Maxwell Vibration Needle

Product Code : EL-AM-10313

Specifications

How the Maxwell needle experiment is done

Maxwell's needle measures the modulus of rigidity (eta) of a wire. The tube hangs from the wire under test and the four cylinders fill its length. Swapping the solid (heavy) and hollow (light) cylinders between the inner and outer positions changes the moment of inertia of the needle without changing its mass, so only the moment of inertia differs between the two sets of readings.

1. Clamp the upper end of the wire in the ceiling attachment and the lower end in the wire chuck, with the tube horizontal.
2. Place the hollow cylinders at the centre and the solid cylinders at the ends; start small torsional oscillations and time 20 of them to get the period T1.
3. Interchange the cylinders, solid inside and hollow outside, and time the oscillations again to get T2.
4. Follow the oscillations with a lamp and scale reflected in the mirror, then measure the wire length L, the wire radius r and the masses of a solid (m1) and a hollow (m2) cylinder.

With l the length of the tube, the modulus of rigidity is eta = 2 pi L l^2 (m1 - m2) / [r^4 (T1^2 - T2^2)]. Because r enters as the fourth power, the wire radius is measured at several points with a screw gauge and averaged.

Key features

• Hollow brass tube, 40 cm long, with a wire chuck for clamping the suspension wire
• Mirror for lamp-and-scale observation of the oscillations
• Two solid and two hollow cylinders, each 10 cm long, fitting the tube bore
• Graduated scales and verniers on sliding weights
• Supplied with a ceiling attachment, without a stand

Documentation and supply

Installation instructions and a manual are supplied with the apparatus. Most Lab Exports products carry a one-year manufacturer warranty.

Lab Exports manufactures the Maxwell Vibration Needle at its works in Laxmi Nagar, Delhi, and supplies it to colleges, universities and schools in India and 60+ countries, handling the export documents for each shipment. More about the company is on the About Lab Exports page.

Related Applied Mechanics products

• Lever/Force into Force Arm Apparatus (EL-AM-10312)
• Inertia Table (EL-AM-10314)
• Inertia Disc (EL-AM-10315)
• Fly Wheel (EL-AM-10316)
• Torsion Pendulum (EL-AM-10317)
• Torsion Pendulum (Bridge Type) (EL-AM-10318)

The full range is in the Applied Mechanics section of the Physics Lab range.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Maxwell Vibration Needle measure?

It measures the modulus of rigidity of the suspension wire from the torsional vibrations of the loaded tube.

What cylinders come with the Maxwell needle?

Two solid and two hollow cylinders, each 10 cm long, that fit the bore of the 40 cm brass tube.

Is a stand included with the Maxwell Vibration Needle?

No. It is supplied complete with a ceiling attachment for hanging the wire, without a stand.

What is the price of the Maxwell Vibration Needle?

Prices are not published on the website. Add the Maxwell Vibration Needle to the Enquiry Cart with the Add To Cart button on this page, or email [email protected] with the house code EL-AM-10313 and the quantity, to receive a quotation.

Does Lab Exports manufacture the Maxwell Vibration Needle?

Yes. Lab Exports manufactures the Maxwell Vibration Needle at its works at 11/315, Lalita Park, Laxmi Nagar, Delhi 110092, under house code EL-AM-10313.

Request a quote

Email [email protected] with the house code EL-AM-10313 and the quantity, or add the Maxwell Vibration Needle to the Enquiry Cart with the Add To Cart button on this page. Tender buyers can also see the Tenders and OEM page.