Static torsion
Hang weights on a disc, read the twist angle and build the table — the whole measurement in a simulator.
Hang equal weights on both pans, read the twist angle of the disc and build the table of angle against load. The simulator shows the whole measurement (loading and unloading); you work out the shear modulus G in the calculators below.
| n | m / g | F / N | φ₁ / ° | φ₂ / ° | φ / ° |
|---|
The mean and its probable error are worked out by the Probable error calculator.
| Wire material | G / GPa | G / 1010 Pa |
|---|---|---|
| Steel (carbon, structural) | 77 – 79 | 7.7 – 7.9 |
| Stainless steel | 78 | 7.8 |
| Cast iron | 41 | 4.1 |
| Copper | 45 | 4.5 |
| Bronze | 45 | 4.5 |
| Brass | 36 – 40 | 3.6 – 4.0 |
| Aluminium (alloys) | 25.5 – 27 | 2.6 – 2.7 |
| Titanium | 41 | 4.1 |
| Lead | 13 | 1.3 |
Typical shear modulus values at room temperature. The real value depends on the alloy and its heat treatment, so check the datasheet of your own wire. 1 × 1010 Pa = 10 GPa. Sources: Wikipedia (Shear modulus), Engineers Edge (Modulus of rigidity).
Work up your readings in the calculators: the 20 wire diameters in Probable error and the load and angle pairs in Linear regression. Put their results into the formula above and compare G with the table.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| shear modulus | Pa | |
| wire length | m | |
| diameter of the rotating disc (force arm) | m | |
| wire diameter | m | |
| added mass on each pan | kg | |
| load force (= mg) | N | |
| mean twist angle | ° | |
| initial twist angle | ° | |
| slope of φ versus Fg | °·N-1 |