Question 1: Is the kinetic energy of the descending mass really negligible compared with that of the rotating objects as claimed? The ratio of the two kinetic energies is ½mv2/½Iω2. This may easily shown to be:
½ mv2/ ½Iω2 = m D2/4I,
Use a typical falling mass, m = 100 g, and your values for D and Iring and compute the right-hand side of above equation. D and m must be expressed in the MKS system. Discuss.
Question 2: Does the uncertainty in the theoretical value of Idisk account for the discrepancy in the experimental and theoretical values of Idisk?
Question 3: Did you find different values of WF for the three set-ups? If so, do the differences make physical sense?
Question 4: Discuss why Iring is so much larger than Idisk when the two bodies are of about the same mass and dimensions.