CGS

Physics 12 exp 3.1: Investigating circular motion

[Type the document subtitle]

Holden 3/8/2013

Aim: To examine an object in circular motion, then determine the relationship between the radius of the object and the centripetal force experienced by the object. Equipment: Rubber stopper Glass tube Paper clip Metronome String Sticky tape Meter ruler 15 6g weights

Method: Equipment was set up as shown below. The paper clip was loaded with 36g and the metronome was set to 80 beats per minute. The object was spun so its period matched the beat of the metronome. We spun the object for a few more seconds to make sure the object stabilised and to make sure the object had the correct period. The string at the base of the glass tube was grabbed and the object was stopped. The length of the string from the top of the glass tube to half the stopper was measured by the meter ruler. The test was ten repeated with differing weights. Diagram

Results

Centripetal force (g) 18 36 54 72

Radius of object (cm) 46.5 72.7 90.0 108

We managed to find a linear relationship between centripetal force and the radius of a spinning object (see graph for evidence)

Conclusion: The experiment shows that there is a relationship between centripetal force and the radius of an object in circular motion though the results are faulty due to systematic errors. The relationship is a linear one due to the fact all other variable were taken out so only radius and force were variables. Discussion: We could have made the experiment more accurate by taking multiple samples of radii lengths per weight. We could of tried the experiment at different metronome beats and then compare the results. We could have used better equipment; the glass tube caused a lot of fiction on our string.