Centripetal Force: Instructions

Centripetal Force
Name: Group Members (if any):
Instructions:
The force which pulls an object toward the center of a circle is called centripetal force. How much centripeta
needs to be exerted to cause an object to move in a circle? Your experience should tell you that the amount o
centripetal force that you need to exert depends on the mass of the object you are whirling, how fast you are
it and the radius of the circle.
We will use an apparatus similar to the one pictured below to measure the effect of speed on centripetal forc
can hold the mass constant during a set of trials by always whirling the same object. You can keep the radius
circle constant (with a little practice) by keeping the upper paper clip a fixed distance below the tube while w
the object.
Outcomes:
1. The student will analyze the relationship between the speed of an object in uniform circular motion (UCM) and th
centripetal force on the object.
2. The student will explain the relationship between centripetal speed and centripetal force using graphical analysis
Materials:
1 Meter Stick
1 Digital Timer
1 Centripetal Force Apparatus
- String
- Bag of Washers
- Glass Tube
- Paper Clip
- Cork Stopper
1 Camera or phone to take a selfie with your setup.

Safety Points:
1. Small parts are involved, keep them from small children or animals.
2. Don't leave them scattered on the floor, trip hazard.
3. Be aware of your surroundings, make sure the space is clear for the apparatus to swing.
4. Be cautious as the tube is glass and can break resulting in sharp edges.
Procedure:
1. Place 4 washers on the bottom clip of the apparatus. This part of the apparatus hangs straight down, and the weig
the centripetal force.
2. Practice whirling the stopper until you can keep the upper clip a short distance below the bottom of the tube while
IMPORTANT! If the clip touches the bottom of the tube, the weights are no longer supplying the centripetal fo
falls appreciably as the stopper whirls, the radius of the circle is changing. Practice!
3. Measure the radius of your circle; record the value in your data table.
4. Use a stop watch to measure the time taken for a 30 revolutions Record your data.
5. Change the number of washers on the bottom clip (centripetal force) and repeat step 3. Repeat for several differen
for each trial. If you get a data validation error, you have made a mistake. Check units or your calculation and try aga
6.
7. Change
You mustthealso
position
take of the upper
a selfie clipwith
of you to change the radius
your setup of the
to make circle.
the Repeat the experiment
measurements. Your face for
mustthisberadius. Beins
visible
radius
the endchanges in your data table.
of the lab.
Data & Calculations:

Trial 1: Radius = m
Time for 30 Time for 1 Linear Speed Speed^2
# of Washers revolutions (s) revolutions (s) (m/s) (m/s)^2
4
8
12
16
20
Trial 2: Radius = m
Time for 30 Time for 1 Linear Speed Speed^2
# of Washers revolutions (s) revolutions (s) (m/s) (m/s)^2
4
8
12
16
20
1. Calculate the period of revolution, T (the time to go around once) for each trial. Explain how you did that.
2. Calculate the linear speed, v, of the stopper for each trial. Record in above table. Explain how you did that.
3. Using a graphing program, create a graph of number of washers (y-axis) versus linear speed (x-axis). Be sure you d
curve through your data points. Paste it below.
4. Theoretically, the centripetal force should be directly proportional to the square of the speed. To check this, calcul
this value to your data table for linear speed^2.
5. Construct a graph of number of washers versus linear speed^2. Be sure you draw the best smooth curve
graph below.
Analysis:
1. The number of washers represents the centripetal force. Is the graph of centripetal force (# of washers) versus sp
curve? Explain.
2. What is the relationship between centripetal force and linear speed^2? Explain.
3. Add your selfie below.

e. How much centripetal force
l you that the amount of
irling, how fast you are whirling
peed on centripetal force. You

You can keep the radius of the
e below the tube while whirling
ular motion (UCM) and the
e using graphical analysis.

paratus to swing.
aight down, and the weight of the washers supplies
e bottom of the tube while the stopper whirls.

plying the centripetal force. If the clip rises or
Repeat for several different weights. Record the data

ur calculation and try again.
rment
face for
mustthisberadius. Beinsure
visible theto indicateInsert
picture. whereitthe
at
ow you did that.
how you did that.

eed (x-axis). Be sure you draw the best smooth
eed. To check this, calculate the linear speed^2, add
st smooth curve through your data points. Paste
(# of washers) versus speed a straight line or a

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Centripetal Force

Name: Group Members (if any):

1 Camera or phone to take a selfie with your setup.

Data & Calculations:

3. Add your selfie below.

peed on centripetal force. You

ular motion (UCM) and the

e using graphical analysis.

aight down, and the weight of the washers supplies

e bottom of the tube while the stopper whirls.

Repeat for several different weights. Record the data

ow you did that.

how you did that.

eed. To check this, calculate the linear speed^2, add

st smooth curve through your data points. Paste

(# of washers) versus speed a straight line or a

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