Unit 6b LABORATORY 2

Title: Centripetal Forces

Purpose: To verify the equation for centripetal force using a whirling bung (conical
pendulum).
Theory:
Tsin = mr 2

Apparatus:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.

Bung or stopper
Thread or nylon string
Glass tube
Weights (Washer or screw nuts)
Metre rule
Electronic balance

Instructions:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.

Measure the mass of a rubber bung and some screw nuts. Set up the apparatus
as shown above. [The weight of the screw nuts gives teh tension T in the nylon
string]
Set the length, L of the nylon string between teh rubber bung and glass tube to
1 m using a paper marker.
Hold the glass tube vertically and whirl the rubber bung so that the paper
marker is just below the tube.
Measure the time for 50 revolutions of the rubber bung and record the results.
Calculate the angular velocity of the rubber bung and tension T in teh
nylon string.
Repeat several times with different lengths L of the nylon string.
Record the results in the table and calculate the mean tension T.

Unit 6b LABORATORY 2

Data:
Mass of rubber bung, m = __________________ kg
Mass of screw nuts, M = ___________________kg
Tension in nylon string = Mg = ____________N
Length of nylon string L/m
Time of 50 revolutions of
rubber bung 50t /s
Angular velocity of rubber
2
bung ( =
) /rad s-1
t
Tension in nylon string (
T =m 2 L ) / N
Tmean =
Discussion:
1. Compare the theoretical value ( m 2 L ) and the measured value (Mg) of
tension T in the nylon string.
2. What are the possible sources of errors in this experiment?
3. State the safety precautions.
4. Suggest a method to improve this experiment.

Unit 6b LABORATORY 2

Unit 6b LABORATORY 2

Unit 6b LABORATORY 2