dx\
Different methods have been used for the purpose. Thus, for example,
Kelvin determined the densities of the different layers of the solution by intro-
ducing into it, a series of beads of different but known densities and noting their
equilibrium positions. Tms method, however, is open to two very valid objec-
tions, viz., (i> some salt from the solution crystallizes on the beads and (11) air
bubbles are formed on their surfaces. Both these factors tend to alter the buoy-
ancy of the beads and the results obtained are thus far from reliable.
Other methods used to measure concentration are based on the measure-
ment of (a) the refractive irfdex of the solution, (b) the contact potential difler-
ence, and (c) in tbe case of optically active solutions, like that of sugar, the rota-
tion of the plane of polarisation etc., etc. Littlewood has succeeded in measur-
ing the concentration of the solution at a given la>er within *05 gm. per litre by an
optical method, based on the bending of light rays.
For aqueous solutions of sails like NaCl KCl, KNO Z etc., however, the %
method devised by Clack, (1942), is perhaps the best. We shall, therefore,
study this in some detail.
Clack's Method. He took a 'diffusion cell\ which was just a rectangular
tube, about 5 cms. long, 1 cm. wide and with a horizontal thkknei>s 4 cms., made
up of glass plates, and fitted it vertically into the bottom of a glass box containing
an air-free, saturated solution of the salt in question, to maintain which
at its saturation point, crystals of the salt, or the solute, were also placed in
the solution. Outside the tube, and above the glass box, were arranged compart-
ments carrying pure distilled water, at a level about 5 cms. higher than
the tube. An inlet-tube for the water to enter and an outlet-tube for its
exit were
also provided, so that there was a constant flow stream of the distilled
water flowing across the upper free end of the cell* resulting in the incoming water
being carried away as a feeble solution of constant concentration, due to the up-
ward diffusing solute from the cell getting mixed up with it. The whole s>stem
was allowed to come to a steady state, which took as many as 12 days
or more and the flow of water was maiatained at about 50 c.cs. per day, the tem-
,perature being kept constant by means of a suitable thermostat. The theory
underlying the method will be clear from the following :
Consider a layer P, say, distant / from the top of the cell, and let Q be the
mass of the solute crossing upwards here per second. Then, it c be the concentra-
458 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
tion of the solution at this layer and A, the area of cross-section of the cube, we
have, by Fick's law,
K= .~, [See page 455.
where K is the diffmivity of the solution.
dl - dl d
Now
W> ~ '
dc <ti* ac
where p is the optical refractive index of the solution at P.
Q dl d
. K =,...,.
A *',
A dp dc
Now, apart from diffusion, the motion of the solute is also affected by
the mass motion or bulk-motion of the solvent, (i.e., water) downwards into
the tube. If v be the uniform, downward velocity of this mass-motion of the sol-
vent, it isob\kus that mass A.v.c. cf the solute and a mass A vXp- c) of
the solvent flow downwards at P, where p is the density of the solution at Pand,
therefore, (p c), the concentration of the solvent there.
Hence, if M
be the mass of the solvent entering the cell per second, at the
top, and m, that of the solute b wing tnc csll per second there, we have
M =- /l.v.(p-c). ..... ... (/)
and, m^Q-A.v.c. Or, Q = m+A.v.c. . . ..(//)
But, since A.v. = Af/(?-c), [from relation (i) above.
we have, from relation (//),
So that, putting M\m = &, a constant, we have
^ = ,
/ Sm ^ = /w(p-c)-f-8.mc
?
>+(--> -j^r-
Or, =
'^8.c). ......... (/v)
Now, the net loss in the ma>s of the system per second is clearly equal to
loss inmass of the solute per second minus gain in mass of the solvent per second.
Denoting this net loss by i, therefore, we have
i = m M
m S.ra m(\ S), whence, m ==//(!).
Substituting this value m, in relation (/v) above, we have
, putting this value of 2, in relation / above, we have
A ~
__ /(P-C+S.C) rf/ ^ "
^a-S)( P -c)' ^'^c'
The various quantities involved in this relation for K are obtained
as indicated below :
(i) / and S are determined either by chemical analysis or by drying and
weighing the solution.
() dl\dv> is measured by making a narrow horizontal beam of monochro-
matic light incident on layers of increasing densities, when the beam gets refract-
ed in the vertical plane and emerges out downwards at an angle a with the hori-
t , , , dp - sin a being the horizontal R
zoDtal, such that --.
-^ f [thickness of the cell.
where a is measured by noting the vertical displacement of the central fringe in
the interference pattern produced by two narrow horizontal slits, close to each
other, and illuminated by the green bght from a mercury arc, when this light is
allowed to pass through the cell.
(///) dp/dc is determined by means of Rayleigh's interferometer, for solu-
tions of different concentrations c, and
(iv) the concentration c at P is computed from the curves (/,
and (c,
DIFFUSION AND OSMOSIS 459
Thus, all quantities in relation // above for K being known, we can easily
calculate K, the diffusivity for the given solution.
219. Graham's Law for Diffusion of Gases. Gases diffuse much
more rapidly than liquids, due to their high molecular speed, their
^diffusion being governed by the following law, known as Graham's
Jaw of diffusion :
"The rates of diffusion of two gases are inversely proportional to
the square roots of their densities."
Thus, ifr,, r 2 and p 1? p 2 be the rates of diffusion and densities
respectively of two gases, we have
Pa,
Pi
The difference in the rates of diffusion of gases was usecf
by Graham to separate gaseous mixtures, to which process he gave the
name 'atmolysis'.
220. Effusion Transpiration and Transfusion.
(/')
When
a gas escapes from a vessel into a vacuum, through a
small hole in a thin plate, such that the width of the hole is greater
in comparison with its length, the gas is said to effuse, and the
process is called effusion. Graham showed that the rate of effusion
varies directly as the square root of the difference ofpressure on the two
sides of the hole, and inversely as the square root of its density, and is
<quite independent of the passage of any other gas at the same time.
m,
Thus,
///* *
velocity J effusion
of oc
A /pressure
A/ -
difference
V density
It must be noted that in this process, the gas flows, as a whole,
through the plate, there being no separation of a mixture of gases into
its constituents.
(//) If, on the other hand, the hole in the plate
be not too fine,
-and the thickness of the plate be greater than the diameter of the
hole, the process of escape of the gas through it is called 'transpira-
tion'. Here, the flow of the gas is controlled by viscosity alone, which
is subject to the same laws as are applicable to the flow of a
gas through along tube.
Here, too, the gaseous mixture, as a whole, passes through the
plate, there being no separation of it into its various constituents.
(Hi) If, however, the holes be so fine that their diameters
are comparable with those of the molecules of the gas, the passage of
1
the gas is known as diffusion or 'inter-diffusion.
Here, partial separation of a mixture of gases, i.e., atmolysis,
takes place and its constituents may thus be easily separated.
221. Osmosis and Osmotic Pressure. If two liquids, which can
diffuse into one another, be initiallv separated by a membrane, they
inter-diffuse, one into the other. This process of inter -diffusion of two
liquids through a membrane is called osmosis.
To demonstrate the phenomenon of osmosis we use what are
called semipermeable membranes, which have the property of selective
transmission, allowing some liquids to pass through them and not
others. There are various membranes of animal or vegetable origin,
460 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
which have this property of selective transmission and are, therefore,
semipermeable. Examples of such membranes are ordinary animal
:
bladder, cell-walls of plants, and certain inorganic precipitates etc.
For instance, if we fill an animal bladder with alcohol, tie its
mouth tightly and place it in a vessel of water, the bladder begins to
swell, and may ultimately burst If, on the other hand, we fill
it with water and place it in alcohol, it shrinks. This clearly shows
that the bladder is more permeable to water than to alcohol. For, water
can pass through it easily whereas alcohol cannot. Graham made use
of the semipermeable properties of pig's bladder to separate crvstal-
loids from colloids, a process he termed 'dialysis'. The mixture of
crystalloids and colloids is placed in a tray wi'h a bottom of parchment
paper and the tray is then floated in water, when the crystalloids pass
through the parchment into the water, leaving the colloids behind in
the tray. Poisons in the viscera of poisoned animals can be detected?
in this manner.
The systematic study of the laws of osmosis was first made by
Pfeffer, who used a semipermeable membrane of precipitated copper
ferrocyanide, supported by the pores of an ordinary battery-pot or
porous biscuit- ware, as ordinary parchment membranes are too feeble
to withstand high pressures. The pot is first soaked in water to drive
out all the air from its pores. It is then filled with a solution
of copper sulphate and placed inside a solution of potassium ferro-
cyanide. B Jth these salts diffuse into the wails of the pot, where they
meet to form a brown semipermeable precipitate of cupric cyanide.
The pot is then washed with distilled water.
If such a pot be now filled with a salt or a sugar solution, closed
tightly with a rubber bung, carrying a mercury manometer, as
shown, (Fig. 27:i), and then placed in a vessel
containing pure water, (the solvent), it is
found that water passes into the pot and an
increase of pressure is recorded by the mano-
meter, showing thereby that more water is
entering the pot from the outside than is escap-
ing out from the inside. More and more-
water ihus gets into the pot and the pres-
MERCURY sure goes on steadily rising until a certain^
soLuno, definite pressure is reached. This will
SOLVENT, happen when equilibrium is
attained, i.e*f
the same rate at
when \iater passes in at just
which it passes out. This increase of pressure,
Fig. 273. or the excess pressure inside over the at-
mospheric pressure on the water outside, now prevents any further
passage of water into the pot and measures what is called the
osmotic pressure of the solution. Osmotic pressure is thus the pressure
which must be applied on the solution-side of the membrane to prevent
any flowing in of the solvent through the membrane. Its value
depends upon the nature , concentration and temperature of the
-solution.
If the manometer be open at the top (A), the travel of mercury
in it is inconveniently large. To prevent this, the upper end is
DIFFUSION AND OSMOSIS 461
closed, and if the volume of air in A B be known, when the pressure
is atmospheric, any subsequent reading of the volume of air in it
enables the pressure to be calculated.
This method for the measurement of osmotic pressure, however,
is not quite a suitabk one for ;
due to the solvent entering the pot, the concentration is
(i)
lowered, and hence the osmotic pressure measured is for this final
lowered concentration of the solution, and not for the original one ;
(/i) of the solution is not uniform through-
the final concentration
out, and the pressure measured is thus for the concentration of the
solution in the immediate neighbourhood of the membrane, which it
is not quite so easy to determine.
A better method is due to Berkeley and Hartley, who, in 1900,
measured the osniotic pressure by determining the external pressure
necessary to be applied to the solution to just prevent any solvent
[passing into it.
Their apparatus, (Fig. 274), consists of a porous tube MN,
(with a membrane of cupric cyanide formed inside its walls), which is
filled with the solvent and placed ,^\ n; IL*
inside a metallic vessel B, which ii
as filled with the solution, through |
j
tthe tube E. The porous tube v!-
MN is connected to two tubes at
dts two ends, as shown, one
fitted with a stop-cock *S, and the
other being a graduated capillary F 2 74.
-
tube of glass, D
Pressure is applied to the solution through the tube ,
so that
no solvent can enter into it from the tube MN, i.e., the meniscus
-of the liquid column in D remains stationary, or the condition of
-equilibrium is attained. The external pressure applied through E
thus gives the osmotic pressure of the solution in B (plus the small and
.almost negligible hydrostatic pressure of the solvent in the tube MN).
Osmotic pressures, as high as 130 atmospheres, may thus be
-easily measured with the help of this apparatus.
222. Laws of Osniotic Pressure. Pfeffer's results led to the
-establishment of the following laws of osmotic pressure for dilute
solutions of non-electrolytes.
1. The osmotic pressure (P) of the solution of a given solute
is proportional to its concentration (c), provided the temperature
einains constant or, ;
P oc c.
Since concentration is inversely proportional to volume (K), this
jorresponds to Boyle's law for gases, viz., that P oc 1/F.
2. The osmotic pressure of the
solution of a given concentra-
tion is proportional to its absolute temperature or P oc T. This,
9
;
obviously, corresponds to Charles law for gases.
Combining the two laws, therefore, we have P oc c.T.
Dr, P = K.c.T, [where K
is a constant.
Or, putting c 1/F, where c is the concentration of tho
462 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
solution, in gram- molecules of the solute pere.c., and V* its volume
containing 1 gram-moelcule of the solute, we have P = K.(\jV).T.
Or, PV = KT.
This constant K for very dilute solutions, is found to be identi-
cal with the gas constant R so that, for dilute solutions, we have
;
PV =
RT. !"/>., the same as the standard
[.equation for a gas.
3.Solutions of non-electrolytes exerting equal osmotic pres-
sures contain the same number of gram-molecules per c c., i.e., are
of concentrations proportional t> the molecular weights of the solute.
This corresponds to Avogadro's hypothesis for gases. Solutions
exerting the same osmotic pressure are called isotonic or isomotic
solutions,
4. Solutions of electrolytes exert a greater osmotic pressure
than those of non-electrolytes, due to their splitting up into ions.
[n the case of electrolytes, the relation between P, K, R, and T
IB given by PV = iRT, where / is a factor depending upon its degree
uf dissociation, and is equal to the ratio of the observed osmotic pres-
flure to that calculated as above so that, knowing /, the percentage
;
Association of an electrolyte can be calculated *
223. Kinetic Theory of Solutions. Van't Hoff propounded the
kinetic theory of solutions, similar to the one for gases, and deduced,
for infinitely dilute solutions, the relation PV =
RT, from purely
thermodynaraical considerations. This close similarity with the
behaviour of gases led him to suggest that the osmotic pressure oj
a dilute solution is the same as would be exerted by the solute, if it
could exist as a gas, and if it occupied a volume equal to that occupied
by the solution, at the same temperature. This is known as Van't
Hoff law.
This parallelism between dilute solutions and gases has been
amply verified by the accurate results obtained by Berkeley and'
Hartley.
224, Osmosis and Vapour Pressure of a Solution. The vapour
pressure of a solution is always less than that of the pure solvent, as
-vcill be clear from the following :
If we take a solvent enclosed in an evacuated cbambrr
<Fig. 275), and place vertically in it a long glass tube, containing i
solution, with its lower end closed by means of a gemi permeable
membrane which allows the solvent to pass through it, but not th<
solute, we find that the liquid risen in the tube up to //, say, unti
equilibrium is attained. Now, clearly, the vapour at; is in contad H
with the solution, and at /, with the holvont. Let the maximunr
pressures at J and H f
be p and p respectively. Taen, obviously, p i*
greater that) p' by an amount h.v.g. where or is the density of the
vapour of the solvent and is practically the same as that of the vapoui
of the solution at //, the column h being small.
Thus, Pp' = h.v.g. ... (/
*See solved example 9,
DIFFUSION AND OSMOSIS 46:
"f P be the osmotic pressure of the solution, we have
P =
excess pressure inside the tube over
hat outside at Jon the solvent.
ivhere p is the density of the solution.
3r, /> = A.g.(p-<r),
/ P \
whence, h.g = f -:-}
Substituing this value of h.g. in rela o
tion (/)above, we have ^
'
SLMI-PERMtABLE MEMBRANE,
P-P' <*
Fig. 275.
Jr, p p' = Po/p, [neglecting a in comparison with p.
i.e., the lowering of the vapour pressure (pp f
), is directly propor-
tional to the osmotic pressure (P).
Now, a = 1/y, where v is the volume of I
gm. of vapour at pressure p
So that, p p' = P/t'.p. ...(m)>
If P be the atmospheric pressure, v the , volume of the vapour
fit this pressure and o its density, we have,
Thus, P.OQ = P /v = P O
.CT.
Or, a =p.<J /P . ... (fv)
1
And, clearly, v = P .v //?.
So that, substituting this value of v in relation (///) above, we
have
P
P-P *= X p
/7
v
= P.?9.a
p
ft
'
[Putting a for l/v
=
/
Or, putting pp' == J/?, we have
P P P
where P/P the osmotic pressure in atmospheres, and a /p, tho
is
ratio of the densities of the solvent in the gaseous and the liqidl 1
states at N.T.P*
This relation thus gives the ratio between lowering of the vapour
pressure and the vapour pressure of the solvent. It ia true only,
however, if h be small, which will be the case, when the concentra-
tion, and, therefore, the osmotic pressure of the solution is small. If
these be large, and, therefore, h also fairly large, the relation between
/* and p' is deduced as follows :
.
*N.T.(*. stands for normal temperature and pressure, i.e., for 0C tem-
perature and 76 cms. pressure, or a pressure of one atmosphere.
464 PHQPEBTIES OF MATTBB
Considering a very small length, dh, of the column, we have
dp = dh.a.g,
(the negative sign merely indicating that pressure decreases as h increases)
Now, a = p.a /P [See (/v) above.
AA
.
dp
--*'; JH. +
Or, _*- 6' CT r
Integrating this expression for dh between the limits, p and />',
we have
Or, h . - .logp T = -^l.
J^ g-Q
Or, h = v
.(i g
* ^
p-logB F
p') '
= .
6
log
-
.<J .a p'
Or. 1 e
.
-;,-^
But P h.f.g, whence, h
/ P
' -
p' P.g. />
This gives the relation between p and p' for large values of
concentration and osmotic pressure of a solution.
Since a dilute solution hehaves as a gas, the volume occupied
at N.T.P. by one gram molecule of a substance in solution would be
the same as it would occupy under the same conditions, (i.e., at
N. T P.) in the gaseous state, viz., 22-4 litres for, we know that one ;
gram-molecule of a gas at N.T.P. occupies 22-4 litres.
It follows, therefore, that the osmotic pressure for a solution of
one gram-molecule of a substance in a litre would be 22-4 atmospheres.
Now, the volume occupied by 1 gram-molecule of water vapour,
i.e., 18 gms. of it, is 22-4 litres or 22,400 c.cs. at N.T.P. t
.-. density of the vapour CJ Q at N.T.P. 18/22400 gms./c.c. =
And, density of water, p = 1 gm./c.c. so that, for a molar solu- ;
tion, ie.,a solution containing 1 gram molecule of the solute, \\e
have, applying the above relation,
dp P cr
~n
= rP~'~n
'
[ See relation (v) above.
P Q P
Here, P/P = 22-4 atmospheres,
cr = 18/22400 gms.jc.c., and p = 1 gm./c.c.
-
p -'22400x1
Thus, the lowering of the vapour pressure of the molar solution of
a non-electrolyte in water is 1'8%.
As already indicated, the lowering will be greater in the case of
,an electrolyte, due to its molecules dissociating into ions,
225. Osmosis and Boiling Point of a Solution. We know that
& liquid begins to boil when its maximum or saturation vapour prcs-
DlIJTUSIOfl AHD OSMOSIS 465
is equal to the external atmospheric pressure on
sure its surface, i.e.,
the boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which its maximum
This value of
vapour pressure is equal to the atmospheric pressure.
the maximum for a liquid increases with increase of
vapour pressure
temperature.
we have of a solution, at a
Now, as seen, the vapour pressure
lower than that
is of the pure solvent so that, at ;
given temperature,
the temperature at which the solvent begins to boil, its vapour pres-
sure is equal to the atmospheric pressure, but that of the solution
will be lower than it, and the solution will, therefore, have to<be
heat-
ed further in order that its may become equal to the
vapour pressure
atmospheric pressure, begin to boil.
i.e., it may
In other words, the boiling point of a solution fr higher than that
of the pure solvent.
Let us see how this rise or elevation of the boiling point of a solu-
tion is related to its osmotic pressure.
The elevation of the boiling point of a solution may be obtain-
ed with the help of Claussius-Clapeyron's latent heat equation, v/z.,
IT
- ^^'^-fa
where Vvap and V ligare the volumes of the vapour and the liquid res-
pectively, L, the latent heat of the liquid, T, the boiling point of the
of the solution, and
solvent, dp, the lowering of the vapour pressure
dT, the elevation of the boiJing point produced.
The value of dp to be used in the above equation is obtained
from relation (v), 227, above, v/z., dp\p
>
=
/ .<r /'o-P-
Or, it may be determined directly as follows :
Let and B be the solution and the solvent, separated by a
A
a bell jar, (Fig. 276),
aemipermeable membrane and enclosed inside
such that both are at their boiling points (T+tTT)' and T Absolute,
are equal, and their
respectively, so that their vapour pressures
with each
vapours are in free communication
other above the membrane, the system being in
equilibrium.
Treating the arrangement as a reversible heat
engine, working between the solution and the sol-
vent as source and sink respectively, consider the
following cycle of operations :
(/) Let a small quantity v c.cs. of the A B
solvent pass through the membrane into the solu- SOLUTION SOLVENT
tion anddilute it. Then, work done in this ex- T+dT T
pansion of the solute is equal to the osmotic pres-
sure of the solution x change in volume, i.e.,
P XV ergs, Fig. 276.
where P is the osmoticpressure for the solution in dynes per sq. cm.
(ii) Let these v c.cs., or v,p gms., of the solvent be evaporated
from the solution in A, where p is the density of the solvent.
If L be the latent heat of vaporisation of the solvent, in fr^s
FEOPERTIES OF MATTEB
per gm., the total heat absorbed by the mass v. p gms. of the solvent
will be equal to (v.p L+P.v) ergs.
(Hi) Let this vapour pass on from the space above A to that
above B. Obviously, no work is dvne during this passage of the vapour,
as the pressure is the same above A and B.
(/v) And, finally, let this vapour condense back into liquid in
B, giving up v.p.L ergs of heat, thus completing the cycle.
Then, we have, from the theory of the reversible heat engine,
heat absorbed from the source (A) _ temperature of source
~~~
heat given to the sink (B) temperature of sink
^ r
v.p.
-
+vP.v = T+dT
=--.
Or,
V.Q.JU J
y.p.L-ffv-~v.p. ~~
T+dT-T Q P.v
_ dT
"** ~'~ ' ~" '
v.p.Z/ T~~ v.p.L T
p
whence, dT = 1
2 .--_-
p L
Thus, the elevation of the boiling point of a solution is directly
proportional to its osmotic pressure. It follows, therefore, that the boil-
ing points ofisotonic solutions, in the same solvent, will be the same.
Let us now calculate the elevation of the boiling point for a
solution of one gram-molecule in one litre of water at 100C, under the
normal atmospheric pressure.
We know that the osmotic pressure of a solution of 1 gram-
molecule in one litre is 22-4 atmospheres, at N. T. P., (sec page 464).
Therefore, osmotic pressure at 100C and normal atmospheric [res-
sure, (76 cms.), will be
= 22*4x374/273 atmospheres. / p<xT. (
22*4 v 37*3
= 275- X 76x13-59x981 dynes/cm*.
Now, L = 540 calories.
= 540 x 4-19 x 10 ergs/gm., 7
/ / 4-19x10' ergs/cat[
p ~ 0-958 gms.fc.c., at the boiling point of water,
and T = 100C = 100+273 = 373 Abs.
Substituting these values in the relation for dT above, we have
373
=X 22 4x 373x 76 x 13-59
'
x 981
dT " ~~
273x0 -958 x 540 x4-T9~xT6 7
The elevation of the boiling point of water per 1 gram-molecule in
100 c.cs. of it is known as
the molecular elevation of the boiling point,
and will clearly be 0-534 x 10 or 5-34C, (because dT oc c and c, here,
will be 10 times as great).
229. Osmosis and Freezing Point of a Solution. A liquid will
freeze, as we know, when
its temperature is reduced until its
vapour
pressure equals that of its solid. Therefore, since a solution has a
lower vapour pressure than the solvent, it will freeze at a lower tem-
perature than the pure solvent. In other words, the freezing point of
e solvent ti lowered or depressed, when a solute form* a solution
DIFFUSION AtfD OSMOSIS 467
with ft. Let us calculate this depression of the freezing point of a
solution.
Consider, again, a solvent B and a solution A, separated by a
semipermeable membrane, and- enclosed under a bell jar. Let both
, be at their freezing points, Tand T~ irrespectively, the system be-
ing in equilibrium. Treating the arrangement, again, as a reversible
heat engine, we take the solvent here to be the source, and the solu-
tion to be the sink, because the former is at a higher tempera-
ture than the latter. Now, let the following cycle of operations be
performed :
(/) Let v c.cs.,or v p gms., of the solvent pass through the
membrane into the solution. Then, if P be the osmotic pressure for
the solution, work done is equal to P.v ergs.
(il) Let the solution be frozen, so that v c.cs. of pure solvent
separates out, giving up heat, equal to (v.p.L P.v) ergs, whefce p. is
the density of the solvent at temperature T Q and L, its latent heat of
liquefaction, or latent heat of fusion of its solid, (in ergs per gram) .
Let this frozen solid be now transferred to the solvent B.
(in)
(iv) And, finally let this solid be melted back to liquid in 5,
taking up heat equal to v.p.Z/ ergs, during the process.
Then, as before, we have
heat absorbed from source (B) temperature of source
==
Heat rejected 10 sink (A) temperature oflrink
V'p L T-
Or
-
-
vp.L-P.v T-ff
UT (T-dT)-T
~ _
~ ~ (v. P .-P.v)-v P .L
~
Or
'
dT
---
"~"/7
1
T
P.v
_ IF/S/ -
V.p.jL
_ ^
p./>
P^dT
_
W _
__
T
-
v.p.L
Or
1
-
"/
p.L
P
Or, the depression of the freezing point t dT T.F/p.Z/,
a result similar to that for the elevation of the boiling point of a
solution.
Since the value of L is smaller in this case than in the first case,
(because the latent heat of solidification of a liquid is always smaller
than its latent heat of vaporisation), the value of dT will be greater
here. Let us calculate the depression of the freezing point of water,
(i.e.* dT), when 1 gram-molecule of a solute is dissolved in a litre of
it at 0C
and under normal atmospheric pressure, (76 cms.). We have
T = 0C
*= 273 Abs., P = 22-4 x 76 x 13-59x981
dynesjcm*
L = 80 calorieslgm. = 80x4-19 xlO 7 ergs/gm., and
p
= 1
gm./c.c.
Substituting these values in the relation for dT, above, we have
273 x 22-4 x 76 xi 3-59x98 1
The depression of the freezing pqinf <?f water produced by 1 gram-
molecule of a solute dissolved in 100 c.cs. of it is called the molecular
depression of the freezing point? and will clearly be equal to 1 '85 x 10
* 18'5C,
468 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
230. Determination of Percentage of Dissociation of an Elec-
trolyte. It must be emphasized again that the above relations are
true only for non-electrolytes, i.e., for substances like sugar, where
the solute exists in the form of single molecules. A
greater effect,
(i.e., elevation of boiling point or depression of freezing point)
than
that obtained by the above relations is observed in the case of an
electrolyte, because of its dissociation into ions The deviation of
the obberved effect enables the percentage dissociation of the solute
to be determined. For example, if we take a substance, like potassium
chloride, sodium chloride, or sodium nitrate, each molecule of which
breaks up into two ions, we can calculate its percentage ionisation as
follows :
.Suppose there are a molecules of the solute, and p of them dis-
two ions each, so that the total number of particles is
sociate into
(oc-p+2p)
=
(oc+p). Then,
observed effect
calculated effect
dT'
dlr
^ a+pcx~
'
tvhere djf'and JJare the observed and calculated elevations of boil-
ng point, or depressions of freezing point, respectively.
Or, dT = d.
Or dTA/oL = dT'-dT, whence, ^ = dT'dT
ft
--
a ul
Or, percentage of ionisation = ^ xlOO.
Similar treatment will also apply to substances whose molecules
dissociate into more than two ions each.
A perfectly dilute solution is supposed to dissociate completely into
its ions, and the degree of dissociation
decreases with concentration,
so that a concentrated solution of an electrolyte behaves, more or
less likea solution of a non-electrolyte.
The reverse of the above happens in the case of colloids. The
substance in a solution, here, forms clusters or aggregations of mole-
cules, having different sizes in different cases. In such cases, the osmo-
tic pressure, and, therefore, the elevation of the boiling point, or the
is very much smaller than in the
depression of the freezing point,
normal case of a non-electrolyte, where the whole solute exists in the
form of single molecules.
231. Determination of molecular weight of a substance from ele-
vation of boiling-point, or depression of freezing-point of a solution ol
the substance.
(a) From elevation of
the boiling point. Suppose we have x gms,
of the given substance dissolved in 1 00 c.cs. of water, and the eleva-
tion of the boiling point observed is dT. Then, since an elevation'oJ
5*34*C is due to 1 gram-molecule in 100 c.cs. the number of gram-t
mol'ecules in the aolutipn must be dr/5-34. This number of gram
molecules is obviously present in x grams of the substance" taketa.
So that, <T/5-34 gram-molecules of the substance weigl
DIFFUSION AND OSMOSIS 466
x grams. And, therefore, 1 gram-molecule of the substance would
weigh 5-34:Xx/dT grams.
Or, the molecular weight of the substance, (M), = 5-34 x xjdT grams.
(b) From depression of the freezing point. Again, x grams of if
the substance dissolved in 100 c.cs. of water lower, or depress, its
freezing pointby dT, we'have
number of gram-molecules in % grams of the substance = dr/18-5,
because a lowering of the freezing point by 18'5C indicates the pre-
sence of 1 gram-molecule in 100 c.cs.
Or, dT/lS-5 gram-molecules of the substance weigh x grams.
And, .-. 1
gram-molecule of it would weigh 18-5 Y^x/dT grams.
Or, molecule weight of the substance IfrfrxjdT grams. =
SOLVED EXAMPLES
1. One gram
of sugar is dissolved in water, making a solution occupying
a
1000 c.cs. Find ihe osmotic pressure for the solution at U C and 1000 C. Molecu-
lar weight of sugar = 342 gms ; R for 1 gm molecule = 8*4 X 10 7 .
We know that the relation connecting osmotic pressure, volume and
temperature of a dilute solution, is PV = RT. And, therefore,
P= RT/V.
(0 At 0O. Here, 7? 8'4x 10 7 ergsldeg.C.* T - 04-273 = 273 Abs.,
and V =
342 x 1000 = 342 x 10'c.w.,
because a mass of 1 gm. of sugar occupies 1000 c.cs., a mass of 342 gms. would
occupy 342 x 1000 = 342 x JO 8 ,\cs.
~
P===
8
l
4xl07x273 ~ 8'4xlOx273
342 xlO 3 342
= 6'707 x 10 4 dynes[cm 2 .
Or, the osmotic pressure for the solution, at 0C, is equal to 6*707 XlO 1
dynes/cm*.
(//') At 100C
Again, R 8'4x 10 7 crgsJdez.C., T 100 + 273 = 373' Abs.
and V = 342 x 1000 = 342 x 10* c.cs.
So that, substituting these values in the relation,
p = RTIV we 9 have
- _..__ . _
^^^
= 9*162 xW* dynes /cm*.
.". the osmotic pressure for the solution, at 0C = 6'707x 10 dynes/cm*.
and at 100C = 9-162xl0 4 ^5/cm a .
2. One gram
of salt is dissolved in water to make a solution of 100 c.cs
Assuming the salt to be entirely dissociated, find, in atmospheres, the osmotic pres-
sure of the solution at 20 C.
Atomic weights. -Na = 23, Cl = 35*5. Density of mercury = 13'(
gms/c.c. and R 8 4 x 10 7 for 1 gm.-molecule.
Each molecule of the salt (NaCl) dissociates into two ions, i.e., Na an<3
Cl. And, since the salt is completely dissociated, there will be twice as many
particles present in 1 c.c. of the solution as the number of whole molecules. It
follows", therefore, that the osmotic pressure will be double of that obtained
b}
the relation, P = RTIV, i.e., this osmotic pressure, in this case, is given by
Now, R= 8'4 x 10 7 ergs/deg. C ; T = 20 -f-273 = 293
and y mol wt. of sa.lt x 100 <r.w,,
470 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
because 1 gm, is ontained in 100 c.cs., and, therefore, its mol. wt. is contained
in mol. wt. x 100 c.cs.
Or, V- (23+35-5)xlOOc.C5. - 58'5xlO*c.w.
2x8'4xl0
---
5g>5
..
7
x293
jor
_ --__
2x8'4x 10 5 x293
~ 2x8'4xl0 x293
6
58^X76 xl 3-6x981
(v 1 atniosphere = 76x13*6x981 dynes/cm .)
9
Or, 8*299 atmospheres. /> =
The osmotic pressure for the solution is, therefore, 8*299 atmospheres.
3. When 1 gm. of iodine is dissolved in ether making 40 c.cs. of solution,
the osmotic pressure at 20C is 24 atmospheres. Show that the molecule of dis-
solved iodine consists of two atoms. (At. wt. of Iodine = 127).
HeYe, observed osmotic pressure 2'4 atmospheres.
Now, let us calculate the osmotic pressure from the given data,
We have P = RT/V.
Since, R *
8'4x 10 7 ergs/deg. T =- 20-1-273 = 293 Abs. C ;
and V = 127x40c.c5.,
V iodine being moncatomic, its mol wt. is equal to its atomic weight.
.
- 4-778 *m.
= 4*8 atmospheres (nearly),
which equal to 2x2'4 atmospheres.
is
Thus, the observed osmotic pressure is half of the calculated osmotic pressure
and, therefore, it follows that the two atoms of iodine in solution combine to
form one molecule, or that the molecule of dissolved iodine consists of two atoms.
4.Calculate the strength of a cane-sugar solution whose osmotic pressure
at 270C one atmosphere. Mol. wt. of sugar = 342 gms., and R = 84xl0 7
is
ergs./deg. C.
We have the relation PV RT. Or, V = RT/P,
where V is the the volume of the solution, containing 1 gram-molecule of the
substance, in this case, 342 gms. of sugar.
Thus, V c.cs. of the solution contain 342 gms. of sugar,
1000 c.cs.,,
.
gnu. of sugar.
Or, strength of the sugar solution 342 x 1000/K. =
342 X 1000 X PI RT grams/ litre.- [ '.' V
Here, P 1atmosphere. == 76xl3'6x981 dynes /cm*.
R 8*4 x 10 7 ergs/deg. C., and T 274-273 = - 300 Abs.
.. ,.. .
,.
= 342x1000x76x13-6x981
----- ~
strength of the sugar solution
*
.*.
8-4 x 10' x 300
Thus, the strength of the given cane sugar solution 13*76 gms. /litre.
5. The osmotic pressure of a solution containing 6 gms. of cane sugar in
100 c.cs. of water is 307 cms. of Hg. at 13C. What is the osmotic pressure of a
solution of one-sixth this concentration at 50 C ? . (London Inter-Science)
Let the molecular weight of sugar be = m gms.
Then, the volume containing 1 gm. mol. in the first case, say, Vlt where
i/
y *
mxlOO TV 6 gms. are contained in 100 c.cs.
l 2 c.cs. t
100 - xm
Land /. m.gms. o
c.cs.
and the volume in the second case, say, K, mx 100 c.cy.,
because 1 gm. is contained in 100 c.cs.
DIFFUSION AND OSMOSIS
And temperature 7\ in the 1st case 13-h273 = 286 Abs.
Tt 2nd case * 50-1-273 - 323
If P! and Pa be the osmotic pressures in the two cases, we have
P = RTJV19
x and P, =* RT^V t .
where R is the constant for the solution, the same as the gas constant.
~ ' == ^n^ "
'
p~ ~~y~~~ l^f~
l
f~ *~LT" P! ~rpT y "Pl
Substituting the values of TV 7a Klt F2 and P lt we have
,
323 xmx 100x307x1 3-6x981
^
1
286x6 xmx 100 '
because Pl => 307 cms. of mercury 307 x 1 3*6 x 98 dyneslcm*.
Or ^ - 323x307x13-6x981^
.
I- 286 x"6
323x307x1 ^'6x981 323x307
Thus, the osmotic pressure in the second case = 57-77 cms. of mercury.
Find the percentage lowering of the vapour pressure of water produced
6.
by dissolving 1 gm. of sugar in 100 c.cs. Mol. wt. of sugar = 342 gms.
We have the relation for lowering of vapour pressure,
.*. = p ._
CT
o .
[Sec p a g e 463> relation (v).
P "o P
.*. percentage lowering of vapour pressure
P Po P
where P/P the osmotic pressure of the solution in atmospheres, and ff 'P tn e
is
ratio of the densities of the solvent in the gaseous and the liquid states, at N.T.P.
Now, P= RTIV,
and, here, T~ 273 Abs., V = 342 x 100 c.cs. [taking the solution at 0C.
R 8-4x 10 7 ergsldeg.C.
D 8'4xl0 7 x273 , . .
dyneslcm '
P = 8'4 x 10*x 273
And, hence, atmosP neres
342 X 76xl3-6 981
because P = 76 cm^. of Hg. 76 x 13'6x981 dynes (cm*.
=*
18 rv
1 ^w. mo/, of water vapour, or
<J = ^->>,nn of water vapour, at N.T.P. occupies 22'4
22400 L ///rc5, or 22400 c.cs.
and p or water at N T.P. =1 gm.jc-c.
dp 84xl0 5 x273 18
X X
342x76xT3T6"x98r
""
V 22400
0-053 16/,.
.'. lowering of vapour pressure of <vater is equa to 0-05316%.
1
7. By how much will the freezing point of the sugar solution in question 6,
above, be depressed ?
Latent heat of ice = 80 cals./gm., and atmospheric pressure = 10*
2
dynes./cm .
We have, here, 1 gm. of sugar in 100 c.cs. of water, or 1/342 gm. molecules
ilOOc.c*. of water, and, therefore, 10/342 gm. molecules in 1000 c.cj., or one
itre of water.
Now, 1 gm. molecule in 1 litre of water exerts an osmotic pressure 22*4
atmospheres at N.T.P,
.'. 10/342 gms. -molecules in 1 litre of water will exert an osmotic pressure
p 22*4 x 10 224
_ . 224 w iA. . ._. f 1
472 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
Now, dT ** T. ~~. [See page 467
p.L
Here, J= 0C - 273 Abs.. P-
342
- dynes[cnt. 9
p = i gm.lc.c. and L = 80 ca/*./#w.=80 x4'2 x 10 7 ergs per gm.
.*. the depression of the freezing point, i.e.,
JT
ai =as
273x224x10* _ 273x224 ft
.
nwrr
Z
342xlx8t)x4-2xl0 7 ~342x80x4 ;
2
The freezing point of the sugar solution will, therefore, be depressed
by 0'053C
8. Determine the elevation of the tailing point of ether produced by dis-
solving 10 gms. of carbon hexachloride (C 2 CI 6 ) in 100 c.c. of ether.
The boiling point of ether is 35*C, its density at 35C 0'695 gm. per c.c. =
and its latent heat of vaporisation is 81*5 cals./gm. (Take atmospheric pressure
= 10 9
dynes/cm
2
.
Here, molecular weight of carbon hexachloride (C2 C7 6) = 24+213 = 237
gms.
Hence, 100 c.cs of ether contain 10 gms. of carbon hexachloride, or
10/237 of 237, or 10/237 gram-molecules of carbon hexachloride.
'. 1000 ccs. or 1 litre of ether will contain
yr
x
7oO~ f
or
237
^ ram " mo ^"
culesof the hexachloride.
Now, osmotic pressure for a solution of 1 gram-molecule in 1 litre is 22*4
atmospheres at N.T.P.
'
osmotic pressure for a solution of 100/237 gram- mole cules in 1 litre at
N.T.P.
- -
x22*4 atmospheres.
j i
And .*. osmotic pressure for a solution of 100/237 gram-molecules in 1 litre, at
35C, or (273+35) or 308 Abs. is given by
- 100x22-4^308 atmos 2240x308x10". . ,
.
P hreSx dynes cm
, " '
'
~~237~ 273~ "237x273
Now, elevation of the boiling point dT T. Pfr.L. [See page 467.
Here, T= 35+273 . 308 Abs., P- - ft"" cut. I
P = 0*695 gmsfc.c., and L *= 81 '5 cals.lgm. = 81'5x4'2x 10 7
(taking / = 4-2 x 10 7 ergsjcal.).
- 308>2240x308xlO '
7
237"x 273 x 0~'695 x 81 x 4'2 x 10
_^
237 x 273 X -695x81 5x4'2
5
Or, the elevation of the boiling point of ether = 1-38C.
A
one per cent solution of potassium chloride (KC1) has an osmotic
9.
pressure 6*604 atmospheres at 27 C. Determine its degree of dissociation.
(At. wts. K - 39, Cl - 35 5).
Here, molecular weight of potassium chloride is equal to 39 +35 5 74'5 gms. =
.'. 74*5 gms. of potassium chloride dissolved in 1000 c.cs. of water would exert
a pressure of 22 4 atmospheres at N.T.P., if undissociated.
The solution given, however, contains 1 gm. of KCl in 100 c.cs. or 1/74-5
gm.-molecules in 100 c.cs., or 10/74'5 gm.-molecules in 1000 c.cs.
.'. osmotic pressure of the solution 22'4 x 10/74-5 atmospheres at N.T.P. =
Hence, osmotic pressure of the solution, at 27C.
DIFFUSION AND OSMOSIS 473
Or, osmotic pressure of the solution, if no dissociation takes place 3*303
atmospheres.
But the observed osmotic pressure 6*604.
6 604 observed effect
rt
- ,_
- '
999 bccause
.
-
[535553 tfT
1 1 >
'
3-303
This means that instead of there being 1000 particles, 1999 particles are
actually exerting pressure.
Thus, 1000 particles dissociate into 1999 particles.
And .*. 100 :^ x 100 - 199'9 particles.
1UUU
Or, dissociation = 199'9-100 -99 9%.
Thus, degree of dissociation of the KCl solution = 99'9%.
10. 31*88 gms. of a substance is dissolved in 2 litres of water. The boiling
point of the solution is 266C higher than that of pure water, under normal
atmospheric pressure. Calculate the molecular weight of the substance.
Here,* 2000 c.cr ol water contain 31 '88 gm*. of the substance.
-11 QQ ^1 O<^
/. 00 of water contain x = su ^ stance
20 sms
1 c.cs. * ^ tlie -
2 ooo
Now, we know that the molecular weight of a substance, i.e.,
M= - gms. [See page 469.
Here, x =
31*88/20 gms. and dT = 266'C.
.'. molecular weight of the substance, i.e.,
., 5-34x3188
Or, the molecular weight of the substance is equal to 32'00 gms.
EXERCISE XIII
1. Enunciate Pick's law of diffusion and find the dimensions of the co-
efficient of diffusion.
Starting with the same concentration of a given solute at the bottom of
columns of the same liquid, show that the times required to set up a given con-
centration at the top are proportional to the squares of the heights of the
columns. (Madras, 1947)
2. State Pick's law of diffusion in liquids. Compare diffusion in liquids
with heat conduction.
Indicate a method of determining experimentally the coefficient of diffu-
sion of a salt in a solution. (Madras, 1949)
3. What do you understand by osmosis, dialysis and diffusion ? State
the laws of osmosis and describe an airangement for measuring osmotic pressure.
(Calcutta, 1944)
4. State the laws of osmotic pressure.
Give an account of the relation between osmotic pressure and other pro-
perties of a solution. (Madras, 1947)
Calculate the osmotic pressure of a sugar solution, (moL wt. = 342
5.
gms.), containing 1'5 gms. of sugar per litre, at 37-0 'C Ans. 8*478 cms. of Hg.
6 What
the strength of a sugar solution whose osmotic pressure at
is
17Cis 1*5 atmospheres.
(1 atmosphere pressure 10 dynes/cm 2 ., and R 8*4 x = fl
=
10 7 ergsjgm. mol. per degree Centigrade). Ans. 21 -06 gms. /litre.
1. -
Define osmotic pressure and state its laws. will you demon- How
strate this pressure ? Deduce an expression for the elevation of the boiling point
of a liquid by a non- volatile substance dissolved in it. (Madras, 1949)
8. Calculate the osmotic pressure of a one per cent solution of sodium
chloride (NaCl) at 27C, assuming the dissociation of the molecule to be 99 5%.
** 23'0 Cl ** 35
(At- wts.-Na 5) f Ans. 8"013 atmosphere*.
474 PBOJPEKTIJBS OK MATTJKH
9 Determine the percentage lowering of the vapour pressure of an
aqueous solution of a non-electrolyte, of mol. wt. 100 gms., when 1 gm. of it is
dissolved in 100 c.cs. of water at N.T.P. (R = 8'4x W/gm. mol. per degree C).
Ans. 0'1818%.
10. Deduce the relationship between osmotic pressure and relative lower-
ing of vapour pressure. How is osmotic pressure measured ? (Madras, 1949)
11. A solution of 5 gms. of an electrolyte in water, total volume 1000
c.cs., freezes at 0'279C. What is the molecular weight of the substance in
solution ? (Molecular lowering of the freezing point = 18'6C).
Ans. 33*3 gms-
12. What will be the boiling point of a solution of cane sugar, (mol. wt ~
342), containing 1 gram of sugar per 100 c cs. of it, under the normal atmospheric
pressure ? Density of water at 100C may be taken to be 0'9580 ^m./c-c.
Ans. 1000156C.
13. 12-5 gms. of sugar (mol wt. =342) dissolved in 1000 c.cs. of water
lowers the freezing point by 068*C. Calculate the molecular lowering of the
freezing point for water. Ans. 1 8-6C.
14. In terms of the molecular theory of matter, discuss the phenomena
associated with (a) diffusion, (b) osmosis. (Bombay, 1944)
15. Calculate the freezing point of a salt solution containing 1 gm. of salt
in 1000 c cs. of water, assuming that the salt is completely dissociated into
sodium and chlorine ions. (At. wts.Na = 23, Cl =- 35 5) Ans. -0'064C.
16- The osmotic pressure of a solution of 2 pms. of acetone dissolved in
water to make 100 c.cs. is 7*75 atmospheres at 10C Calculate the molecular
weight of acetone. (R = 8 4x 10 ergsjgm. mol per deg. C).
7
Ans. 60.
17. 1*2 gms. of a substance dissolved in 24'5 gms. of water caused a
freezing point depression of 1*05C. VVhat is the molecular weight of the sub-
stance ? Molecular lowering of freezing point for water may be taken to be
18-6C. Ans] 8
CHAPTER XIV
SURFACE TENSIONCAPILLARITY
232. Molecular Forces. Since surface tension is essentially a
molecular phenomenon, we had better have first a clear idea as to
what forces operate between molecules.
There are two types of molecular forces (/) forces of
: adhe-
sion, or adhesive forces, and (Hi) forces of cohesion or cohesive
forces.
(/) Adhesion the force of attraction between molecules of different
is
substances ,
and
different for different pairs of substances, e.g.,
is
gum has a greater adhesive force than water or alcohol.
(//) Cohesion, on the other hand, is the force of attraction between
molecules of the sum substance. This force is different from the
ordinary gravitational force arid does not obey the ordinary inverse
square law, the force varying inversely probably as the eighth power
of the distance between two molecules and thus decreases rapidly
with distance, -in fact it is 'appreciable when the distance between two
molecules is inappreciable and becomes inappreciable when the distance
is appreciable.'* It is the greatest, in the case of solids, lets in the
case of liquids and the least in the case of gases, almost negligible at
ordinary temperature and pressure, when the molecules lie very much
further apart for it to, be appreciable. This explains at once why
a solid has a d< finite shape, a liquid has a definite free surface and a
gas has neither.
0^233. Molecular Range Sphere of Influence. The maximum
distance up to which the force of cohesion -between two molecules
can act is called their molecular range, and is generally of the order
of 10~ 7 cms. in the case of solids and liquids, being different for
different substances. A sphere drawn around a molecule as centre, with
a radius equal to its molecular range is called the sphere of influence^
of the molecule. Obviously, the molecule i affected only by the
molecules inside this sphere, i.e., it attracts and is, in turn, attracted
by them, remaining unaffected by the molecules outside it, as they He
beyond its ran^e of attraction. Laplace (18CH) and Gauss (1830)
were the first to have evolved this theory of cohesive force between
molecules in order to satisfactorily explain the various effects of
surface tension, like capillarity etc.
/ 234. Surface Tension. It is a general experience that a liquid
in small quantity, free from any external force, like that due to
*As N
K. Adam remarked in his "Physics and Chemistry of Surfaces,' if the
force were gravitational in character and obeyed the inverse squaie law, 'the
surface tensions of the ocean would be far greater than that of a cup fail of water,
'
because the distant parts would act with sensible effect
tit is also sometimes referred to as the sphere of molecular attraction, or,
molecular activity.
475
476 PROPEBTIBS OF MATTER
gravity, will always assume the form of a spherical drop e.g., rain
drops, small quantities of mercury placed on a clean glass plate etc.
Now, for a given volume, a sphere has the least surface area. Thus,
a liquid always tends to have the least surface area. The following
experiments beautifully illustrate this tendency of a liquid to
decrease its surface area.
1. tf we take a wire-ring and dip it in a soap solution, we find that, on
taking out, a thin film is loimed across the ring.
it If we place a moistened
cotton loop lightly on the film, it will re-
main in any form or position ,in which it is
placed, as shown in Fig. 277 (a) ; for, the
soap-film lies both inside and outside the
loop and at every point on the loop, there-
fore, there are equal and opposite forces,
tending to pull it outward (due to the out-
side film) and inwards (due to the inside
film\ thus cancelling each other out. But
if the film inside the loop be pricked, so
that the film there disappears, we find that
the loop at once gets stretched into the form
of a circular ring, as shown in Fig. 277,(),
V4/;
277, because the inward forces having all vanish-
ed, only the outward forces are left act-
ing perpendicularly to it at every point. Now, for a given perimeter, a circle
encloses the greatest area, so that the loop now encloses the maximum area. In
other words, the aiea of the film left between the loop and the- wire ring is now
reduced to a minimum, clearly showing that the film has a tendency to contract
or shrink, or that there is tension in it.
^ 2. If we place a greased needle on a piece of blotting paper and put the
paper lightly on the surface of water, the blotting paper will soon sink to the
bottom but the needle will remain floating on the surface Careful observation
will show that there is a small depression formed below and around the needle,
and that the free surface of water is slightly extended The weight of the needle
is here supported by the tension in the depression. If one end of the needle be
made to pierce the surface of water, it rapidly goes slantingly down to the
bottom
^ 3. If we immerse an ordinary camel hair paint brush in water, its hair all
spread out, presenting a sort of a bushy appearance, but the moment it is with-
drawn, they all come closer together in a more or less compact mass, as though
bound down by some sort of a contracting membrane.
v/ 4. Yet another beautiful
experiment, often performed for fun by junior
students, is the rapid movement of a camphor scorpion on water. What they
do is simply to arrange pieces of camphor together, in the shape of a scorpion,
and put it on water, when, due to the reduction in the surface tension of water,
on account of the camphor gradually dissolving into it, the camphor is drawn- or
pulled a-ide by th a surrounding uncontaminated water of a higher surface ten-
sion. And, since we have camphor dissolving more rapidly at some points than
at others, this force due to surface tension is not uniform all round, with the
result that the 'scorpion' scampers about haphazardly in different directions.
^ If, however, the witer be already contaminated with some grease etc., its
surface tension may be reduced to an extent that the camphor has no further
possibility of reducing it. In such a case, therefore, the movement of the cam-
phor may altogether stop.
\sThe above experiments clearly show that the surface of a liquid
behaves as though it were covered with an elastic skin or membrane,
having a natural tendency to contract, "with the important difference,
however, that whereas in the case of the membrane or fkin, the tension
increases as the skin is stretched, or its surface area is increased, in
accordance with Hooke's Law, it is quite independent of the area of the
surface in, the case of a liquid, unless the liquid film is reduced in thick"
SURFACE TENSIOK
ness to less than 70~ 7 cms., when the tension in it decreases rapidly.
This tension or pull in the surface of a liquid is called its surface
tension, and may be defined a* the force per unit length of a line drawn
in the liquid surface, acting perpendicularly to it at every point t
and
tending to pull the surface apart along the line.
L 235. Explanation of Surface Tension. An extension of the
kinetic theory of gases to the case of liquids easily explains the
phenomenon of surface tension and the credit for it must go to
Laplace, who first attempted it.
Consider four molecules, A, B, C and D of a liquid, with their
spheres of influence drawn around them, as shown in Fig. 278,
sphere A being well inside the
liquid B, near to the free surface
of the liquid, C, just on the free
surface and D, above the free
surface.
Since the sphere of influence
of A lies wholly inside the liquid,
it is attracted equally in all direc-
tions by the other molecules lying
within its sphere of influence,* so Fig. 278.
that there is no resultant cohesive
force on it one way or the oTSsr^and it, therefore, merely- possesses
its thermal velocity.
The sphere of influence of molecule B, on the other hand, lies
partly outside the liquid, and this part contains only a comparatively
few molecules of the gas or vapour above the liquid, so that the
upper half of the sphere contains fewer molecules attracting il
upwards, than the lower half, attracting it downwards, and so there
isa resultant downward force acting on B.
The molecule C lies on the surface of the liquid, so that ful
one-half of its sphere of influence lies above the BUT face of th(
liquid, containing only a few molecules of the gas or vapour, whereas
there are liquid molecules in its entire lower half, and thus, th<
resultant downward force in this case is the maximum This down
ward or inward force exerted per unit area of a liquid surface is callet
its internal, intrinsic or cohesion pressure, and is the cause of cohesion
It is this pressure whi^h is represented by the term a/v 2 in van de
Waal's modified gas- equation. /
In the case of the molecule D, which has passed out of th<
liquid surface, only a part of the sphere of influence lies inside th<
liquid, so that the downward force on it decreases, and when th
sphere of influence passes entirely outside the liquid suiface, there i
no downward force on the molecule at all, and it is free to wande
about as a molecule of the vapour or gas. We
thus see that all ove
the surface of the liquid there is a downward pull due to the attractio
between the molecules.
V 236. Surface Film and Surface Energy. If a plane be draw:
parallel to the free surface layer and at a distance equal to the molt
cular range from it, the layer of the liquid, lying in-between the fre
4?8 PROmiflJES Ott J&ATTJSH
surface and this plane is called the surface-film. Clearly, all the
molecul s inthe film are being acted upon by a resultant cohesive
force in the downward direction, the magnitude of which increases as
the free surface of the liquid is approached.
When a molecule is brought from the interior of the liquid to
the surface-film, work has to be done against the downward cohesive
force acting on it, and its potential energy is thus increased. It
follows, therefore, that the potential energy of the molecules in the sur-
face-film is greater than that of those inside the liquid.
Since, however, the potential energy of a system tends towards a
minimum, (i.e , a system tends to have the lowest possible potential
energy), the film tends to have the least surface area, (its thickness
being fixed) in order that the number of molecules in it may be a
minimum. The potential energy per unit area of the surface -film is
called its surface energy.
Now, before a molecule can be brought to the surface of the
liquid,room has to be made for it, and this is done by separating the
adjacent molecules on the surface. Work is, therefore, done against
the cohesive forces between the molecules in the surface, and not against
the internal or downward cohesive force, for the molecules are moved
in a direction perpendicular to this latter force. It thus appears that
in increasing the surface area of a liquid, work is done as though the
surface under a state of tension were being extended, very much like a
rubber sheet being extended. The analogy, however, does not go far ;
for, as already indicated, whereas in the case of a rubber sheet, the
tension increases with extension or increases in its surface area, it is
quite independent of the surface area in the case of a surface-film,
and is the same at all points in it.
l/^yi. Free Energy of a Surface and Surface Tension. Take a
rectangular framework of wire PQRS, (Fig. 279), with a horizontal
wire AB placed across it, free to move up and
lj down, and form a soap- film across AQRB, by
dipping it in a soap solution. The wire AB
is pulled upwards by the surface tension of
the film, acting perpendicularly to the wire
and in the plane of the film. To keep the
wire in position, therefore, a force has to be
applied downwards, equal and opposite to the
upward force due to surface tension. Let
this downward force be equal to F including
the weight of the wire AB, which is also act-
vtf ing downwards. Then, if T be the surface
^ Fig. 279. tension of the film, i.e., if T be the force per
unit length of the film and /, the length of the
wire AB, we have upward force acting on the wire AB =
2 I.T., be-
cause the film has two surfaces and each has a surface tension T.
Since the film is in equilibrium, it is clear that
Z.LT F.
Now, if the wire AB be pulled downward* through a m*U
AtTBFACB TBHSlQH 479
distance x into the position A'B', i.e., if the film be extended by an
area 1.x on each side, we have f*X>
T^'^*>
work done = x ^F x 2.1.T x.
The film gets cooled on being stretched, because the drawing out
of the molecules from the interior against the attractive force results in
a retardation of their thermal agitation, with a consequent lowering
of temperature*. It, therefore, takes up heat from the atmo*|ih're
to come to its original temperature. This heat absorbed together
with the mechanical work done, forms the energy of the new surface area
2lx of the film formed.
If, therefore, E be the surface energy of the film and Q ergs of
heat be absorbed per unit area of the new surface formedf we have ,
Ex 2l.x = 2.1 T.x+Q.2.l.x.
Or, E T + Q. [Dividing throughout by 2lx.
Or, T = (EQ) = (surface energy heat energy per unit area)
i e., = potential energy per unit area.
T = work done in Beating unit area of the film.
Thus, the surface tension of a liquid may be defined as the amount
of work done in increasing the surface area of the liquid-film by unity,
or as the mechanical part of the surface energy of the liquid film.
This mechanical part of the surface energy of a liquid-film is free
energy so that, the surface tension of a liquid is equal to the free
,
energy of the liquid film or surface.^
u 238. Pressure Difference Across a Liquid Surface Drops and
Bubbles. (/) Suppose the free surface of a liquid is plane, as shown
in Fig. 280 (/), then, the resultant force due to surface tension on a
molecule on its surface is zero, and the cohesion- pressure is, therefore,
just nominal. J
(//) If the free surface of the liquid be concave, [Fig. 280 (//)],
the resultant force on a molecule on the surface would be upwards,
and the cohesion pressure is, therefore, decreased. \/
(in) And, finally, if the liquid surface be convex, as shown in
Fig. 280 (Hi), the resultant force due to surface tension on a molecule
(0 O'/) (///)
Fig. 280.
*This is clearly an example of Le Chatelier's principle, viz., that 'if one of
the factors of any system in equilibrium is changed, thus disturbing the equilibrium,
the effect produced tends to restore that factor to its original value** Thus, a
lowering of the temperature of the surface results in a rise in its tension, which
increases the force opposing enlargement of its surface.
"fit can be shown that the value of Q
is equal to Q.dTldQ, where 9 is the
absolute temperature and dTldQ, the rate of change of surface tension with
temperature.
tSurface teniion of a liquid ii generally, but erroneously, defined as the
surface energy of the liquid surface. But, obviously* the surface energy can bt
,tquaJ to the surface tension only <f the beat absorbed by tbt film bt
480 t*KOPBETilfiS OF MATTEB
on the surface will be directed downwards, so that the cohesion*
pressure is, in this case, increased.
\^ 239. Excess Pressure inside a Liquid Drop. It must be clear
from the above that the molecules near the surface of a drop, (which
is a convex surface), experience a resultant
pull inwards. The pressure inside it must,
therefore, be greater than the pressure out-
side it. Let this excess pressure inside over
the pressure outside the drpp be p. Then, if
r be the radius of the drop, and T, its surface
tension, we have considering the equilibrium
,
of one-half of the drop say, the upper half,
or the upper hemisphere, the upward thrust
on the plane face ABCD, (Fig, 281), due to
the excess pressure p is equal to p.irr z .
And, force due to surface tension, acting downwards on it and
round its edge, is equal to T. 27ir. Since the hemisphere is in equi-
librium, we have p.itr- = T.Znr,
2T
whence,
Excess Pressure inside a Soap Bubble. If, instead of a
drop of liquid, we consider a bubble, there are two surfaces to be
considered, and not one, because it is like a spherical shell or a hollow
cylinder, having an inner and an outer surface so that, the force ;
due to surface tension in this case is 2 x ?7tr.T, (i.e., 2vr.T due to
each surface). Therefore, for equilibrium of the hemisphere, we have,
in this case, /?.7rr
2 = 2 x 27JT.7
7
= 47rrT,
Inr.T 4T
.
whence, p = ,
= -
Trr* r
It will thus be seen that the excess pressure inside a drop or a
bubble is inversely proportional to its radius (i.e., p * 1/r) ; so that, the
smaller the bubble, the greater the excess pressure inside it.
This can be beautifully shown by blowing two soap bubbles, of
unequal sizes, at the two ends of a tube of the form of the letter T,
as shown in Fig. 282, and then putting
them into communication with each
other. The air passes from the smaller
one into the bigger one, (because the
pressure inside the smaller one is greater
than that inside the bigger one), so that
the smaller bubble goes on shrinking,
and the bigger one goes on swelling,
until the smaller one is reduced to a
hemisphere for, then, any further shrinkage would mean an increase
;
in its radius and, therefore, a decrease in the /pressure inside it.
Equilibriuto between the two bubbles is attained when the curvatures
of the two become the same.
SURFACE TENSION 481
241. Determination of the Surface Tension of a Bubble. The
expression for the excess pressure inside a bubble, deduced in 240,
affords us a simple method of determining ihe
surface tension of the bubble. For, if wo have
a vertical glass tube AB, (Fi#. 283), with a
fine orifice or aperture at its lower end B,
connected to a manometer M, and a stop-cock
then, on dipping AB into the experimental
5*,
liquid, a liquid film is formed at the orifice.
This film is then blown into a bubble at B, by
opening the stop-cock for a while and allowing
some air to come into AB. The difference h
in the heights of the liquid columns in M_j$i^
noted. Then, if P be the density of the
manometer -liquid, the excess pressure inside
the bubble is clearly equal to A.P.g. But, as Fig. 283.
we know, the excess pressure inside the
bubble is also equal to 4:T/r, where T is its surface tension. Hence,
equating the two, we have
4T/r = whence,
//.p., T r.h.p.gj*, =
where r is the radius of curvature of the bubble which is obtained
from its diameter, measured accurately by means of a travelling
microscope.
It will easily be seen that for accuracy of the result, the value of
h should be large, i.e the excess pressure inside the bubble should be
,
large. This would be so, if the bubble be small or tho size of the
aperture at B be small.
242. Work done in Blowing a Bubble. If, for the sake of
simplicity, we n3glect the cooling produced when a film is stretched,
the work done in blowing a bubble is easily calculated out as follows :
We know, from 237 above, that
work done in creating a film =
surface tension x area of the film formed.
therefore, the radius of tho bubble blown be r, the area of the
If,
film forming the bubble =
2 x4irr% for it has two surfaces, an inner
and an outer one, each of surface area 4vr 2 .
Therefore, work done in blowing the bubble = Tx 87rr =
2
Sirr*T.
243. Curvature, Pressure and Surface Tension. If we have a
curved liquid surface at rest, the inward pressure on it due to surface
tension must be balanced by an equal
pressure acting outwards.
Consider a, portion A of a BCD
liquid surface, (Fig 284), cylindrical in
form, i.e.. curved only in one direction.
P Then, the force of surface tension T
Fig. 284. acts at right angles to every unit
length of its boundary. The forces
over ABand CDare equal and opposite and hence cancel out, but
those over AD
and BC, though equal in magnitude are inclined to
each other, and have thus a resultant p normal to the surface, as
t
ehown.
482 PROPERTIES Of MATTER
To determine the vajue of /?, consider unit length of the surface
*t 0, (Fig. 285), taken alo ng the direction of DA. Forces T and 7
act at the point 0, as shown, their
T-^-TT3CtTj 1 ntT55rr^r resultant being OP =
T.dO.
\P ! Thus, a force T.dQ acts inwards on
J I an area equal to 1 x r.d6, where r i*
1 \f f
the radius of curvature of the surface,
LJ (because we are considering unit length
ff of the surface of breadth r.dB). If
\j
resultant pressure p acts outward on
C this area, the total force directed out-
Fig. 285. ward on the area is equal to p.r.dQ.
For this element of the liquid surface to be at rest, therefore, we
have p.r.dQ
= T.dO,
whence, p = T/r dynes/cm*.
This resultant pressure is, therefore, the difference of pressure
on the two sides of the surface, which is required to balance the effect
f
due to surface tension. It follows, therefore, that the pressure must be
to balance the effect
greater on the concave side than on the convex side,
of surface tension on the surfaces.
If the surface be curved in two directions, as shown in Fig. 286,
and the radii of the two curvatures be r l and ra respectively, tht
pressure due to the curvature of AB and
CD will be J/r t and that due to the curva-
ture of AI) and BO will be T/r 9 and, there- ;
fore, the total difference of pressure on the
two iides of the surface will be given by
And, if one of the surfaces be convex
and the other, concave, the radii r l and ra
of the two surfaces will have opposite signs. Fig. 286.
So that, in such a case, we shall have
Combining the cases, therefore, we may put the general relation aa
Now, us consider a few special cases :
let
Case of a spherical surface. la the case of a spherical surface, like that
(/)
af a liquid drop, or an air bubble inside a liquid, we haver ] r t *- r, say 1
*o that, excess pressure inside it is given by
In the case of an air or a soap bubble, because there are two surfaces, ao
Inner and an outer one, we have
**T 4T
P-2X*- -.
(Sec 240
(//) Caw of a cylindrical surface. In this case, one of the radii is infinite.
whereas the other is the sa ne as the radius (r) of the cylinder.
So that, for one single surface , p ** T/r,
tod for two surfaces, p 2F/r.
StJBFAOB TENSIOH
(Hi) Case of a catenoid. Here, the surface being one of revolution,
with no
difference of pressure, we have p 0. And, therefore,
=0.
An example of such a surface is that of a soap-film, supported in-between
t vo parallel rings with its two ends burst, to maks me pressure difference zero.
244. Layer of liquid between two plates. It is common ex-
two of be one over the other,
perience that if plates glass placed
there is no difficulty in separating them, , .
but if a drop of liquid, say, water, be P|
placed in between them and squeezed into pig. 287,
ft thin
layer, it may, require considerable
force to pull them apart. The reason will be clear from the
following :
The thin layer or film of water wets the plates over an almost
circular area, which is concave outwards, as shown in Fig. 287.
If d be the thickness of the water layer in-between the plates,
,
the radius of curvature of the two concave edges of the liquid layer
4s nearly d/2. Thus, if r be the radius of the circular area or film of
water, the excess pressure p inside the liquid-film over the outside
atmospheric pressure is given by
where T is the surface tension of the water-film.
Since ris very large compared with d, Ijr is almost negligible
iu comparison with 2/d so that, we have
;
Thus, the pressure inside the film is less than the outside atmos-
clear from the ve sign of/?), by 2T/d&nd, there-
pheric pressure, (as is
fore, the excess pressure of the atmosphere on the two plates pushes
them closer together, making d still smaller and r larger, thus*
further increasing p.
Now, if A be the circular area over which the water wets the*
plates, the total force which squeezes
them together is equal to
This much force, perpendicular to their surface, will, therefore,
be needed to pull them apart. Obviously, the smaller the value of
</, i.e., the
thinner the layer of water, the greater the force required to
separate them.
245. Shape of Liquid Meniscus in a Capillary Tube. We
know that a liquid meniscus in a capillary tube is concave for a
liquid, like water and convex for a liquid, like mercury. Let us see
what determines its shape.
Let a capillary tube of glass be dipped vertically in a liquid,
meeting its surface at P, (Fig. 288). Then, a liquid molecule at P,
In contact with the tube there, will* be attracted outward by thfr
solid molecules of the tube near to it, due to the force of adhesion*
484 PBOPBBTIES OF MATTER
and "attracted inwards by the near molecules of the liquid, due to th<
force o^ cohesion the resultant force on it will, therefore, be th<
;
resultant of these two forces of adhesion and cohesion.
Fig. 288.
Now, the resultant force of adhesion acts
at right angles t^
the tube at the point P. Let it bo represented by the straight line
PQ. And, the resultant force of cohesion acts at an angle of 45 to the
vertical, and is represented by the straight line PS, so that, the twc
forces acting on the molecule are inclined to each other at an angle
of 135. T&eir resultant, obtained by the ordinary law of parallelo-
gram of forces, is represented bv the diagonal PR of the parallelo-
gram PQRS, with PQ and PS as adjacent sides. Its direction
will natunlly depend upon the relative magnitudes of the two forces
PQ and PS, and the following different cases arise :
(i) JfPQIPSbe equal to l/v/2, i.e., if PS = \/1.PQ, the resul
tant, (PR) wilt lie along the vertical, as shown in Fig. 288 (i).
() If PS be smaller than V%-PQ, the resultant (PR) mil lie out-
side the liquid, as &hzv\n in Fig. 288 (//).
PS be greater than \/2.PQ, then, PQ will lie inside the
(HI) If
liquid, as shown in Fig. 238 (///).
What happens to molecule P happens to all other molecules in
y
contact with the glass of the tube. And since a liquid cannot perma-
nently withstand a shearing stress, its surface at every point will be
at right angles to the resultant force there, when the liquid attains
the position ol equilibrium.
Thus, in the first cave, when the resultant force PR acts along
the vertical, i.e., when PS =
\/2.PQ, or, the cohesive force is ^/2
times the adhesive frce, the molecules of the liquid are neither raised
nor lowered and the liquid surface remains flat or plane.
In the second case, when PR
outside the Jiquid, i.e., when
lies
PS<\/ 2.PQ, or the cohesive force than ^/2 times the adhesiv*
is less
force, the molecules of the liquid near the walls of the tube are
raised up against the tube, those in the middle remaining practically
unaffected, thus making the liquid surface concave upwards, as in the
case of water and other liquids which \*et the walls of the tube.
And, when PR the liquid, i.e., when
lies inside
or, the cohesive force greater than -\/2 times the adhesive force, the
is
liquid molecule* near the walls of the tube are depressed there,
making the surface convex upwards, as in the case of mercury and
other liquids, which do uot wet the walls of the tube,
SURFACE TENSION 485
246. Angle of Contact.
(0 Case of a liquid in contact with a solid. When a liquid
meets a solid, its surface plane of contact with the solid is,
near its
In general, curved. The angle between the tangent to the liquid surface
at the
pnint ^f^nntnrt qftd th e solid surface, irisidetheUquid, is cdTSA
the angle of
coqtactybr that pair of solid and liqttict.
~
The angle may have any value between and 180. For most
liquidsand glass, itthan 90is for mercury and glass it is
less ;
about 140. // wally depends upon
thena^ and the
'
solid, andjs not altered by a change in the inclination oftheTjSlStL
In the figures shown, [Fig. 289 (/) and (//)] /. PQR is the angle ;
of contact. It is acute in (/) and obtuse in (//) for, in the former ;
case, the liquid rises up a little
alongside the glass plate, dipped
in the Iquid, and the angle
between QR, the tangent to the
liquid surface and the part of QP
the plate, inside the liquid, is
acute, whereas, in the latter case,
the liquid is depressed a little
where comes into contact with
it
Fig. 289.
the glass plate, and the angle
between the tangent PR to the liquid surface on the part QP of the
plate, inside the liquid, is obtuse.
For pure water and clean glass, the angle of contact is 0. For
ordinary water and glass it is about 18 and if the surface of the ;
glass be contaminated with grease, its value may be as much as 35.
s
(ii) Case of two liquids in contact with each other and with air.
If two liquids, not miscible with each other, be brought into contact
as at 0, (Fig;. 290); both being in contact
with air, three surface tensions are to be
taken into consideration, (a) that of the
surface between air% and liquid* /, v/z.,
r, (b) that ot the surface between air
;
and liquid // viz., T and tl ; (c) that
between liquid / and liquid J7, viz.,
r3 .
equilibrium 7\, jT2 and T8
,
-p^ r
Fig. 290. should be represented by the three sides
of a triangle, taken in order. This
triangle of forces is known ae Neumann's triangle. In actual practice,
we come across no two pure liquids for which the Neumann's triangle
may be constructed, one of the surfafce tensions being always
greater than the other two so that, the equilibrium condition shown
;
in the figure is never attained. Thus, for example, in the cage of
water, mercury and air, the water drop, when placed over mercury,
spreads all over its surface, prov ided both water and mercury are
pure. This is so, because the surface tension of mercury is about
550 dyneslcm., and that of water, only 75 dynes/cm. But, if the
mercury surface be contaminated with grease, its surface tension.
486 PBOPEETIE3 OF MATTEB
decreases and some water drops may stay on it, so that, in that ease,
the construction of Neumanns triangle can be possible.
tx(iii) Case of a solid, liquid and air in contact. This is
more important case than the previous one, for we have to consider
three surface tensions, v/z., 7\ for air-liquid, Ta for air-solid and T~
for liquid-solid surfaces respectively, (Fig. 291).
Let $ be the angle of contact of the liquid with the solid, acute,
In case (a) and obtuse in case (b). For equilibrium, therefore, T9
plus
the component 7\ cos of T19 in the direction of T3 must
,
be balanced
by TI, i.e. t
TS+T! cos e = TV
Or, T! cos = T -T
2 3, whence, cos e =-(T^T^T v
Clearly, therefore, if ro is greater than T3 ,
cos B will be positive,
i e., t will be less than 90 ;
and if T2 is less than Ty cos will I*
(OJ
$> &^SN^*?^ y I
Fig. 291.
negative, and 9 will lie between 90 and 180. If, howevet>
^a > ^1+^3* there will be no equilibrium, arid the liquid will spread
over the solid, as happens when a water drop is placed over a per-
fectly clean plate of glass, or a grease- free mercury surface.
247. Measurement of the Angle of Contact. For mercury and
glass, the angle of contact may be determined by the following
simple method due to Gay Lussac.
A small round-bottomed glass flask is nearly filled with mercury
(more than Iths of it), and its mouth closed tightly by a rubber
bung, through which passes a glass rod R to adjust the level of
mercury in it. The flask is then clamped in the inverted position, a*
shown in Fig. 292 (a), and the rod (R) is moved in or out, until the
(a) Fig. 292. ()
surface of mercury is plane where meets the glass, i.e., no meniscus
it
or curved portion (or capillary curve > as it is sometimes called),
appears there. .This can be tested by observing the image of a
printed sheet of paper held against the flask, by the light reflected
SURFACE TENSION 1
48 ?
*t grazing incidence from the mercury surface. An undistorted image
indicates that the surface of mercury is plane where it meets the glass.
The mercury surface in the flask forms a circular sheet of dia-
meter AB, which is measured by means of a pair of calipers, whence
the radius AC of the sheet is known. Let it be denoted by a. Then,
if f be the radius of the bulb of the flask, and /_BAO $, we have
=
a
Or, <f>
= cos~ l
.
r
Now, if a tangent AD
be drawn to the spherical bulb at X, the
angle of contact 0, for mercury and glass, is clearly equal to the
angle BAD.
Or, 0*
Or,
So that, knowing <, from relation (/) above, the value of 8 can
be easily determined.
A better arrangement for making the surface of mercury plane
Is the one shown in Fig. 292 Here, the level of mercury in the
(b).
spherical bulb, which is open at both ends, is adjusted by raising or
lowering the reservoir of mercury (/?), connected to it by an India-
rubber tubing. The proceure otherwise is the same as in the first
experiment.
Another simple method to determine the angle of contact for
mercury and glass is to insert a small slanting glass plate AB
Into mercury, as shown in Fig. 293, and to
adjust its inclination until the mercury
meets the glass at P without curvature, i.e.,
the surface of mercury is horizontal there.
Then, the angle of contact for mercnry and
glass is equal to (180 6) where /_APC <. =
To measure the angle <f> t
a plumb line
Is dropped from A. Fig, 293.
Then, clearly, tan = Or, ^ = tan- 1
<f>
p^-. p(^<
For measuring the angle of contact between water and glass,
coated with wax, a similar method was used by Adam. A glasa
trough is coated on the
inside with wax, so that
it may be filled with
water above the level
of the sides, and 10
supported by two screws,
S and 5, (Fig. 294), auch
that, by working them up
or down, the top of the
trough is made perfectly
horizontal. It
is then
filled with water and any
impurities on its surface
skimmed off by moving
lightly across it a wax-
Fig. 294. coated glass plate*
488 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
A glass plate A, also coated with wax, is clamped, as shown, so
that it can. be moved up or down in the vertical plane, about
a horizontal axis at D, by m^ans of a screw S'. It is then dipped
into the water, and its angle of inclination adjusted until the water
surface touching it is perfectly horizontal. Then, the angle 6 between
the lower part of the plate and the horizontal water surface is the
'
angle of contact for water and the wax-coated glass plate, and is
measured as in the above case for marcury and glass.
The angle 0, in this case, is found to depend on whether the
plate is lowered into tho wator or raised up and hence two readings
are taken one, whsn tho plate is lowered an 1 the other, when it is
raised, and their mean is taken as the correct value of 0, or thd
required angle of contact.
\^-^4R. Rise of Liquid in a Capillary Tube. One of the most
striking effects of surface tension is to rais3 a liquid in a capillary
tube dipped into it, a capillary tube being just a tube of a very
fine bore (from the Litin word, c^pillus a hair). It is for thi*
reason that surface tsnsion is also sometimes called capillarity.
When a capillary tubo is dippad in a liquid like water, which
wets it andfor which tho angb of contact may be taken to be zero,
the liquid immediately ris^s up into it, and if the
tube be &fine one, tin shape of the liquid meniscus
is spherical and co-icave upwards, as shown at B,
(Fig. 295).*
Let r bo the radius of the tube at B, the point
B t^ which the liquid rises into it. Then, it will be
up
practically the same as the radius of the concave
meniscus, so that the excess pressure above the
A, maniscus over that immediately below it is 2T/r t
i.e., the pres3ur3 in tli3 liquid, just below the menis-
cus, is less than the atmospheric pressure above it
by 2T/r. And, since the pressure on the liquid
surface, outside the tube, is atmospheric, the liquid
Fig. 295.
will bo forced up into the tube, until the hydrostatic
pressure of the liquid column in the tube equtls this excess pressure
2T/r. If the liquid rises to a height h, the hydrostatic pressure due
to the liquid column in tho tube on the surface of the liquid will
clearly be A.P.g, where p is the density of tho liquid. f
2r/rA.'.g. Or, 2T = rA.V.g,
whence, T
*The rise of a Ii4uid in a capillary tube was first explained by Hawksbet
in*a book of his, published in ths year 1709, as being due to the attraction of
tbe glass for the liquid. Observing that a liquid does not rise higher in a thick-
walied tube than in a thia-WAied one, he aiturallv concluded that only the
molecule close co the surface of the glass must be concerned in this attraction.
As meationed already, ue now know that the forces between molecules causing
sirfac? tension are precisely the same as those operating in the cases of cohesion,
solution or chemi;al reaction.
tit will thus be seen that ths capillary tubs acts like a manometer, giving
the difference of pressure above and immediately below the liquid meniscus,
SURFACE TENSION 489
Thus, knowing r, A, p and g, the surface tension T of the liquid
can be easily determined.
In case, however, the of contact for the liquid be not zero
ansrle
and the tube be not narrow, the surface tension T of the liquid acts
inwards along the tangent to the liquid meniscus at every point of
its contact with the inner surface of the tube, making an angle 8
with the wall of the tube, ^Fig. 298). where is the angle of contact
for the liquid and the glass of the tube.
There is thus exerted an inward pull on the glass in this direc-
tion at all these points.
Since, in accordance with Newton's third law of motion, action
and reaction are equal and opposite, there is an equal and opposite
reaction R exerted by the glass on the RcosO RcosO
liquid. This reaction R (equal to T) =Tco$0
may be resolved into two rectangular
components (/) R cos B/cm. = T sin
0/cw., along the vertical, in the upward di-
rection and (ii)R sin (t/cm.= T sin Ofcm.^
at right angles to it, in the outward direc-
tion, as shown. Taking the whole menis-
cus into consideration, the horizontal or
outward components all cancel each
other out, and only the vertical com-
ponents are effective, which are thus
added up.
Now, if r be the radius of curvature
of the tube at the height of the meniscus, 296.
l
then, ohviously, t ie moniscus touches
it along a
length 2nrr, tho circumference of the circle of radius r ;
so that, the total upward force on the liquid in the tube is Znr.T cos 0.
It is this force which supports the weight of the column A of the
liquid in the tube, (where h is the length of the column: from the
horizontal surface A of the liquid, outside the tube, to the bottom of
the meniscus at B) plus tho weight of a volume v of the liquid,
in the meniscus itself, i.e*, the weight of a total volume of the liquid,
2 2
rrr ./i+ v, (where 7rr .h is tho volume of the liquid column h).
2-Trr.T cos =
(?rr
2
/t+v). p.g,
.
where p is the density of the liquid.
358
p '^"
\27jr.atfW'
If the volume of the liquid in the meniscus be negligible, in
comparison with that in'the column A, i.e., if'th* tube of a very fine
bore, we have
'
'"
2-rrr cost) 2 cos V
the relation being known as Jurins Equation.
N.B. In case the capillary tubs is not vertical, but inclined at an angle
to it. we take into consideration only the vertical height (h) of the liquic
*For experimental details of the method, see page 504.
400 PBOPERTIES OF MATTES
column in it, which will obviously be equal to / cos a, where / is the length i f
the tube occupied by the liquid. So that, here,
T= r.p.g.l cos a/2 cos 0.
If, however, be not negligible, its value may be determined bj
v
taking the meniscus to be hemispherical in shape, (since the tube is
narrow), of radius nearly equal to r, i.e., the same as that of the tube
at that place, so that the volume of the liquid in the meniscus is
equal to the difference between the volumes of a cylinder of radius r
and length r and a hemisphere of radius r.
f volume of a cylinder wrV
Of, v SB 7rr 2 .r
f.irr
3 = Tir 3 i.Trr
3
. <ofa 8
sphere, 4nr /3,*and of a
L hemisphere = 2^r 8 /3
Or, v = 7rr
3
.
In this case, therefore,
27rr. Tcos = 2
(7rr .A-)-|irr
3
)p^ 7rr
2
.(/i+r).p.g.
r of the
Or >
r ?!^'!dLi )'!y? * $'* //ie Affective height
is now h+^ r, and not h.
liquid
%nr. cos B (column
And, in case = 0, coy & = so that, 1 ;
we then have
r = l^m^ dyneslcm.
But if g be greater than 90, cos 6 is negative and the liquid
column in the tube is depressed below the liquid level outside it, i.e.,
his negative. Hence it is that w_e_fmd it so difficult to introduce
mercury, (forj^UliJi-sJ40^jnearh )7lnt6 a fine capillary tube.
r
Again, if we introduce into water, a capillary tube, with its in-
side coated with paraffin wax to make #>90, the surface of the watei
column also, inside the tube, lies below that in the outer vessel.
And, further, we may come across two liquids for which the
values of T are the same but whose angles of contact (0) are different.
They will naturally rise to different heights when the same capillary
tube is introduced into them.
249. Rise of Liquid in a Tube of Insufficient Length. We
have seen above, how a liquid rises up into the capillary tube, dipped
into it, until the weight of the liquid in the
J
tube is just ^balanced by the force due to its
surface tension. If be the angle of contact
between the liquid and the tube, and R, the
radius of the liquid meniscus in the tube, we
have r =
R cos 0, (Fig. 297), where r is the
radius of the tube ; so that, relation (ft"),
above, now becomes
Fig. 297. T=^ 2c cost*
-- e g = ~ h 'Z
2
'
h is the height of the liquid column in the tube.
i
Hence, clearly, R.h 2iyp.g a constant. = f
Now, with the tube sufficiently longer than h, it is the value of
h alone that changes to satisfy the above relation for T. But, if the
tube be smaller than the calculated value of A, the only variable in
the above relation is R, because now h I, the
length of the tube (s
8TJEFAOB TENSION 491
constant) and so is a constant for the given liquid and the tube.
The liquid thus just spreads over the walls of the tube at the top and
its meniscus acquires a new radius of curvature R' 9 such that
K.7=277p.g, or, that R'.l=zR.h^& constant.
vWSSo. Rise of Liquid in a Conical Capillary Tube. Suppose we
take a concial capillary tube, (i.e., a capillary tube with a fine conical
bore) ABC, with a hole at its upper end, (Fig. ^
298), and dip its in a liquid, like water, which A ~f
wets it walls. We shall find that the liquid
rises up into it to a height A, above the liquid
surface," in accordance with the relation,
where a isthe semi-vertical angle of the tube,
and /?, the radius of the tube at the liquid
meniscus FG.
Let the vertical height AD
of the apex of
the cone from the liquid surface be denoted by
/, and the radius of the tube, where it meets the
liquid surface, (i.e., of the portion EC of it), by
f.
Then, from the nimilar right-angled triangles Fig. 298
AEF and ADB we t
have
BD
R lh
K d-h
fln\
-- = l-h > whence, r ,
-{- /?=^_-J.
O 7 TH
Putting this value of R in relation (/), above, we have A = /f J-jA *
fi
So that,
Or,
which is a quadratic equation in h.
21. T. cos*
So that, A=
2
whence the height h, up to which the liquid rises into the tube, CAB
be easily determined.
And, if the tube be only slightly conical, we have cos a=l, very
nearly. In that case, therefore,
N.B. The ve sign is not usually indicated.
Further, in such a tube, R is practically equal to r, /.., it is practi.
cally a uniform capillary tube, as shown in Fig. 295, and, therefore,
for the liquid to rise up to the top into the tube, the minimum
value of r should be greater than r./.p.g/2.
492 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
251. Energy required to raise a liquid in a capillary tube. We
have seen above how when a capillary tube is dipped vertically into
a liquid which wets the walk of the tube, there is a rise of the liquid
inside the tube. The rise, obviously, takes place against the action of
gravity and the liquid, therefore, mw>t gain in potential energy. The
question, therefore, arises as to where does it get this increase in its
potential energy from. For, according to the Jaw of conservation of
energy, energy can only be converted from one form into another,
but cannot bo created. The explanation is, however, simple.
We have three surfaces of separation to consider when a
capillary tube is immersed in a liquid, viz., (/) an air-liquid surface
(ii) an air-glass surface and (//'/)
a glass- liquid surface, each having its
own surface tension, different from the others, and equal to its free
surface energy per unit area.
Now, as the plane liquid surface in the tube acquires a curva-
ture, (i.e., becomes concave), the air-liquid surface increases and, as
the liquid rises in the tube, the glass-liquid surface increases, the air-
glass surface decreasing by an equal amount. Thus, the surface
energy of the air-liquid and the glass-liquid surfaces increases w-hile
that of the air- glass surface decreases by the same amount. In
other words, the energy required to raise the liquid in the capillary
tube is obtained from the surface emrgv of the air-glass surface.
On the other hand, a liquid, which does not wet the walls of
the tube, gets djpressed inside it, below its level outside the tube.
In this case, obviously, the glass- liquid surface decreases, whereas
the air-glass surface increases by an equal amount, resulting in a net
increase in the surface energy of the whole system. This energy it
derived from the depression of the liquid inside the tube, whose
gravitational potential energy is thus decreased by an equal amount.
252. Rise of a Liquid Between Two Parallel Plates. An almost
similar case to the above is that of two vertical plates kept parallel
and close to each other in a liquid, when the liquid rises in between
them, (if it wets the plates). Let us calculate the height to which it
rises.
If d be the distance between the two plates and, r, the radius
d!2
of the meniscus, (which is cylindrical, in this case), we have '
~=cos 0,
whence, 2 r cos Q=d, or rdj2 cos Q, where Q is the angle of con-
tact for the liquid and the plates.
Now, we know that the pressure just below the meniscus is less
than the pressure just above it by an amount equal to T( -f r\
where r and r' are the radii of the two curvatures, at right angles to
each other. Since the meniscus is cylindrical, one of the curvatures
has a radius equal to that of the cylinder and the other, a radius
equal ts oo, (the surface being plane), so that r' = oo and/ therefore,
,
l/r'=0, and hence the excess pressure just above the meniscus over
that just below it is equal to T/r. Or, substituting the value of r, we
c s
have excess r
pressure above the meniscus = -^ =-
'
*.
a/2 cos $ d
SUEFACB TENSION 493
Therefore, the liquid column will rise up in-between the two
plates, until the hydrostatic pressure
due to it becomes equal to
2T. cos 6jd. Thus, if h be the height up to which the liquid rises, and
p, its density, we have 2T cos 6/d^h.p.g*
2T.cos 9
Or h
'
-~d^T'
Or, h is inversely proportional to d, i.e., the rise* of the liquid is
inversely proportional to the distance between the two plates.
In case, however, the two plates be not parallel but inclined at
a small angle to each other, meeting along a common vertical edge, the
liquid does not rise uniformly in-between
them. But, at any point on the liquid
column, the distance (d) between the plates
is proportional to the distance x of the point
from their common edge. And, since, as wo
have seen, h oc l/d, it follows at once that
h oc 1/jt.
Now, from the relation for A, deduced
above, we have
h.d~2Tcos 6 /p. g= a constant.
It is, therefore, clear that Fig. 299.
h.x=^a constant, also. [ dx&x.
In other words, the liquid surface in-between the two plates will,
in this case,be a pan of a rectangular hyperbola, (Fig. 299).
253. Force Between Bodies Partly Immersed in a liquid. It is a
common observation that pieces ot cork and such other li^ht bodies,
when floating in water, cling and collect, together into clusters. This
is due to capillary action, i.e., the rise of water into the small spaces
in-between the pieces.
/There are three cases to be considered, viz., (7) when the liquid
it does not, and (Hi) when it wets one and
wets the iwo bodies, (//) when
not the other.
In the first case, say, for example, two glass plates, partly im-
mersed in a liquid, like water, [Fig. 300 (/)] the liquid rises in bet-
ween them to a level higher than that outside them. And, since the
pressuie in the liquid just
below the meniscus in-between them is
smaller than the pressure due to the atmosphere at the same level
outsida them, they get pushed towards each other, i.e., they seem to
attract each other.
In the second case, as for example, when the two plates are
partly immersed in
a liquid, like mercury, (which does net wet them),
the liquid is depressed between them below the level outside them,
above the liquid menis-
[Fig. 300 (//), and the atmospheric pressure
in-between them, is smaller than the pressure in the liquid at
cus,
*ln case 0>90, cos will be Htgctive, and the liquid will get deprewed
in-between the two plates iubkaa oi ri&itg up.
494 PROPERTIES OF MATTES
the same level outside them, and no this excess pressure on their out
side again pushes them towards each other, and again, therefore, they
seem to be attracting each other.
Fig. 300.
In the third case, as for example, when one of the glass plates,
say, A
y
be clean so that it can get wet with water, and the other B, be
coated with wax, (so as not to get wot with water), and both be part-
ly immersed in water,
the liquid meniscus is concave near to the
plate A wetted by the liquid,
t
and convex, near to the other plate B,
not wetted by it. Due to the pull of one meniscus on the other, there-
fore, the concave meniscus on the inside of A is a little lower than
the concave meniscus on its outside, and the convex meniscus, on the
Inside of B is a little above the convex meniscus on its outside, [Fig.
300 (Hi)]. Since the pressure just below the concave meniscus out-
side of A is lower than the atmospheric pressure at the same level and
above the concave meniscus on its inside, it is pushed outward, away
from By as shown by the arrow-head. Again, since the atmospheric
pressure above the convex meniscus outside B is lower than the
pressure in the liquid below the convex meniscus at the same level on
its inside, it is also pushed outwards, away from A, as indicated by
the arrow head, and thus both A and B move away from each other,
i.e., they seem to repel each other.
This explains why a small piece of wood, (wetted by water) and
a needle (not so wetted), when floated close together in water, steadi-
ly get apart, the former drifting towards the edge and the latter
moving towards the centre.
It should bo noted that the above is true only when the two
floating bodies aro near together. For, if the distance between them
be large, the portion of the meniscus where it changes from convex
to concave, or vice versa, will become quite straight or horizontal, i.e.,
In a level with the rest of the liquid outside the plates, and there
will, therefore, be no resultant force acting on them, one way or the
other. On the other hand, if they be very close to each other, the
point of inflexion of the meniscus disappears altogether, resulting in
the rise of liquid in-between them, and they get pushed towards each,
other.
254. Shape of Liquid Drop on a Horizontal Plate. There are
two forces acting on the drop of a liquid, placed on a horizontal
plate, v/z., (i) the force due to gravity and (ii) the force due to surface
tension.
SURFACE TENSION 496
Whereas the former tends to flatten it and to spread it out
until its surface becomes horizontal, i.e., tends to 'squash* the drop,
&s it were, the latter, by trying to decrease its surface area, tends to
gather it up into the form of a sphere. It is, therefore, a case of gra-
vity versus surface tension. Now, the gravitational force depends
upon the mass of the drop, which is proportional to its volume, i.e., to
the cube of its linear dimensions, and the surface tension depends
upon the surface area, i.e., upon the square of its dimensions. There-
fore the effect of gravitation is more pronounced on a large drop and it
,
gets flattened out, whereas the surface tension has the upper hand, in
the case of a small drop, and gives it a spherical shape. That is why the
small dew and rain drops, or those of mercury or oil etc., are "all
spherical in shape*. This can also be readily seen by placing small
and large drops on a plate of glass or water drops on paraffin wax,
when it will be found that small drops assume a spherical shape, but
the large ones get flattened out, until their upper surface becomes
horizontal. In the case of mercury on a glass plate, a large drop will
assume a long elliptical sort of shape, its upper surface, in the
middle, being plane, with the edges protruding on either side, the
angle of contact being about 140.
It is possible to calculate the surface tension of mercury or the
angle of contact, by considering the various forces that keep it
in equilibrium. The method was developed by Quincke, and latet
improved by Edser, [see 255 (4)].
255. Experimental Determination of Surface Tension. We
shall now consider some of the usual methods employed to determine
the surface tension of liquids.
Searle's Torsion Balance Method.
1. This is perhaps the
simplest, most direct and the quickest method for the determination
of surface tension of
liquids, particularly of
those for which the
angle of contact is
zero.
The essentials of
Che apparatus used are
*s indicated in Fig. 301
where R
is a rigid rod,
fixed to a fine torsion
wire w, (about 1-25 mm.
in radius), stretched
horizontally across a
frame work, as shown.
The rod terminates in
a pointer, moving over
a vertical scale S at
one end, and carry-
Ing a sliding weight Fig. 301.
*A striking proof of the rain drops being perfect spheres is the natural
phenomena of the rainbow and the halos, whose arrangement of colours and shape
Dan only be explained on this basis. The slightest deviation from the spherical
ihape of the dropt would materially affect both these.
PROPERTIES OF MATTER
W at the other, with the help of which it is counterpoised, so as to
remain horizontal.
From a point, near the front end of the rod, is suspended a
scale pan, which, in its turn, carries a rectangular wire-frame or a
glass plate, (about 10 cms. Jong
and '02 to *()5 cm. in thickness),
fitted in a metal socket or clip, with its lower edge perfectly horizontal.
A vessel D, containing the experimental liquid, is placed on an
as desired.
adjustable table, which can be raised up or lowered down,
To start with, the vessel D is raised up until the wire-frame
of the glass plate just dips a little
dips irto it or until the lower ed<re
into the liquid. It is then lowered down until this lower edge of the
wire-frame or the plate lies exactly in a level with the liquid surface,
A film of the liquid is thus formed in the wire-frame, or in-between
the plate and ths liquid surfaco, exerting a downward pull on the
frame or the plate due to the surface tension. This results in the
pointer-end of the rod also deflecting
downwards and its position is
read on the scale. The vessel is removed from under the frame or the
glass plate. The film is now punctured or the plate allowed to
dry up. The liquid film thus disappears and with it also the
downward pull on the frame or the plate, and hence on the rod, which,
therefore, returns back to its initial position.
Weights are now placed in the scale pin until the pointer-end
of the rod again deflected downward to the same extent as before.
is
Clearly, then, the downward fbr^e on the rod due
to this weight, mg.
say, is the same as the downward pull on it due to surface tension,
in the first case.
Now, if / be the length of the wireframe or the plate and /, its
thickness, it is in contact with ths liquid along a total length equal to
2(1 +t) cos 8, where 6 is the angle of contact for the liquid. Hence,
.
if T be the surface tension of the l-quid, the downward pull on the
frame or the plate due to surface tension is equal to 2(1+1). cos 0.T.
Hence 2(/+/). 6.T=mg.
T=*
mg!2(l+t). cos 0.
In the case of the wire frame, / is negligible, and, therefore,
=
T mg/21 cos 6.
And, if be zero for the given liquid, we have cos 9 = 1 ;
BO that, T = m.g/'2(l+t), in the case of the plate and T= m.g/2l t
in
the case of wire frame.
And thus, knowing mg, / and /, the value of surface tension (T) for
the liquid can be easily calculated.
As will be readily seen, the method may also be used to com-
pare the surface tensions of two given liquids, for which is zero.
N.B. It happens sometimes that, despite all care the lower edge of the
in a level wiih the liquid surface, dips a little, say,
plate, instead of being just
to a depth h inside it If this be so, it is obvious that downward pull on
the plate, due to the surface tension, is reduced >y an amount equal to the up-
ward force on it, due to the buoyarcy of the displaced liquid, which as we
know, is equal to the weight of the liauiddispliced by the plate, ie.. equal to
(/ x t x h x p x#), where p is
the density of the liquid and g, the acceleration due to
gravity at the place.
SURFACE TENSION
Thus, weha^ 2(/+0- cos 9.T.-(lxtxhXpxg) = mg.
Or,,\ '>' 2(/+0- cosB.T= mg+U.h.p.g, whence, T= ^^r~\
2.^ Jaeger's Method. We know that excess pressure inside an
bubble in a liquid is equal to 2F/r, [239J, where T is the
surface tension of the liquid and r, the radius of the bubble. Jaeger
has, by a simple and ingenious method measured this exc3ss pressure
p, necessary to produce such a bubble so that, knowing p and r,
;
the surface tension (T) of the liquid can be easily determined.
The apparatus simply consists of a long thin glass tube AB,
(Fig. 302), with its lower portion ending in a fine jet of about -2 to
5 mm. in diameter, and with its
tip cut quite smooth and square*,
so as to be perpendicular to its
axis. This dips in the experi-
mental liquid, contained in a
beaker, with about 4 to 5 cms.
of length inside the liquid.
its
It then connected to a mano-
is
meter M
and a WoulfT s bottle,
fitted with a dropping funnel F,
containing water, as shown.
The liquid used in the mano-
meter M
is Xylol (a liquid hy-
drocarbon) in preference to Fig. 302.
water, because of its lower density, so that the difference of level
in the two limbs may be large.
Due some liquid rises up into the tube AB,
to capillary action,
the shape of meniscus being nearly hemispherical. Some air is
its
now forced into the tube by dropping water into the Woulff 's bottle,
which displaces its own volume of air from it. The liquid column
in AB thus slowly moves down until it reaches B, when a bubble is
formed there The process must be regulated to be so slow that
about 10 sees, are needed for the bubble to form. The radius of
curvature of the bubble gradually decreases with increasing pressure
inside it, until it reaches the minimum value, and the bubble acquires
a more or less hemispherical shape, with a radius r, equal to that of
the aperture at B< the pressure inside being now the maximum, as
indicated by the difference of levels (H) in the two limbs of the
manometer.
The bubble now becomes unstable for, any further growth of
;
ittends to increase its radius, which results in a
crease in the pressure inside it due to surface tension, thus
ing the equilibrium between its internal and the constant external
pressure. It, therefore, now gets detached from the tube, and the
whole process starts all over again.
clearly, just before the bubble breaks away from B, the
Now,
pressure inside it is
equal to that at C, i.e., equal to P+H.p.g, where
* This
must be so, not only to the naked eye but cvengyoder a microscope
with no trace of any roughness or iraggedness at its infofcf tfr wfer edges.
498 PBOPEBTIBS OF MATTER
P lathe atmospheric pressure and H.o.g> the pressure due to the
liquid column H
in the manometer, (p being its density).
And, when the bubble just breaks away from B the pressure on t
it is equal to that at the level of B in the beaker, i.e., equal to
P+h.d g where h is the depth of the tip B from the surface of the
t
liquid in the beaker and </, its density.
And, therefore, the excess pressure inside the bubble
= (P+H+4)-(P+h.d.g) = g(H.?-h.d).
But the excess pressure inside the bubble, we know, must be
equal to 23P/r, where T is the surface tension of the liquid in the
beaker. Hence, 2T/r
= g(H.p-h.d).
Or, T =* r.g
(H.?-h.d)l2.
Thus, noting H> h, p and d, and determining r with the help
of a microscope, fitted with a micrometer eye-piece, we can easily cal-
culate the value of T for the given liquid.
Despite all care, however, there is no absolute certainty as to
the radius of the bubble, when it gets detached from the tube, and it
may not be hemispherical and of quite the same radius as the
aperture at B. In fact, quite the contrary. For, it can be hemis-
pherical only in the case of extremely narrow tubes, and its radius is
found to be always a function of the radius of the aperture. For a
greater accuracy in the result, therefore, the following relation
is often used :
This method is of importance in that it can be used
(i) for determination of the surface tension of molten
mqtals ;
(11) for determining the variation of surface tension of a solution, with
different concentrations of the solute ;
(iii} for comparison of surtace tensions of different liquids ;
(iv) for determining the variation of surface tension of a liquid with
temperature, (as the temperature of the containing vessel can be
easily controlled and the bubble is formed inside the liquid itself) ;
and
(v) for studying the molecular aggregation of the liquid, (i.e., the number
of atoms in its molecule^, from the slope of the curve between tem-
perature and surface tension.
'"
3. The Drop-Weight Method? This is a simple, though perhaps
not buite so accurate a method for determining ths surface tension of
a liquid by considering the vertical forces that keep a email
drop of liquid in equilibrium, just before it gets detached from
the end of a vertical glass tube of circular aperture.
At the instant the drop gets detached, it assumes a
cylindrical shape at the orifice of the tube, (Fig. 303), so
that, if T
be the surface tension of the liquid and r, the
radius of the orifice, we have
excess pressure (p) inside the drop over the outside at-
= 243, page 481.
o mospheric pressure Tjr.
Hence the downward force on the drop due
= vrMT/r.
[see
to this
Fig. 303.
SURFACE TEKSIOK 499
And, since the weight mg of the drop also acts vertically down-
wards on it, we have
total downward force on the drop = irr*.Tjr + mg.
Now, the liquid touches the tube all along its circumference 27rr,
and hence the upward force acting on the drop due to surface tension is
equal to 2itr.T.
It is clear, therefore, that while the drop is yet in equilibrium,
immediately before its detachment from the tube, the two sets of
opposing vertical forces acting on it must just be balancing each
other. Hence,
2nr.T =
2
7rr .r/r mg irrT +mg. = +
Or, Zirr.T - vr. T = mg. Or, Trr.2
7
= mg,
whence, T mg/irr.
Thus, knowing the mass of tha falling drop and the radius of
the lower end of the tube, we can easily calculate thQ value of jP, the
surface tension of the liquid in question.
The actual experiment is carried out as follows :
A burette is fitted clamp and a thin,
vertically in a suitable
clean and dry tube of glass (of about 4 mm. bore) is attached to its
nozzle by a piece of India rubber tubing, carrying a pinch-cock on it.
The burette is filled with the experimental liquid and its flow
through the glass tube regulated by the pinch-cock, so that small
drops* form slowly at its lower end, their rate of detachment from
itbeing about one per minute, when an accuracy of about '2% may
possibly be attained.
The drops, as they fall, are received in a clean, dry and an accu-
rately weighed beaker and the average mass (m) of a drop determined
by weighing the beaker again with its contents. The diameter of
the orifice of the tube is also determined carefully by means of a
travelling microscope.
As indicated above, the rnathod is far from accurate, for the
simple reason that the liquid drop seldom gets detached from the end
of the tube, under the ideal statical conditions assumed, the radius
9
of the 'neck of the ^rop as well as the amount of *t that actually gets
detached being more or less uncertain quantities, even if the end of
the glass tube be smeared with wax, thus making the whole problem
a complicated dynamical one.
N.B. Lord Rayleigh has suggested the relation T =
m^/3-8r, which yields
better results, and Harkins and Brown have experimentally shown by using
liquids of known values of T, that the relation T =
mg.FIr holds true, where F
a
is a factor related to v/r f the symbols v and r standing for the volume of the
drop and the radius of the tube respectively.
4. Quincke's Method. This method is applicable in the case
of liquids which do not wet the surface in contact with them, as for
example, mercury. Not only can it be used to determine the surface
tension of such a liquid but also its angle of contact with the solid
*rhe drops formed at the narrow orifice of the tube need* must be small,
for, as they grow in size, the liquid skin thet e is unable to support their weight.
fThis relation too is found to be true only up to the limit where the
maximum value of v/r 8 does not exceed 10.
500 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
surface on which it rests. We shall consider hore the cas3 of mercury,
for which the method is so frequently used.
It has been indicated already thit in the mittsr of the shape
of a liquid drop resting on a solid surface, which it do3s not wet, it is
a tussle between surface tension and gravity, the
X
CTr^.*.^X&f former having the upper hand in the case of
^i^^S^S^ small drops, which thus assume a spherical shape
and the latter holding sv\ay in the case of the
F> 3
larger ones, tending to spread them out until
their surface beoornos horizontal. Tais explains the gradual flatten-
ing up of a dr>p as it grows in size, until its top becomes quite
horizontal, beyond which no more flattening occurs due to the limit
imposed by the angle of contact of the liquid and the solid in
question. So that, the shape ultimately acquired by a large drop of
the liquid, (in our case, mercury), is as shown, (Fig. 304), with the
central part of the top surface horizontal and the two ends protrud-
ing outwards, such that the tangents to them make an angle a each,
with the horizontal solid surface, wh?re a is ths supplement of the
angle of contact (6) for the liquid and the solid, its value being
about 40 in the case of mercury and glass, (the angle of contact
for them bsing nearly 140). The actual shape of these protruding
edges of tin drop is of littb or no concern to us for our present
purpoas, Except that, at their mi^t protruding part, such as at D,
(Fjg. 305), they are more or less vertical.
Let us consider the equilibrium of the drop in two ways (/)
without involving the angle of contact, or, when it is not known, and
(//) involving the angle of contact, or, when it is known.
Without involving the angle of contact, (i) Imagine a large drop
with central part horizontal, to be cut into two halves by a ver-
its
tical plan3 perpandicular to its length and passing centrally
through
it, and consider the equilibrium of a thin slice ABDEFG, of one-half of
the drop, thus obtained, with the vertical faces cut parallel, (by two
other planes, parpandicular to the first) and a horizontal width
GA =FJ -=b
As is evident from tha very symmetry of the drop, (a) the forces
acting on the two sides, GCEF and the one opposite to it at the back,
must be equal
and opposite, and TA
(b) so also must
be the pressure
immediately above 'YDROSTATIC
and below the 'PRESSURE
horizontal part
of it at the top.
Let us con-
sider the portion
or the slice, ly-
ing above the
horizontal plane
DLKM, a distance h bjlow the top and passing through D, where the
STJBFAOK TENSION 501
drop protrudes most and which, therefore, represents the greatest
horizontal surface, i.e., the surface having the maximum area in the
section of the drop.
The forces acting on this
the following
slice are :
(i) the surface tension at D, which acts vertically upwards and
has, therefore, no component along the horizontal ;
(/i) the lateral hydrostatic pressure (P) on the plane face GLKA
due to the neighbouring part of the liquid on its right, acting
towards the left ;
(i/i) the pull due to surface tension over GA, acting perpendicularly
to it, towards the right.
Thus, the oaly horizontal forces acting on the slice axe the latter
two, opposite directions, and since the slice is in equilibrium, they
in
must be equal in magnitude.
Now, lateral hydrostatic pressure due to a liquid being equal lo
the pressure half-wuy down, we have
hydrostatic pressure P over GLKA \GL.$.g \h p g, = =
where GL =
h p, the density of the liquid and g, the acceleration
;
due to gravity.
.-. hydrostatic thrust over GLKA P\ area GLKA.
= \ h.p.gxhxb = h*.p.g.bI2.
And, the pull on GA due to surface tension ~ T.b., where T is
th& surface tension of the liquid ;
so that,
T.b = h\p.g.b!2. Or, T = h^.g/2 ...(A)
whence, T, the surface tension of the liquid may be easily determined,
/f h bo measured (see below), without involving the angle of contact
for the liquid and the solid in question.
(ii) Involving also the angle
of contact. In this case, we cpnsider
the equilibrium of the whole slice. So that, the surface-tension pull
T.b., due to mercury on glass, at E, i.e., on the line of contact EF
of
and acts tangent to the slice in the direction
glass mercury, ially
ES, with an equal reaction of the glass on tie slice, in the opposite
direction EQ. The horizontal component of this react ional force due
to glass, along EF, is clearly equal to T.b. cos a, where a is the
supplement of the angle of contact for the given liquil
and solid
surfaces, and acts towards the right. And, so does the pull due to
surface tension over GA, viz., T b. 9 acting perpendicularly to GA so ;
that, the total horizontal force towards the right =. T.b. cos a +
T.b.
over the
This is opposed by the horizontal hydrostatic thrust
face GFHA, acting towards the left, -this thrust heing now equal to
| H.p.gxHxb - \H*.?.b.g,
where, GF = H, the total height of the slice.
So that, there being no other horizontal forces to be considered, we
have, for the equilibrium of the slice,
T.b cos a+T.b =
| H*.p.b.g. Or, T cos a+T - \ H*.p.g.
Or, 2T+2T cos a = H*.p.g. Or, 2T (1 +cos a) = H*p.g.
502 PBOPBRT1ES OF MATTER
Or, T ...(B)
whence, T may be calculated, if H and a be known.
The quantities A, H
and <x, involved in relations (A) and (B)
above may be measured as follows :
(0 Measurement ofh. For the measurement of A, the distance
between the top of the drop and the horizontal surface of maximum
area, we must determine the point Z>, where the free surface of the
drop is perfectly vertical. This has been beautifully done by Edser,
by means of the arrangement, shown in Fig. 306.
Aspecial vernier microscope, having a plane glass plate P,
cemented on to its objective at an angle of 45, is arranged horizon-
tally, (i.e., with axis hori-
its
zontal), right in front of the
most protruding part of the
drop. Light from an incan-
descent lamp S is focused by
a lens L and the plate glass
P, acting as a mirror, on to
the edge of the drop, when a
bright, thin, horizontal line is
seen at D, where the drop
protrudes out moat and Ue
surface is vertical.
aper- The
ture of the microscope is adjusted until this bright horizontal line
coincides with the horizontal cross wire of the eye-piece, and its read-
ing is noted. The microscope, which is capable of both a vertical
and a horizontal movement, is then raised up and moved towards the
drop until the image of the top flat surface of the drop coincides with
the horizontal crosswire of the instrument. This latter adjustment
is greatly facilitated by sprinkling a little lycopodium powder over
the top of the drop and mikin* the imige of a speck or two of the
povyder C3incide with the horizontal crosswire of the eye-piece. The
distance through which the instrument has had to be raised up
directly gives the required distance GL h.
(//) Measurement of H.This may be easily done by means of a
spherometer, or a microscope, the latter being focused on the top,
(i.e., on a speck of the lycopoiium powder on its surface, as before),
and then on the paint of the edge at the bottom, which is in contact
with the surface of the glass plate.
(in) Measurement of oc, and, therefore, also the angle of contact
6. We have, fron relations A and B above,
ZJTt
+cos a = # 2 /A whence, cos a = (H*lh*)-l.
2
Or, 1 ,
So that, knowing H and A, we can easily ca^ulate the value of cos a,
and hence that of a.
Clearly, this also gives us a method of measuring 6, the angle of
contact for the given liquid and solid ; /or, =
(180- <x), the two
angles and PL being supplementary angles.
SURFACE TENSION 603
Corollaries.(/) Relation (A) above tells us that h> the distance
of the top surfaca of the drop from the horizontal surface of
flat
maximum area, is quite independent of the size of the drop, but
depends only upon the nature of the liquid and the solid in contact,
(i.e., upon the angle of contact
for them).
(11) We have, from relation (B) above,
Hm = * ~
2T(l+cosa)
g
4T cos* ~ (a 1 2) *
CV 1 +cos a - 2 a'(/2).
Or, ff=2c<*-
p'
whence, it is clear that
(a) all flat drops of a liquid, resting on a horizontal solid plate y
which they do not wet, must have the same height.
(b) all liquids that wet the solid surface spread out indefinitely on
it for, in their case, 0=0
and, therefore, a TT ; so that =
cos a/2 = 0, and consequently, H = 0.
5. Rayleigh's Jet-Method. A liquid jet, issuing horizontally
out of an orifice, shows a strange recurrence of forms in its surface
a phenomenon, in which surface tension plays its own part. This
has been utilized by Rayleigh, Pedersen, Bohr and Stocker for the
determination of the surface tension of a liquid. We shall consider
here only the simpler Rayleigh's method, by way of an illustrations
to how this may be done.
We know that, under ordinary conditions, a liquid jet is quite
1
steady', the hydro -dynamical sense of the term
in for, although ;
made up of drops in motion (i), its
surface is fixed in space and (ii) the
velocity at any point remains constant.
But, on making a closer and careful
examination of it, we find that, in its
initial formative stage, its various parts
are in motion with respect to each other,
its 'form' oscillating this way and that
about mean spherical one, with its
lateral dimensions, measured along a
particular direction, exhibiting a cyclic
change. Thus, for example, points P pjg. 307.
and Q in the jet, (Fig. 307), include one
such cyclic change in its cross- section.
The time-period, t, of the oscillation of such a drop, may be
easily determined by the method of dimensions. For, obviously, it
will depend upon (i) r, the radius of the orifice (O) for the horizontal
tube, whence the jet emerges, (ii) T, the surface tension and (ft'i) p,
the density of the liquid. Thus, let
= K.i*.?*.T*,
t
where K is a dimensionless constant.
Now, the dimensions of (time) = [T] of r t, ; (radius) = [L] ;
of density, or mass/volume = [AfL~8 ] ;
504 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
and, of surface tension T or force/ length = [M LT~*].[L- = MT~*. 1
]
Hence [T] = K[L]" [ML-*]* [MT~*] C = K.L^.M^'T.-"
So that, 0-36 = 0, 6+c=0 and -2c = 1.
whence, c = |, b = \ and a = |.
And /. r - .rJ'p.*2 .~~* ?
Or, f - K yV /P^ 3
The value of constant K was experimentally found out by
Rayleigh to be 77/
r
*p
So that, Or,
2T
Now, the takes a parabolic path, its horizontal velocity
jet
v being given by \/2gh, where h is the vertical height of the liquid
surface above the orifice, i.e., the height of the liquid head above the
horizontal.
And, if x be the distance betwean P and Q, (Fig. 307), we
have x = v.t. Or, x* = v
2
./
2
.
Or, t* = x 2 /v 2 .
But /
2 = 7T
2
.r
3
.p/2r. [From I, above.
So that, * 2
/v
2 = 7r
2 3
r .p/2r. Or,
2
* /2gA = TrV 3
p/2r. 2
[Substituting 2#/i for v ,
Or, x*[gh = 77
2
.r
3
.p/r, whence, r= irV.p g/r/.x
2
.
80 that, measuring x with the help of a travelling microscope,
(by properly illuminating the jet) we can easily calculate the value
of T9
the surface tension of the given liquid.
1x6. The Capillary Rise Method. A direct application of the
relation, T = r (h 248 page 488), connecting the rise of
-f- r/3)p.g/2, (
a liquid in capillary tube with its surface tension, it is a simple
laboratory method for the determination of surface tension of liquids
which do not wet the walls of the tube, i.e., for which the angle of
contact is zero.
A capillary tube is taken and the uniformity of its bore care-
fully tested by introducing a thread of mercury inside it and measur-
ing its length, by jerking it into diffe-
rent positions along the tube. If the
thread measures the same everywhere,
the tube has a uniform bore. When
a proper tube Las thus been selected,
it is thoroughly cleaned by rinsing it
first with caustic soda, then, with nitric
acid and finally with distilled water.
If the liquid, whose surface tension is
to be determined, be water, the tube
be used straightaway, but if it may
Fig. 308.
be some other liquid than water, the
tube must be properly dried by passing
a current of warm air through it, and then fixed vertically, alongside
a plumb line, with its lower end immersed in the experimental liquid,
SURFACE TENSION 507
And, if the liquid be one which wets the tube, i.e., for which 6 = ;
so that, cos =1, the expression for T reduces to
r=r./i.p/2,
from which the surface tension T of the given liquid can be easily
calculated .
There is only one slight error possible in this msthod, viz., the
shape of the liquid meniscus at Q may not be really perfectly spheri-
cal (as assumed), due to the distortion effects on account of gravita-
tional forces. But Ferguson and Kennedy have shown that they can be
safely neglected, if the bore of the tube be of a really small diameter,
about I cm. or less.
8.Ripples Method. Before proceeding with the methbd
proper, we must
first try to understand tlie difference between waves
and ripples. We are all familiar with the waves travelling over the
surface of liquids. Their velocity of propagation depends on both
the force of gravity as well as surface tension For an amplitude
smaller than the wave length, the wave-curve is given by the successive
positions of a point fixed to a circle rolling along a straight line, the
amplitude (a) and the wave-length (A) being equal to the distance of
the point from the centre of the circle, and the circumference of the
circle respectively. In other words, each particle of the liquid in the
wave describes a circle in the vertical plane, the wave itself advancing
forwards through a distance \, (its wave length), during the time
that a particle takes to complete its one full round along the circle,
the direction of motion being ant i- clockwise, for a wave travelling
from left to right.
Let us imagine a vertical section of the liquid by a plane, paral-
lel to the direction of propagation of the wave. (Fig. 311), and con-
sider first ihe effect
of gravity alone.
Then, if V be the
velocity of the wave
along the horizon-
tal r, the radius
;
of the circular path
of the particle and ;
f, the time it takes
to describe it, we
have
velocity (v x ) of the particle at
the crest A, at any given instant,
given by the relation,
v1 =
V-^r\t. (i)
And, velocity (v s ) of the particle at the trough 5, given by the rela-
tion, v2 - F+27rr// ()
to be solely due to
Taking this increase in the velocity of the particle
its having fallen from A to B, through a vertical distance
h = 2r,
under the action of gravity, we have
f
From the kinematic lelation v 11*
va Vj
f =
2g.2r a 4g.r...(iii)
(
=2<, where v = v t u u lt a,
- g ind
C j~2r.
508 PROPERTIES OP MATTER
And, squaring and subtracting relation (/) from (//'),
we have
So that, from relation (Hi) and (/v), we have
877 Kr//=4g.r, whence, F-f 4g.r.f/87rr=g//27r.
Now, obviously, t = \jV. And, .-.
V^g^TrV. Or, V^^
............ (v)
This, then, is the expression for the velocity of the wave due to
the action of gravity alone.
Let us now see how the surface tension of the liquid affects this
velocity of the wave.
312 represent a vertical section of the liquid, with
Let Fig.
A BODE as the harmonic wave travelling over it and At, its undis- ;
turbed surface.
Let the displacement
PQy^ of a particle Q
of the liquid, at any X~~~
instant. at a distance x
from an arbitrary origin
A, be given by the
relation, Fig. 312.
y==a sin-- +C 9
......... (v/j
where a is tho amplitude of the p \rticle and C, the phase constant.
Now, due to the action of gravity alone, the vertical pressure at
Q would increase by jy.p g, where p is the density of the liquid and g,
the acceleration due to gravity.
Owingto the surface tension (T) of the liquid, however, there
will also be an excess pressure equal
to 7\( I //?+!//') acting normally
at P, from the concave towards the convex side, where R and R' are
the respective radii of curvature of the liquid surface in the plane,
and perpendicular to the plane of the paper. But since the wave
system is a cylindrical one, one surface of which is plane, is infinite R f
and hence 1/R'=0. The pressure at P due to surface tension thus
reduces to T(l/R) or T/R. Since the amplitude of the wave is small,
compared with its wave-length, the normal at P almost coincides with
the vertical through P. Tho net increase in the vertical pressure at
P is, therefore, given by
J__ *y if a< <:iand ' '
~y << (Seepage 332,
l'
'
R ~"Jx*
'
dx Ex. 4 (solved)
f
Hence p=y.p.gT.d*y/dx
2
. ........ (vii)
To determine the value of d*y/dx*, we differentiate relation (v/)
twice, when we get d 2yldx2 = iir^/A
1
.
l
Putting this value of d*y\dx in relation (vii) above, we have
/ 47i r
= ,
y+(g+ -j^-
SURFACE TENSION 509
It is thus clear that the effect of surface tension is tantamount
to increasing the value of g by 47r*77A 2 .p.
Clearly, therefo e, if V be the velocity of the wave under the
action of both gravity and surfa3e tension, we obtain its value by
2 2
substituting (^+47T r/A .p) for g in relation (v) above i.e., ;
r A.p
A mere glance at this relation tells us that V = oo, both when A
and when \ = oo. In-between these two extreme values of A, there
must be a certain value of it for which V has the minimum value.
Clearly, the product of the two terms Ag/2ir rtnd 27r77?\.p, viz., gj/p
is a constant, and it follows, therefore, that their sum will be a mini-
mum when they are equal i.e., when ;
*g/2;r = 27r77A.p. Or, when 2
A*.g.p -_ 47i T.
Or, when A 2 = 2
47T r/g.p. Or, when 7\
=
This value of A, for which the velocity of the wave is the minimum,
is oil led the critical wave-length, and miy ba denDbol by the symbol
?v Thus, __
A, 2irV77g.p = (ix) ..........
Substituting this value of A, therefore, in expression (viii) for V,
above, we get the minimum velocity (Vm ) of the wave given by the
relation,
Vm =
Now, examining relation (viii) again, we find that
(/) If A>?^, the first term Ag/27r becomes more important as A
increases and, therefore, neglecting the second t3rm ia comparison
with it, we have
Disturbances of this type, whose wave-length is greater than the
critical value, areknown as waves. Their propagation is mainly due
to the force, of gravity and, as can be readily seen, their velocity
increases as A increases.
(ii) If < A r the second term becomes more predominant, and the
,
first term may, therefore, be neglected. So that, in this case.
Waves of this type for which the wave-length is less than the
critical wave
length, are called ripples or capillarity waves. Their pro
pagation is, in main, due to surface tension, and, as can be easily
seen, their velocity decreases as A increases.
*For, substituting the value of 2'/p
= r
A*5 /4T* from (/JT) in relation (v///),
above, we have
v^ \l
V
*? r
2*
4.
2rt
A
'
x$*
4r
-
~~ \/ A
V 2n i.-^L
^
2n
_
~ \/
\
^
2n
_ \/A?
~~
\ T:
'
Now, substituting 2w VX/^ P" for A, we have
510 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
N.B. Taking the case of water, for which T75 dyneslcm- and />*! grn.fc.c.,
are get A* - 1'7 cmj. and Km - 23 cms. (sec.
The Method Proper, iorrf Rayleigh (1890) was the first to have
used ripples, excited on the surface of a liquid, to measure its surface
tension, by the direct application of relation (>'///) above, although
the method has subsequently been greatly improved by a host of
other workers, including Dorsey, Ghosh, Banerji and Datta. And,
still more recent improvements have been effected by Tyler and
Brown, enabling the ripples to be photographed and their images
thrown on a screen.
We shall deal only in brief outline, here, with the essentials of
the method employed. The experimental liquid is taken in a shallow
rectangular porcelain trough,
about 10" long, 6" wide and
1-5" deep, (Fig. 313), and
above it is arranged an electri-
cally maintained tuning fork
F, of a large frequency, with
its prongs horizontal and one
above the other in their posi-
tion of rest, so as to vibrate in
the vertical plane. A
light
9
style or 'dipper P,
of polished
silver or aluminium, about 3*
long, is attached to the
lower
prong of the fork, with its
plane also vertical but perpen-
dicular to the plane of vibra-
Fi g 313. . tion of the fork, such that it
just touches the liquid surface in the trough.
Now, as the fork is set vibrating, the style or the dipper alter-
nately moves in and oat of the liquid, thus exciting trains of ripples
on its surface. These, on reflection from the walls of the trough,
give rise to stationary ripples.
To enable these ripples to be observed and their wdve-length
measured, the liquid surface, must be properly illuminated. This is
done by completing the tuning fork circuit through the primary P' of
a small induction coil, to the secondary S of which is connected a
neon -discharge-tube so that, evory time the tuning fo.k circuit is
;
made, an electric discharge passes through the neon-tube, the light
from which then brilliantly illuminates the liquid surface in the
trough, thus enabling the irave-form of the ripples to be easily seen
and photographed.
Now, during one vibration of the fork, there is one alternate make
and break of the tuning fork circuit, giving us one view of the ripples
on the liquid surface. The same recurs, when the fork has made one
vibration, and when, therefore, the ripples have advanced through
a distance equal to their one full wave-length so that, as the liquid
;
surface is lit up again, as before, we get a second view of it, identical
with the first, the ripples appearing to be stationary in their earlier
position. This is so, because we do not see the liquid surface con-
tiauouily but only at intervals equal to the time-period of the
SURFACE TENSION 511
ripples, tho frequency with which the liquid surface is lit up .being
the same as that of the fork and, therefore, of the ripples them-
selves. The succsesive views we have of this liquid surface are thus
only those in which one ripple has just replaced another similar
ripple and hence, due to persistence of vision, (the frequency of
the fork being large), the surface of the liquid appears to us to
be exactly the same as before, with the ripples in their original
position.
The distance between as large a number of ripples as possible
is measured with the help of a travelling microscope and their mean
wave-length A thus determined. Then, if n be the frequency of the
fork (which is known to us), we have V = n\, where V is the velo*
city of the ripples. Substituting this value of V in relation (v/w)
above, we have
n\ = f
-
4- )
. Or
\ +*TT AD/ *< YI
.j*
>-v
Or,
> .
n-\*
> A# ^
^TT
= STT!/
A*P
-
-,
.
whence,
.7.
i/
7
= T^.p
^7T
r 9^ .
.fl*V ^
A.p
77"
A
Tj^TT
>
.
Or,
r=.^:P-*>*
from which, ft being known, the value of T, the surface tension of
the given liquid, may be easily calculated.
9. The Ring Method. This method derives its importance from
the fact that enables us to study the changes that come about in
it
the surface tensions of different liquids with the passage of time. It
has been used with great accuracy by Harkins, Young and Cheng,
and isbeing increasingly employed in Applied Physics.
A metal ring of a wire of circular cross-section is suspended in
the exparimental liquid, with its plane horizontal. It is then raised
gradually out of the liquid, when, in addition to its own weight, the
extra downward pull on it due to surface tension passes through a
maximum value. If the wire, constituting the ring, be a thin one, this
maximum pull is approximately given by P ^rrRT where R is the = y
radius of the ring and T9 the surface tension of the liquid. More
correctly, however, P is only proportional to 4-n-JRr, so that
<xP =47r/?r, where a is a non-dimensional factor. To avoid calculat-
ing the value of a, Harkins and his co-workers assumed that
A-
tTT/xJ DT .
/
/ T)
J\ \.
\ ,
~*
P \ T j
-where r the radius of the wire, F, the volume of the liquid held up
is
by the maximum pull of the ring, equal to P/p.g, (p being the
density of the liquid).
They used three liquids of known surface tensions, v/z., water,
benzene and bromobenzene and measured the maximum pull on three
different rings, with different values of R and r, but the same cons-
iant ratio R/r, and then plotted a graph between J 3 /F, (along the
jc axis), and 4?rRTIP
(along the j-axis), when the points for all the
t
three liquids* were found to lie on the same smooth curve. From this,
they came to the legitimate conclusion that, it the same three rings
512 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
were to be used with other liquids, the points corresponding to the
values of jR 8 /K and ^nRT/P for them too would lie on the same curve.
Thus, the procedure to determine the surface tension of a given
liquid by this method becomes the following :
We take a ring, identical with one of the rings used by Harkins,
Young and Cheng, (i c. of the same material and the same value of
t
R/r), measure, with its help, the maximum pull as the ring is raised
out of the given liquid and then calculate the value of R*jV for it,
which is equal to R*.g.plP. Next, we locate the point corresponding
to this value of R*jV as abscissa, on the graph, plotted by them for
the ring of the same value of Rjr. The ordinate y, corresponding
to it, then gives the value of ^rrRT/P for the liquid and is carefully
noted.
Thus, y ItrRT/P, and, therefore, T =yP/4:7rR,
whence the value of T for the liquid can be easily calculated.
The method has the merit of quickness, ease and accuracy, but
the following precautions are necessary for its success :
(/) The liquid surface must be perfectly clean. This is ensured
by sweeping the surface of the liquid by means of what are called
'barriers', before performing the actual experiment.
(//) The liquid surface must be kept properly covered by an inver-
ted glass funnel, to avoid evaporation.
(Hi) The dish containing the liquid must be wide enough, so that
errors due to curvature of the meniscus etc. are almost altogether
eliminated.
(iv) The whole apparatus must be arranged inside a thermostat,
to ensure that the temperature of the liquid remains constant through-
out, and the thermostat must be supported independently of the
ring and other apparatus, to avoid duturbanee or agitation of the
experimental liquid.
256. Surface Tension of Liquid Interfaces. If we consider a
system of immiscible liquids in contact, we naturally expect a new
phase to develop at their interface, with a definite energy of its own,
depending upon the nature of the two liquids.
Antonow gave a rule that the interfacial tension between two
liquids, in equilibrium, is equal to the difference between their in-
T
dividual surface tensions. Thus, if 7\ and z be the surface tensions
T
of two liquids separately, their interfacial tension 12 when they ,
are in equilibrium, is given by jT12 = T x T2 .
This rule would, however, apply only to mutually saturated
solutions, for then alone would they be in equilibrium, or else the
addition of one to the other would reduce its surface tension. Being
the difference of ths individual surface tensions of the two liquids,
the surface tension of t*ieir interface is obviously a small quantity,
in general, increasing with the decrease in the solubility of one liquid
into the other, and decreasing with a rise in temperature.
Since a knowledge of interfacial tension is of importance while
considering problems like spreading of one liquid over- another or
those relating to chemical constitution, we shall now proceed to see
how it may be determined for a given liquid-liquid interface.
SUEPACB TENSION 51$
Most of the methods discussed above, for the measurement of
surface tension of pure liquids would, in principle, be equally appli-
cable in this case also. Thus, for example, the drop-weight method?
can be easily used for the purpose and probably gives the best results^
We shall discuss this method in proper detail.
(/) The Drop-weight Method. Here, we proceed in the same
manner as in determining the surface tension of a pure liquid, (see
page 498), with the difference that the tube, with a fine orifice, of
about 3 to 5 mms. radius, containing one liquid, dips inside the other,
so that the drop of the first liquid is formed inside the second, instead of
in air the weight of the drop being obtained by collecting and weigh-
9
ing a known number of them.
Then, if p A and p a be the densities of the two liquids respec-
tively, we have volume of the drop m/p t =
This is obviously also tbe
.
volume of the second liquid displaced by it. So that,
weight of the second liquid displaced or, upthrust on the drop
= m ?
r~m being the mass
of the drop.
PI L
And, therefore, apparent or effective weight of the drop
Now, assuming, as before, that, just at the time of being de-
tached from the orifice, the drop is cylindrical in shape and has the
same cross-sectional area as that of the orifice, the excess pressure
inside it is given by p =
ri2 /r*,
where fl2 isthe surface tension of the interface.
The downward force on the drop due to it is thus
2 = T 2 =
r=pX7rr -
Trr *.Tn .r.
And, therefore, total downward force on the drop
= effective weight of the drop+7T.ri2 .r,
And, the upward force on it due to surface tension = Tn .2-Trt
^
= 2irTn r where 2itr is the circumference of the cross-section of the
t
.drop.
In the equilibrium position of the drop, therefore, we have
.
Or,
&=*) - ,.ru .r.
Pi Pi
T
1 10
in the above treatment, we have assumed that the drop attain*
static equilibrium when, having attained its cylindrical form, it ii
just about to be detached. This is, however, not so, the detachmem
of *the drop being essentially a dynamical process, for which w<
obtAin th6 following relation, by dimensional analysis :
*The radius of te other face of the cylinder beog
*
infinite.
514 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
where <f>
is an arbitrary function of the non-dimensional variable
Lord Rayleigh has, however, shown from his work on water
F in air that the value of
drops <f> \
~-^ comes to 3-8 for a
L^*(Pi P)J
large variation in the value of r.
So that, we have
2
= ri2 .r.3'8.
Pi
Or, Tn ~
whence, the surface tension T12 for the given liquid interface can be
easily calculated.
(11) Wilhelmy Method. Wilhelmy had suggested a straightforward method
of determining the surface tension of a liquid by measuring, with the help of a
balance, the additional force necessary to counteract the vertical pull of surface
tension on a verticle metal plate, suspended from the balance arm, vihen it is
dragged away from the surface. Thus, if the lower edge of the metal plate be
in level with the undisturbed liquid surface and if / be the length of its
line of contact with it, the vertical pull on it due to surface tension is equal
to T.I cos 0, where is the angle of contact of the liquid- plate surface.
And, therefore, if mg bs the additional weight required in the scale-pan to
balance this additional force, we have mg -= T.I cos 0.
It we use a torsion balance, in place of the ordinary balance, the method can be
easily used for interfacial tension also, as will be clear from the following :
The two liquids are taken in a beaker, one above the other, a vertical
plate suspended from the arm of the torsion balance and adjustment made for
equilibrium with the plate wholly immersed but well above the interface of the
two liquids. The beaker is now gradually raised and the equilibrium continues
to be maintained, until the plate just approaches the interface, when the addi-
tional downward pull on it, due to the interfacial tension 7\ 2 of the two liquids,
disturbs the bilance. The torsion head has thus to be turned through an addi-
tional angle a, say, to restore the plate back to its equilibrium position. This
angle of twist (a) measures the force / r, a on the plate, where / is the horizontal
perimeter, the angle of contact (0) being assumed to be zero (or cos B very nearly
equal to 1). The value of Tn for the given interface can thus be easily
'"
determined-
(///) Mack and Bartell Method.
Mack and Bartell used the following
simple method for the measurement of interfacial tension of water and organic
liquids. Besides its simpli-
city, it has the great merit
of precision and of requir-
ing only a very small
quantity of the liquid,
just 2c-cs. of it or so.
The apparatus used
by them is as shown in
Fig. 314, where A and B
are two wide glass cups,
communicating with a
central wide tube C,
through two capillary tubes
Pand Q of slightly differ-
ing radii R t and /?, sealed
on to them, where /?f> the
larger of the two, is less
Fig. 314. than I mm.
Water is poured into the cup A, connected to the narrow capillary
first
P, to ensure that no air bubbles get entrapped, and a larger quantity of it is
then poured into cup B, a little over and above that required to fill the two
capillaries.
SUE FACE TENSION
259. Surface Tension and Vapour Pressure over a Liquid
Surface. Let a capillary tube be dipped vertically in a liquid, (which
wets the tube), of surface tension J, and density p,
and let the whole arrangement be enclosed in an
exhausted bell jar or chamber, (Fig. 316), so that
the effect of the atmosphere may be neglected.
Obviously, then, there is nothing but its own va-
pour over the liquid, and when equilibrium is
attained, the space above the liquid becomes satura-
ted with its vapour.
Suppose the liquid rises into the tube up to a
height h above the horizontal liquid surfac^ A in
the vessel.
Then, if P be the vapour pressure at the horizontal surface A,
and a, the density of the vapour at this pressure, the vapour pressure
above the concave surface B of the liquid, in the tube, will clearly
be less than P by an amount equal to that of a column h of the
vapour, i.e., by an amount h.a.g = p, say so that vapour pressure ;
just above the meniscus at B
= Ph.a.g. And, clearly, the pressure
in the liquid just below the meniscus is equal to (P--/?.p.g.) where p
is the density of the liquid.
If the tube be narrow, the meniscus may be regarded as spheri-
cal of radius r, nearly the same as that of the tube, and so the excess
will be
pressure, just above the meniscus over that just below it,
equal to 27>.
Clearly, this pressure just above the meniscus is greater than the
pressure just below it by
= h.p.gh.a.g = h.g. (p a).
/'.*.(P-<0 = 277r.
Now, h.Q.g = p ;
so that, h.g ~ p/a. [See above-
p vr = 27V a
A
And,
i
.*.
V i
(p-o)-__,
x i.
whence, /> -
f (_
Since p is greater than
the expression for p is posit ive,.and,
a,
therefore, the vapour pressure above the concave surface of a liquid is
less than the vapour pressure at the horizontal surface of the ame
liquid by an amount 2T a/r (p a), or as a near approximation, we may
say that/? =
2T.<r/r.p, because a is very small compared with p.
Now, if we treat the vapour as a gas, for which the relation
py =* R.Q t is applicable, (denotingthe absolute temperature by r
instead of by T, which we have used for surface tension here), we
have V = R.6/P. [Where K is the volume of the vapour.
Now, o = 1/K. And .-.
1/K or a = P/l?0,
Hence, substituting this value of o in the expression for excess
pressure p abave, we have
excess vapour pressure on the horizontal surface of a liquid over
that on its concave surface given by
^ 2T a 2T m
P
P ^ r" ^^> "**
~ i n * -
520 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
Thus, the relative lowering of vapour pressure above a concave
surface is given by the expression --= -. .
P rR.0.p
Similarly, if we have a capillary tube, dipping in a liquid which
does not wet the tube, and enclose it, as before, in an exhausted
chamber, the liquid column in it will be depressed
below the horizontal surface of the liquid in the
vessel, as shown, (Fig. 317), through a distance h,
say.
Then, if P be the vapour pressure at the
horizontal liquid surface, outside the tube, the
vapour pressure just above the convex meniscus in
the tube will be equal to (P -\-h.a.g), where o is the
density of the vapour at pressure P or, putting ;
h. a g.= p, as before, we have h.g pfe. =
Fig. 317, Now, pressure in the liquid just below the
convex meniscus is clearly equal to P+the hydrostatic pressure due to
the liquid column h, or equal to (P+h.p.g), where p is the density of
the liquid.
Since p is greater than a, clearly, (P+h,G.g)>(P+h.v.g), and,
therefore, excess pressure just below the meniscus over that just above
it is equal to (P-\-h.p.g)(P+h.o.g) i.e.,
o
But we know that excess pressure just below the meniscus over that
just above it is also equal to 2Tfr, where T
is the surface tension
of the liquid and r, the radius of the meniscus, (supposed to be
spherical).
t\ rn T1 / G
O1 jv v
P 1 f \
=
(p .
x
o)
,
= whence, p
,
,
(
"_~ )
Thus, the vapour pressure above the convex surface of a liquid is
greater than that on a plane or horizontal surface of the same liquid by
an amount equal to 2jT.a/r.(p a) or 2jT.a/r.p, as a near approxi-
mation,
Or, as before, p = (2r/r). P/-R0.p, whence, p/P ZTIr.R.Q. p. =
It should be noted that the excess pressure p is inversely propor-
tional to r, the radius of curvature of the surface so that, the smaller
;
the value of r, or the greater the curvature, the higher the value of
the saturation vapour pressure at the curved surface. It thus follows
that the saturation vapour pressure over a small drop of a liquid will
be greater than over a large drop of it.
Let us take a large drop of water of dicmetcr 1 rr.m., or r -5 =
mm. ='05 cm.
=
Then, putting 0=273 Abs., p l gm./c.c., d-=-6l x 10~ 8 grn./c.c.,
and T = 75 dynes I cm., we have
p
a
__ 2x75x'61xlO~ 3 ,
----
^ 1-
For a drop of water, of diameter 1/1000 mm.,
p = 1-83 x 1000 =
1*83 x 10 dynes/cm*
SURFACE TENSION 21
And for a ckop of water, of diameter equal to one-millionth of a mm.
as is the case when it just starts forming, we have
p = 1-83 x 1C 3 x 10 3 = 1-83 x 10* dynesjcm*,
which greater than a pressure of one atmosphere.
is
Thus, we see how the saturation vapour pressure rises with the
diminution in the size of the drop.
260. on Evaporation and Condensation. We have seen
Effect
above the maximum vapour pressure is less for a concave
how
liquid surface than that for a plane or horizontal surface and also
how the vapour pressure for a convex liquid surface is greater than
that for a plane surface. If, therefore, we place a drop of water in
a space in which the vapour is at the >aaturation value for, a
plane surface, the drop will begin to evaporate for the vapour ;
pressure in the space will be less than the saturation vapour pressure
for the drop, and it will, therefore, be converted into vapour, in
order to increase the vapour pressure to its own saturation value.
This will result in a further decrease in the radius of the drop
or an increase in its curvature (i.e., convexity) and a consequent rise
in the saturation value of its vapour pressure, and it will, therefore,
evaporate more and more rapidly. That is why a saturated vapour
does not condense into drops for, as soon as a tiny drop is formed,
;
it begin to evaporate. Thus, condensation may not take place even
when the vapour becomes supersaturated.
If, however, dust particles or charged ions be introduced into
the saturated vapour, they offer a flatter surface to it and condensa-
tion at once starts on them for, the radius of curvature of the drop,
;
so formed, is not very small, even in the beginning, and hence it has
little tendency to evaporate And, as it 3 radius increases, and,
therefore, its curvature or convexity decreases, its tendency to eva-
porate becomes smaller still. For, the saturation value of the rapour
pressure for it goes on decreasing, and it continues to grow in size.
Thus, dust particles or charged ions play ai important part in the
condensation of vapours. And it is precisely because of the absence
of these dust particles, (which act as nuclei for the vapour to
condense on), that dust- free vapour does not condense, even if its
temperature be lowered be km its normal temperature of condens-
ation.
Again, because the saturation vapour pressure over a concave
surface is less than on a plane or horizontal surface, the vapour will
condense more readily on a concave surface than on a plane surface.
This might be clearly seen by closing the bottom of the tube in the
last experiment and removing some liquid from it, when condensa-
tion would set in on the liquid inside the tube and will go on, until
the liquid column in the tube attains its previous height.
SOLVED EXAMPLES
1. A
sphere of water, of radius 1 "mm , is sprayed into a million drops
of equal size. Find the work expended in doing so.
Breaking the liquid drop means an increase in surface area and, therefore,
work is required to be done for the purpose, which is equal to the product of
the surface tension and the new surface area formed. This work done becomes
the surface energy of the new surface area. We shall, therefore, first calculate
522 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
the initial surface energy of the sphere of water, when it is intact, and then the
surface energy of the million drops into whicft it is broken up and sprayed. The-
difference of the two will give the work expended in the process
Let tne surface tension of water be taken to be 72 dynes\cm Then, this is
equal to the free surface energy of the sphere of water, (see page 478).
Or, free surface energy = 72 ergs/cm*.
Radius of the sphere == 1 mm. = "1 cm.
surface area of the sphere = 4nr = 4" x l
( I)
3
sq. cm.
And .-. initial surface energy of the sphere 72x47rxCD = a - 9 048 e rgs.
Now, volume of the sphere= *WA^=^X n x ( I) 3 c.cs.
And, number of drops into which it is broken=10 fi
.
volume of 10 drops = YXTrx(-l)
6 8
c.c^.
And .'. volumeof 0rtedrop=x*x(-l) 8 /10 8 =!x*x('l/10V c.f.
2
Hence, radius of one drop=**l/10 cw.=*001 cm.
a
surface area of one drop 4* x ('00 1 ) sq. cm.
And surface area of all drops 4 ('00 l)=x 10 a =4*x l = 4rc sq. cms.
surface energy of all drops, or, final surface energy
Hence, increase in surface energy =* (904-8- 9'048) ergs.
895*752 ergs.
Or, work expended in the process = 895*7'52 ergs.
2. A glass plate, of length 10 cms., breadth 1 54 cms. and thickness
20 cm , weighs 8'2 gms. in air. If it is held vertically, with its long side
horizontal, and its lower half immersed in water, what will be its
apparent weight ? (Surface tension of water = 73 dynes per cm.)
(Cambridge Higher School Certificate}
Here, apart from its weight, there will be two other forces acting on the
plate, viz., (/) the upthrust of water, and (//) downward force due to surface ten-
sion along its edges inside the water.
Now, upthrust of water=weight of water displaced by it
half the volume of the plate x density of water xg t
because half the plate is immersed in water-
~
Or >
--- 10xi-54x-20
----- X
2
,
l
ft01
X981
.
*"" [' volume of the plate
UlOx 1-54X -20 c cs.
1-54x1x981 dynes~l'54gms. wt.
And, the force due to surface tension acts downwards along a distance
equal to twice the sum of the length and the thickness of the plate, i.e., along
a total length2(10+-2)=20-4 cms.
total downward force on the plate due to surface tension
2
=20;4x73 dynes. = ~~~gm> wt. 1-518 gms. wt. =
"ol
net upward thrust on the plate 1*54 1-518 0-022 gm. wt.
Hence, apparent weight of the plate in water=*weight in air upthrust on it.
=8-2 022*=8-178 gms, wt.
3. The pressure of air in a soap babble of 0*7 cm. diameter i
8 mms. of water above the atmospheric pressure. Calculate the surface
tension of the soap solution. (Delhi 1944)
We know that ^excess pressure inside a soap bubble over that outside it is
given by p 4Tjr where T is the surface tension of the soap solution and r, the
radius of the bubble
Here, the excess pressure inside a soap bubble over the outside atmosphere
is given to be equal to 8 mms. or *8 cm. of water column.
P'S
cm. of water column.
f
("Taking density of water
-8xlx981dy/iw/cm . 1 gm.lc.c* and value of
-=784-8 ctyMilctn.* L^98i
SURFACE TENSION 623
and, r='7/2 = *35 cms.
substituting the value ofp and r in the above relation, we have
784-8~47Y 35, whence, 4T= 784-8 X -35.
Or, T= 784-8 X '35/4= 68'66 Vyneslcm.
Therefore, surface tension of the soap solution is 68'66 dyneslcw.
4. Why is the upper surface of mercury in a glass capillary tube
convex upward, while for water it is concave ? Assuming the surface
tension of rain water to be 72 dynes/cm., find the difference of pressure
inside and outside a rain drop of diameter -02 cm. What would this differ.
ence of pressure amount to, if the drop were to be decreased by evapora-
tion to a diameter of 0-0002 cm. ? (Punjab}
For answer to pirt one of the question, see245, (page 483).
We know
that the excess pressure inside a liquid drop over that outside
it is given
by/>=277r, where Tis the surface tension of the liquid drop, and r,
its radius.
Here, r=72 dynes/cm., and r= '02/2= '01 cm.
p =
2r/r=2x72/-OI = 144/'Ol==14400l'44xlO*^/iej/fm.
If the diameter of the drop be reduced to '00002 rm., its radius becomes-
*00002/2=-00001 cm., and we, therefore, have
p = 2 x 72 /-O 300 1 -14400000 4y/tfs/cw === I -44 x 10 dynesjcm
a a 7
.
Thus, the excess pressure inside the drop in the two cases will be 1 44 x 10*
2 7 2
dynes/cm ., and l'44x 10 dynes /cm ., respectively.
5. What will be the pressure in a spherical cavity within a mass of
paraffin oil ? The cavity is at a depth of 20 cms. below the surface and
has a diameter of 0*0026 cm. The specific gravity of the oil is 0-85 and its
surface tension is 26 c.g.s. units The pressure of the air over the liquid
surface is equal to 76 cms. of mercury. (Bombay)*
Here, pressure on the surface of the oil = 76 cms. of mercury column-
=76xl3-6x98l~l-014xl0 6 <fjms/cm 8 ,
pressure due to the oil column, 20 cms. long
= 20 x '85 x 981 =
1-667 x 10* dynes/cm*., because P- A.p #
total pressure on the spherical cavity, *>., on the bubble
= l-014xlO + 1-667 xl0 4 =10*(l-014x 10*46-667).
= 10 4 (1014 f 1667)= 103-067 x 10* 1030670 dyneslcm*.
Now, the pressure inside the spherical bubble is in excess of the pressure
outside it by p~2T/r.
Here, T**26dyneslcm., and r= '0026/2 = '0013 cm.
/>=2x26/-00132x2/-0001 = 40000 dynesjcm*.
Hence pressure inside the ca vity =* 1030 670 -f- 40000 - 107067.
6. A minute spherical air bubble is rising slowly through a column-
of mercury contained in a deep jar. If the radius of the bubble at a depth
of 100 cms. is 0-1 mm., calculate its depth when its radius is 0-126- mm. ;
given that the surface tension of mercury is 567. Assume that the atmos-
pheric pressure is 760 mm. of mercury.
Here, pressure on mercury surface in the jar * 760 m/j.
76 cms. of mercury = 76 x 1 3 *698 1 dyne si cm** x
and pressure due to 100 cms. of mercury column 100 x 13 '6 x 981 dyneslcm**
total pressure on air bubble*76 x 13-6 x 981 -f 100 x 1 3 6 x 981.
-(76+100) x 13'6x981 -176x1 3*6x981 - 2348000 dynes/cm'*
And, exce*i pressure inside the air bubble
Zr/r - 2 X 567/-01 - 1 13400 dynes/cm*.
because T-567 dyn*slcm* 9 and r*l mm *0! cm.
total pressure inside the bubble at depth 100 cms.
=2348000+ 13400=2461400
1 dvneslcm*.
PBOP1BTI1S OF MATTER
And, volume of the bubble *Trr**.7t( '01 ) c.cs.
Let depth at which its radius becomes 1-26 mm- be h cms.
Then, total pressure on the Ijubble at this depth-
-76xl3-6x98I+/ixl3-6x981.
= (76-f-fyx 13-6x981 - 13350(76 +- h) ctynes[cm*.
And, excess pressure inside the bubble over this pressure on its oulside
r-126
"
T 2T - 2x567 OArtnrk
-0126-
=89 *""/"', " . ,
f
I
.-.
=
here,
-0126 cm.
/'
. total pressure inside the bubble at depth h cms.
= 1 33 50(76 + /04- 89990 dynes /cm*.
= 1014000 + 13350/1-1-89990 = 03990 + 13350A-
1 1
And, volume of the bubble at this depth = ^Tc(0126) c.cs. 3
Now, in accordance with Boyle's law, the product of pressure and volume
of the bubble must be the same in the two cases so that, ;
2461400 x*.(-01) 3 -=
(1103990 -fl3350/0x.7r.(-0126).
2461400x('01) = (1 103990 + 13350/0 x('0126)*.
3
Or,
-1 103990 x('0126)3 -f 13350 x(-0126) 8'xA-
Or, 13350 x(-0126) 8 x/*2461400x(-OI) 3 -1103990x(-0126)*.
Or, -02669A ~ 2-461-2-209 - -252,
whence, h ,
'^ =*9'441 cms.
the required depth of the bubble^ 9 441 cms.
7. A
capillary tube of 0*5 mm. bore stands vertically in a wide ves-
sel containing a liquid of surface tension 30 dynes/cm. The liquid wets
the tube and has a specific gravity of 8. Calculate the rise of the liquid
in the tube.
Here, diameter of the tube 0-5 mm. =
-05 cm.
and, therefore, radius r -05/2 '025 cm.
surface tension (T) 30 dynes /cm.
Sp. gravity p = 0'8 and angle of contact=0 (because the liquid wets the tube).
h?g - Oand =
Now, 7= ''
2 COS 6
'P*.
2
( [-.- e .-. cos 1 1
Thus, the liquid will rise to a height =3*061 cms. in the tube.,
8. A capillary tube of internal diameter 1 mm. and external dia-
meter 5 mms. hangs vertically from the arm of a balance, the lower end
of the tube being in a liquid of surface tension 40 dynes/ cm.
Assuming
'that the liquidwets the tube, what is the change in the apparent weight
of the tube due to surface tension ? (g=980 cms. sec.- ).
8
(London Higher School Certificate]
Here, clearly, the force of surface tension will act downward on the capil-
lary tube along the inner as well as the outer circumference of its lower end dip-
ping into the liquid, i.e., along a length 2*x-25-f2ftX-05=27r(-254-' 05).
*30 cms. *60ir cms- = f v the external
radius5/2
force acting downward on the tube due to surface !
2-5 mms. -25 cm.
tension '60n = xr
dynes ~'60nx 40 dynes. ]
and the internal radius
_____ ,
A -, ft ,
-07696 ,
gm.wt. .
[ -05 cm.
Or , increase in apparent weight of the tube is equal to *07696 #m. wt.
SURFACE TENSION 526
9. The stem of a common hydrometer is a circular cylinder oC
diameter 2 mms.
It floats, with its stem wetted, in alcohol, whose speci-
fic gravity is -796, and surface tension, 25*5 dynes /cm. Calculate how
much deeper it floats than if alcohol had had zero surface tension.
(Cambridge Higher School Certificate)
Because of the downward force due to surface tension, the hydrometer
goes deeper down into alcohol than it would otherwise do, such that the weight
of the alcohol displaced by this additional immersion of the stem, or the upthrusf
due to this displaced alcohol, equal to the force of surface tension acting on it.
Now, diameter of the stem 2 mms. and radius of the stem (r) 1 mm- *>* *1 cm.
And, .\ circumference of the stem 2/rr = 2* x ! = '2* cm*
So that, the surface tension acts along this length ; and, since its value is
25-5 dynes/ cm., the force on the stem due to surface tension
25-5 x -2n -
1603 dynes. -
Let the stem go further down through a distance x cms. than it would do
if alcohol had had zero surface tension. Then, additional volume of stem im-
1
mersed, or the additional volume of alcohol displaced is equal to wr .*. c-cs.
mass of this alcohol displaced * *.r*.x. p gms.
where p isthe density of alcohol.
And .
weight of alcohol displaced, or upward thrust due to alcohol displaced
2 z
==Trr XA:xp gm. wt.**Kr dynes. xxXpXg
*x(-l)*x*X'796x981 dynes * 24-53 x dynes.
Since upward thrust due to displaced alcohol is equal to downward force
due to surface tension, we have
24-53* - 16'03,
whence, x 16'03/24-53 = '6530 cms. = 6-53 mms.
Thus, the hydrometer floats deeper by 6'53 mms than it would, if alcohol
had had zero surface tension.
10. Water rises to a height of 5*0 cms in a certain capillary tube. In the
same tube the level of mercury surface is depressed by 1*54 cms. Compare the
surface tensions of water and mercury, (the specific gravity of mercury is 13*6,
the angle of contact for water is and for mercury 130).
(London Inter-Science}
We know that surface tension of a liquid is related to the rise or depres-
sion of a liquid in a capillary tube, density and radius of the tube, by the re-
lation, T= ;>
, where r is the radius of the tube, h, the rise or depression
2.. COS Q
of the liquid, p, the density of the liquid and Q, the angle of contact for the
liquid and the tube.
Let Tw be the surface tension of water and Tm that of mercury. Then,
we have
Tmsa 'X(-l-S4)x_13-6xg
/ 2 cos 130
= 130.
v h ['54 cms. (depression), p= \y6gms. jcc. and 9 $
~ l'54x!3'6xrxg _ 1-54 x 13*6
Ur> rm ~~ ~" xrxg
2x(-'6428) 2X-6428
And, 7r = 5xrXlX#/2xl = 5xrxg/2 9
v h = 5 cm., p ~ 1
gm.jc.c. and
= 0, so that eos = 1.
Tm l-S4xl'36xrxg y
2 x -6428
_
"6428x5
_
~ 6M6%
6 .si 6 Or '
Ur
Tm
-. 6-516
.*. the surface tensions of water and mercury are in the ratio, 1 : 6*516.
11. A U-tube is made up of two capillaries of bore 1 mm. and 2 mms.
respectively. The tube is held vertically and partially filled with a liquid of
.526 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
surface tension 49 dynes cm" 1 and, zero contact angle. Calculate the density of
4he liquid, if the difference in the levels of the menisci is 1-25 cms.
(London Inter -Science)
We have the relation 7= r.h.p gj2 for a liquid for which the angle of
contact is zero, (cos $ being = I).
Let hi and h* be the heights of the liquid columns in the two limbs,
and r l and r a their respective radii. Then, we have
, I
T=
r
^* -'&-, Or, hj.
= -
[Where p = density of the liquid.
2 r$.g
r
And, T= Or, = -
*\l.
-
similarly, h*
2 r 2 .p-g
n L^ =f I? IT \ 2T x 1 1 \
/)= P* x[\
--
.-.
(hi- h t ) (
V'VP- >>? fi ra /)
HI hi = 1'26 cms., r x *5 /w/w. = *05 cm-
and r2 = 1 mm. = *1 cm- *
98
Or, 1'25=- x(20~10). Or, 1'25 = 980/px981,
y9
-whence, P ^ '
7991
Therefore, the density of the given liquid is '7991 gm./c.c.
12. Find the difference in the levels of mercury in the two limbs of a
II -tube, if the diameter of the bore of one limb is 1 mm. and of the other 8 mms.
The surface tension of mercury is 44!) c.g.s. units, its density 13*6 gms./c.c. and the
angle of contact with the walls of the tube 140.
, (Joint Matriculation Board Higher School Certificate)
We have the relation, T= !^
2 cos
p
^, whence, h -
iLet the depression of mercury in one limb be /* t and that in the other, /;,,.
Then, since ^= *5 mm. = *05 cm. and ra = 4 mm. = -4 cm., we have
2 x 440 x -7660
,
' I
v cos
2 x 440 X '7660
t=~ 7
4x 13-6x981'
= 2x440x
'
7660 2x440x-7660 35
(h -/n
Vl ''**
13-6x981
'
fJL_ ! 'N
X
V/05 -4 y 13-6x981 T"'
__440 x '7660x_35 - *.,-
8843 '
13~6~X981
.*. the difference in the levels of the two columns is equal to 8843 cm.
13. What is the work done
blowing a soap bubble of radius 10 cms. ?
in
(T = 30 dynes per cm.). What additional work will be performed in further
blowing it, so that its radius becomes 15 cms ?
(/) We know that work done in blowing a soap bubble is equal to its
surface area (inner and outer) x its free surface energy, i.e., equal to its surface
areax its surface tension, (v free surface energy surface tension). =
Here, surface area of the bubble = 2x4nr =8*,10 =800w5?. cms,
2 2
and T 30 dynesjom. =
/. work done in blowing the bubble of 10 cms. radius
=8007tx30=24000*=7-541 x 10 4 *r#s.
(//) Surface area of soap bubble, when its radius becomes 15 cms.
**
2x4*X(15)
2
8wx225 = 1800rc,y0. cms,
.*. increase in area of the soap film = (1800;r-800*) =* 1000* sq. cms.
SURFACE TENSION 627
.'. work done in creating this new area of soap film
1000* X 30=30,000* = 9-426 x 10 4 ergs.
Hence, work done in increasing the size of the soap bubble from 10 cms.
<-a<Mus to 15 cms. radius is equal to 9*426 x 10* ergs.
14, a pin hole, 0*1 mm. in diameter, at the bottom of a vessel
There is
-containing mercury. What
depth of mercury may be put in the vessel without any
leak occurring ? (Surface tension of mercury =550 dynes /cm.- , and density=13'6
1
t?ms./c.c. Neglect the angle of contact.)
We have to calculate, here, the length of mercury column that would be
supported by the surface tension acting along the circumference of the hole.
r
r
-2 V
where h is the height of mercury column without acy leak occurring.
Or, since = 0, and cos 9 1, *.
r
we have T =--=
' r' p><?
whence, h --- - -.
,
Here, T= 550 dyneslcm., r = -1/2
= 0'5 mm. = '005 cm. and p = 13-6 gms./c.c*
2x550
.
h -
-005 x 13-6x981
.'. mercury can be poured into the vessel to a depth of 1649 cms., without
any leak occurring.
15. The pressure inside a soap bubble of radius 1 cm. balances a 1*4 mm.
column of oil, of specific gravity 0*80. Calculate the surface tension of the soap
solution.
We know thU the excess pressure inside a soap bubble is equal to 47/r,
where 7 is
the surface tension of the soap solution and r, the radius of the bubble.
"Since this is balanced by the column of oil, we have
4T/r = h.?.g,
Avhere h is the length of Ihe oil column, p, the density of oil, and g, the value of
acceleration due to gravity.
A.T
H r
; =-14x80x981. V r = 1 cm.
1
J
f
h = 1-4 mm.
o ~_'14x
~ 80x981
~ --14 cm.
'
Ur '
J " |
and P- -80 gm./c.c.
4 [
= '14
27-47 dyms\cm. x -2x981 =
Thus, the surface tension of the soap solution is 27'47 dyneslcm.
EXERCISE XIII
1. Show that the surface tension of a liquid is equal to the mechanical
part of its surface energy. Calculate the work done on the film in blowing a soap
bubble from a diameter of 4 cms. to one of 30 cms. t if its surface tension be 45 in
<;..$. units. Ans. 2*5 x 10 s ergs.
2- Show
that the excess pressure inside a soap bubble of radius r over the
atmospheric pressure outside it is equal to 4r/r, where T is the surface tensio0
of the soap solution.
How maythe surface tension of a bubble be determined ?
Define surface tension, and show how it can be regarded as involving
3.
potential energy. From consideration of energy show that (i) oil will spread on
the. surface of water, (//) mercury will collect on a clean glass plate in drops of
-different shapes according to their size, and (///) water will rise in a capillary
tube. (Bombay)
4. What would be the pressure inside a small air bubble of 1 mm. radius,
situated just below the surface of water ? Surface tension of water may be
taken to be 70 dyneslcm. and the atmospheric pressure to be 1*012 x 10* dyneslcm*.
AIM. dweslctij \027xW
52B PROPERTIES OF MATTEB
5.Calculate the loss of enerygy if 1000 drops of water, each of diameter
'2 mm. coalesce to form one large drop. The surface tension of water is equal to
72 dynes/cm. Ans. 8143 ergs*
6. Calculate the work done in breaking up a drop of petrol, of voluroj
1 c.c, iato a thousand million drops. The surface tension of
petrol is 26 dynes/ ctr
Ans. 1255 74 erg*
7. Calculate the amount of energy needed to break a drop of water 2 mm,
in diameter, into 10* droplets of equal size, taking surface tension of
watei^as 73
dyne si cm. (Madras)
Ans. 9160 ergs,
Define surface tension. Show that the excess pressure acting on
8.
ffi
curved surface of a curved membrane is given by
'[*
where r l and r2 are the radii of cuivature and S, the surface tension of the
membrane. (Punjab)
Calculate the amount of energy evolved when eight droplets of wa
9.
;
N
(surface tension 72 dynes per cm.), of radius 1 12 mm. each, combine into one.
*
(Punjab
Ans. 9*05 ergs.
10. A soap bubble is spherical in shape, and has a diameter of 10 cms. if ;
the surface tension of the surface separating soap solution and air is 40 c.g-s.
units, what is the excess pressure of the air in the bubble over the atmospheric
pressure ? Ans. 32 dynes /rm 2 .
11. Find in the terms of mercury column the excess pressure inside a rain
drop 1 mm. in diameter, for which T =
74 dynes/cm. Ans. 2'22 mms of mercury.
12. Calculate the force required to separate two plates of glass, of area 10
sq. cms. each with a layer of water -001 mm., thick in-between them. The surface
tension of water 72 dynes/cm. Ans. 1*44 x 10 7 dynes.
13. Descrrbe a method of determining the surface tension of a soap
bubble Deduce the formula used.
The equal spherical soap bubbles coalesce if V is the consequent change
;
in volume of the contained air and S, the change in the total surface area, show
that 3FK = 4Sr, where Tis the surface tension of the soap bubble and P, the
atmospheric pressure. (Allahabad)
14. If a number of little of water, all of the same radius r cm.,
droplets
coalesce to form a single drop of radius R cm. show that the rise of temperature
where S
of water will be given by -.
(T "jr )> is the surface tension of
water and J, the mechanical equivalent of heat. (Saugar)
15. Find the relation between the radiu* of (a) a spherical drop, (b) a
spherical bubble of a liquid, the surface tension and pressure.
Two soap bubbles of radii 2 and 3 cms. coalesce into a single bubble of
radius R cms. If the surface tension of the soap solution is 25 dynes f *r cm. and
the atmospheric pressure is 76 cm. of mercury, (whose density =
13-o#m./c.c.),
find the equation to determine R. (Madras)
Ans. 1-014 x 10.(/? -35) + (fl f -13) = 0.
3
16. A
soap film. '001 mm. thick, and at 0*C, is stretched adiabati'colly,
until its area is doubled. What is toe resulting fall of temperature, if we assume
that 1he specific heat and density of the film are both unity, that dT/dff at 0%.
- =
= '15 dyne per cm. per 1C, and that J 4-2 x 10 7 ergs per calorie ?
1
Ans. 0195'C ,
Explain the terms surface tension and angle of contact. Show that
17.
the pressure inside a spherical bubble of radius r exceeds that outside it by
4T/r. If this excess pressure is balanced by that due to a column of oil,
(sp. gr- 0*8), 2 mm. high, when r=rO cm., find the surface tension of the Soap*
bubble.
ble.
Ans. 39*24 dynes per cr$.
\ Calculate the difference of pressure between the inside and outside of a
18.
spherical bubble blown inside a liquid. (Agra)
SURFACE TENSION 529
A of length 7 cms.,
19. soap film is formed on a rectangular frame-work
into a solution. This frame- work hangs from the arm of a
dipping soap
to
Balance. An extra weight of 0'38#m. must bs placed on the opposite pan
Balance the null of the film. What is the surface tension of the soap solution I
Ans. 26-6dynesjcm.
20. Calculate the density of a liquid, a column 2'09 cms. of which balances
the excess pressure inside a soap bubble of radius 1 mm. Surface tension
for
the s< ap solution may be taken to be 40 dynes, cm. Ans. *78 gm-jc-c.
21. Describe and explain how the surface tension of a liquid may be mea-
sured by forcing bubbles of air through it. Discuss whether the result obtained
this way should be the same as that given by the capillary tube method.
What would be the pressure inside a small air bubble of 0-1 mm* radius,
-= 72 dynes per cm.
ituated just below the surface ? Surface tension of water
aid atmospheric pressure =
1'013 x 10 6 dynes per sq. cm- (Bombay}
2
t
Ans. I'0274xl0 d.ym?5/cm ,
r
22. Show that the excess pressure inside a drop of water, of diameter
i
'100th of a mm. is '0137 cm. of mercury column at 0*C. Density of water at
C =1 gm-lc c density of water vapour at
. 0C and 769 mm. pressure^'61 x 10
*
m.jc-c.y and surface tension for water=75 dynes/cm.
the
23. Explain the method of finding the surface tension of a liquid by
method of drops.
A diop of water, 05 cm. radius, is split into 1000 tiny drops. Find
the
mechanical work expended. Calculate the pressure inside one of these small
drops (surface tension of water = 75 dynes per cm ) (Madras }
Ans. '675 nr ergs (P 3000) dynesjcm*.,
; I
(where P is the atmospheric pressure).
24. In a drop-weight determination of the surface tension between water
and chloroform, a glass tabe of 4 mm. external diameter was used and 50 drop*
of chloroform, density 1'5 gm. per c-c., were allowed to fall in the water. The
weight of these drops was 3'43 gms. Find the interfacial surface tension.
Ans. 29'5 dynes per cm.
25. Define surface tension. Show how it is related to surface energy in a
liquid.
Two plates are pressed together with a very thin film of water bet-
glass
weed them. Explain clearly why the two plates firmly adhere to each other.
(Agra, 1929)
26. (a) Define surface energy. Give thi theory and practice of the method of
determining the surface tension of a liquid by weighing drops. (Punjab)
(b) If a globe of water of diameter 2 cms. suddenly splits into
100 equal
globules under isothermal conditions, determine the gain in surface energy
which
occurs, given that the surface tension of water is 75 dyne* per cm. (AM
I.E. 1950}
Ans. 3432 ergs.
21. Explain clearly from where the energy comss whei a liquid rises
against gravity in a capillary tube. Derive an expression for the height h
through \v ,ch the liquid of surface tension T will rise in a capillary tube of
radius r. What will happen if the length of the tube is smaller than h ?
(Punjab)
28. Describe Jaeger's maximum bubbb pressure method of determining
surface tension.
A large soap bubble of radius R contains inside it a smaller soap bubble of
idius r. bubble now bursts isothermally, with no leakage of air
If the smaller
om the system as a whole, so that a new bubble of radius R' is formed.
^how that the radii of the three bubbles are connected by the relation
P CRf 8 /? a )-f4r(/?' a r 1 .K' a )=0, where P stands for the atmospheric pressure,
and 7", for the surface tension of the soap solution
29. Give the iheary and experimental details of a method for determining
^c surface tension of mercury, and the angle of contact for mercury and glass,
Calculate the work done in spraying a spherical drop of mercury, of one
millimetre radius, into a million droplets, of the same size, the surface tension
if mercury being 550 dynes/cm. (Agra)
Ans. 6839 ergs.
530 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
30. Define surface tension and angle of contact.
Describe Quincke's drop method of measuring these quantities for mercurj
in contact with glass. Give the theory of the method. (Banaras\
31. What forces determine the shape of a liquid drop on a horizontal plate 1
Show that all large drops of mercury resting on a clean glass plate will have the
satne height.
32. Describe the laboratory method of finding the surface tension of a
liquid by the rise of the liquid in a capillary tube.
A tube of conical bore is dipped into water with apex upwards. The length
of the tube is 20 cms. and the radii at the upper and lower ends are 0*1 and
0*3 cm. Find the height to which the liquid rises in the tube. (Surface tension
of water --^80 dynes /cm.) (Allahabad]
Ans. 0'55 cm.
33. Show how the existence of an acute angle of contact and of a pressure
difference due to curvature accounts for the rise of liquid in a capillary tube-
A capillary tube of internal diameter 1 mm. and external diameter 5 mm,
hangs vertically from the arm of a balance, the lower end of the tube being
in water (angle of contact=-0*). Calculate the change in the apparent weight
of the tube due to surface tension. (Surface tension of water ^78 dynes/cm, and
#=980 cm./sec*.). (Allahabad]
Ans. 0'15 gm<
34. Describe an experiment for determining the surface tension of a liquid.
Deduce the formula used. (Punjab]
35. Explain the capillary tube method of determining the surface tension
of a liquid. Why is this method not suitable for temperatures other than that
of the surroundings ? Suggest and explain other methods for doing so, in which
the surface tension may be calculated by measuring the pressure necessary to
force the meniscus back in a level with the surrounding liquid.
36 A capillary tube is dipped in water. Water rises to a height of 4 cms.
above the surrounding liquid. If the angle of contact is zero and the radius of
the tube is 0-1 mm., what is the surface tension of the liquid ? ,
(A.M.I ., 1961}
Ans. 19'63 dynes/cm.
37. A verticle U-tube containing mercury has one limb of diameter 5 cms.
and the other, of diameter *1 cm. Calculate the difference in level of the
mercXiry columns in the two limbs. (Tfoi m2rcury=550 dynesjcm., density of
mercury =1 3*6 gms. per c.c. and its angle of contact with the walls of the lube
140). Ans. i'04 cms.
38. A liquid of density 1 05 gms. Ic.c. and angle of contact 20 has a vertical
capillary tube of 2 mm. diameter dipping into it. If the surface tension of the
liquid be 23*5 dyne&jcm., find the rise of the liquid in the capillary tube.
Ans. 4*29 cms
39. The surface tension of water is 72 dynes/cm. Calculate how far water
will rise up a circular tube, 2 cms in diameter. Ans. 1*47 cms.
40 A U-tube, whose ends are open and whose limbs are vertical, contains
oil of sp. gravity 0'85 and surface tension 28 dynes'cm. If one limb has a
diameter of 2*2 mm. and ths other a diameter of 8 mm., what is the difference
in level of the oil in the two limbs ? Assume the angle of contact between the
oil and the glass to be zero. (A.M^l Mech Engineering}
Ans. 1*07 cms
41. Define surface tension. Explain how you can determine the surlace
tension of a solution with the help of a bubble blown out of it-
The limbs of a capillary U-tubs have the internal diameters of 1 mm- and
2 mm. The tube is held vertically and is partially filled with a liquid of
surface tension 50 dvnetfcm Find the density of the liquid if the difference of
levels in the two limbs is 1-25 cms. Assume that the angle of contact is zero.
(Bombav)
Ans. -XI 55 gm. Ice.
42. Deduce the relation between surface tension and vapour pressure at a
curved surface and discuss its effects oa evaporation and condensation
(Bombay ,1946 and 1948}
SURFACE TENSION 531
43. Calculate the difference in vapour pressure of water for a plane surface
and that for a drop of radius 0-1 mm. Density of water vapour**6-l x 10~
gms.jc.c. and surface tension of water =
75 dynes/cm. (Bombay)
Ans 9*15 dynes / cm*
44. ShDv that the maximum vapour pressure over a curved liquid surface
.differs from that over a phne surface DMuce the value of this difference in
terms of the densities of the liquid and the vapour, the radius of curvature of
<tli2 surface and the surface tension of the liquid, Discuss the bearing of the
above fact on the formation of rain drops. (Madras)
45. Show that the vapour pressure over the curved surface of a liquid drop
of radius r exceeds that over a flit surface by an amount equil to 2r/or.(p 9
where Tis the surface tension of the liquid, p, its density and ff, the density of
<us vapDur. Discuss the application of this result to the condensation of super-
saturated vapour on dust particles and other nuclei. (Bombay)
46. If the aqueous vapour tension at 0C
be 4-6 mm. of mercury, calculate
the radius of a water drop, at C, which would be in equilibrium with its
vapaur at twice this pre^ure. (Surface tension of water=75 dynes per cm., 18
g>ms. of water at N.T.P. measure 22'4 litres). Ans. 2*42 x iO~ 6 c/w,
47. A
capillary tube is immersed in water and, by exerting a pressure of
15 65 cm. of water, the
menisjus in the tube was kept 1'25 cm. below the surface
of the water outside. The radius of the tube was 0-104 cm. Calculate the
surface tension of water. Ans. 73'5 dynes/cm.
48. Explain concisely, but clearly, the following :
(/) pieces of camphor scurry about on the surface of water but their
motion slows down if we immerse our figure in the water ;
(ii) it is difficult to introduce mercury in a fine glass tube ; V^-6
- ^a'O
(in) small pieces of cork and straw etc., floating on water, appears to
attract each other ;
(iv) small drops of mercury on a plane glass sheet are spherical in
shape, but large drops of it are flat at the top ;
(v) ploughing of fields helps ictain moisture in them.
4). Distinguish between a wave and a ripple. How
may the surface
tension of a liquid be determined by the method of ripples ?
53. What is the effect of temperature on thi surface tension of a liquid ?
Describe how it may be studied experimentally.
CHAPTER XV
GASESKINETIC THEORY
261. The Kinetic Theory Introduction. In order to connect!
and co- relate the many accumulated by experience, some
facts
hypothesis or theory became necessary, and the kinetic theory of matter
is the one that has proved most helpful for the purpose. The
distinction of being the founder of the modern Kinetic Theory goes,
by common consent, to Daniel Bernoulli (1730), as he was the first
to explain Boyle's law on its basis, though the theory may be said
to have had its beginnings in the speculations and ideas of Thales oj
Miletus (640 to 547 B.C.) about the possible structure of matter, amj
a host of other early workers. And, the credit for having established
it on a firm mathematical basis is due to Claussius and Maxwell,.
in whose hands it attained its present form. The triumph of the
theory lies in its success in explaining known results and predicting
new ones.
The theory is based on two assumptions :
(1) That matter is not continuous, but consists of small aggrega-
tions or lumps, called molecules, very much like a handful of sand,
composed of fine granules so that, even when the molecules are in.
;
contact with each other, there are inter-spaces in-between them .
The molecule of a substance is the smallest part of it that
possesses the characteristic properties of that substance, and can
have an independent existence of its own. It can be broken up into
smaller bits, called atoms* by various methods, but then, these no
longer exhibit the distinctive properties of that substance. A
molecule may consist of one 01 more atoms, e.g., the molecule ol
Helium is monoatomic, i.e., consists of only one atom, that of
Hydrogen or Oxygen is diatomic, i.e., consists of two atoms, and
that of Carbon dioxide is triatomic, i.e., consists of three atoms,
and so on.
It should be noted with care that although there may be any
number of different kinds of molecules, there can be only a hundred
and odd different kinds of atoms (including isotopes), corresponding
to the different elements. These atoms are the smallest particles that
can take part in chemical reactions.
(2) That the molecules are generally not in contact with eaclv
other but are in a continuous state of agitation, moving about with'
great speed, haphazardly, in all directions, their freedom of move-
ment, however, being different in the three states of matter, viz., the
solid, the liquid and the gaseous.
Now, there is a huge mass of evidence in favour of both thce^-
assumptions, e.g., (a) the phenomena of diffusion and solution, which
clearly suggest the molecular structure of matter and agitation of
molecules ; for, we find heavier gases, like Carbon dioxide, diffusing
532
OASES KINETIC THEORY 53J
into lighter ones, like Hydrogen, in defiance of gravity, as it were,
and even a gas diffusing into lead, (b) the familiar phenomenon of
expansibility of gases, which is clearly due to the tendency of the
molecules to fly away from each other, (c) the phenomena of vapour
pressure and evaporation, and (d) phenomenon of Brownian movement,
which is perhaps the one single experimental fact, which enables us
to actually see, so vividly, the molecules of a substance moving about
hither and thither before our very eyes.
This last phenomenon derives its name from Robert Brown, an
English Botanist, who first discovered it in 1827 while observing,
under a high-power microscope, the suspension of plant pollen in
water, when he found the pollen grains dancing about in the wildest
manner, and thought that they were perhaps very tiny living crea-
tures. The phenomenon has been fully investigated by Parrin (in
(1908) arid may be readily observed by examining a colloidal suspen-
sion under an ultra -microscope, when a strong beam of light is passed
through the liquid. The particles, as small in size as 6x 10~~ cms.,
7
whi(;h just appear as mere points of light, surrounded by diffraction
rings, are visible by the light, they scatter at right angles to the
beam, and are seen in a spontaneous and eternal dance of a most
irregular and haphazard manner, now spinning, now resting, and
now rising again, and so on and on.
Now, this mad movement of the molecules is the clearest proof
of molecular agitation. For, the movement of the tiny particles is
due to the large number of molecular impacts they receive simulta-
neously on all sides. Since these impacts are not necessarily uni-
formly distributed, there is a resultant unbalanced force on the tiny
particles which causes them to move. And, because the force varies
most haphazardly and irregularly, the motion of the particles also
exhibits the same haphazardness and irregularity. Quite obviously,
the smaller the particles, the more raadily are they subject to these
irregular motions for, on a large or a heavy particle, the impacts will
;
almost balance and no resultant motion will ensue, e.g., when a large
body like a glass bead, or a marble piece, is immersed in water or any
other liquid, it is not tossed about in this manner.
Kinetic Theory of Gases.
262. Whereas the kinetic theory of
-solids and is still in a formative stage, the kinetic theory of
liquids
gases has made rapid strides and can fully explain the various pro-
perties of gases. The reason is not far to seek and will be clear if we
try to picture to ourselves the structure of a solid, a liquid and a gas.
(/) In the case of a solid, due to the great force of cohesion, its
molecules are all compactly or closely packed and every molecule is
more or less fixed in its position, having only the freedom to vibrate
about this position. It is not free to move over the whole volume of
the solid/ much less to escape away from it.
(//) In the case of a liquid, the cohesive 'force is still there, but
is not so strong, with the result that although it is sufficient to hold
the liquid together and to give it a, free surface, it cannot prevent a
molecule from roaming over the whole volume of the liquid, with the
result that while a liquid has a definite volume and a well defined free
surface, it has no shape of its own. The average distance between two
634 PROPERTIES OP MATTER
molecules of a liquid is estimated to be more or less of the same order
as the size of its molecule.
(Hi) In the case of a gas, on the other hand, these cohesive
forces are almost negligible under ordinary conditions of temperature
and pressure, so that the molecules lie $c$ aparb from each other, the
average distance between two molecules being about a hundred times
the size of a molecule. A molecule is, therefore, free to wander over
the entire space available to it, with the result that a gas has neither a
volume nor a free surface of its own.
It will thus be clear from the above why the problem becomes
simpler in the case of a gas, compared with thac in the case of a solid
or a liquid. It is obviously so, because in the case of a gas, (i) the
molecules lie far apart and we can, therefore, neglect, under ordinary
conditions, the actual volume occupied by the molecules themselves, (if
compactly arranged), compared with that occupied by the gas, as a
whole. Clearly, this cannot be done in the case of a liquid or a solid,
(//)the molecular forces* can be neglected because of the large distance
between the molecules.
Now, in order to further simplify our problem, we shall first
consider, here, a gas whose molecules have negligible size, i.e., whoso
molecules are mere mass-points, and in which the molecular forces
are also negligible. Such a gas, with zero molecular size and zero
molecular forces, is called an ideal or a perfect gas. No such gas, how-
ever, exists in reality, and the properties of an actual or a real gas
only approximate to those of this ideal gas.
263.Pressure exerted by a perfect Gas. Due to the constant
random motion of the molecules of a gas and their high speed, the}
'bombard' the walls of the containing vessel, and thus exert pressure.
To calculate this pressure exerted by a gas, wo make the following
further assumptions, to simplify matters.
(1) That the molecules of gas are all alike, (though different
from those of another), and are perfectly elastic spheres, and that
there is no force of attraction or repulsion between them, or between
them and the walls of the containing vessel. In other words, thai all
their energy is kinetic and that they do not suffer any loss of mo-
mentum, or kinetic energy, on a direct or 'head on' impact with the \\alls
of the vessel, only their direction of motion being reversed.
(2) That large numbers of molecules exist in the smallest volume
of a gas with which we can deal. Under ordinary conditions of tem-
perature
and pressure, the number of molecules present in 1 c.c. of a
19
is estimated to be of the order of 10 their size or diameter being
gas ,
very small compared with the inter-molecular space, the actual volume
occupied by the molecules being only about 3 cxs. in 10 litres of the
gas.
(3)That due to their large number and ceaseless haphazard
motion in ranging from zero to infinite,
all directions, .with velocities,
there are frequent collisions against one another and consequent
changes in the direction and magnitude of their velocities at each colli-
* These molecular forces are
entirely different from New ton's gravita
tional forces. They are electrical in nature and do not obey the ordinary gravita-
tional inverse square law, as has been indicated already.
GASES KINETIC THEORY 535
sion ; and that this does not affect the molecular density of the gas, i.e.,
the molecules do not, in the steady state, collect more at one place
than at another.
(4) That the molecules, being material bodies, subject to the
laws of motion, move in straight lines with uniform velocity between any
two collisions.
(5) That the time for which a collision lasts is small compared
with the time-interval between two collisions , or, the time taken to cover
the distance traversed between two collisions. This distance is called
the mean free path of the molecule and depends upon the temperature
and pressure of the gas.
We are now in a position to calculate the pressure exerted by an
ideal or a perfect gas on the walls of the containing vessel.
Let there be a gas, enclosed in a cubical vessel of unit edge, with
itswalls perfectly elastic, (Fig. 318), and let the number of molecules
present in it be n, the mass of each molecule being m.
Since the molecules arc constantly moving about with different
they are bombarding the walls of the
velocities in different directions,
cube. Consider one molecule m, having
a velocity C 1 at a given instant. This velo-
city of the molecule may be resolved into
three rectangular components, w 1} v l and w l ,
along the axes of x, y, and z parallel to the
three edges of the cubical vessel respectively.
Then, clearly,
Ci
2 = uf+vS+w*.
^
Now, consider the motion of this molecule
along the axis of x, i.e., perpendicular to the Fig. 318.
walls A and B of the vessel so that, strik-
;
ing the wall A with velocity u lt it rebounds with the same velocity
in the opposite direction (the molecule as well as the wall being per-
fectly elastic), strikes wall j5, rebounds back to A and so on.
momentum of the molecule as it approaches A is ww,
Clearly, the
and obviously directed towards A. When, however, it collides
is
against A> it rebounds with only its velocity reversed so that, its mo- ;
mentum still remains the same in magnitude but is now directed opposi-
tely, i.e., is now m^.
Therefore, change in its momentum = mi/j (mu^ = 2 mu^.
This, then, is the change in momentum of the molecule at each
collisionwith wall A and, clearly, as it collides against the wall, it im-
parts this momentum (2 mu^ to the wall.
Hence, momentum imparted by the molecule to wall A per second
= 2 mu x number of collisions it makes with the wall per second.
Now, for each successive collision or impact with wall A, the
molecule must traverse the distance from A to B and tfeck, i.e., a
distance equal to twice the length of the unit cube, or a distance of 2
cms. Since it covers a distance u lt along this direction, in 1 second ,
it will cover the distance 2 cms. (from A to B and back) in 2/1^
536 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
seconds ; and, therefore, the number of collisions it will have with the
wall in one second is equal to i/j/2.
So that, momentum imparted to wall A by the molecule, per second
=-
2mut x u 1 /2 = muj
2
.
In other words, this is the force /15 say, exerted by the molecule
on wall A for, in accordance with Newton's second law of motion,*
;
force is just rate of change of momentum. Thus,
/ = mu^.
x
Similarly, forces /
2 /3 ,. ....... ,/n
,
exerted ,
on wall A by other
molecules, having velocities c 2 c 3 ............... r w , , , and rectangular com-
ponents (u l9 v,. Wj), (i/ 8 ,
v2 , w 2 ), ...... (n n ,
v wt n' n ), along the three axes
respectively, are given by
ft = ww 2
2
, /3 = ww 3 2 ..., /n =/ww n 2 ,
the mass of each molecule being the same m, in each case.
Thus, total force on wall A due to all the n molecules is given by
Now, area of wall 4=1x1=1^. cm. [/ each edge of the cube=l cm.
So that, FA is the force exerted by the molecules on unit area and is
thus equal to pressure Pl exerted by them on A because, as we t
know, pressure is equal to force per unit area. Thus, pressure Pl on
wall A = FA.
Or, 1
P -
m(w 1 +w/+w 3 + ...... w w )-
2 2 2
Exactly same manner, considering the motion of the mole-
in the
cules along the axes of y and*z, i.e., perpendicular to walls C and D
and walls E and F of the cubical vessel respectively, we have press-
ure exerted by the molecules on wall C given by
Pt = m(v a +va 8 +v 8 2 + ..... + v * 2 ),
j
and pressure exerted by the molecules on wall E given by
PS = m(w 1 *+Wt*+Wt* + ...... +u n *).
Since the pressure exerted by the gas is the same in all directions, we
have P1 = P 2 = P 3 = P, say.
And, therefore, Pi+P*+P* = 3JD -
So that,
3? = m(u*+u,* + ..M n *)+m(v1 *+v z *+...v n *)+m(w 1 *+^^^
Or, P= 2
^[w; +w/+...
Or, P =
Now, i^.-^^
where the symbol c stands for the root mean square velocity of the
molecules*, usually written, for brevity, as r.m.s. velocity.
So that, (i +c 2
2 *
+ ...+c n = 2
) nc\
And, therefore, P = %mn+c 2
.
...(/)
Thus, the pressure exerted by the gas enclosed in the vessel is equal
to
*/., the square root of the mean square velocity of the molecules.
G1SES KINETIC THEORY 537
264. The Value of c. Now, in relation (/) above, we have
m.n = mass of the molecules in unit volume of the gas.
Or, = mass per unit volume of the gas = density of the gas, p.
Substituting this value of m y
n in relation (/) for P, we have
P= Jp.c
2
, whence, c2 = 3P/p.
Or, c = V3/Yp.
This enables us to determine the value of c for any
particular
gas, at a given temperature, if P and p for it be known.
Thus, for example, taking P for air, at 0C, to be 76x 13'6x98 dynesjcm*.
= 10 8 dynes /cm
2
,
(approx.) %
and p for air, at 0*C = 1/100(M of that of water i/1000 10- gms.jc.c.,
w have c ^
V^IO-'*
cms '< sec ^ V / 3xTOT xl6r
\/3~xl0 = V30X10 8 =
-= 9
5-5 X 10 4 rms./s<?c.
- 5-5xl0 4 /100 5-5x10* * SSQmetreslsec-
~ 1 mile I sec- = r/ze velocity of a rifle bullet.
We thus sec how tremendous is the speed with which the
molecules of the as move about haphazardly in
any given volume of
it, and, obviously, the
lighter the molecule, the faster it moves.
The velocity of the molecule of any other gas may also be cal-
culated in the same manner, at any desired
temperature.
265. Relation between c and T. We have the experimental
gas equation, connecting Boyle's law and Charles' law, viz.,
PV = RT, *
where R is the gas constant, T, the absolute
temperature of the gas and
P and F, its pressure and volume , respectively.
Nw, p = i m.n.c*.
PV = i m.n.V.c*.
'Or, putting nV = TV*, the total number of molecules in the volume V
of the gas, we have PV = J/w -ZV. c 2
.
Or, ^m.TV.c
2 = j?r, whence, c2 = SRTjmN.
Or, c 2 oc J/m. [v 7? and AT are coastants.
Thus, absolute temperature of a gas is directly proportional to the
.square of the r.m.s velocity of its molecules, the greater the velocity
<and, therefore, the greater the kinetic energy) of the molecules, the
-greater the temperature of the gas.
266. Deduction of Gas Laws on the basis of the Kinetic Theory.
1. Boyle's Law. We have the relation, P =---
%m.n.c
z
.
Multiplying it by F, the volume of the gas, we have
PV = m.
*For the sake of simplicity, N
is taken to be the total number of mole-
cules in a gram-molecule of the gas ; for, at the same
temperature and pressure,
its value will be the same for all gases.
_ It is called the Avogadro Number, and
dts value is found to be 6-0 x 10 28 .
638 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
where nV = N, the total number of molecules in the given volume V
of the gas.
Here, m and N being constants, it follows that PV oc c 2
.
Or, PV = a constant, if c be constant.
Now,c is constant, if T, (the temperature of the gas) be cons-
tant. So that, at cnstant temperature, PV =
a constant, which is our
Boyle s Law.
Alternative Deduction of Boyle's Law. A more rigid derivation
of the law from the kinetic theory is the following :
Lot N
molecules of a gas, each of mass
m, be enclosed in a spherical vessel of
radius r and volume V ;
so that, V ~ -J
nrr
3
,.
Consider one molecule striking the
wall of the vessel at A with a velocity, (i.e.,
the root mean square velocity), c at an angle
6 with the normal at A, (Fig. 319). Let the
molecule then follow the path ABCDE.
The component of the velocity c perpendi-
cular to the wall is clearly c. cos Q, and gets
the other component c sin 9, at
reversed,
Fig- 319. right angles to it, remaining unchanged.
The change of momentum at A is, therefore, equal to 2 in c. cos 0,
inwards.
Now, the distance travelled by the molecule between collisions-
at A and B is equal to AB = 2AM =
2AO. cos 6 2 r cos B. =
And, therefore, the time taken by the molecule to travel this
distance is equal to 2r. cos Bjc sees. so that, the number of collisions-
;
in cne second =
cj2r cos B.
.-. change of momentum is one second; or, the rate of change of
mcmentum due to one molecule is
= 2m. c cos
-------.
6xc
--- - me*
--- per second.
2r cos 6 r
Since there are N molecules in all, the total rate of change of
momentum = m.N.c 2 jr, inwards.
Again, since the rate of change of momentum is equal to force,
the force exerted by the molecules on the walls of the vessel, outwards
Now, the area of the vessel = 4wr*. [Because it is spherical-
.*. force exerted by the molecules per unit area of the vessel
m.N.c* m.N.c*
Or, pressure P exerted by the molecules, on the wall of the vessel
given by P = m. /Vc2 /47rr 3
J [v force per unit area = pressure-
.
Now, volume of the vessel, V = 4r 8 /3,
whence, 47rr 8 = 3F,
GASES KINETIC THEORY 539
3
Substituting this value of 4?rr in the expression for P above,
we have =P m.N,c 2 j3V.
Or, PV = m.McVS. ...(//)
And m and N, as also c (at a given temperature), are all
since
constants, PV = a constant, at a given temperature, which is Boyle's
law.
N.B. Afote how the above treatment may be used to show that P= J/w.w.c
1 -
F0r, 2V = nV> where n is the number of molecules per _unit volume. Substituting
this value of Nin relation (it) above, we have P $ m.n c
z = -
2.Avogadro's Hypothesis. According to this hypothesis, equal
volumes of all gases and vapours, under the same conditions of tempera-
ture and pressure, contain the same number of molecules. Let us .see
ho\v we can deduce it from the kinetic theory.
Let N! and N2 be the numbers of molecules in two equal volu-
mes of gases respectively, at the same temperature and pressure.
Then, clearly, PV ^ frn^A* = 1^^*, ...(a)
where m l and m 2 ,
are the masses and the root mean
and c^ and c2
square velocities of the molecules of the two gases in the two cases
respectively.
Now, kinetic energy = 2
\xmassx (velocity) and, therefore, the ,
kinetic energy of each molecule, in the first case -J^Vi
2
and the = '
kinetic energy of each molecule, in the second case |w 2 r 2
2
= .
As shown by Maxwell, the average kinetic energy of any gas is
the same at a given temperature so that, \m^c^ \mtf<^.
;
=
Multiplying both sides by ,
we have %m L c L * = \nij'^. (b]
Now, dividing (a) by (b), we have N NZ9
i.e., the number of molecules in the case of the two gases is the
same, which is Avogadro's hypothesis.
Thus, since a gram-molecule of every gas contains the same num-
ber of molecules under the same conditions of temperature and pressure,
it follows that the greater the density of the gas, the greater its mole
cular weight or, the molecular weights of two gases are proportion
;
al to their densities at the same
temperature and pressure.
3. Graham's Law of Diffusion. This law states that the rates
f of two gases (wldch depend upon the velocities of the
diffusion
molecules of the two gases) are inversely proportional to the square
roots oj their densities. Let us see how can we arrive at this result
from the kinetic theory.
Let Mj and 2 M
be the molecular weights, (i.e., weights, of cm
gram* molecules), of the two gases respectively.
Then, since PV = ^tn^N.c^ = $rti 2 .Nc 2 2 at the same tempera-
ture and pressure, V being the volume of a gram-molecule of the gas,
N, the Avogadro number, and m l and m z and c x and c 2 the respective ,
masses and r.m.s. velocities of the molecules in the two cases we
have
m t N Mi and m2 N = 2 M .
And, therefore, PV = \Mv c^ = M 2 ,c 2
2
.
540 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
Or,
whence,
But MI oc p! and 2 oc p 2 M
where p x and p 2 are the densities of
,
the two gases at the same temperature and pressure.
cjc 2 = vWPr
Since ^ oc r t and c 2 oc r 2 where rA and r2 are the rates of diffu-
sion of the two gases respectively, we have
VP2/Pj>
'ilr*
=
which is the mathematical expression of Graham's law.
For deduction of Charles* law and Dalton's law, see solved
example 3, at the end of the chapter.
267. Kinetic Energy of a Molecule. We have seen that the
pressure of a gas is given by the relation,
P =
\rn.nj?.
Multiplying by
* V, where V is the volume of a gram-molecule of
the gas, we have PV = ^m.n.Vc*.
Now, nV = N, the Avogadro number.
PV -- Im.N.c*.
Also, PV = R.T, where R is the gas constant.
\rn.N.c? = R.T.
Multiplying both sides by 3/2, we have \rn.N & = |jR.T.
Or, |m.c
2 = .(RIN).T.
But I /?/c
2
is, clearly, the kinetic energy of a molecule.
Therefore, kinetic energy of a molecule = ~.(R/N).T.
Now, RjN is a constant A^, called Boltzmann's constant.
K.E. of the gram-molecule of a gas = ~.K.T.
Obviously, therefore, the kinetic energy of the gram- molecule of
a gas is equal to | K.N.T. =- ^(R/N).N.T.
Or,
r
A .E. o//Ae molecule of a gas = ^/?.r.
This us at once that the kinetic energy of a molecule (/)
tells
depends upon T, the absolute temperature of the gas and (ii) is quite
independent of its mass. Hence a tiny molecule will be more active
than a bulky one.
This fact is often referred to as the kinetic interpretation of
temperature.
Again, examining the above expressions for kinetic energy a
little carefully, we see that the factor \ appears there because
more
of its presence in the expression for kinetic energy, and the factor 3
appears there because the molecule has three degrees of freedom of
straight line motion, (i.e., along the three axes). Therefore, the
kinetic energy per degree of freedom is equal to one- third of the
above.
Thus, K.E, of one molecule of a gas, per degree of freedom^ K.T.
And, therefore, K.E. of the gram-molecule of a gas, per degree of
freedom, = \RT.
OASES KINETIC THEORY 541?
268. Value of the Gas Constant (R). We know that a gram-
molecule of every gas occupies the same volume at the same tempera-
ture and pressure. This volume is 22*4 litres at the normal tempera-
ture and pressure, (N.T.P.) i.e., at 0^
and 76 cms. pressure. And,
since PV RT, =
it follows that the value of R must be the same for
all gases at the same temperature and pressure.
Now, PV\T R. =
So that, putting the value of P, V and Tin the above relation, we
have
= p = 76 cms.
R 76 X 13-6 x 981 X 22400/273 = 76x13-6x981
= 8-29 x 10 ergs per degree C-
7
dynes I cm
2
.
Now, 1 calorie = xlO 7 ergs, (value of/)
4-18 V ---22' 4 litres.
-22-4x1000
/?== 829xl0 /4-18xl0
7 7
= 22400 c.cs.
s=l-98 calories j'degree C.
Or, = 2 calories/degree C> as a near approximation.
This, then, is the value of R for one gram-molecule of
a gas. If
we consider only one gram of a gas, however, the value of R will,
naturally, be I'Q&jmolecular weight of the gas, and will, therefore,
be
different for different gases, depending upon their molecular weights.
Note. In the Constant Tables, (Kaye andLabys}, the relation PV
= RJ
is used with a different meaning, viz., P is taken in atmospheres, and V, as the
ratio between the volume of the gas at pressure P and temperatute T and its
volume at normal atmospheric pressure and
C
C so that, in this case,
;
P=l aim V - 1 and
,
T= 0C - 273 Ahs.
And .-. R=PVIT = x 1/273 =
1 1/273, for all gases.
Van der Waal's Equation. In our discussion so far, wo
269.
have concerned ourselves on! y with ideal gases, i.e., gases in which
the molecular size is zero, and the molecular force, (i.e., force of cohesion
between the molecules), is zero. These assumptions are far from valid
in the case of any real gas, even at ordinary pressures, and they
become absolutely inadmissible at higher pressures.
This fact was recognised as early as 1827, when Desperetz dis-
covered that the resulting volumes of originally equal volumes of air
and carbon dioxide differed from each other, when subjected to a
pressure of 15 atmospheres. Surely, then, he argued, they could not
both be obeying Boyle's law. The problem of obtaining a relationship-
bet we0n pressure, volume and temperature of a gas, more in con-
formity with actual facts, therefore, engaged the attention of many
investigators arid many a different equation
were proposed. The
one, however, most satisfactory from both the theoretical a-nd the-
practical stand-points, is the
one due to Van der Waal, known after
him, as Van der Waal's equation. He takes into consideration both
the factors mentioned above, viz., (/) the size of the gas -molecules, and
"**
the force of cohesion betWi en them.
(/) Correction for molecular size. A gas molecule has a finite;
size and, therefore, occupies some volume; so that, the actual space in-
which it is free to roam about, when enclosed in a vessel, is a little
less than the volume of the containing vessel, (or the gas), and this>
is much more so, when the gas i& compressed A correction must,. .
542 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
therefore, be applied for this decrease in the free space available to
the gas.
Now, it maybe recalled that we have imagined a molecule to
be a perfectly hard or elastic sphere, so that when the total volume
occupied by a gas is decreased, the volume of the free space available
for the movement of its molecules is decreased to a greater extent
due to the incompressibility of the latter, which still continue to
occupy the same volume as before. For precisely the same reason,
when "the total volume occupied by a gas is increased, the free space
available to the molecules increases in a greater ratio. Thus, the
volume of the free space that undergoes change with pressure is not
V but something less than K, and, at first sight, it might appear that
this volume should be K minus the volume actually occupied by the
molecules, when compactly arranged together. This would be quite
a valid assumption, only if the motion of the molecules were orderly,
and if only some of them moved and others remained at rest. Actual-
ly, however, the
molecules fly about in a chaotic manner, in all possi-
ble directions, and, therefore, they interfere with, and obstruct, each
other to a very much greater extent, thus greatly reducing the space
for free movement. For this reason, the volume of the free space is
taken to be (K b) where h is near about four times the total volume
9
>f the molecules. We must, therefore, substitute this value of volume
{V -b) for K, in the relation PV
= RT for a perfect gas.
(//')
Correction for the force of cohesion. In an actual gas, the
force of cohesion is not zero and, therefore, every molecule in a gas is
attracting, is being attracted by, every other molecule near about
and
it. Now, amolecule, well inside the containing vessel, is being
attracted equally in all directions, with the result that the resultant
Force on it is zero, and its speed remains undiminished. But a mole-
3ule close to a wall of the vessel is only being attracted backwards by
nolecules in the body of the gas and hence its speed is somewhat
diminished, with the result that the force with which it strikes the
^all of the vessel is lessened. In other words, the pressure exerted
ay the gas on the wall is now smaller.
Now,it is obvious that if we double the number of molecules
per of the gas, this reduction of the observed pressure will become
c.c.
four times as great, for the simple reason that'
(i)
now be twice as many molecules striking the walls of
there will
the containing vessel, and
(ii) each molecule,
near to a wall, will now be attracted inwards
or backwards by twice as many molecules.
Now, both these depend upon the number of molecules per c.c.
of the gas ;
so that,
reduction of observed pressure oc (number of molecules of the gas
2
per c.c.) .
l' e "
Or, reduction of observed pressure oc
-fafae <tf tfc 'gas)*'
2
tion of observed pressure oc I/V .
Or, reduction of observed pressure
= a/F where a
2
,
is a constant.
GASES KINETIC THEORY 543
It follows, therefore, that if the observed pressure be P for an
actual gas, it would be (P+a/K 2 ) for an ideal gas, and, therefore, we
must substitute (/>+.#/ K 2) for P in the relation, s= RT. PV
Thus, substituting the values, (K b) for F,and (P+a/F ) for P
2
4n the perfect gas equation PV =
RT, we have
(P+alV*)(V-b) *r. =
This is known as Van der Waal's equation, and, as stated above,
is more in conformity with experimental results, but is still far from
representing the behaviour of gases accurately, and has its own
defects.
273. Mean Free Path of a Maleculea (A,). The mean free path
of a molecule is the average distance covered by it between two succes-
sive collisions.* The following is a simple way of calculating its
approximate value.
Let us assume that only the particular molecule that we are
considering is in motion, all the others being at rest. This moving mole
ctile will, then, naturally collide with all those molecules whose
cen^reg
happen to lie within its sphere of influence, (see p age 439). If the c
radius of the sphere of influence of the molecule be r, then, all ttese
molecules lie in a sphere of radius r, described about this molecultFas
centre. If, therefore, c be the r.m.s. velocity of the molecule through
the gas, it will, in one second, collide with all the molecules lying in
the region traversed by its sphere of influence as it covers a distance
c .
Now, the region thus traversed in one second is, obviously, a
2
cylinder of length c, and an area of cross- section Tir i.e., of a volume ,
Therefore, if n be the number of molecules per c.c., there will
2
7ir .c.
be 7tr*.cn number of molecules enclosed within this cylinder, and
2
hence, the number of collisions in one second will be Trr .cn. The
2
average time between collisions is, thus, equal to 1/7T en, and, there-
fore, average distance covered by a molecule between successive colli-
sions is equal to velocity x this time, i.e.,
= ex l/nr
2
.c/f = l/7rr
2
.rt.,
the mean free path of a molecule, ft = l/7rr .n.
2
Or,
Further, if m be the mass of one molecule, the mass per unit
volume, or density p, of the gas, is equal to mass of one molecule into
number of molecules per unit volume mxn. =
^ = mlmn.irr*/f= w/7rr
2
p, [v m.n = p.
inversely proportional to p, the density of the gas; and,
i.e., A. is
since density varies directly as the pressure of the gas, J\ varies
inversely as the pressure of the gas, and directly as its absolute
temperature.
To have an idea as to the magnitude of X, it might be mention-
ed that, at ordinary pressures, its value is of the order of 10~ 5 cms.,
but at low pressures, such as 10~4 cms. of Hg column, (as in electric
glow lamps etc.), its value ranges between 5 to 10 cms.
In the above discussion, we have made the simplifying assump-
tion that all molecules but the one under consideration, are at rest.
*The exact nature of these collisions is not yet known, and it is not quite
:learwhether molecules come into actual contact or whether they recede away
from each other, when at a distance, close to each other.
PROPERTIES OF MATTER
Maxwell has taken into consideration the motion of all the molecules
and has shown, by a more rigorous treatment that A ==
which gives a smaller value of A than the one obtained above.
271. Viscosity of Gases. The viscosity of a gas is just a
mechanical property of it, and its viscosity coefficient may be
defined in precisely the same manner as that of a liquid (see Chapter
XII, page 42)).
Suppose we have a gas, flowing from left to right, over a solid
horizontal surface with a velocity which is very small compared with
the velocity of its molecules. This
velocity will be the same every-
where in a plane XOY, (Fig. 320),
parallel to the horizontal surface,
but will increase upward in tho
direction of the z-axis, being the
least, (/., zero) for the layers in
__
Fig. 320.
z
._
contact with the solid surface,
and increasing with the distance
of the layer from it, i.e., there
will be a velocity-gradient dv/dz
along the z-axis.
Now, we may imagine the molecules of the gas to be divided up
into three distinct parts, moving parallel to the three mutually perpen
dicular axes, x, 7, and z, in either direction so that, the average
;
number of molecules moving in one direction along any one axis will
be one-sixth of the total cumber of molecules in the gas.
Consider an area A, parallel to the plane XOY. Let K be the
velocity of the gas in this plane. Let there be two other layers B
and C, parallel to A* above and below it respectively, each at a dis-
tance from it equal to the mean free path of the molecules, so that the
molecules from it, moving normally upwards to B or downwards to
(7, do so without any collision.
Then, clearly, velocity of the molecules in the layer B is
F+jfrfv/rfz, and, that of the molecules in the layer C is equal to
V-\dvldz.
Now, due moving about indiscriminately
to molecules of the gas
in all directions, a continual interchange of molecules
there is
between the two layers B and C. Since the molecules from B, cross-
ing A downwards, have a velocity (F+A^v/flfe), the forward
momentum carried by them per unit area of A is equal to mass oj
molecules x (K+ h-dv/dz).
If n be the number of molecules per unit volume of the gas, and
c and w, the velocity and mass of each molecule respectively, the
number of molecules crossing unit area of A downward, in unit limp
is equal to ;ic/6, and their mass = n.c w/6.
So that, the forward momentum carried by them downward, j
unit area of A, per unit time is
-
-~~ m .
dv
~-
6
because n.m = p, the density of the gas in grams per c.c.
GASES KINETIC THEOBY 546
This, then, is the momentum lost per unit area, per unit time,
U* the direction of flow, by the
moving layer 5. faster
Similarly, the momentum carried upward per unit area of A per y
unit time, in the direction of flow, from the slower moving layer (7
= n.c /.,
K
. dv \
= P.C /., dv \
KA. dz
v , ^ . .
A1
n-.m [ A.-v- ) -I ,- ], and this is, therefore, tho
6 V dz ) 6 \ J
momentum gained per unit time by the layer B.
Thus, the net momentum lost by layer B above A, per second,
'.'("-)
And, cleirly, the same amount of momentum is being gained by
the layer below A. Thus, the layer above A tends to accelerate its
motion, and that below A tends to retard it so that, the backward- ;
dragging force acting per unit area on it is equal to \ p.c..?y dvfdz.
This must be equal to the tangential force acting per unit area oj
the layer A, i.e., = y.dv/dz, where y is the coefficient of viscosity *oj
the gas.
^dv _ dv
*'dz -J-P-"*"^'
Or, v = f p.c.7\.
Since, at a constant temperature, p increases with pressure and
X decreases in the saim ratio, v is quite independent of the pressure,
provided the temperature remains constant. This fact is amply borne
out by experiment and leiuh powerful support to the kinetic theory
of gases Farther, ^ is proportional to c, the molecular velocity, and,
therefore, to the square root of the absolute temperature of the gas.
This result is not so well borne out by actual experiment and is only
approximately true.
272. Production of Low Pressure Exhaust Pumps. In the
present-day staggering development of Science, the technique ot
producing high vacua is of the utmost importance. Apart from its
well known use in radio and X-ray equipment etc we owe our initia- ,
tion into the comparatively new realm of atomic physics to the wel-
come development of exhaust or vacuum pumps and other methods
for the production of high \racui, for it has helped us to study
the behaviour of atoms and molecules under low-pressure conditions.
And this in turn, has had the reciprocal effect of enabling; us to make
further improvements in our exhaust pumps and high vacuum
technique, in general, with the result that we can today produce as
low a pressure as 10~ 9 mm.
.
And, simultaneously with the development of these high vacuum
t '^ps must go the development of delicate gauges, ttf enable us to
asure the very low pressures proclucdd by them. We shall now
jceed, therefore, to study these twin-devices.
273. Exhaust Pumps Their Characteristics. Before dealing
ith any specifictypes of pumps, it will be worthwhile to understand
546 PKOPBKTIES OF MATTER
the characteristics of a good vacuum pump. These are (/) the
exhaust
pressure ; (/'/) the degree of attainable vacuum ;
and (///) the speed of the
pump. Let us take each, in turn,
(/) The Exhaust Pressure. In any vacuum pump, there is an inlet, fine or
intake side, from which the gas or vapour from the vessel to be exhausted
is drawn into the
pump, and an outlet or exhaust side, from which it is expelled
out. As its very name indicates, the exhaust pressure is the pressure on the ex
haust side of the pump, and may be just atmospheric or much lower than it,
varying from pump to pump. But, generally speaking, the higher the vacuum
desired to be produced on the fine or the intake side of the pump, (i-e ,
in the vessel connected to it), the smaller mui,t be the exhaust pressure or
*
the rough vacuum\ as it is alternatively called, on its outlet side. For, the re-
cognised procedure in high- vacuum technique today is to first reduce the
pressure from atmospheric to a small fraction of it, say to *1 mm. or so, i.e.. to
create a 'fore-vacuum', by means of an ordinary pump, here called the auxiliary,
the rough or the 'backing pump*- This fore-vacuum or backing pressure, as it is
also termed, is then reduced further from 10~ 4 to 10~ 7 mm. by means of a suit-
able fine or high vacuum pump. For this purpose, the backing and the high- vacuum
pumps are arranged in series or tandem, so that the gas or vapour from the vessel
to be exhausted is drawn in at the inlet of the latter and expelled at its outlet
into the fore-vacuum of the former, which, then finally expels it out into the
atmosphere.
(//) The Degree of Attainable Vacuum. By this we understand the lower
limit of the pressure that it is possible to obtain in the vessel, connected to the
pump. This depends to a very large extent on the exhaust pressure- For, if it be
very low, it may result in the passage of the gas or vapour in the reverse direc-
tion i.e., in its leakage from the exhaust to the intake side of the pump.
Now, theoretically speaking, there is no lower limit to the attainable
pressure in the case of a diffusion-condensation pump, but, in a molecular pump, a
definite limit i* sst by the constant ratio it bears to the exhaust pressure. The
limit may, however, in general, be considerably extended by using connecting
tubes of wide bores in-between the vessel to be exhausted and the pump,
as it greatly minimises the resistance to the flow of the gas or the vapour from
the former 'to the latter.
(///) The Speed of the Pump. The speed of a pump may, in a general way,
be defined as the relative rate of reduction of pressure in a given volume.
Thus, if PO bs the limiting value of the attainable pressure, with the help
of a given pump, p, the pressure at ai instant t in the vessel of volume V t
connected to it, and 5, the speed of the pump at Ms pressure, the rate of reduc-
tion of pressure in the vessel, i.e., dp/dt, is given by the relation,
lence, we have dpl(p~pj) ~ S.dtfV. ... (//]
So and p a be the values of the pressure in the vessel at instants
that, if j^
aad fj respectively, we have, by integrating expression (u) for the limits p p lt
- Pi, t = ff
l and p
t ,
s- jo* . ......... ,
which, when p 9 is comparatively negligibly low, reduces to
5 - K.log,0>i//>s)/('*-'i)-
This is known as Gaede* equation and gives us a definition of 5, the
;
in
irinsic speed of the pump. For, if pjp,
- e and (tf-tj 1 sec. t we have 5 - = V
*As equation enables us to determine the interva
will be readily seen, this
the rush or 'surge' of th<
Cs-fi). taken by the vacuum system to recover from
to /> 4 ,-the working pressure required by the systen
gas, waich raises tbe pressure
being p t .
GASES KINETIC THEORY 547
Thtts, the Intrinsic speed of a pump may be defined as the volume in which it can re-
duce the pressure to 1/eth (which comes to about 36-79%) of its instantaneous value
in I second, = 2-17828).
(* e
Putting P = 0, taking the attainable vacuum to be perfect, we have,
'
from (/) aboveft//?///
= S-p/V, whence, S *= ----- -. This gives the speed of ex-
haust of the pump, or the pumping speed E, as defined by Langmulr
So .hat, '
-" ..
(iv)
p dt
Now
dv be the volume of the gas or vapour, measured at pressure p, ex-
if
tracted in the time-interval dt, from the volume K, we have
pv = (pdp)(V+dv), ['.-pressure decreases.
whence, neglecting the product dp.dv, compared with the other terms, we have
dv =B
y.dpjp^
j i <
, d\ V dp . .
and, therefore, , .
(v)'
dt p dt
O-i, from relations (/v) and (v), we have E= dv/<://.
Thus, of exhaust of a pump may be defined as the rate of change of
the speed
volume of the gat or vapour in the vessel at any given instant, the measurement of
volume being effected at the pressure attained by the pump at that \ery instant.
Substituting the value of dpldt from relation (/) above in expression (iv)
for ,
we have
Or,
This relation tells us that, in the beginning when the pump starts working,
p is very much greater than/? so that p lp is practically zero, and, therefore, E is
,
almost equal to S i.e., in the beginning, the pumping speed of the pump is prac-
t
tically equal to its intrinsic speed. But as p is progressively reduced and
approaches p Q E gradually decreases, and .finally becomes zero when p
, /?. In
other words, a pump loses all its pumping speed at the lowest^ attainable pressure. It
is, therefore, important to design pumps not only with a view to producing high
vacuum, but also with a view to having as high a pumping speed as possible, at
all pressures.
And, since the pumping speed (E) is found to depend not only upon its
intrinsic speed (S) and the lower limit of the attainable pressure (/? ), but also
upon the resistance to its flow, it follows that the wide bores of the connecting
tubes (referred to above) also help achieve this end.
274. Different Types of Pumps. The following shows at a
glance the classification of the different types of exhaust or vacuum
pumps.
Exhaust Pumps
I
Oil Pumps Mercury Molecular Diffusion
Pumps Pumps Pumps
(sec 277) (see 278)
*~
Piston type Rotary type Piston type Rotary type
Solid piston pump, (see 276) Liquid (mercury) Designed by Gaede,
produces low pressures piston pump. Ex- needs a fore-vacuum
1
only up to 10- mm- hausts down to of about 1 mm. for
used a as
backing 2xlO" 5 mm-, but working. Slow in
pump. Familiar ex- slow and tedious action, but can pro-
amples Common Air : in action. Now, duce low pressures
Pump and Geryk only in limited use- down to 10~* mm-
Pump Examples Toepler
: Stillextensively used
and Springel Putnps in the laboratory.
PROPERTIES OF MATTER
We shall now deal in detail with some of the simple and impor-
tant types of pumps.
275. The Common Air Pump. It consists of a receiver plate P, connectec
to a cylinder C, through a tube bent twice at
right angles, as shown in Fig. 321
*
The cylinder is fitted with a piston, and botr
the cylinder and the piston carry valves, V
_ x and F 2 respectively, such that they open onl)
,
., ,..
/ \ \ upwards. The vessel F to be exhausted h
I placed over the receiver plate in the mannei
|mlr^ I I I
shown.
To start with, the piston is moved up tc
the top of the cylinder, from its initial position
at the bottom, when the valve F 2 remains
closed, due to the atmospheric pressure on it,
321. and the valve V t is forced open due to the
pressure of the air or gis in the vessel F; so that, it comes and collects in
cylinder C. The piston is then moved down- The valve V l now remains closed
due to the increased pressure on it, and the valve V z is thrown open by the gas in
the cylinder, which thus escapes out into the atmosphere-
The operation is repeated a number of times ; each time the gas comes
and collects in the cylinder daring the upward stroke of the piston and is forced
out during the downward stroke so thaf, after some time, there is a fairly good
;
vacuum produced in the vessel F-
This pump is unable to give a high vacuum, because of the pressure of the
residual gas or air in the vessel being unable to force the valve V l open and get
into the cylinder.
That complete vacuum cannot be created by this pump may be shown
mathemetically as follows :
Let V c cs. be the volume of the vessel Fand the tube up to the bottom
of C, and v, thac of the cylinder. Then, during the first upward stroke, the
volume V of the gas expands to (V+v) c.cs And, since during the downward
stroke of the piston, a volume v of the gas, (i e., equal to thai of the cylinder),
is swept oat, the volum: of the gas left behind is V c-cs i <?., K/iK-f v) of the
,
original volume (K + v) c cs. During the next upward stioke, this volume again
expands to (V \-v) c.cs anJ, again, during the downward stroke, vc.cs. is forced
,
out, leaving behind V\(V -f v) of the volume left after the first stroke, or
VI(V + v) of VI(V + v) of the original volume (V f v) c.ci i.e (K/l/4 v)* of the
, ,
original volume.
Similarly, after the third stroke, the volume of air or gas left behind will
b^ (V IV \-vi* of thj original volume, and, therefore, after n strokes, the volume
n
left behind will be (K/K-fi>) of ths original volume (V i-v).
n can never be however
Now, it is clear that this expression, (V\V -f-v) , zero,
great the value of n.
In other words, whatever the number of strokes given, there will always be
some gas left behind in the vessel, and thus there can be no perfect vacuum
air or
created inside it.
As a matter of fact, the pressure can hardly be reduced below 1 cm. of
mercury column with the help of this pump, due partly to the inability of the
gas to open the valve V,, and partly to leakage and the presence of moisture in
the vessel or receiver to be exhausted. For obtaining low pressures, therefore,
other types of pumps are uged, the Rotary Oil Pumps being the mo e suitable
for the purpose.
276. Rotary Oil Pumps. Originally devised by Gaede, these
are of two types, viz., (/) the rotary vane oil pump, and (//') the
stationary-vane oil pump. The principle underlying both is, however,
the same, a massive cylindrical shaft or *rotor\ revolving eccentri-
cally inside a hollow stout steel cylinder, or 'stator* compressing the
gas or vapour entering it, and finally ejecting it a 'non-re- through
EXHAUST PUMPS 549
turn' outlet valve, the whole pump being kept immersed in oil,
which serves a three-fold purpose, (i) providing automatic lubrication,
(//) preventing leakage of gas or vapour into the high vacuum created,
and (iii) making for efficient cooling of the pump. Let us study each
typo in a little more detail.
L^The Rotary-vane Oil Pump, or the Gaede Rotary Oil Pump.
The mam^arjbs of the pump are shown diagrammatically in Fig. 322,
where C is the hollqw, cylindrical steel chamber
or stator' and S, the stout and massive cylindri-
l
cal shaft or 'rotor\ rotating eccentrically (by
means of an electric motor) such that it is
always in contact with the stator at some peri-
pheral point, such an P.
A cut diametrically, right across the
slot,
rotor, carries vanes, slid into it, which are
two
iK)t only kept apart from each other, but also
pressed against the walls of the stator by means
of one or more springs in between them, thus Fig. 322.
dividing the space between the stator and the rot
>- into two separate
compartments.
On either side of P, where the rotor and the stator remain in
contact, the stator is provided with an inlet and an outlet port O
(/) t
the latter being fitted with a spring- operated valve V. The whole
pump is kept immersed in oil for the reasons explained above.
As the rotor rotates in the direction shown, the space between
the rotor and the stator, on the inlet side, goes on increasing, while
that between the rotor and the outlet side of the stator goes on
to /
decreasing, so that the gas or vapour from the vessel connected
iiS
continually drawn into the former, and that, in the latter, gets
progressively compressed, until when its pressure becomes sufficiently
high, it forces open valve V and escapes out of the outlet O.
The
process goes on repeating itself until a pressure as low as lQ~
3mm. is
produced in the vessel connected to the pump. A special self-sealing
oil- valve prevents the gas or vapour from being sucked back into the
exhausted vessel, even when the pump stops working. No fore-
vacuum is required for the working of this pump, and it can, there-
fore, be used directly from the atmospheric pressure.
The Rotary vane or the Oil Pump. It
2. Hyvac Rotary
consists of a stout outer cylinder C, inside which is mounted
(it) (III) (iv)
Fig. 32J.
550 rttUrJHiKTlJilS Uif MATTJfiit
eccentrically, a cylinder jR, called the rotor, (Fig. 323). Kept pressed
against the rotor, with the help of a spring $, is a partition, called
the vane V> which keeps the gas or air, already inside the cylinder,
apart from the fresh in coming gas or air. The outer cylinder is
provided with an inlet tube /, \vhich is connected to the vessel to
be exhausted, and an outlet tube (9, which is provided with a valve,
opening outwards. To prevent any leakage, the whole pump is
Immersed in oil, as shown in Pig. 323 (/), but a special type of valve
prevents the oil from getting into the vessel being exhausted, when
the pump is stopped. The rotor is driven at a very high speed by
means of a separate electric motor in the direction shown by the
arrow heads.
Fig. (i) shows the condition to start with, when the inlet tube
isconnected to the vessel to be exhausted, and when the gas or air
from the vessel has just been admitted into the space in-between
the cylinder and the rotor R.
Fig. (ii) shows the condition when the rotor has started
rotating eccentrically, and the gas or air is being compressed. Fresh
gas or air comes into the cylinder through the inlet tube i, behind
the rotor, and m kept apart from that already present by the vane
F, as explained above.
Fig. (///) shows the process of compression, taken a step further.
Fig. (/v) shows the final stage of compression, when, due to
increased pressure of the gas in (7, the valve at the mouth of the
outlet tube O is forced open, and the gas is expelled out.
The gas or air behind the rotor is similarly compressed arid
forced out and the cycle is repeated, until a high vacuum is produced
in the vessel, connected to it.
In practice, the pumping system consists of two such units, in
series with each other and mounted side by side, worked by the
same motor. The first unit works directly from the atmosphere, as
explained above, and the second then works from the fore-vacuum
created by it. The maximum speed of working attainable is about
6 litres per minute and the vacuum obtainable, about 10~ 3 mm., as
mentioned already.
It will be readily seen that if a vessel be connected to the outlet
tube 0, the gas or air will be compressed into it, and, therefore, this
pump can also be used as a compression pump.
277. Molecular Pumps. These too are the result of the labours
of Gaede> together with Langmuir, and are based on the principle
that if there be a rapidly rotating surface (called the rotor) very
close or adjacent to a stationary one (ealled the s tat or), the space or
clearance between the two being as srjiall as 03 mm., it exerts, due to
viscosity, a dragging force, in the direction of its own motion, on
the molecules of the gas or vapour in that space. This is so because,
at low pressures, the mean free path (A,) of the molecules of the gas
or vapour is greater than the linear dimensions of this small annular
gap between the rotor and the stator, so that there are too few
collisions between molecules and molecules, compared with those
between molecules and the walls of this gap, and Knudsen has
shown that when such is the case, the molecules acquire the 'drift
EXFIAUST PUMPS 551
velocity' of the rotating surface they impinge upon and rebound from,
and that this velocity is not altered by any subsequent collisions
amongst themselves.
Unlike the oil pumps, which can start working straightaway
from the atmospheric pressure, down to a pressure of 10" 1 to 10~ s
mm., the molecular pumps (as also the diffusion pumps) operate
only from a reduced pressure or a fore-vacuum. They are, there-
fore, always used in series with a backing pump, connected to the
exhaust port, which creates the necessary fore-vacuum or 'rough*
vacuum to receive the gas or vapour driven into it by the rotor,
there being a continuous unbroken communication between the receiver
and the rough vacuum, in contrast with the other types of pumps*,
where there is only an intermittent or interrupted communication
between the two, a solid or a liquid piston first separating out a
part of the gas or vapour in the receiver and then putting it into
communication with the atmosphere or the rough vacuum, into which
it is
expelled.
Fig. 324 shows a diagrammatic representation of the pump,
where A represents the rotor, revolving roundf about an axis through
its centre, inside and closely adjacent to the walls
of the hermetically sealed shell or stator 0. There
are an inlet and an outlet in the stator at P and Q
respectively, with a slot in-between the two,
where the annular gap is consequently greater
than at all other points,
As the rotor revolves in the direction shown,
it drags with it the gas or vapour from the inlet
port P to the outlet port Q, thus creating a pres-
sure difference between the two, as indicated by
the manometer M. This pressure difference can-
not possibly be duo to the viscosity of the gas
alone for, at ordinary pressure, the viscosity of a
; Fig. 324
gas is found to be quite independent of the pressure. Indeed, Gaede
has shown that the pressure difference (p l p 2 ) between P and Q is
given by the relation,
6/w
*>i P* -
__ *' '
fa
where ^ the viscosity of the gas in question, z/, the speed of the
is
rotor and / and
//, the length and radial depth of the slot between P
and Q. Thus, at ordinary pressures, since *? undergoes ro
change,
the pressure difference (p l p 2 ) remains con>tant for a constant
speed
(M) of the rotor.
At low pressures, on the other hand, it has been shown by
Gaede that it is the pressure ratio pjp 2 (and not the pressure difference)
that remains constant for a constant speed of the rotor, and which is
also quite independent of the fore vacuum. This pressure ratio is
given by the relation Pi!p z = e
cw
where c is a constant, depending
,
*Bxcept the diffusion pumps.
tThe speed of its rotation should never be less than 5000 revolutions per
minute.
552 PBOPEBT1BS OF MATTER
upon both the nature of the gas or vapour and the dimensions o
the slot.
In Gaede's own form of the pump, there are a set of twelve slots
or grooves along the circumference of the rotor 9 their depths decreas-
ing progressively from about *6 cm. in the inner to about "15 cm. in
outer section, the sections being all connected in series. Into these
rotor-grooves fit projections from the stator, the clearance between
the two being '03 mm. and the gas or vapour is swept along thin
small clearance. The arrangement of the slots is such that the
pressure has its lowest value at the centre and goes on gradually
increasing as we procesd outwards to the ends, where we have the
backing pump connected.
In the Hoi week type of pump, the working is on similar lines,
but the sl^ts are made in the stator, with no corresponding projections
on the rotor, and the clearance between the two can here be reduced
to a figure even lower than -03 mm. The Jow pressure obtained by
these pumps is conditioned by (/) the speed of the rotor and (//) the
fore-vacuum at which they are worked. Thus, for example, with
a fore-vacuum of about 2 mm. and with a rotor- speed of 10,000 revolu-
tions per minute, the pressure ma;y be reduced by Gaede's pump
down to the figure of 10~ 6 mm. within a matter of minutes. Hoi week
even succeeded in evacuating nitrogen gas down to a pressure of
10 7 mm. with the help of his pump, with a rough vacuum of only
15 mm. and a rotor-speed of 4500 rev. per mt. Such low pressures
are, however, welJ-nigh impossible to attain when there are vapours
present.
The one serious drawback of these pumps is the recurrence of
mechanical trouble, due to the small clearance between the rotor
and the stator. And then, while they can easily deal with gases and
vapours, slowly vaporising substances, like mercury, and traces of
grease etc., give a lot of trouble.
^^ 278 Diffusion- Condensation Pump. The inter-diffusion of one
gas intc^jMlother has been used to create rapid vacuum in vessels. The
method was first used by Gaede in the year 1815, and depends
upon the principle that, in a mixture of gases, the diffusion of a gas
takes place from a region, where its concentration is great tr to the one,
where i s concentration is smaller, or, in other words, from a region
f
where its partial pressure is higher, tojhe one, where it is lower, irres-
pective of the total pressure in the two regions. The action of the
pump will be clear from the diagrammatic representation of it in
Fig. 325.
F to be exhausted of air
The bulb
or gas connected by means of a tube
is
C to a wider vertical tube AB, through
which a regular stream of air-free liquid
vapour is maintained in a direction
shown, the tube C being kept at a
low temperature, by circulating cold
water round it.
Now, clearly, the concentration or
325 *
the pressure of air, is greater at C than
EXHAUST PUMPS 553
at the othfjr end, because the liquid vapour being air-free,
there is little or no air here and, therefore, diffusion of air
takes place from C into AB, where it is swept out by the stream
of the liquid vapour, so that, again, the concentration and partial
pressure of air are greater at C than at the end opposite and hence
more air diffuses from C into AB. This goes on so long as the
*
pressure of air at C is greater than its partial pressure in A B.
The liquid vapour also tends to diffuse from AB, where its con-
centration (and, therefore, its pressure) ig greater, towards C, where
itw concentration and pressure are lower, thus driving the air diffusing
from G into AB backwards, bub this is prevented by (/) making the*
aperture of C, opening into AB, narrow, its dimensions being smaller
than the mean free path of the molecules of the gas or air in AB,
so that there are much fewer vapour- gas or vapour-air molecular
collisions and the diffusion velocity of mecury vapour towards 'C
is smaller than the diffusion velocity of air from C into B, and (//')
condensing the mercury vapour by cooling the tube C, thus not only
preventing it from proceeding further and entering the vessel F, but
also reducing the residual vapour pressure there to less than 10~ 3
mm., thereby ensuring an uninterrupted diffusion of the gas from C
into AB, The condensed mercury is then conveyed back to the boiler,
(not shown), to be used over again.
This pump can, however, be used successfully only when the
pressure in the receiver or vessel F, is about or less than 1 cm. of
mercury. The pressure in the vessel is, therefore, first reduced to
this value, or this fore-vacuum created, by means of a rotary vacuum
pump, which can be connected to the vessel through the inside lube
T the maximum effect being obtained when the pressure of the mercury
t
vapour is just above the fore-vacuum, thus produced,
Such pumps may be used in series, each pump, in turn, carrying
the evacuation a step further than the last, and thus a pressure
as low as a millionth of a centimetre of mercury column can be
rapidly attained, although, theoretically speaking, there can be no
limit to the vacuum produced by them. For, under the ideal con-
ditions, mentioned above, there would be a continuous diffusion of
the air or gas from C into AB, until the air or gas pressure there is
reduced to zero.
Since diffusion as well as condensation both play their part in
the working of these pumps, they are referred to variously as diffu-
sion-condensation pumps, diffusion pumps or even condesation pumps.
The vacuum obtained with the help of these pumps is of a very
8
high ordcr,--10~ mm.
or less, with a fore-vacuum of lO" 1 mm., and
they are, therefore, being increasingly used for the evacuation of
.
X-ray tubes and wireless valves and for such other industrial
purposes.
There arc only two main drawbacks of these pumps, viz.,
(i) they ha\e a comparatively slow exhaust speed, and
(ii) fiey need a rather vigilant regulation of the vapour-temperature.
554 PBOPBBTIBS OF MATTER
A simple form of diffusion pump, (designed by Waran), is shown
Fig. 326. It consists of a conical glass vessel A, containing
mercury, which is heated, so that the mercury
vapour passes up the tube B, which ends in a
nozzle, into a wider tube C, surrounded with a
cold water jacket. An inlet tube / connects the
tube C to the vessel to be exhausted, through
a Uquid-air-trap, (not shown). The tube B is
lagged with asbestos to prevent any condensation
of mercury vapour in it.
As the mercury vapour issues out of the
nozzle, it carries along with it the air, /diffusing
into C through (/) from the vessel to be ex-
hausted, the diffusion of the mercury vapour
into the vessel being prevented by its almost
immediate condensation on entering C. The air
then discharged through the outlet tube and
is
Fig. 326. the mercury vapour collected in the bend D
Lelow Cand returned back to A. The process goes on, until a
high
vacuum, of the order of about 10~ 5 mm. of mercury is created in the
vessel, connected to /. A still higher vacuum, of the order of
about 1C- 7 mm. of mercury can be produced with the
help of (he
process of absorption, (see 279, I) i.e., by placing in the vessel some
loos? coconut charcoal, recently heated under reduced
pressure, whioh.
on being cooled externally, with liquid air, absorbs the
gas and the
vapour.
N.B. The modern
trend is to replace mercury with other liquids like,
Apiezon Butyl Phthalate or even ten per cent Paraffin with Butyl Phthalate,
oils,
baring as low a vapour pressure as 1Q- mm.
6
for mercury vapour, if it does
;
once get into the vacuum system, becomes a real source of trouble.
279. Other Methods of Producing Vacua. As we have seen
above, the lowest pressure attainable with the help of a
pumping
device is 10- 6 mm. To produce still lower
pressures, other devices
have to be used. The following is a very brief
description of these :
1 The Sorption Process. This consists in connecting the to besystem
evacuated to a tube containing some freshly heated coconut charcoal
(preferably
under reduced pressure) and surrounded by liquid air, when
gases, like carbon
dioxide, nitrogen and ammonia, are absorbed by the charcoal. To remove
Hydrogen, palladium black may be used in place of coconut charcoal The
pressure, thus obtained, is as low as 10-* mm., which may be even further reduced
it the method be used in
conjunct ion with a backing pump.
2. The Chemical Process. Known as the chemical process
of 'flashing it
consists in suddenly vaporizing a metal, like
magnesium or calcium, in a vessel
in communication with the desired to be evacuated, when most of the
system
vaporized metal condenses back on the walls of the vessel, the rest
with the gases present, a compound of forming
negligibly small vapour pressure, thus'
reducing the pressure in the system to a very large extent.
Usually, the vessel
used is a glass bulb, properly fitted with a
tungsten filament, on which the
cnosen metal is placed. A momentary
large current is then passed through the
filament, when the metal burns
put with a flash and gets vaporized, the conden-
sing part of it forming a bright mirror like deposit on the inner side of the bulb
i nis is the method
largely employed in evacuating radio valves.
3. The Thermal Process. This consists in the removal of
gases, like Nitro-
gen, which disappear slowly in the presence of a
glowing or incandescent
tungsten filament, As can be
easily understood this process plays an important
EXHAUST PUMPS 555
part in maintaining the high degree of evacuation in the ordinary incandescent
electric lamps. Langmuir is indisputably the pioneer in this branch of wgn
vacuum technique.
4. The Electrical Process. This consists in ionizing the atoms or molecules
of the gas to be removed, either by means of a glow discharge or by bombard-
ing them by means of electrons, obtained by thermionic emmission.
The ions,
thus produced, get deposited on, or adhere to, the walls of the containing vessel,
if it be kept suitably cooled. As can be readily seen, this process finds wide
application in the production and maintenance of high order vacuum in incan-
descent lamps and radio valves.
In actual practice, in most cases, the chemical, the thermal, the electri-
cal processes, although each a completely independent process in itself, operate
conjointly and simultaneously, as, for example, in the case of the evacuation
of radio valves, where the first one produces tbe initial vacuum and the latter
two augment and maintain it.
And, finally, however effective the method or the means employed, it is
the whole
imperative for a satisfactory maintenance of a high degree vaccum that
evacuated system should be perfectly leak-proof. Hence it is that it should pre-
be used,
ferably consist wholly of glass or wholly of metal, but, if both needs must
they must be directly and carefully sealed together, air-tight.
280. Measurement of Low Pressures. Manometers and Gauges
As mentioned earlier, the production of low pressures, of necessity
led to the development of the proper means to measure them. Such
measuring instruments or devices fall under the heading 'manometers
and gauges'. Since we are concerned with the detailed working
of only the more important or useful ones, here, we shall content
ourselves with only a brief and rapid survey of the rest, not so much
with a view to studying their working in detail as to acquainting our-
selves with the different principles on which such devices may possibly
be based. Here, then, are the different measuring devices at a glance.
Low Pressure Measuring Devices
i
----
Manometers Gauges
I I 1 I
Mercury Mechanical Viscosity I
Manometers Manometers Manometers \
Radiometer Conductivity lonization Effusion
Gauges Gauges Gauges Gauges
1. Mercury Manometers. These are of two important types, viz.,
(i) Differential and Optical Lever Manometers,
which are improved modifi-
cations of the ordinary mercury manometers, with more sensitive methods of
observation and measurement, suitable for measurement of pressures up to
10~ 8 mm.
(ii) McLeod Gauge, which is a standard device of its type, based on the
validity of Boyle's Law at low pressures, suitable for accurate measurement of
pressures, down to 10~ mm. (See pages 558-60).
fi
2 Mechanical Manometers. These are based on the principle of mechani-
cal deformation produced in a thin wall or diaphragm, due to pressure. They
are calibrated against the McLeod Gauge and their range too does not go below
10"" 1 mm. The two well known manometers of this class are
(i) the Bourdon Spiral Gauge, (see 282), and
(ii) the Aneroid Barometer type.
3. Viscosity Manometers, The principle underlying these is that at low
in relative motion is propor-
pressures, the viscous drag between two surfaces
tional to P/Af, where P is the pressure of the gas, and A/, its molecular weight.
656 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
They are of two types, viz.,
(/) The Damping or Decrement type, a good example
of which is Coolidge's
Quartz fibre Gou?e, which is suitable for the measurement of pressures, ranging
between 10" f mm. and 10~ 5 mm.
(//) The Molecular iype a well known example of which is Langrnwr and
t
Dushman's Molecular Gauge, suitable for the pressure range 1Q- mm. to 10 mm.
1 7
4. Radiometer Gauges. These are based on the measurement of the rate
of trarsference of momentum from a hot to a cold surface due to molecular
bombardment. Among gauges of this type may be mentioned
(/) Crooke*s Radiometer, which is suitable only for qualitative work.
(See Foot note- page 568)
(//) Knudsen's Absolute Gauge* which is a standard gauge of its type and
a close rival of McLeod Gauge in itssensitiveness and accuracy, having a wide
range, from 10-* mm. to 10~ 7 mm. (See 284).
5. The underlying principle of these it the effect
Conductivity Gauges.
of pressure on the rate of transfer of heat by the process of conduction, their range
being comparatively small, from lO" mm. to 10~ mm. Among gauges of this type
1 4
may be mentioned
(/) The thermopile Gauges.
(//) Pirani-Hall Resistance Gauge 285, and
(Hi) Gauges,based on linear expansion of metallic wires or strips.
6. lonization Gauges, These depend for their action on the variation of
electrical conductivity of a gas with pressure. Mention may be made here of two
Found type,
gauges of this t>pe, v/z., (i) Buckley's type, and (//) Dushman and
this latter one being suitable for measurement of pressures from 10
mm. down
to the lowest attainable pressure. (///) <*-ray ionisat ion gauge (see 288;.
7. Effusion Gauges. Used only for the measurement of vapour pressures
of metals.
of some of these.
Let us now proceed on with a detailed consideration
281. Common Mercury Manometers. These are of two types,
viz., (/) Open and (//") Closed
The Open Manometer. It consists of a U-tube, with both
I.
limbs open, one limb being a little shorter than the other, and bent
at right angles, as shown in Fig.
327. A liquid, of suitable den-
sity, depending upon the press-
ure* to be measured, is poured
into the tube, so as to be above
the bend, and, of course, at the
same level in either limb. The
shorter limb is then connected to
the gas-supply or the vessel, the
is to be measur-
g 327.
Fig .
pressure of which
in the shorter limb then rises above, or
ed The level of the liquid
falls below, that in the other limb, according
as the pressure of the
than that of the atmosphere, as shown In figs.
gas ia lower or higher
and The difference of the levels in the two limbs
(a) (b) respectively.
as follows
is then read, and the pressure of the gas calculated
:
Let the difference of levels in the two limbs be h, and let the
in case (a) is
barometric height be H. Then, pressure^^f jthe^gas
----- That of the atmosphere by
*If lh"e mes~6ureTo" b^lneasiir^""diffelrs TFom
only a small amount, the difference
of level in the two
if a heavy liquid, like mercury, be used.
"^^j^^J*
But, with a lighter liquid, like oil,
the
difference is quite considerable. With mercury as the liquid used, pressures
ranging between i to li atmospheres only can be measured correctly.
EXHAUST PCJMPS 557
(//A), and in case (b), (H+h) cms. of mercury column, if the
it is
liquid used be mercury. In case, however, the liquid be oil or water,
of density p, the pressure in the two cases will be (H ft.p/13 6) and
(//+/f.p/13-6) respectively, (where 13-6 gms.jc.c. is the density of
mercury).
2. The Closed Manometer. It is used for the measurement of
high pressures. It is just like the open manometer in construction,
but with the longer limb closed at the top, as shown,
(Fig. 328), and containing some air, at atmospheric pre-
AIR* -i
ssure, in the closed space above the liquid, with the
level of the liquid columns in the two limbs the same,
to start with.
When the shorter limb is connected to the gas
supply, the level of the liquid column in the shorter
limb is pushed down, and that in the other pushed
up, so that the air in it gets compressed. The pressure Fig. 238.
of this enclosed air being inversely proportional to its volume, it can
be determined by noting its new volume And, from this pressure
and the difference in the levels of the liquid columns in the two limbs,
the pressure of the gas-supply, in communication with tte shorter
limb, can be easily calculated as follows :
Lot original volume of the enclosed air be V c.cs., its pressure
being one atmosphere or 76 cms. of mercury column. Then, if v be
its volume, after the shorter limb is connected to the gas-supply, we
have, by Boyle's law,
r where His now the pressure of
70 \ K H<v, I the Tenclosed air, in terms of
L length of mercury column,
whence, //=76 x K/v.
Thus, knowing the original volume V and the new volume v of
the enclosed air, //, the pressure of the enclosed air can be known.
This, then, is the pressure at B in the longer closed limb. If there-
fore, the difference of levels in the two limbs be A, and the liquid
used in the manometer be mercury, the pressure at A, i.e., the pres-
sure of the gas-supply =(//-f/z) cms. of mercury column. In case the
liquid used be oil or water, of density p, we have
pressure of the gas-supply = (H + cms of mercury.
-
1 j.pO
The Bourdon Gauge. For the measure-
282.
ment of \ what is called a
cry high pressures,
Bourdon Gauge is used. The principle underly-
ing it is the same as that in the case of the
Aneroid barometer, which is in fact a modification
of the gauge.
It consists of a tube ABC, (Fig. 329), ellipti-
cal in section, with the end A closed and the end
(7, open, so that it can be put into communica-
tion with the gas-supply, the pressure of which is
desired to be determined.
Dueto the high pressure of the gas entering
the tube, it tends to become more circular in
Fig. 329. section and this results in the end A of the tube
558 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
being forced away from C. This movement of A, in its turn, moves
the pointer P over a scale, graduated
directly in atmospheres, by
comparing its indications with a standard gauge, as in the Aneroid
barometer. The instrument is thus a direct readfng one, and can
obviously be used to determine low pressures also.
McLeod Vacuum Gauge. An ordinary manometer is not
quite suitable for the measurement of very low pressures, like those
obtaining in incandescent electric lamps and Z-ray tubes etc., where
the pressure is as low as 10~ 5 mm. For such purposes, the McLeod
Vacuum Gauge, designed by McLeod in the year 1874, is used. The
form of the instrument, shown in Fig. 330 is a
slight modification of
the original, in main due to Gaede, and consists of a
cylindrical or
spherical bulb B, of known volume, ending above in a graduated capil-
lary tube CA, and connected to a reservoir of mercury R and a side-
tube EF, which can be put into communication with the vessel or the
pump in which the pressure is desired to bo determined. A side
capillary tube G is attached to it, as shown, whose diameter is the
same as that of CA. Its use is to counteract the
depression of the
^zz> G/5 mercury column in CA due to capillarity ,
for,being of the same diameter as CA, the
depression of the mercury column in it is
also the same as that in CA.
When the reservoir R is lowered until
the mercury falls below the bend D, the
bulb B and the vessel in which the pressure
is to be measured are
put into communica-
tion with each other and the bulb is filled
with the gas, whose pressure P is to be
determined. On raising the reservoir, mer-
cury rises into the bulb as well as the side
tube, thus cutting off EF from B, 'and the
gas enclosed in the bulb is compressed as
mercury rises further and further up into it,
until the whole of it is forced into the capiU-
ary tube CA. The reservoir is raised still
further, until the whole of the bulb B and ^.
Fig 330 part of the capillary tube CA are filled with
mercury, and the mercury in the capillary tube G attached to EF, t
rises up in a level with the top end A of CA. The depression of the
column CA having been compensated for, as explained above, the
difference of level between the columns 'of mercury in the two
capillary tubes CA and G, or what is the same thing, between the
end A of CA, and the top of mercury column in it (because A is at
the same height as the mercury column in G) gives straightaway the
pressure of the gas in CA. Let it be h cms.
Then, if V be the volume of the capillary tube CA and the bulb
B up to the bend D and v, the volume of the gas after the mercury
has risen into it, we have Px V~h X v.
Or, P=A.v/K,
whence P, the pressure of the^as, can be easily calculated.
EXHAUST PUMPS 559
It will be readily seen that the greater the value of V and the
smaller that of v, the smaller the value of P that can be measured.
Thus, the sensitiveness of the gauge depends upon the ratio F/v.
Now, although quite an efficient guage, so much so that
practically all other types of gauges are calibrated with reference to
it, the performance of the McLeod guage becomes somewhat erratic
in the presence of easily condewible vapours. This can, however, be
easily remedied by introducing a liquid air trap in between the guage
and the high vacuum side (i.e., the vessel in which the pressure is to
be determined). In fact, the liquid-air trap must be used even other-
wise to prevent any mercury vapours entering the evacuated vessel.
Apart from this, there are quite a few other drawbacks in the
lorm of the instrument, discussed above. TLus, for example, // is
rather inconvenient to manipulate the reservoir with such a large amount
of mercury in it and the mercury which remains in contact with the
;
rubber of the flexible tube is likely to get contaminated due to the pre-
sence of sulphur in the composition of rubber. This latter trouble has,
in recent years, been sought to be got over by the use of a tube of
stainless steel in place of rubber. Even so, a better modification of
the gauge is the one described below.
284. Improved modification of McLeod Gauge In this improved
version of the gauge, the reservoir, with its attached flexible rubber
tube is dispensed with altogether.
Instead, tube D
is made longer and
fitted into a rubber bung in one
mouth of a Wouljf's bottle W, so as
to dip inside mercury contained
therein, as shown in Fig. 331. Into
the other mouth of the bottle is
fitted a side-tube N, connected
through a stop-cock 5, to (/) a small
soda lime tower T, and (//) a tube L,
leading to some simple form of a
backing pump. The tower T has a
packing of glass wool at either end
to prevent any particles of soda-
lime getting into the gauge, and is
connected at the top to a long capil-
lary tube J, through a small rubber
tubing, provided with a spring-clip,
so as to enable it to be put into
communication with, or cut off from,
the outside air, as desired.
The procedure consists in first
putting the WoulfFs bottle in com-
munication with the pump, through Fig- 331.
the stop -cock, so that the whole of the mercury in the gauge comes
down into the bottle, the pressure throughout being the same as pro-
duced by the backing pump, and, of course, very much lower than
that of the atmosphere. The communication between the bottle and
the pump is now cut off and that between the former and the soda-
560 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
lime tower partially established by a slight rotation of 5, so that
the air from outside gradually enters the bottle, losing its moisture
during its passage through soda-lime in the tower. This results in an
increase of pressure on the surface of mercury in the Jbottle and it
being forced up into D. The gauge is then used in the manner
already explained. It will easily be seen that the labour involved
in moving the reservoir up and down for necessary adjustment of
the mercury columns in C and G, and the possibility of contamination
of mercury are both thus neatly obviated.
When all said and done, however, the McLeod gauge still
is
continues to have inherent defects of being rather unwieldy in size
its
and its inability to give a continuous record of pressure changes in
the vessel, Then, again, the use of the liquid-air trap adversely
affects the rate of pumping and the readings obtained on the gauge
may not be truly indicative of the actual pressure inside the vessel
at any given instant. In any case, its readings in the last lap of its
4
range, from 1()~ to 10
5
mm. are really never quite so reliable.
285. The Pirani Resistance Gauge. It is fairly well known that
whereas at high pressures, the thermal conductivity (A') of a gas is
quite independent of pressure, at preasures below 10
2
mm. of
mercury column, when the mean free path of the gas molecules is of
the same order of magnitude as the diameter of the containing vessel,
it is directly proportional to the pressure (/?) / ., A' is a linear function
of p. Or, K= oc.p, where a is a constant.
This fact, first made use of by Warburg, in the year 1907, for
the measurement of lo\v pressures, is really the basis of the Pirani
gauge, P.O in Fig. 332(0), which consists of a tungsten or platinum
filament (Fj, enclosed in a small detachable glass bulb (B)>* very
much similar in construction to that of the 'casje-type* incandescent
lamp and maintained at a temperature, higher than that of the
surroundings. The bulb is opan at the lower end which can be
connected to the vessel in which the pressure is to be determined.
With change in the pressure of the gas in between the filament
and the walls of the bulb, the rate of heat conduction across the ga^
also changes, resulting in a change in tho temperature of the filament
and hence in its resistance. Wo measure this change in the resistance
of the filament which gives the change in the thermal conductivity and
hence, indirectly, the pressure of the gas. A calibration curve for tho
gauge, is, therefore, plotted by measuring simultaneously the resis-
tance of the filament and the pressure of the gas around it, the
former by means of a Wheastone's bridge, to which a constant potential
difference is applied, sufficient to heat the filament to a temperature
of about 120C, and the latter, by means of a Mcleod gauge. The
pressure, corresponding to any value of tho resistance of the filament,
can then be read directly on this curve.
Now, for the reason already stated, this calibration curve is a
straight line, so long as the pressure of the gas is below 10~
2
mm ,
but at higher pressures, the relation between K
and p no longer
remains linear and K
varies in a somewhat complicated manner with
both the pressure of the gas and the temperature of the surroundings.
"There are also other forms of the gauge in which the bulb is not detachable.
EXHAUST PUMPS 561
In fact, the relation between K &nd p can be represented by no simple
formula, ^ith the result that the calibration curve now ceases to be
straight. To tide over this difficulty, Campbell suggested that instead
of keeping the voltage across the bridge constant and measuring the
resistance of the filament, the temperature, and hence the resistance,
of the filament must be kept const int. and the potential difference,
required to be applied to tho bridge for the purpose, must be
measured.
Accordingly, the gauge (P.O.) is connected in one arm of the
bridge, [Fig, 3 12 (#)], together with fixed resistances ^ R
and 2 and the
variable resistance R B in the other three
(BATTERY)
arms, as indicated, all these resistances
being made of an alley like 'mangcmin*
and 'mina/pha\ having an almost zero
coefficient of temperature. The potential
diffeicnre is applied to the bridge at A and
C, by means of a potential-divider, i.e.,
through a rheostat included in the battery
circuit, so as to be varied at will, and its
value read on the voltmeter V connected
across the bridge terminals A and
C, as
shown. To ensure constancy
of the tem-
perature of the surroundings of the fila-
ment, the bulb of the gauge is placed in
a thermostat at 0C-
Procedure. (/) With a known poten-
tial difference across A and C, the bridge
\ 6A$ FROM
EXHAUSTED
OF MERCURY) +
p (MMS
(ft) Fig. 332 (/?)
is balanced in the usual manner by adjusting the variable resistance
jR 3 so that the deflection in the
,
galvanometer is zero and there is
sufficient current through the filament of the
gaugo to raise its
temperature to about 100C. Now, every time the pressure changes,
the voltage across A and C is
adjusted to restore the balance of the
bridge and make the galvanomstor deflection zero. Then, if 9 be the
excess temperature of the filament over that of the
surroundings, the
he %t-loss along the leads L and L, assumsd small, will be r
prop jrtional
c
to 0, say equal to
j30, where p is a constant. And, if V be the/
562 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
voltage applied across the bridge, the heat dissipated per second in
the filament is equal to <xF 2 where a is another constant ,And,
further, if/7 be the pressure of the gas around the filament, the heat
lost per second by conduction across it is f(p), where f(p) is some
function of pressure. We, therefore, have
Now, for the same value of 6, but with p 0, (ic\, with
vacuum around the tilament), if the voltaic required to be applied to
the bridge be F , clearly, aK 2 = $0. ...
(//)
Dividing relation (/) by (//), therefore, we have
where /(30 1 =
k. a constant, which is almost quite independent of the
material and the length of the filament and varies only with the
nature of the gas.
But, as we have seen, measurement of the pressure of the gas
by means of a McLeod (or any other absolute) gauge shows that,
f(p)
= yp where y is also a constant So that
t
(v*-v*)\vf krp,
i.e., (F
2
F 2 )/F 2
is directly proportional to pressure.
If, we plot a graph between/? and (V* -V }\V * for
therefore,
the gas, we
got a straight line, its inclination with the axis of p
depending rpon7 the nature of the gas in question, as is clear from
the two curves rawn by c ampbell for hydrogen and air, [Fig. 332, (b)],
<
where p was measured by a McLeod gauge.
(//) In actual practice, it becomes rather tedious to use Camp-
bell's met/1 lod and, therefore, the following simplified procedure is
adopted
The bridge is first balanced with only vacuum about the filament
and then keeping the voltage across the bridge constant at this very
value, the gas or air is allowed into the gauge. The balance of the
bridge is thus naturally upset, and a current, corresponding to this
upset, or the "out of the balance current', as it is aptly called, passes
through the galvanometer, the deflections of which, in terms of scale
divisions are noted for various values of pressure of the gas (as
indicated by a McLeod gauge). I
Then, jV be the number of scale divisions through which the
if
galvanometer needle is deflected for a pressure p of the gas surround-
ing the filament, we have N czf(p), A graph between the two is,
therefore, a straight line and gives tho required calibration curve for
the gauge, from which the pressure of the gas for any deflection in
the galvanometer can be read off straightaway.
Essential points of the gauge. For the success of the gauge as a
low- press re -measurer, the essential points are that (/) the material
\ \
of the filament must have a high coefficient <>j temperature, so that the
change in its resistance must be appreciable for a small change in ts
temperature It is, therefore, made of a tung*t<m or a platinum wire,
of a diameter of about -06 mm
(n) th<* ^lament mu\t throughout be ; t
kept taut, so that the distance between it and tho walls of the erfHos-
EXHAUST PUMPS 563
(iii) the
heat losses along the filament-
ing bulb remains unlatered ;
support must be as small as possible.
To ensure both these conditions (H) and (in), a poor conductor
of heat like a glass rod is used by way of support for the filament and
it is taken round glass beads, as shown, (Fig 332), with its longer
walls of the bulb on either side; and
portions equidistant from the
(iv) the galvanometer should have a high current sensitivity.
Range, Utility and Drawbacks of thef Gauge. 4 The range of the
to 10~ mm. of mercury,
gauge is rather (small, viz., between 10"
but because of its almost instantaneous action, it is extremely useful
for the measurement of pressure fluctuations. t
Its chief drawbacks are that (/) it is wholly unsuitable for use
with organic vapours, as its filament gets 'poisoned' by them; (//') it is
rather much too sensitive to sudden or accidental thermal or mechanical
shocks and vibrations, which must, therefore, be avoided as far as
possible. In fact, as a safeguard against the latter disturbance, it is
usual to provide d bhock-absorbing mounting for it (Hi) it is not an
;
absolute gauge and has to be calibrated against a McLeod or some
other absolute gauge; (iv) at pressures below 10~ mm. of mercury column
3
the heat loss occurs more by radiation than conduction-, (v) pressures
behw 1()~ 4 mm. of mercury cannot be measured with its help, with
any reasonable amount of certainty.
Finally, it may as well be mentioned that, like most other
gauges in th^ pressure range 10~ to 10~ mm. of mercury, this too
3 5
requires some manual a ljustments to be made, which are never quite
as reliable* as mechanical or automatic ones. This has, however, been
remedied comparatively recently, (in the year 1939) by Scott by his
clever introduction of a Trio le valve hi the gauge circuit, thereby mak-
ing the working of the gauge at once quick, smooth and automatic.
286. Thermocouple Gauge. It is just a variant of the Pirani Hot
Wire or Resistance Gauge, in which instead of measuring the resistance
of the filament, we measure the temperature
of the hot junction of a thermocouple, JO EXHAUSTED
\ VESSEL
attached to the> filament, from the thermo-
electric e m.f developed in it. The tempe-
rature of the hot junction will obviously
depend upon the thermal conductivity /of T.C.
the g 4s in- between itself (or the fiUrnenM DO
and the walls of the containing gla- ulb\
the outside of which is maintained at 0C
f
and which is connected at its upper opm
end <Fig. 33.'{| to the vessel in which the
(low) pressure is to be measured Th-
value of K for the gas, at such 1'W pr*-
sureM, is as we have seen directly propor-
tional to its prewsure
The fila'nent F here, 's a short
ribbon of const ant nn ai>d is heated bv a
current of upto 50 milliamperes and the hot Fig. 333.
junction of suitable thermocouple
<
TC -
ir n-ct stantan, chrome/-
*
alumel a <timon bismuth, or any titr in attached to the mid
564 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
point of the filament, which is connected through a rheostat R to a
low-voltage battery and a milli-ammeter M.A. The thermocouple
circuit includes a sensitive galvanometer, the deflections of which yive
an indication of the thermo-electric e.m.f. developed and hence that
of the pressure of the gas.
The gauge is, as usual, calibrated against a McLeod gauge with
the same gas in both, if strict accuracy is aimed at
287. lonisation Gauges. Ion Nation, as we know is the process of
knocking out an electron from the outer shell of a gas atom. Amonp;
other ways, this may also be done by means of a fast moving electron
colliding against the gas atom, the process the a being spokon of as
ionisation by electron collision. Before an atom can thus ionise a
gas, however, it must possess a certain minimum amount of energy,
depending upon the gas in question, and must, therefore, be accelerat-
ed through a certain minimum potential difference, calJed the ionisa-
tion potential, V tsay, for that particular gas.
,
The energy thus
acquired by the electron is measured in terms of electron-volts, where
one electron volt is the energy acquired by an electron on being
accelerated through a potential difference of 1 volt.
Now, when an electron is thus knocked off from a gas atom,
naturally what remains behind is a positive ion, since the atom, as a
whole, is neutral. Thus, ionisation produces positive ions and
electrons (negative). If these positive ions be collected on another
auxiliary electrode (i.e., an electrode in addition to the positive
electrode or the anode and the negative electrode or the cathode), we
get a positive ion current, or an ionisation current, for a given value
V of the accelerating voltage above the ionisation potential V This t
.
ionisation, or the positive ion, current, at low pressures, below 10~
3
mm
of mercury, varies linearly with the pressure of the gas. because at such
pressures, an electron is hardly likely to collide with more than one
atom on its way from the cathode to the auxiliary electrode. Thus, in
the ordinary Triode valve, the grid* may very well act as the auxiliary
electrode, if it be given a negative potential with respect to the
filament ;
so that, any Triode valve may be used as an ionisation
gauge. In order to avoid the possibility of electrical leaks between
the electrodes, however, the triodes, meant to be used as ionisation
gauges, are specially constructed with this end in view.
Since the electrons are emitted on heating the filament or the
cathode, such a gauge is called a hot cathode ionisation gauge and the
first satisfactory form of it was due to Dushman and Found. A later
modification, now in common use is the one shown in Fig. 334. The
usual tungsten filament F is here supported on a glass rod R in the
manner indicated, with a co-axial gridG, (of tungsten or molybdenum)
around it, and a nickel or silver coating on the interior of the glass
bulb, enclosing the two, acts as the plate P, with a platinum wire
*In a triode valve, the function of the filament is to emit electrons, when
heated by the current from a low voltage battery, that of the plate (which is a
metal cylinder around the filament and is ordinarily connected to the positive of
a high voltage battery) to attract them, and that of the grid, (which is a spiral, a
wire-gauge or a perforated metal cylinder in-between the filament and the plate) to
control their flow.
EXHAUST PUMPS 565
w sealed on to it, to enable it to be connected to the external electri-
cal circuit. In order to prevent deposition of any metal film on it,
(from the filament or the plate) and thus cause inter-electrode leaks,
tiie glass rod is provided with* loose glass collars C, C, as shown.
TO EXHAUSTED
VESSEL
F)g. 334
Now, the positive ions may be collected either on the grid or
on the plate, as desired, the electrical connections necessary for the
purpose being shown in Fig. 334 (a) and (b), \\it\\ the grid being given
a negative potential in the former and a positive potential in the
latter case, with respect to the filament, and with the plate connected
to the positive aiivl the negative poles of the high voltage or high
tension battery (H.T.B.) of about ll'O volts, iu the two cases respec-
tively. A milliammeter M.A. is included in the plate circuit and a
galvanometer G' in the grid-circuit, in the fir^t case and vice versa in
the second.
Working. (/) First Case, hi this case, the plate being at a posi-
tive potential with respect to the filament, electrons emitted by the
latter (when heated by the current from the low voltage battery
L.T.B.) are attracted towards the plate and pass through the meshes
or holes in the grid. Thus, on their way to the plate, they bring
about ionisation of the gas between the grid and the plate. The posi-
tive ions formed are collected by the grid which is at a negative poten-
tial with respect to the filament. A small ionisation current, or a posi-
tive ion current, thus flows through the grid- filament circuit and can be
oasily read on the galvanometer G
r
included in the circuit, the usual
,
electron current being given by the milliammeter M.A.
(ii) Second Case. Here, since the grid is at a positive and the
plate at a negative potential with respect to the filament, the electrons
emitted by the filament or the hot cathode, are strongly attracted by
the grid (it being nearer to the filament), but quite a number of them
PROPERTIES OF MATTI
get through it on account of their momentum and thus ionise the gas
in the space between the grid and the plate (in case, of course, the
accelerating voltage applied is higher than the ionisation potential
for the gas). The positive ions thus released are collected at the plate,
any electrons straying into the region being repelled back by it.
The positive ion, or the ionisation, current is then read on galvano-
meter G' included in the plate circuit and the electron current on the
milliam meter, as before.
Of the two arrangements discussed above, the latter, i.e., the
is by far the more sensitive,
ve plate one, but the first one is
simpler to work with.
As already indicated, the relation between the ionisation
current and pressure is a linear one only at pressures below 10' 3 mm.
of mercury. If, however, the emission of electrons from the filament
be relatively small, the relation also becomes linear at higher pres-
sures, but, then, the sensitivity of the gauge is considerably
impaired.
This gauge too is not an absolute one and has to be calibrated
against a McLeod gauge, with the same gas in it as the one, the pres-
sures of which is to be determined by the ionisation gauge.
Once calibrated, the galvanometer G' is replaced by a micro -
ammeter, graduated in pressure units.
The gauge can measure much lower pressures, in the range
10~ 3 mm. to 10~ 7 mm of mercury column. It has also other advant-
ages over the McLeod gauge in that (/) it can be used to measure pres-
sures of both vapours and gases and (//) being very much smaller in
size, it can be located in close proximity with the vessel being ex-
hausted.
Among its drawbacks may be mentioned the fact that Its
manipulation is somewhat complicated and that it requires quiie a lot
of extra electrical equipment with it. Also, its sensitivity depends
upon the nature of the gas, the arrangement of its electrodes and the
electric circuitemployed. Then, again, organic vapours 'poison' its
filament, reduce the emission of electrons from it. As a necessary
i.e.,
precaution, therefore, a 'cold trap' of carbon dioxide snow or acetone
is arranged in-between the gauge and the exhausted vessel to get rid
of them. And, in case an oil diffusion pump is being used to exhaust
the vessel, some sort of a 'baffle' must be used to prevent any oil
molecules streaming back into the gauge and thus vitiate its working.
And, finally, at higher pressures, the life of the gauge is shortened, as
much due to the bombardment of the filament by the ions as to the
possibility of the chemical reaction with the gas around it.
288. a-ray Ionisation Gauge. This is the latest form of an ionisa-
tion gauge, in which, as indicated by its very name, the ionisation of
the gas is brought about by means of a-particles from a radio-active
substance. And, since it is not necessary to heat the cathode here,
it may be called a cold cathode iorisation gauge.
Designed by Downing and Mellen in the year 1946, it consists of
a closed ionisation chamber C, (Fig. 335), inside an outer protective
EXHAUST PUMPS 567
shell,and perforated at its top and bottom to allow free access
to the gas inside it. At the bottom of the chamber] is securely
held in position a small saucer-
2
shaped plaque P, I cm in area, ,
and with its upper surface
made of an alloy of gold and
radium, which is in equilibrium
with its products of decay, viz.,
radon, radium A and radium B,
of which the first one is a gas.
To prevent any of this gas escap-
ing out, the upper surface of the
plaque is electrolytic ally coated
with a layer of nickel which also
serves the additional purpose of
preventing contamination by
mercury vapour. The losses from TO EXHAUSTED
the plaque (due to radio-active VESSEL
emission) are so small that the Fig. 335.
instrument needs to be tested only once in a number of years. This
plaque thus forms a highly efficient oc-ray emitter, though with a slow
emanating power.
The inner electrode or the grid G consists of four wires spread
or stretched out, as shown. This limits the distance to be covered
by the positive ions produced by the ionisation of the gas (by the
oc-particles), thus facilitating their 'capture' before they have time to
cover longer distances. For, in the latter case, the ions may re-unite
and thus the linear relation between the ionisation current and
pressure may no longer remain valid and the whole basis of the
gauge knocked out The small ionisation current produced is first
amplified and then read on the microarnmeter M.A., the gauge other-
wise functioning j ust like the hot cathode one discussed earlier, and
has, likewise, to be calibrated against a McLeod Gauge.
Now, although therelationship between ionisation current and
pressure of the gas no longer remains valid beyond a pressure of 10 mm.
of mercury, the gauge may be used (in three successive stages) to
measure pressures within a wide range from 10~ 8 mm. to 1000 mm.
Further, the gauge is a continuous reading one.
The one serious drawback of the gauge is that extra precautions
are necessary to work with it, if one is to save oneself from the
hazards of exposure to the radio-active substance used.
289. The Knudsen Gauge This simple and efficient gauge,
which has been used to measure the lowest pressures yet produced*,
depends upon what is called the radiometric effect. It therefore,
becomes necessary to first understind clearly whaothis 'effect' is.
Radiometric Effect. At high and m>derately high pressures, a
gas behave* like a Visco is liquid and its flow through narrow tubes is
governed by PoiseuWe's law, the rate of flow being proportional to
*Up to 3 x10~ 8 mm-, by Wo^drow. with a temperature difference of 100C
plates- Aad, up to 5 x 12~ m;w., by Shrader and Sherwood who
9
between the two
used a slight modification of it.
568
PROPERTIES OF MATTER
the Jourth power of the radius of the tube and being limited by the
frequency of intra-molecular collisions. At eveiy low pressures, how-
ever, the mean free path of the molecules becomes greater than tho
radius of the tube, the frequency of collisions with the containing
walls preponderates over the frequency of ultra-molecular collisions
and considerations of conductivity and viscosity etc cease to be of
any consequence. The tiow of a gas, under those conditions is very
suggestively called 'molecular flow' by Knudsen, whose extensive work
on the behaviour of gases under vacuum conditions has earned its
deserved recognition in a gas, at such pressures, being known as a
'knudsen gas."
He assumes that a typical gas- molecule is accelerated by the
pressure gradient along the tube and that all its drift velocity is lost
when it collides against a wall for, according to him, the smoothest
;
walls are 'molecularly rough', having, here and there, minute pro-
jections of molecular proportions, due to the piling up of one or two
atoms above the surrounding ones, so that the directions of motion of
the molecules, before and alter striking the wall, bear no relation to
each other.
Assuming these knudsen conditions', if a molecule acquires extra
1
energy on rebounding from a heated surface, it will collide with the
wall a number of times before it reaches the surface, again. It follows,
therefore, from the law of conservation of momentum, that there is a
net force acting normally to the heated surface, which tor moderate
differences of temperature between ihe surface and the wall, is
directly proportional to these differences of temperature.
This mechanical forc^ exerted between two surfaces, very close to
each other and maintained at a difference of temperature, is called
radiometric effect*. Since it bee ra9s manifest only when the mean
free path is longer than the distance between the ueated surface and
the wall, it is a typically Knudsen effect and must not be confused with
that physical effect of radiation we call radiation pressure the latter
being (/) quite independent of the presence or absence of any gas,
(//) about twice as great on a polished as on
a blackened surface, and
(///) of a much smaller order of magnitude.
The Gauge Proper. Knudsen very ingeniously exploited and
harnessed these radiometric forces at low pressures in devising his
absolute gwge^ which enables us to measure pressure in an evacuated
vessel, from 10~ mm. down to 10~ mm., by simply noting the
3 7
deflection of a cold plate suspended in the vessel, due to its bombard-
ment by tho molecules rebounding from a nearby hot plate. If the
dimensions of the plates be very large, compared with the distance
between them, (as though we were considering only a very small
*Afamiliar example ol this effect is the Crook's radiometer, so often used
to detect thermal radiations. It consists of a freely pivoted 'spider', fitted with
mica vanes with their planes, parallel to the vertical axis, and coated on one side
with lamp black, the other being polished, the whole instrument being arranged
inside an evacuated glass-bulb. On exposure to thermal radiation; the blackened
sides of the vanes become hotter than the polished ones and radiometric forces
come into play, making the spider rotate, blackened side moving away from the
incident radiation.
fit is termed 'abwlute* because it gives the pressure directly in absolute
units, i.e., in dynes cm*.
EXHAUST PUMPS 569
portion of an infinite area), so that all edge-effects could be neglected,
and, further, if this distance be smaller than the mean free path of
the molecules, so that the molecules arrive at one, in exactly the same
condition in which they leave the other, the deflecting repulsive force
on the cold plate is found to be proportional to the gas pressure in
the vessel, right up to a pressure of JO" 7 mm.
shows diagcammatically the essentials of the gauge,
Fig. 33(5
where P
and P2 are two fixed plates, kept electrically heated and
l
arranged on opposite sides of a eold
plate A, in the form of a rectangular
picture-frame, MIS ponied (in the eva-
cuated vessel) by means of a quartz-
fibre carrying a mirror to enable, its M
deflections to he measured by the usual
'lamp and scale* method.
Let the temperature- of P, and P ?
be TI and that of A (and hence also
that of the evacuated vessel, in uhich
it is suspend* d) be 7\ and let //,
ard
H 8 be the number molfiules per cubic<>f ^2
centimetre, travelling from P to A and
'~
l
from A to P 1? wjtl rcot mean square i
velocities('^
and c 9 respe< i vely. Then
sin in the equilibrium state, the rate
-e
of molecular collisions per square centi-
metre must be the same, we have
And, if a be the number of molecules
the vessel, outside the space
c.c. in S- 336
per
between Pl and A, then, since the number of molecules (lowing out
of the latter into the former and vice versa, must be the same,
we have
ric>> n c l -\-n 2 c 2
l
= 2n
... (/'/)
1
~
[From relation
cL 2n c: 2 (/) above.
So that, if m be the mis-; of e.icb molecule, we have
CJ fnn
total pressure between the. plates /
>
-
^, ^L^
o
t [ vp }miic? ]
whereas pressure on the sidev, remote from A =- /?//iU 2
2
/3
Obviously, therefore, exiw> pressure on the sid^ <>f A nearer to Plt over
n>( '
1 *c " Ca
that away from it. is given by + -
.
Or, substituting wc 2 /2 for n^ and for /J
2
relation (//) above.
we have
/nnc.c,"
excess pressure on AA '
^
Or e \cess pressure on A
.
=
rnnl
- --
/ c. . \
,
I J. 1
J
Assuming the molecules striking PL and !, to taks up their res-
pective temperature 7\ and T2 we have ,
[See page 537.1
570 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
2
And, thus, excess pressure on A (\/ yf- 1
)
Now, w/ic 2 2 /3 = />, the pressure inside the vessel
So that, we have excess pressure on A, or, force per sq. cm. on A, say,
If the temperature difference (7^ jT2 ) be not very large (i.e.,
not more than 250C), we may consider the flow of molecules in-bet-
ween the space P^A and the rest of the vessel as a thermal transpira-
/J1 A--
1
\
tion* etfect between the temperature (
2
J
inside PA and J"2 ,
outside ;
so that, if p' be th.3 pressure between the plates, we hive
-
_ \ / 2r + ^ ^
_ A /^+^ - *
"V
'
r2 '27-,
V 27,
/1- "
So that, /' = ri - 1
P /T, T~\ r From above,
F=
(/''),
And, therefore,
-J (-^A), -..(fr)[
s , nce f = (/ _ p) .
showing that the force exerted on plate A is quite independent of the
nature of the gas in the vessel.
Now, if a be the area of each vertical strip of A, we have
force acting on each strip = F.a.
Since these forces act in opposite dirtctions on the two strips,
they constitute a couple equal to F.a.Zr, where r is the mean distance
of each strip from the suspension wire.
The frame is thus deflected, gmng rise to a restoring tonional
couple in the suspension wire and, therefore, comes to rest, when the
two couples just balance etch other, say, when it has deflected
through an angle 6.
Then, T be the torsional couple, set up in the suspension wire
if
per unit twist in it (or per unit deflection of the iracue) the total
torsional couple tending to restore the frame back to its original
position is r9 and we, therefore, have
;
T = 2F a r. Or, F = T0/2ar.
the phenomenon of the flow of a gas from a colder to a hotter
*It is
chamber both containing the gas at a low pressure and connected to each other
by means of a capillary tubing, the flow continuing, until a pressure difference,
depending upon tne temperature difference between two chambers, is establish-
ed. The ratio between the final pressures attained can be shown to be
the same as that between the square root! of ttie absolute temperatures of the two
chambers.
EXHAUST PUMPS 571
Substituting the value of F in relation (iv) above, we have
2ar
41
Or, p-~
Further, if/ be the moment of inertia of the frame about the
period o vibration, we have
f
suspension wire as axis and t, its //
whence, T 47T
2
7/f
2 = ,
Hence p = -&
-
-* zr* [From (v) above.
i ar i l
j 2
whence p 9 the pressure of the gas in the vessel, can be easily
evaluated.
It will be readily seen that apart from the ?alue of/? being quite
independent of the molecular weight of the gas, the gauge possesses
the following advantages :
(/)
It gives a continuous indication of pressure in the vessel.
(//) It is unaffected by any outside influences.
(Hi) It is stable and yet very sensitive at low pressures, down to
70- 7 mm.
(tv) It can be usedio measure the pressure of all kinds of gases
and vapours, irrespective of their mass or condensability.
(v) It does not require the use of objectionable liquids, like
mercury.
(v/) It is cheap and easy to construct and work wirh,
simple,
though obviously, cannot be used above a pressure of 70~ 3 mm. ; for,
it
then, the mean free path of the molecules becomes comparable with the
distance between the plates.
SOLVED EXAMPLES
1. Given that the gas constant R is 8*3 x 10 ergs per 1C, 7
and the atomic
weight of chlorine is 35*5, find the root mean square (r.m.s.) velocity of the chlorine
molecules at 0C.
We have the relation, P =*= J/nm; 1 . [See page 537)
Multiplying by V the volume of 1 gram-molecule of the gas,
t we have
PV = \mn V c\
Now, nV = N.Where
*
is the Avogadro number,.
I
N
or number of molecules in 1 gram-
PV tm.N
^_
L c
molecule of the gas.
2
And, clearly, mN - M, the molecular weight of the gas.
PV = JMc 2
.
Also, PV - RT.
So that, }Mc* = RT. Or, c = 3RTJM,
whence, \/32iTiM- c
Here, R = 8-3x10' ergslC, T 0-h273 = 273 Abs and M = 35 5x2 = 1\
gms., because a chlorine molecule consists of 2 atoms.
.'. substituting the values of R, Tand
M, we have
c=\ /5x8;3xl0^xT73 _ 3
.
094x 1Q4 cms , sec
V 71
Or, the root mean square velocity of the chlorine molecule is 3 '094x10*
cms. I sec.
572 PROPERTJES OF MATTER
2. If the density of nitrogen is 1'25 gms. /litre at normal temperature and
pressure, calculate the root mean square velocity of its molecule.
We have the relation P= J/ww
2
, for a gas.
But mn =-
p, the density of the gas. Therefore, I
1
= Jpr
2
.
Or, pc = 3P, whence, c = \/3P/p
Heie P - 76c//w. -- 76x13 6x981 dynes/mi*.,
and P - 1-25 gms-llitre --- 1 '25/1000 -'00125 K./C c.
'3x76x1 3 '6^981
The
v :
'00125
velocity of the nitrogen molecule is,
= 4-933 x 10*
therefore, equal to 4*933x10*
cms. I sec.
3. Derive Charles' law and Dalton's law on the basis of the kinetic theory
of gases, as also the Standard Gas Equation, PV RT, and write a brief note on
Absolute Zero from the standpoint of the theory.
(i) We have P = J mm>* ~ }?*. [v mn p, the density of the gas,
- and r 2 CDC r K is the volume of the
Now, p 1 /K, [where gas.
where V is the absolute temperatute uf the gas
1
'' = , -r. -. 0)
j,,
If \ V be constant, we have P oc T
Or, at constant volume, the picssure of a given mass of gas varies
directly as its absolute umperatuie, which is Charles' law.
Or, wj can put relation (1) above, as V oc .7, so that, if P be con-
stant, K oc T.
Oi, u/ oust ant preisuie, the volume of a given mass of $as \attes directly
ay /fs abwlnti temptsraiuic, which i* also Charted law.
(ii) Let a number of ga^es or vapours, having no chi.rncal reaction with
each other, and hiving densities and mean square velou.ies, p x p 2 p,... and ,
J
*
i" *V '3 icspCwtively, be mixed together in ihe same volume
(
Then, the
resultant pressure P will clearly be given h y
J
P iPi'V i-2 /-riP/3 ~r considering each set of molecules of the
i-
?
,
different ga>es 01 vapours
Now, i^^i^, }p/z 2 Jpj'V ^re the individual piessuii\s exerted by the
,
different gases or vapours Putting these as/? l PZ+P* we have I
-
,
P --
Pi r ^ rP 3 .
rcsuliant or total pmssuie exerted by the mixture of gas.es is equal to the sum
/.<., //2e
oj their individual or partial ptessures, winch is Dalton's law of pariidl pretsures.
have
(///) We P *- ^ 4
.
Multiplying both sides by K, the volume of the gas, we have
PV = Jp.Kc".
Now, pK M, nijis of the gjs- [ .' ;/U5f = volume x density
PV -
} Me | J/Wc
3 = 2
.
Now, T oc K
E. of the ga< Or, Toe jMc
2
t
Or, PF c>c r, Or, PV - a constant xT
Or PF ~-
/?r,
where R is a constant, called the gas tonstant, whose va'ue, for a given mass of
gas, is quite independent of the values of P, V and T.
Thus, the standard gas equation, (PV**RT), can be deduced from the
kinetic theory of gases
(iv) According to the kinetic interpretation of temperature, the tempera-
ture of a gas is, as, we have seen, proportional to the mean K. E. of the mole-
cules, because the K.
2
E 2
of a molecule --= iwc and c is proportional to T, the
absolute temperature of the gas.
Clearly, T --
o* when c = 0, /.#., when the molecules have zero velocity*
or are devoid of all motion
EXHAUST PUMPS 573
Hence, on the basis of the kinetic theory, the absolute zero of temperature is
the temperature at which the gas molecules are devoid of all motion. This, obviously,
is not quite correct, lor the above deduction is made on the assumption of the
gas being an ideal or a perfect one, and n^ actual g*s approaches this ideal so- ;
that, even it at the ordinary temperatures and pressures, the actual gases may be
taken to approximate, more or less, to the perfect gas condition, these ideal gas
conditions do not hold down to the absolute zero
A more satisfactory interpretation of temperature is afforded by thermo-
dynamics, which does not require the cessation of all molecular motion at the
absolute zero
4. Deduce the relation X = l/T n, 2
for the mean free path of a molecule,
and use it to calculate the diameter of a molecule of benzene, if n 2 79 x 10 1 *
mol per c.c and X for benzene = 2*2 x 10" G cms.
For answer to first part, see page 543.
Substituting the values of A and n in the above relation, we have
~ 6 = 2 19
'
Ttr x 2-79x1
Or, nr 2 x2'79xl0 19 x2'2xlO- G - 1 Or, *r 2 x 2*79 x 10 13 x 2*2 - 1
*
a WhenCC r=S
r' r
KX 2-79 x 2-2 *10' '
V-X2 79x2- 2x10* '
- 7-201 xlO~ 8
cms.
Or, the radius of the sphere of influence of the benzene molecule is equal to
7-201 xlQ~* cms
Now, the radius of the sphere of influence of a molecule is equal to its dia-
meter*
8
Hence the diameter of the benzene molecule is equal to 7 201 x 10 cms.
5. Find the mean free molecular path in air, taken as a uniform gas ;
3
given that the density of air *= 1-2 x 10~ gms. /cm
3
at and a pressure of , 0C
10 dynes /cm 9 ., and that its coefficient of viscosity = 1-7 X 10~~ 4 dynes/cm 2 per unit
6
-
velocity-gradient.
We have the relation, TJ
= Jp?x, for the coefficient of viscosity of a gas.
Also, P= Jpc
2
,
whence, c2
3P/p, and .'. c=
So that, T)
- Jp.xV3P/P =
Or, = X V> P/3
And .-. X -= ?)
Substituting the value of TO, P and p, therefore, we have
X 1-7x10
10xl-2 x!0~ 3
Therefore, the mean free molecular path in air = 8-498 x 10~ 6 cms.
6. The mean velocity of a mslecule of nitrogen gas is 4-5 x 10 4 cms. per sec.
Its density at N-T.P. 1*25 x 10~ 3 gms./c c , and its co-efficient of viscosity
is
6
166 x J0~ gms /cm- per sec- Calculate (/) its molecular mean free path (//) the
number of collisions made per second, and (w) its molecular diameter. (Assume
n ^-2'7xl0 19 per c.c.)
*Atoms and molecules are really not the simple bodies they were oce
imagined to be. To speak of the diameter of a molecule in the geometrical
sense has, therefore, no meaning The diameter of a molecule is taken to be the
distance between the centres of two molecules beyond which they do not exert any
influence over each other, which is clearly equal to the radius of the sphere of influ-
ence of the molecule.
574 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
<t) We have r<
= pr, whence, A = _
pc
^ 3xi66xln- 6
3xl65xlO- 8
125~xUT 3 x 4-5x10* 1-25x10x45
= 8-853 X 10-3 cmSf
Oi, molecular mean free path, i.e., \~^ 8-853 X 10~ 6 cms.
(//) Nu Tiber of collisions made per second
A
.-. number of collisions per second = 5 083 x 10 9 .
(///) Now, A = -T/ - -
whence, r
2
/ 1
'
>!2x2-7xl0 10 xnx8-853xlO- 6
1
__- = 3*068 x!0- 8 c/n5.
-g2x2-7xl0 13 xnx8-853
.. the molecular diameter of nitrogen = 068 X 10~ 8 cm?
7. Calculate the molecular K E. of 1 gm. of Hydrogen (/) at 0C and
(it) at 100C. (R = 8 3xl0 7 ergs).
-
We know that the K.E. of 1 gram molecule of a gas --JR.T
Now. mol. wt. of Hydrogen = 2 gms.
K.E. of 1 gm. of Hydrogen at or 273* Abs. 0C =$ R.T 12
3x8'3xl0 7 x273/4 - 16-99 xlO
= ergs
And, #. at 100C or 373 Abs.
== 16-99 xlOx = 23-21
Thus, the K.E. of 1 #m. of Hydrogen is 16-99 xlO 9 ergs at 0C, .nd
23-21 XlWergs at 100C
EXERCISE XIV
1. Obtain the expression v) i p c.A, for the viscosity of a gas, and use
it to obtain the mean free path lor molecules of benzene vapour, (^ 6 #c) at ^I
given C that at - 0*69 x 10
T\
UC
4
c.g.s. units r.m s velocity ot benzene molecules ;
at O - 2*95 x O cms, I sec-', atomic wt. ot carbon
4
I 12 c cs. in I gm. ;
molecule - 22,400. Ans. 2 015 X 10~ 8 cms.
2. Find the root mean square velocity of ihe hydrogen molecule at
N.T.P. the density of hydn gen being OU009 gm /c c 6
Ans 1 839 x 1<) cms. I sec.
Calculate the molecular velocity (i.e.. r n
3. velocity) in the case of a *
gas whose density is 1 4 gms- per litre at a pressure of 76 cms of mercury- Den-
sity of mercury \3-6 gms./c-c. g 981 cms- see- (Manchcs-er, B Sc.)
;
Ans- 4 6 x J O 4 cms. Isec-
4 Describe he working of a rotary
1 oil pump ft? producing low pes
sures. How
are these pressures measuied ? (Allahabad, 1950}
5- Show that the piessureof a gas is equal to two-thirds of the kinetic
energy of translation per unit volume- Calculate the kinetic energy of hydrogen
per gm. moletulezi 0C. (Ailahabal, 1910)
Ans S-67x 'O'e^5
Give an account, with a neat sketch, <f some
6- fom of a gas pump,
suitable for the attainment of low pressures- <Pmjahi 1945)
1An imperfect barometer tub. contained s .m above th mercury. k
When the mcrcurv tood at 18 <nches ab ve the utsi r, l- ^cl, ihc air space -*as
*
6 inches. On pushing the 'ub^ do^v- s> tria' h a "a- c w .s >nly 3 inches the ,
j
mercury stood at 26 inches, Find the bdroiiien ic he^hs- Ans
EXHAUST PUMPS 575
8. One hundred litres of a gas at atmospheric pressure are compressed
into a cylinder, 100 cms. long and 12 cms. in diameter. What is the resulting
pressure. Ans- 672 cms. of mercury
9. Describe, with a neat diagram, the construction and working of (a)
any modern high vacuum pump and (b) a guage which can measure the low
pressure this pump produces. (Madras, 1949)
10. The reading of a mercury barometer, the brass scale of which was
correct, when at 0C
was 76 69 cms- the room temperature being 178C. If the
coefficient of cubical expansion of mercury be '009180 and the coefficient of
linear expansion of brass be -00019 calculate the reading of the barometer-
reduced to 0C Ans. 73'54 cms.
11. Calculate the number of molecules per c.c- of a gas, taking the mean
6 8
free path as 1*83 x 10~ cms. and the molecular diameter equal to 2-3 x 10~ cms.
[Hint. Use the moreaccuraie relation, = l/^2nr 2 ./*.]
/) Ans. 2-3 xlO 19 .
Describe in detail, with a neat sketch, the construction
12. and working
of a McLeod Gauge. What is the recent modification effected in its working?
Enumerate the advantages and disadvantages of the gauge.
13. Explain the principle, construction and working of a good form of
diffusion pump with which you are familiar.
14 What are lonisation gauges ? Describe the construction and working
of one such gauge, pointing out its advantages and disadvantages over a McLeod
Gauge.
15- Describe some form of a thermocouple gauge.
16. Describe in detail the Pirani resistance gauze, illustrating your answer
^ith a neat diagram and explaining clearly the essential points of the gauge, its
range, utility and drawbacks.
17. Explain the principle and working of the Knudsen gauge. What are its
particular advantages over the other forms of gauges ?
APPENDICES
APPENDIX I
IMPORTANT TRIGONOMETRICAL RELATIONS
1. Trigonometrical Ration ior Compound Angles.
(/) sin (A+B) -~ s:i: <1 B \-co*
cor, , \ sin F.
(it) cos (A + B) = cos A cos B -sin ( sin /?-
,.... T>v . ton A \-ta,i B
A
(in) tan (A + B)
, ,
ta.i A tan t
,
i
-
(iv) sin (A B) = sin A cos B -cos A sin L.
(r) cos (A B) C'^ A co* R-*-sin A sin 7f
ran 4 tun B
(AB) =
,
/ ., , _,
(vi) tan ,
I +tan >i i an I
It follows from the above lhac
(vii) sin (A + B) sin (A-B) -= sin*A-sin 2 B
(viii) cos (A + B) cos (A B) = cos*A-sin*B.
= cos*Bsin*A.
2- Trigonometrical Ratios for Double Angles.
(i) sin 2 A 2 sin A cos A .
(//) cos 2A cos* A -sitf-A = sin* A = 12 = 2 cos 2 A ]
2 tan A
'
[-tan 9 A
From the above, it follows that
sin 4A 2 sin 2 A cos 2 A 4 sin A cos A cos 2 A.
Also, that sin
and
,
cos
f\
^
=
=
2 sin
cos
9
22
,0.
Q
.
?
cos
sin*
2
$
_
-^ -
r
i
}
Putting 2A =
in (i) above,
3. Other Important Relations.
i:\ .i * A 2 tan A __ ltan A 2
(,ii) cos -
Y + tan*A
(in) tan 2A = 2
-. (/v) ,
"*
.
= f<w ^4.
l+co^2^
,
1 ra ^4
sin 2A ~
__ I cos A _
""
A
'
1 cos 2 A sin A 2
C
(w7) .
si n
^
A
= cot x
z
(vm) cor ^t tan A = 2 co/ 2 A.
(ix) cot 2 A = '
(JC)
(* j -^l)^
4. Products in Terms, of Sums and Differences :
(/) 2 tin A cos B = sin (sum) 4- sin (difference).
i.e.,
= /i (J.-f B) + 5/// (^.-B).
^//) 2 cos A sin B= sin (sum) sin (difference),
i.e.,
- sin (A + B)-sin (A-B).
576
IMPORTANT TRIGONOMETRICAL RELATIONS 677
{///) 2 cos A cos B cos (sum) 1- cos (difference)
i.e., = cos(A-\- B) + cos(A-B).
(iv) 2 sin A sin B cos (difference) cos (sum)
i.e., cos (A-B)-cos (A + B).
5. Sum or Difference in Terms of Products.
(/) Sum of two sines = 2 sin (half sum)- cos (half difference)
Thui, s
(//) Difference of two sines -- 2 cos (half sum). si n(half difference)
= ^~ B
Thus, sin A-sin B 2 cos
(-~-t).jm ( -).
(i/7) Sum of two cosines 2 cos (half surri). cos (half difference)
-TU
cos A + cos B 2 cos
/ 4-fB \ / -4-B \
Thus, i . )
J.coyf ^
(/v) Difference of two cosines = 2 W/f (/w// sum). sin (half difference
reversed).
~"
Thus, cw .4-C0S B = 2 sm ^ - - YS/H T \
6. Trigonometrical Relations for the Three Angles of a Triangle, (i.e., when
180).=
Here, because the sum of any two angles is the supplement of the third,
we have
(0 sin (B + C) = 5m A. (ii) cos (A+B) = -cos C. (Hi) tan (C+A) = -tan B.
A H f
And, since -^ 4- -f = 90, i.e., each half angle is the complement
of the sum of the other two half angles ; so that, we have
7. Relations between Sides and Angles of a Triangle :
(i) The sides of a triangle are proportional to the sines of the angles oppo-
fifetothem. Thus,
b
^-7-
sin A sin B^
= ~>
C
sin
1 l
(it) In any triangle. a* 6 -fc 26c cos A.
c*+a*-2ca cos B
b* == ; and c* = a*+b*-2ab cos C.
Abo, from the above, we have
-o a
= -c-ffl -6
2 f
a +^i^ c i
r ; c^?j BD v,
- ; and, cos C~ ^2ab,-- -.
2bc 2ca
APPENDIX II
LOGARITHMS
The logarithm of a number to a given base is the index of the power to
1.
which the base must be raised in order to equal that number. Thus, if a 3 - M,
then, X is the logarithm of the number M
to the base a, and we
may put it as
loga^Z ~>x. So that, both the expressions, a* = and loga M
= x, really mean M
the same thing.
There are two systems of logarithms in use, viz.,
Natural or Napierian Logarithms, invented by Napier. These are to
(i)
the base where the value of e is 2 17828, and are used in Calculus and other
e,
branches of higher mathematics.
(ii) Common Logarithms, invented by Briggs a contemporary of Napier.
Ihese are to the base 10,and are commonly used in all arithmetical calculations.
The base is usually omitted in writing, in either case, once we know in
our minds which system we are using We shall here concern ourselves only with
common logarithms, i.e., to the base 10. Thus, expressions like log 2 or
log TT, etc.,
mean Iog 10 2, Iog 10 *, ie logarithm of 2 or TC to the base 10.
,
2. Fundamental General Relations.
(i) The logarithm of \ is 0, or log 1 =0.
(n) The logarithm of the base itself is }, or log 10 = 1.
(til) The logarithm of the product of two or more numbers is equal to the sum
of the logarithms of the individual numbers. Thus,
K.
(iv) The logarithm of a fraction is equal to the logarithm of the numerator
minus the logarithm of the denominator. Thus,
log
-
N
=-
log M log N.
(v) The logarithm of a number, raised to the power n, is equal to n times the
logarithm of that number. Thus,
log Mn = n log M 9
and log V ~M = log (M)* = ilog M.
3.Characteristic and Mantissa. The integral part of a logarithm is
called and may be positive or negative
its characteristic, And, its fractional
part, expressed as a decimal, is called the Mantissa, and is necessarily positive.
4. Determination of the Characteristic of the Logarithm of a Number.
(i) The
characteristic of the logarithm of a number, greater than \,is one
less than the number of digits in its integral part, and is positive. Thus, the
characteristics of the logarithms of the numbers, 525, 25 and 5 are 2, 1 and
respectively.
(ii) The
characteristic of the logarithm of a number, less than, [, is one more
than the number of zeros immediately after the decimal point, and is negative, the
l
negative sign being placed above the characteristic,
and read as bar\ Thus, the
characteristics of the logarithms of '254, '0254 '00254, and '000254 are ~1, 27 3~
and are read as 'bar one', <bar two\ bar three', etc.
(
and 4 respectively,
5. Determination of the Mantissa of the Logarithm of a Number.
The mantisme for the logarithms of all numbers, with the same significant
digits in the
same order or sequence, are the sa,mz Thus, the mantissa for each of
the above numbers, *254, *0254, 00254, is the same, and so also for numbers like
7, 70, 700, 70000 etc.
578
LOGARITHMS 579
Caution, (a) We sometimes come
across a logarithm, which is wholly
negative, e.g., so that both the integral part, viz., 3, as
3 '5661, well as the dee^-
malpart, viz., '5661, are negative. In such cases, the fractional part or the Man-
tissa must be made positive, by subtracting 1 from the integral part of the log-
arithm and adding 1 to the fractional or decimal part. Thus,
-3-5661 --3-1
;
==:_4+'4339=*4
4339,
iVhere the Characteristic is negative and the Mantissa, positive.
happens during calculation work that we have to add, sub-
(b) It also
tract, multiply or dividenumbers like 4*4339, with a ve characteristic and a
4-ve Mantissa. In all such cases, the number should be treated as made up of
two parts e.g., as 4 and +'4339, in the above case. Thus,
(,/) 44339 + 2*6371+ 3-2567=4-3277. (if) 4'4339-2-6780 = 7 7559.
(///) 4-4339 xJ-il-3017. (/
e.e., we add to the negative Characteristic the least negative number, to make it
completely divisible by the denominator, and add an equal positive number to
the Mantissa, so that the logarithm, as a whole, remains unaltered-
6. Logarithmic Tables. We have seen above how the Characteristic of
the logarithm of a number can b3 determined by a mere inspection of the number.
It is, therefore, necessary only to tabulate the Ma ntissae* or the decimal parts
*
of the logarithms, which is done in what are called Logarithmic Tables. Usually,
the Four Figure Logarithm Tables (given at the end) are used, in which the
Mantissae-of the logarithms of all numbers from 10 to 9999 are tabulated. Let
us see how to use their*
7. Determination of the Logrithm of a Number. To determine the log-
arithm of ;i number, we proceed as follows ;
(i) First we put down its Characteristic by inspection, in accordance with
the rules, mentioned above.
(11} Then, ue proceed to consult the Tables and, ignoring the decimal point,
*/ any, look for the first two digits of the number in the vertical column on the ex-
treme left, and note the figure in tlw horizontal column, against these, under the num-
ber at the top, corresponding to the third digit of our number.
we add to it tlw figure given in the same row, in the column of
(ni) Finally,
'mean on tfie extreme right, under the number corresponding to the fourth
differences'
digit number. The sum of the two, with a decimal point prefixed to
of the given
it, then gives the Mantissa of the logarithm of that given number, and this, in
its turn added to the Characteristic, gives the logarithm of the given number.
Thus, for example, if we desire to find out the logarithm of the number
3254, we first note that its Characteristic would be 3, +
(v it is greater than 1,
and has four digits). Then, we consult the Tables, and, against 32 on the ex-
treme left, look for the figure under 5, (at the top), in the horizontal column,
and note that it is 5119. We, then, look for the figure, in the same horizontal
row, under 4, in the column of mean differences (on the extreme right), and note
that it is 5. This, when added to 5119 gives 5124. We then prefix a decimal
point to this number, and get the required Mantissa as -5124 which, added to
the Characteristic 3 give* 3-5124 as the logarithm of the given number 3254.
If our number were 32-54, its logaiithm would be
1^124 and similarly, :
the logarithm of the numbers '3254 and -03254, would be F5124 and 2~5124 res-
pectively. It should be noted that the Mantissa remains the same, (the digits
being ihe same, and in the same sequence), and only the Characteristic changes in
accordance with the "position of the decimal point.
8. Determination of the Antilogarithm of a given Logarithm. It is the
reverse of the above process, and we find out here the number from its given
logarithm. This numbsr is called the Antilogziithn of the given logarithm.
Thus, if log m= #, then x is the logarithm oF m, and w, the antilogarithm
of a*.
580 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
There are separate Tables for this purpose, called Antilogarithmic Tables t
where the Mantissae of logarithms are tabulated, right up to -9999. These
Tables are used as follows :
(i) We ignore the Characteristic of the given logarithm, for the moment-
('?) Then, we look for the first two digits of the Mantissa, (with
the decimal
point prefixed to them), in the vertmtl column on the extreme left, and note the figure
tn the horizontal row against these, under the number corresponding to the third
digit of our Mantissa.
(in} To the figure, .so obtained, we add the figure, in the column of 'mean
differences', on the extreme right, in the same horizontal row as above, under the
number corresponding to the fourth digit of the Mantissa.
(iv) And, lastly, we put the decimal p^mt in the figure, thus determined, in
its proper position, knowing, as we do, the Characteristic of its logarithm. Thus,
if the Characteristic be 2, there should be three significant figures before the
decimal point, and so we put it down after the third digit of the number
obtained
If, on the other hand, the Characteristic be 1, there should be no signifi-
cant figure before the decimal point, and no zero immediately following it, and
so, we put the decimal point immediately before the first digit. And, again, if
,the characteristic be 2, there should be no lignificant figures before the decimal
point, but there should bo one zero immediately after it, and hence we put a zero
before the first digit of the number and prefix the decimal point to it- This gives
the Antilogarithm of the given logarithm, />., the number required.
Thus, if the given logarithm be 15124, we look for -51 in the vertical
column, on the extreme left, and note the figure against it in the horizontal
column under 2, at the top. This is found to be 3251. Then, we note the figure
in the same horizontal row, under mean difference 4, on the right. It is found
to be 3 ; so that, adding the two, we_havc 32514-3 = 3254 And, since the
Characteristic of the given logarithm is 1, there is no significant digit before the
decimal point and no zero immediately after it and so we fix the decimal point
,
just before the first digit 3 and thus get -3254 as the Antilogarithm of the given
logarithm 1-5124. In other words, the required number, whose logarithm is
I -51 24 is -3254 or 0*3254
APPENDIX III
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS
Introduction. Differential Calculus deals with the way in which one
quantity varies with the other, on which it depends, and such other allied
topics.
Before trying to understand the actual process of differentiation, bow-
ever, the meanings of the following mathematical terms must be clearly grasped.
(*) Constants and Variables. Throughout Calculus, we come across two
types of quantities, viz., (a) constants those which retain the same value through-
out a set of mathematical investigation, e #., the mass of a body, the value of g at
tliase which take on
a place, the symbol TV etc. (6) variables different values or
to which any desired values may be given, e.g., the radius of a circle, the side of a
square 01- a cube, for they are not fixed quantities, and any values may be given
to them. The constants are usually denoted by the earlier letters of the alpha-
bet, a, b, c, d, and the variables by the later ones, x, y, z, u, v, t, etc.
(ii) Continuous Variables. A variable which can take every numerical
value, (or all numerical values from one given number to another] is called a con-
tinuous variable. Thus, if a train, starting from rest, is observed to be moving
with a speed of 20 mjhr, ten minutes later, it must have assumed eveiy possible
velocity between and 20 m.jhr. during these ten minutes. Its speed ii, therefore,
a continuous variable. We are concerned here only with continuous variables.
(hi} Dependent and Independent Variables Functions. If a quantity x
assumes a set of different values and its value does not depend upon that of any
other quantity, it is said to be an independent variable. On the other hand, if a
quantity y bears a certain relation to #, it is said to be a dependent variable.
Thus, since the area of a circle depends upon its radius, we say that the
area a dependent variable and the radius an independent variable
is , ,
or, mathe- ,
matically speaking, that the area of a circle is a function of its radius. Denoting
the area of the circle by ?/, and its radius by #, we express the relationship by
the expression
y = it. a?
1
.
Here, x is the independent variable, y the dependent variable, and rr, a
constant.
Thus, all expressions, containing x, e g., 2#- 5, #*+ 2^4-3, sine x, log #,
etc., whose values depend upon the value of #, are functions of x.
Actually speaking, therefore, o, variable y is said to be a function of the
variable x, when its value depends on the values that x assumes.
There are, however, certain functions^ x, where it is not possible to
give all values to x. For, a function like ^/Ax*, can have aojr'meaning only
when x is numerically less than, or equal to, 2- In such a case, we say that the
function is defined for values of x, in the range -2 to +2, brth inclusive. Thus,
the range of values of x for which the function is defined must be clearly indi-
cated. In other words, we must know whether the function is defined for all values
of x, or only for limited values of x.
2. Notations. A
function of a variable is generally denoted by enclos-
ing the variable in a bracket, and prefixing a letter to it. Thus, f(x), F(x\ <f>(x) t
etc., all stand for functions of x. It must be clearly understood, however, that
f(x) does not mean f into x, but is only a symbolic way of representing 'some func-
tion of x'.
We can know the value of /(#), if we know the value of x. For example,
if f(x) denotes the function, # a +2a;-f 3, its value is 11, when x =2 ,
and is 3, when
x = 0, being different for different valuesj>f a? .
Similarly, the value of /,) is
/(a), if has the value a, and so on-
581
685? PROPERTIES OF MATTER
3. Limits of Functions, (a) Meaning ofa?->oo. Suppose we give
successively increasing values, 1,2, 3, 4,... to x. Then, obviously, x will become
larger and larger, and there will be no end to the extent to which i t may thus-
be increased. This continued growth, or increment of x, is expressed by saying that
<x tends to infinity', or that ( x approaches infinity', or, symbolically, as X-+QO .
This statement means no more than that x goes on continually increas-
ing. To think that x will, at some time, be equal to oo, is simply absurd, for
oo is no fixed number. It is something we can only approach but never
actually attain.
(b) Meaning of x-^-0. Suppose, now, we give successively decreasing-
values to x. Then, clearly, x will become smaller and smaller, and, if the pro-
cess be continued, it may become very very small indeed, wry much near
zero, yet not equal to zero. This continued or progressive decrease in the value of
f
x' is expressed by saying that x approaches zero, and, symbolically, as x >0.
(c) Meaning of x-+a. Again, if we take a finite number a, and
assume x to take on values such as a-f'l, 04- '01, a-h'OOl, etc., so that as x
assumes these values, the difference between x and a goes on continually decreas-
ing, and x tends to come nearer and nearer to a, and we express it by saying
g
that 'x tends to a', or that x approaches a\ and, symbolically, as x-+a.
1. Let us now consider a function, such as /(x) = x 2 and see what its ,
value approaches to, if x >5.
(0 Let us first give to x, continually increasing values, approaching 5.
Thus, if x = 4*9, x2 = 24-01.
x = 4-99, and so on. x2 24'90,
i.e. t as x 2 approaches 25. Or, symbolically, if a?->5, x ? *->25.
x approaches 5,
(ii) Let us now give to x continually decreasing values, approaching 5.
Thus, if x = 5*1, x 2 = 26-01.
x = 5-01, x 2 = 25-1001, and so on,
So that, again, as x-5, x 2 -25., /.?., the difference between x 2 and 25 becomes
smaller and smaller. And, if x=5, x 2 =25.
x 2 25
2. Consider another function, as x->5.
^- ,
It will be seen, on giving values to x, such as 49, 4 99 etc.->5 ; or 5'!,.
X 2 25
5'01, etc.,->5, thatasx->5, . ->10. But, if x=5, the expression becomes.
,
which is meaningless. Such an expression is said to be 'indeterminate'.
-g~
We can now generalise and say tfiat the limit of the function, f(x) is m
as 'x tends to a', if the difference between the function f(x) and can be m,ade a* m
small as we please, by taking x sufficiently near a.
All that we have to determine in the limit, therefore, is to see what f(x)
comes very nearly equal to, as x is made very nearly equal to a.
In the case of the above function, /(x) =
x f , we may, therefore, say thai
the limit of x 2 is 25, as x-5, or express it symbolically as
x->5
* ^ ^*
Important Deductions. Suppose we have
m, and
x7^ fl /(x)
Then, it can be shown that (/)
^ a [/(x) <(x)]
= mn.
<"') *-Lf/ W x #*)] - w x n. (Hi) x ^ fe 1
- -~ ,
provided x?<*0, (the symbol ^ meaning, 'not equal to').
Differentiation of Functions.
5. We are now in a position to tackle the
ictual differentiation of a function.
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS 583
Let/(x) be a function of x, and let x be increased by a small quantity h 9
(positive or negative). Then the function becomes /(x-f h), taking h to be
positive.
Or, the increase in the function given by/(x-f h)f(x), and the ratio o)
the increase in the function to the
is
increase in x is clearly equal to
-- - V\-/.
This ratio /*+")""/(*) js ^lled the 'quotient of differences'.
It is clear that as h becomes smaller and smaller, the increase in the
function, viz., /(*-t-/0 /(*), also becomes smaller and smaller ; so that, as /i-0.
We
have seen above, (example 2, page 582), that although the numera-
tor and the denominator in the case of certain fractions approach the limit zero,
the limit of the fraction, as a whole, is a finite one- Similarly, here, the limit
4 ~J^
of the expression,^- is, in general, finite as /t->0.
n
We are concerned in Differential Calculus with the determination of the
' ( *4
limit of this fraction, .---), whca
n
/z-^0. This limit is called the differ-
ential coefficientof the function /(*), with respect to x- It is also sometimes
referred to as the derivative of the function-
We may thus define the differential coefficient (or the derivative) of a func-
tion, as the limit of the quotient of differences ^LJl '_""'
v*^ when the denominator
h
h tends to zero.
In actual practice, (/) it is usual to denote the function f(x) by another
variable y, (//) the increment in value of jc by the symbol &c, (read as delta x),
and (i/i) the increment in the function, by S[( fx)] or 8y t (delta y).
Thus, h of the above expression, corresponds to 8x, and f(x+h) ~f(x)
to 8y.
Therefore, the quotient of differences
/ v
-
*"r "'
n
^ ;
,
is given by ojc
Thus, the limit of &y/$x, when Sx~0, is the differential coefficient of y
with respect to x, and is denoted by symbol dy/dx, (read as 'dee y by dee x').
Or, in accordance with our notation, we may say
dx
N. B- Here, , is purely a notation, and does not mean d divided by
dx. All that it implies is that the expression to which it is appended is to be
differentiated with respect to x. It is just like so many other symbols we use;
as, for instance, -V, log, sine etc- ; thus, >Jx does not mean >ixx, nor does sine x
mean sine x x.
The differentiation of a function is thus merely the process of finding
out the differential coefficient of the function, and consists of the following
steps :
(/) giving a small increment Sx, (positive or negative), to x, and obtaining
(ii) finding 8y, the increase in the function,
(Hi) obtaining the quotient of differences or Sy/Sx, and
(iv) finding the limit of the quotient, as 8x-0.
Ttte result, thus obtained, gives the differential coefficient of y or f(x) f
and is symbolically represented as
- it '<
]
Ag ain, it should be carefully noted that Sy/Sx is the quotient of difference*
and dyjdx, the differential coefficient.
584 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
6' Important General Results.
The following are some of the important general results, with which the
student must make himself familiar.
(/)
The differential coefficient of a function is equal to the product of the in-
dex of the power and the quantity, raised to a power diminished by one. Thus, the
n is *1
differential coefficient of x equal to nx*
1
, .
Or, .
-. (x )
= **-!.
For example, (/) the differential coefficient of A 9 is = 9^ 9
~1
= 9.x
8
,
(i'0 ,,
= 2x*~
*2 is2x,
l
(W I/* or jr-Hs = -i.jt.-i-i
*- 2 = -I/* 2 ,
(ii) The differential coefficient of the product of a constant and a function K
is equal to K
times the differential coefficient of the function. Thus, the differential
coefficient of K.u (where is a K
constant, and u, a function of x) is equal to K
times the differential coefficient of u, i.e., equal K. dufdx.
* d
Or, K. H )
= K. ".
dx dx
For example, the differential coefficient of nx*. where n is a constant,
=
'
would be equal to n times the differential coefficient of* 8 , j.e?., n.3x 2 = 3nx*.
(ii) The differential coefficient of an added constant is zero. For, if y K, =
no matter how x varies, y still remains equal to K. Thus, there is 'no change
dy t corresponding to a change dx, and, therefore,
J is zero, if y be a constant,
Or, the differential coefficient of a constant 'is zero.
It follows, therefore, that
the differential coefficient of y =
f(x) C is the same as that of>> =/(*), be-
+
cause the differential coefficient of the constant C is zero.
Thus, for example, the differential coefficient ofwx-f7is the same as
that ofiix*, v/z., 3/ix 1 , because the differential coefficient of the added
cons-
tant 7 is zero- In other words, the additive constant disappears
during differ-
entiation.
(iv) The differential coefficient of the algebraic sum of a number of functions
it equal to the algebraic sum of their individual differential coefficients, i.e.,
- ....
-j-.U~ -V- -.H'- ~
-,Z.
dx dx dx dx dx
Thus, for example, if y = 2x*+ 3^*~4A: -f-5^+7 we have5
f
(v) The differential coefficient of the product of two functions, u and v ' is
equal tovx the differential coefficient of u
plus uxthe differential coefficient of v.
In other words, all that we have to do to determine the differential co-
efficientof the product of two or more functions is to differentiate one
function
at a time, leaving the others unchanged, and then to add
up the resulting ex-
pressions together.
Thus, if y = M.V.W.Z., we have
dy du dv dw dz
2r '. +
*+
dt-d* . ,.V.
g^ + .V.*..
For example, if v = * 2 (5*-t-3). we have- (5x-f 3?.
~ *+** ~ (5x+3).
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS 585
3x(5x+ 2).
Or, -== 3*(5x+ 2).
(vi) The differential coefficient of a quotient
Denom. xdiff. coeff. of numerator Numerator x diff. coeff. of Denom.
a
(Denominator)
Thus, if y = w/v, we have
dv
v .~.
</M
-- w
fly C/JC
____ ifc
<- jrr
X*
For example, if .y
= -
,
we have
(x+5) 2x-
lx+5)
(VM) The differential coefficient of the fu notion of a function is equal to the
product of the differential coefficient of the inner function and the differential
coefficient of the whole function, considering the inner function to be an independent
variable.
'
d z
-
Thus, if y --=
F(z), where z = /(*), we have ? x
j-= j
.
All that we have to do, therefore, is to differentiate the whole function,
as the inner function (in this case), (z) were an independent variable, and
if
then multiply by the differential coefficient of the inner function-
For example, (/) if y = x +~<** or y (x+a) V
we differentiate the ,
whole, as though (x-fa) were an independent variable, and get
Now, differential coefficient of the inner function (x+a) is equal to
(Ixx^-fO) *-fO 1.
And, therefore, the differential coefficient of y = <\/ x +a is equal to
(//) If ^
= (ax+b) n then, differentiating the whole function
, as though
-1
iax+b) were an independent variable, we have n (ax+b)
11
And, differentiating the inner function, (ax +6), we have oxx-f = .
differential coefficient of the function y n
.-. (ax-\-b) is equal to
n~ l n =
axn(ax+ b) na(ax+b) ~\
1. The Second Differential Coefficient. We know that if y - /(*), its
differential coefficient is ,-y. It is what may be called the first differential
= f(x). dv
coefficient of the function y For, ^ is itself a function of*, and can,
therefore, be again differentiated with respect to x, giving us the differential co-
efficient,
Tfr-f ";r-V
** is denoted by the symbol, ~ t called second differential
f
coefficient of y, and read as dee two y by dee x square'.
We may similarly have the 3rd, the 4th, or the nth differential coefficient
8
dny
of ^denoted byir flf v d*y
or n~* The successive differential coefficients
of y are also denoted by y lt y^^-yVt or by D y D\ etc.
, Or, if the function be
586 PROPERTIES OJ MATTER
denoted by /(#), the differential coefficients are represented by /'(a?),
/"(a), etc.
4 2
For example, if y = 4# -f3# >
-l-2a -|-#-f 1, we have
the /r* differential coefficient y^ = 16.x
1 2
f 9;t -M;t-f 1 +0,
the second ,, ,, ;' a
= 48-c
2
-fl8x-f 4,
the third )> 3
= 96*+ 18,
the fourth == 96,
,, >> 4
and, therefore, also y & = 0, and >> 7 0, and so on- =
We are concerned here only with the second differential coefficient, which*
finds a wide application in problems in Physics.
A
familiar example of the second differential coefficient is the acceleration
of a body, which, as we know, is the rate of change of velocity so that, if we ;
denote acceleration by o, we have a ffu/df, i-e>, acceleration
=
is the first differen-
tial coefficient of velocity. But velocity itself is the differential coefficient of dis-
tance #, with respect to time, or v dSfdt.
=
dv _ d / dS\__d*S
'~ __
dt -~dt\dt )~ di*'
Or, acceleration is also the second differential coefficient of distance with respect to
time.
8. Differential Coefficients of Logarithmic Functions. Before proceeding
with the differentiation of logarithmic functions, a few important cases of limits^
given below, must bejemembered-
n
At the
j_j
\1
first
(1
---
as H_KJO.
glance, the beginner may be tempted to conclude that if
w~>oo,
(l-f
JL Y=f 1 + )
= (1 + 0) = 1, i.e., the limit, in this
case is equal to 1- But this is not true, because, as we know, unlike other ordi-
nary finite numbers, oo is not amenable to the laws of algebra.
Taking n to be a finite number, and expanding the expression by a
simple application of the Binomial Theorem, it can be shown that the value of
\n
(1 1-f J
is more than 2 and less than 3- And, further, that as n->oo and
^=
1
2/netc.-^0, in the limit, ( 14- taken
-
.-. I//?, 2-71828. This figure is to-
be the base in the natural, or the Napierian system of logarithms, and is de-
noted by the letter e. So that, as
\w
This is a very important limit to remember.
(1
1+ n )
=.
The following are its simple applications :
(*) (a)
t h-i
(ii) Limit of as /i->0 is 1 .
n
ah \ 1
(Hi) Limit of ^ ,
as ^->0 is , = logf a.
Now, although we ordinarily use what are called common logarithms or
logarithms to the base 10, in Calculus, as in all other JD ranches of higher mathe-
matics, natural logarithms, or Napierian logarithms*, (after the name of the in-
ventor of the system), are used, and so we have the following further relations
to remember :
1 .
log a x = log,; x x loga e.
*Common logarithms to the base 10 can be converted into Napierian
logarithms to the base e by mult ipl> ing them by 2-3026-
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS 587
2. Any quantity, x = a loga x,
3- ,, x*=e\ose x.
The following are the differential coefficients of some important lagarith-
mic functions :
(i) The differential coefficient of log e x or loj x, (the base e being under-
stood), is equal to \]x. Or, d/dx (log* x) = 1
/*
N-B. If the base were a, and not e, we shall have
Similarly, d/du (log w) = 1/w.
Or, differentiating with respect to x, we have
d d du du
-
..
<W log x- - 1
dx )=-*,- dT M .^.
(ii) The differential coefficient of ax is 9
equal to a log f a.
For, if y a*, we have log* >> log*
B
x log,, a.
differentiating both sides with respect to x, we have
1 dy dy =
7 log,, a =0* log,
, ,
a.
^
log, a. Or,
From this, a very important result follows, viz.,
(Hi) that the differential coefficient of e
x = ex .
For, if a =
we havee, ex jy
= ,
and .-. dy/dx y logg e e x log<. e= e* x 1 = *
9. Differential Coefficients of Circular Functions.
(\) The differential coefficient of sin x is cos x- Or, djdx (sin x) = cos x>
(ii) The differential coefficient of cos x is sin x>
Or, dldx (cos x) =sin x,
(Hi) The differential coefficient of tan x is sec 8 x. Or, dfdx (tan x) = sec* x.
(iv) The differential coefficient of cot x is cosec* x.
Or, d/dx (cot x) cosec* x.
10- Maxima and Minima-
can be shown that for m'tximi and minima, dyldx = 0- To find where
It
the function is a maximum or a minimum, the procedure is the following :
(1) Put dy/dx =0, solve the equation dyjdx = 0, and obtain several
values of x.
See for what values of x, dyldx changes sign from positive to negative.
(ii)
For such values of x, the function is a minimum.
(Hi) See for what values of x, dy/dx changes sign from negative to positive.
For such values of x, the function is a maximum.
N.B. sometimes happens that for some values of x, obtained from
(1) It
the equation dyjdx =
0, dy/dx does not change sign. The function is neither
a maximum nor a minimum at these points. Such points are called points of in-
flexion.
(2) All points on a curve, where the tangent is parallel to the x-axis, are
called stationary points.
(3) Points, where the function is a maximum or a minimum are called
turning points, and the maximum and minimum values are called turning values.
Example :
Let it be required to find the maximum and minimum values of
Putting y * x6 5x* 4- 5x, we have
588 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
And, equating dyjdx to 0, we have 5x*(x 3)(jc 1)=0,
So that, x = 3, x = 1, x = 0.
Taking first, x 3, we have
if x be a little less than 3, dy/d x
= (+)(-)(+), *.., is negative ;
and if A- be a little greater than 3, dyjdx = (-f )(4- )( + ), *, is poaieive.
*.e., at x = 3, dyjdx, changes sign from negative to positive.
Thus, x = 3 gives the minimum, value of the function.
.'' the minimum value of the function is 35 5x3*4-5 x3
8 = 27.
Now, if * be little less than 1, we have dyjdx =( + )(--)(-) .*., positive.
and x ,, greater 1 ,, dyjdx = (+)(-)( + ), .., negative.
Thus, at x = 1, changes sign from positive to negative, or x
= 1 gives the
dy/da;
maximum value of the function .
.'. maximum value of the function 1 5 + 5=4-1.
And lastly, at x = 0, we^have
if x be a little less than 0, dyjdx = (4- )(-)(-), **., positive,
and ,, x greater than 0, c/y/^x (-f )(-)(-) * positive 9
i.e., dyjdx does not change sign at # = 0.
Hence, x = gives 7?>m^ o/ inflexion.
APPENDIX IV
INTEGRAL CALCULUS
1. Introduction- The word, "integral" simply means 'the whole', and
the process of adding or summing up a large number of little bits of a quantity
is called integration.
Thus, if A: be supposed to be made up of a large number of tittle bits,
each equal to dv t it is obvious that if we add up all these dx's together, we shall
get x. Mathematically, we put it as I dx = x, and read it as 'integral o
equals x' , the symbol I meaning 'integral of\ It is just a long'S, and means the
same thing as sum,
l
thv or summit ion of. In fact, it resembles in its meaning
that other familiar symbol, 2 (stgmi} y with the only difference that whereas the
latter indicates the summation of a number of finite quantities, the integral
sign I indicates the summation of a large number of inflefinitely minute quan-
tities,
2. Integration The Reverse of the Process of Differentiation. We may
look at this process of summing up small bits to get 'the whole\ from another
point of view, and say that integrating i* really the reverse of differentiating for,
whereas in differentiation, we are concerned with the problem of finding dyjdx,
given y as a function of jc, we have, here, to perform the reverse process, viz that ,
of expressing y as a Junction of x, when dy/dx, is g wan. This is the process,
called 'integration', and y is said to be the integral of dyjdx.
For example, we know that if y x 2 dy/dx 2x and so it follows that , 9
ifwe perform the reverse process of determining y, when dyjdx is given to be
equal to 2x, we must get y = x*.
Again, if we are given dy/dc = 3x and are asked to find out y, i.e
2
to ,
integrate dy/dx, we shall have y = x
,
3
because, if y x 3 dyldx 3x 2 , , .
*
Similarly, if = 4x 8 , y = x*. (~v if y = x\ -^ = dx*.
It will thus be seen that the process of integration depenls upon the recognition of
the differential coefficients of functions.
There are no infallible rules or fool-proof methods here to be guided by,
as we have in the case of differentiation. The first essential step, therefore, to
be successful in integration, is to familiarise oneself well with the results of
differentiation of simple functions. A list to help memorise them js appended
at the end, for the purpose.
3. We have seen above that if
Integration of Simple Functions.
dyjdx = 3jc we have y = x 3
f
.
,
We may arrange, dy/dx = 3x* as dy 3x*.dx> which is, what is called, a
differential equation, telling us that a little bit, or, in the language of mathe-
matics, 'on element of x' is equal to the corresponding 'element of x' multiplied
by 3x*. We have now to sum up all these elements dy to get y, or to find out
the 'integral of dy\ which will, obviously, be equal to the integral oflx'.dx;
so that, putting the proper notations, we have
= I 3x a .dx, (read as 'integral dy equals integral 3x*.cfa;').
Or, y =* x 8
, as seen above.
The rule to be applied would thus seem to be to increase the power
of x by
one, then divide it by this increased power. For, performing this operationf in this
589
590 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
case, we have
x t+i
* 3v
J *
3
Of course, it is obvious that dy = y, for the sum of ail dy's into which
y is broken up, will clearly be y. But we can apply the above rule in this case
also-
Let us put I dy as I y
Q
-dy, for y = 1 , and hence the value of the ex-
pression remains unchanged.
f
ff
e! dy = f
I
I y.dy
X "*" 1
)
== y-
[dy = y.
The student will perhaps feel tempted to ask as to what has happened
to the little bits, dx and dy, at the end. It is enough to remember that this
dx* or dy is just a part of the symbol of integration, the full notation being I dv
I dy etc., and when the integration is performed, the symbols, I and dx, or
and dy, vanish together.
4. Indenfinite Integials. We may thus generalise the above rule and
say that I
xn .dx
^"^ J
, so that the process will seem to be wonderfully easy.
J n+1
But a snag soon appears, for we ktow that if
y = x d\\dx = 2*.
2
,
y = .x -f 7, dyldx = 2x as before, because the
2
Also, if t
differential coefficient of an added constant is zero so that, performing the ;
reverse process of integration, we get y = * in both the cases, which, obviously
2
is far from correct.
Further, the result would still be the same if the added constant weie 9
or 11 instead of 7. It would thus appear that integration is not quite so reliable
a process, after all, and that one has to be guided by the results of diffnrentifition.
Therefore, working backwards from dy/dx, allowance must be kept for there
being an added constant.
Ttus, integrating dyldx = 2x, we say \ dy = 2x.dx 2. ~~ -f C.
Or, y ** x ZjrC, where is a constant, called the C
constant of integration, an abitrary constant, having no particular value ; for,
as we have seen above, it could very well be 7, or 9, or 11, or any other number,
for that matter. The value of the integral is, therefore, not fixed or definite,
and such integrals are, therefore, called indefinite integrals.
If, however, we are given the value of the function y, for a particular
value of x, we can determine the value of this constant C. For example, if
dyldx =2x, and y 11, when x = 2, =
we have 1 dy = I 2x-dy 9 Or, y = x*-\- C>
J*-J
"This dx t originally a part of the differential coefficient, when transferred
to the right hand side, as in 3x*.</x, only indicates that x is the independent
variable with respect to which the operation is to be performed.
INTEGRAL CALCULUS 591
Now, putting y 11, and x 2, (as given), we have
11 = 4+C, whence, C 7.
y - * +7.
f
So that,
Similarly, x'.rfx would be equal to i'-f c,
|
and I d* would be equal to x-}- C, and so on.
N.B. The constant of integration need not always be written down,
but alwayi supposed to be there, in the case of indefinite integrals.
it is
5. Definite Integrals. When an integral is defined between two limits,
it is called a 'definite integral'. The lower value of the limit is called the inferior
or, the lower limit and the higher value of the limit, the superior or the upper
9
limit, -the limits themselves being called the 'limits of integration.
For example, if the integral of the function, y = /(*) is to be determined
between the limits, x =* a and x = 6, we represent it symbolically as
= b
[* f(x).dx, or, simply, as P /(*).</*,
Jx = a J
and read it as 'integral off(x).dx between the lower limit (x equal to) a, and the
a to b of the function f(x), with
upper limit (x equal to) b, or, <as integral from
respect to je.*
=
Now, if [f(x\dx - f(x) + C, r
j'-*"
J 'and j>
=
the value
b
of ( f(x}.dx = f #U) + C 1 f <(/>)+C If ^()f C "j
- <f>(b)-</>(a),
<he constant of integration having disappeared during the process-
27 8 19
"1
And, in genera.,
f^7
** = Tx* ,
1
"!^ A^+A flWf
1
J fl [^ J^* -+
.
Corollary. It follow as a necessary corollary from the above that
b a
[ f(x) dx = - [ f(x).dx.
]a ]b
Thus, we shall have x*.dx = I x*.dx,
6. Some Illustrative Examples.
(/) On Indefinite Integrals.
() The value of |
x~ 1 .dx- Here, dyfdx = x~ l , or, dy = x~ l .dx.
Or, dy = \x~ l .dx.
J
Now, our general rule that
f
j
x n .dx is
.
= -
jt*
1 "*"
~
1
breaks down in this case,
#-1+1 ^0
-^r =
J
for that would give the value of the integral x- 1 to be - -* oo ,
~Q Q
*By subitituting first b instead of x, in the expression, and then a,
subtracting the Utter from the former.
592 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
and, surely, we do not get x~ by differentiating oo, as we ought to, if our
l
integration is correct. It is thus an exception. Once, again, therefore, we have
to go back, searching for the function of x, whose dyldx is x~\ or 1 /#. We
know that it is y Jog^x.
log# x is 1 /x, or, x- , the
1
Thus, since the differential coefficient of y
reverse process of integrating dy/dx.*** x- 1 , or dy x~ l .dx should give us =
y ss \ogfX. But we must, as usual, be careful to add the constant of integration
C, so that the final result we obtain is y log*x-f C. =
Or,
h dx ^
This brings into bold relief the fact that it is not possible to integrate an
expression unless t)iat expression ^s known io us to Jiave been obtained as a result
of differentiating something else. We must, therefore, learn up the resultr
differentiating as many general functions of x as possible and make sure
this list of ours goes on increasing continually.
(//) The value of e*.dx The value of \c x .d x =
<?*-}- C.
because, if y
~ ex , dy/dx = e*. [See page 587
( ///) The value of I er^.dx. The value of I e~ x dx = ~e~*-\ C.
f - - \ dy c^xO 1 xe*
because if, y ,
(2) On Definite Integrals.
- 2 +i -
s
->
_r -u r n
p X_ S g' 0fofl log *
^
J fl L Ja~L J" F'
7. Integration of Trigonometrical Functions. We know thai if
y mm 8 in x, we have dyldx = co# x.
And, if y = co* x, </y/dx == *m x.
Hence [sin x.dx
Jin
cos x+C, and! cos x.dx = nn
where C is the constant of integration, as usual.
In the same manner, we can obtain the integrals of their trigonometri-
cal function (see list at the end), if we know them to have been obtained M
differentiating oth^r functions.
The value of constant C may be determined in the same manner as
in the case of ordinary algebraic functions, discussed above. Further, we may
have definite integrals here also, as elsewhere, whose values are obtained in
precisely the same manner as those of algebraic functions.
For example, the value of I cos x.dx can be obtained thus :
JO
I cos x.dx = I sin x = sin it sin = 0,
JO L JO L J
8. Integral of the Differential Coefficient of a Function.
Since integration is, by its very definition, the reverse of the process of
differentiation, it follows that if ^ (x} be the differential coefficient of a function
/(x), with respect to x,
the integral of (x) with respect to x, will be/(x).
^
INTEGKAL CALCHJLUS k 593
Or, putting it in symbols, if y = /<# 1 J ^
and y = we W^A ;w.
j~.f(*)**$ (x) (i) jftv^ ...(/i)
j:
Or, substituting the value of </> (x) in (//), froarffjabove, we have
I,
c , the integral of the differential coefficient of a junction of x w the function itself.
In other wouls, the operative symbol*, dfdx and I ..'A*?, cancel each other out,
and quite naturally too, because they represent two inveise operations.
Thus, we can straightaway say that
I .
-stn x. dx sin A.
Again, if the integral of a function y*U) to /(*), the differential coeffi-
cient off(x) will be 0(.x) Oi, putting in symbols, i!
( K) dx = />). .
.(///; we shall have f(x) ---
^ (x). ,..(/v)
I
Oi , substituting the value of/(jt) in (iv) from (//;) above, we have
t . the dtjjnential tocffictcnt of the integral of a function of x m Ifa function itself.
So that, as befoie, the s>mbols . and dx cancel out, anJ we can sty
|-.
straightaway that
9 Product of a Constant and a Function. Just as
Integral of the
so also here, we obtain the integral of the product of a
in Differential Calculus,
constant and a fuiction by multiplying th^ integral of that function by that
^tant. Thus,
I
Kf(x).dK = A' I f(x).d\, where A' is a constant.
- - A*
For example, (/) f W.cfx 4 f x\dx 4 f 1 - A*
10 Integral of the Algebraic of any Finite Number of Functions. Sum
integral of the algebraic sum of any finite number of functions 1$ equal to th<
bruic stun of their twlteiduul integrals.
Thus, //, y and z be the functions of x, w: hav*
I // \-y \-z) dx == I //
(/A-f I
y.d\-\- z.Vv,
J
Foi example,
f 3 f 2 2 f f
(0
-J4A ^-hj3A-.^-J2^/A+J
- f f 2
4J*.<fc+3Jx.efx-
594 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
(ii) I
.dx^-l
cos*.dx^-l I (cos
V cos 2x
=* 2x
I cos
I*-*'*! Or,
nn 2x ,
x 2
4 whence, cos*x
(m) <w* 2 (Me =
j I
-./*-./.
2
2 z
(w) \ tan Q,dQ =-
(8ec O-~l).dQ '/
J j
-- f ^C 2 e.dfi- I r/g.
[_ dO
Other Fundamental Rules (Theorems).
I. If we have a fraction, wliose numerator is the differential coefficient of
Ike denominator, then the integral of the fraction
t
is tlie logarithm of the denominator.
Thus, if u be a function of #, i.e., u = f(x) 9 such that du/dx ~~f'(x),
then, if y = log w we have ^8 w) ~ ^8 u '
,
^ ^"a~~~ r /^ )-"j"f
I (7w 1 , .
Or,
/
f /'() dx
JT^T-
i.e., i/w integral of a function whose numerator is the differential coefficient
of the, denominator is equal to the logarithm of the denominator.
Thus, for example,
f 00,9 a .
dx = Joe
, ,
I r -
.
fo
sin x,' - x == cos a*.
*tw
J
dx
II. The integral of the product of a function of x, ruised to a power n ana ,
the differential coefficient of the function itself (not raised to the power w), is equa'
to the function, raised to the power (n+1) divided by (n+1).
For, suppose, we have a function like y = [/(a?)]
71 "*" 1
;
so that,
where / () is the differential coefficient of /()
Then, dy - (n+ l)[f(x)]
n
.f'(x).dv. And .-.
dy = (n+l)(f(x)].f'(v).<lff.
j |
Or, y = (n + l) [/ (x)]*.'f'(x)dx. Or, f [}(x}
n
.[^(x)dx] =-*.
w
J +i
INTEGRAL CALCOLUS 595
Or, [ [ /M n /'(*).<**
'
= Uw*' \ '
where n * - J
I n-\- 1
For example,
1
(i)
I sin zx.co* x.dx *--'
-?,
cos a; id = - sin x,
3 c7 'c
J
() (*' + & J? +c)n.(2 a ;4^*- /|M
J
^
r i f'( T r ?
a
From the above, it follows that ^J' )
.
f\ x .-= | /'(;r) [ /(^)] .^x.
j
J VJ(*) J
01
T (a.e-j-&) r ^(2<?^ ^-26)
"
__ * *
'
J \/V/J? -t-2ta; j-c
2
J \/
rra?
/
8
+ 26j7-[-c
where (2^-j-26) is the differential coefficient of (ax* -\-bx-\-c).
Hence - "* =
Ivist of Important Integrals
(1) Algebraic*
(i) l.'/j?=r, because / .\
1
r '
(} 2*.</x - ^ 2
,
a" dx = n^ -
( V)
?
J ^L ( where 1 ),
because
^ v
.a; n+1 = (n-\-\)^\
f 1 <^
i
(v)
\
I
x
,
.dx -- log^a? because ,
*
, (loggrv)
= 1
J x
(2) Exponential and Logai ithmic
(0
J'
cind ,
**. | a^.loikft.^ = a jr because
t
-
(
'
j, dx
(ii) \
e*.dx = e* t because ,
(i
,e
x .
J dx
*Note that/'faj) is the differential coefficient of/(*) f and not of [/(a?)]-i
596 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
(3) Trigonometrical.
d
(i) I sin x.dx~cos x t because --T-
dx
- cos #= sin x.
(ii) Icos x.dx*=sin
\cos x. x, ,, -?- sin x cos x.
(tX
( Hi ) I tan x.dx= log sec x, , ,
'
dx
(w)
(to) |cor a;.</#=log s**n #,
I -.
log j
x^=co( x,
1^
d
(*,) I srec*x. ,
ian ;
cU*
~~-~ cof x=s~cof.
(vi) I a;= cof a;, ,,
(4) Inverse.
l
i) I
7^- ~~^
7==!=^: . .
-
dx=*8in-*-x<
'doc sti because ,-
sm 1 -
-
JVi-^ 2 \/ 1 .
1
(u) I IF^ ^~
J v 1 a?*
(m)
(
-
t V) _f L^.cto^oo rfa;
(5) Miscellaneous.
because
1 1
d_ L
r c/o; A/^ 2 4-
a cos ax.dx=sin ax,
f owna.r.rf*-coflfa5, co* nra?=-a *fn oa?,
(to)
.,
^_
2
ar.
W |
a iae>a.cte-tan a f
^ <an aa.^a sec
sin 2x Jx^sitfx, sin*x**sin 2x.
(tn) -gj-
[
f d
sin 2x.dx^cos*x, cos #=-sm f)
-a:.
mi) -. I
-gj-
CONSTANT TABLES
I DENSITIES OF COMMON SUBSTANCES
597
598 PBOPEBTIES OF MATTER
II ELASTIC CONSTANTS
IV COEFFICIENTS OF VISCOSITY
Liquids
C
(20 C| Gases (15 C)
1. Alcohol 0-0119 1. Air -000181
2. Benzene 0-00649 2. Carbon dioxide -000144
3. Carbon disulphido 0-00367 3. Hydrogen -000089
4. Carbon tetrachloride 0-00969 4. Nitrogen -000174
5. Chloroform 0-00564 5. Oxygen -000198
6. Ether 0-00234 Vapours
7. 8-500 1. Alcohol (109C) -000 HO
Glycerine
S. Mercury 0-016 2. Benzene (100*0) -00009*
9. 0-0149 3. Ether (KXPO) '000097
Turpentine
10, Water 0-01006 4. Mercury (300C) -000532
5. Water (1000) -000120
CONSTANT TABLES 599,
V MOLECULAR ELEVATION OF BOILING POINTS OF SOLVENTS
(Elevation per 1 gm.molecule of salt per 100 c.c. of solvent)
Solvent
1. Acetone.
2. Alcohol
3. Benzene
4. Chloroform
5. Ether
<3. Water
VI MOLECULAR DEPRESSION OF FREEZING POINTS OF SOLVENTS
(Depression per 1 gm. molecule of salt per 100 c.c. of solveni)
VII SURFACE TENSIONS OF IMPORTANT LIQUIDS
(in contact with air)
<wo PBOPEBTIES OF MATTER
VIII=MOLECULAR CONSTANTS
(At N.T.P.)
1. Number of molecules per c.c. of a pas =2*75 x 10 19
2. Avogadro Numbz> f
or number of molecules per gm. molecule ?/ a gas
=6-022 x 10 2 3
3. Mass of Hydrog n vtc m = 1-67 x 10-* 4.
Molecu-a r
Gas
Molecular Mean Free Collision
Diameter Velocity Path Frequency
(r.m.s.)
Carbon
dioxide 4-32 x 10- L cm, 3-92 x HH cm. /$*.,' () 20 x 10- 8 cm. 5-74 x l'^ 9
per sec
i
I
Hydrogen 240xlO~ 8
,,118 39x10'',, ,,'l8-3xlO- 9-255x10
;
i
!
6
Nitrogen I
3-31x10-8 ,,14-93x104 ,,J9.44xlO- 4-899 xlO 9
Oxygen '3-11x10-9 4-GlxlO 4 I9-95X10- 8 5-00 x 10 ,,
Mean molecular velocity = -92 1 r.m.s. velocity.
Collision Frequency =a Mean molecular velocity j Mean free path.
LOGARITHMS
602 PROPERTIES OF MATTER
LOGARITHMS
LOOAHTTHMfC TABLES 603
LOGARITHMS
604 PROPERTIES OF MATTHB
ANTILOGARITHMS
ANTILOGKABITHMS 605
ANTILOGARITHM5
INDEX
Astrosuit, 391
Absolute temperature, 537 Atmolysis, 459
Atrrospheric pressure, Measuremer
units, 2
of, 359
zero, 573
Atomizer, The, 426
Acceleration, 4, 85
Attack, Angle of, 371
Angular, 21. 22 Attracted-Disc Paradox, The, 427
Centrifugal, 205
Atwood's machine, The, 193
Centripetal, 26
Attraction, Gravitational, 227
Linear, 21
Austen Robert, 454
down an inclined plane. 396
due to gravity, 160 Anstin, 246
of a body inS.H M., 115
Automatic Pilot, 99
of a body rolling down an inclined Average kinetic and potential enerpi
of a particle in S H.M ,137
plane, 87
Avogadro?s Hypothesis, 539
Adam, 487
Adam's, 247. 248, 249 Avogadro number, 540
Axis, Neutral, 307
After-effect, Elastic, 277
of rotation, 20
Adhesion, Force of, 394, 404, 475
Advective zone, 358-59 B
Ailerons, 374
Airplane, 367, 368 Balance, The, 146
Different parts of, and their The Common, 147
functions, 371-377 Essentials of a good, 147
Atr screw, 373 Faults in a, 182
Air ship, 367 Sensitiveness of a, 147-48
Airy, 233, 246, 247 Stability (or Quickness) of a, 14
Altituae, Change of pressure with, 360
Amontons, 394, 403 Truth of a, 147-148
Amplitude, 112 Eotvos, 210, 212, 246
Aneroid barometer, 208, 359 Gravity, 210
Angle of attack, 371 Tomon, tSf trie's), 459
Banking, 28 Methods (for the determinate
of contact. 485, 488 cfO),241,245
Measurement of, 486-88 Ballistic curve, 37
of friction, 395 Ballistics. 37
of projection for maximum range Band Brake, The, 402
of a projectile, 34 Bank, Turn and, indicators, 99
of shear, 280,2*2,283 Banking, 28
SoUd> Dote on, 259 Angle of, 28
Stalb'og, 372 of railway lines and rotds, 28
Angstrom Unit, 3, 249 Bonerji, 510
i 21, 22 Bar pendulum, 169
ation between Couple and, 22 Owen's modification of the, 172
impulse. 83 Barometers, 359
momentum, 83-84 Aneroid, 208, 339
Law of conservation of, 84 Fortin's, 359
velocity, 20 Barometric reading, <?orrectioii of, 31
Amiclastic surface, 309 Baron Eotvos, 2J2, 2M
Antonow, 512 Bartett Mack, and, 4T>
Archimedes, 353 method, 479
Principle of 154, 332*53,49 Barton, 302
Areal velocity, 226 Heam, 306
Arnold. 437 Bending, Limitations c: the simple
Ari&tarchus, 224 theory of. 313
Artificial horizon, 99 Moment of resistance tc 308.
Association, Coert of, 517 Plane of, 306
Astronomical unit of force* 230 Bending of, 306
606
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