Lab Report- Centripetal Force

Student ID: 2020314622

Name: Asafo Agyei Azariah

Objective
The subject of this experiment is to measure the centripetal force of an object that is in a uniform
circular motion. The objective of this experiment is to measure the centripetal force acted on an
object in a circular motion by varying its mass and the radius and the period of the trajectory and
investigate the relationship with the restoring force of the spring when an object, connected to a
spring, undergoes a circular motion at a constant speed. Measure a turning radius of the object with
varying mass and rotation cycles to calculate each centripetal force and compare it to the dynamic
stability of a spring to interpret the cause of experimental errors.

Method and Data Analysis

The centripetal force experienced by an object with mass m in a circular motion at a constant speed
v with radius r is given by the first equation where ω is the angular velocity and v = rω

F = (mv2)/r = mr2ω

Since the velocity v and the period T is related by the equation

V = 2πr/T F = 4π2mr/T2

When an object with mass m is made to undergo a circular motion using a laboratory apparatus as
shown in the figure, the restoring force of the spring acts on the mass m as centripetal force. When
the spring constant is given by k, the relationship between the restoring force and the displacement
x is described by the Hook’s Law.

F = 4π2mr/T2 Fs = -kx, |F| = |Fs| 4 π2mr/T2 = kx

Thus, by measuring the displacement x, we can estimate the centripetal force and compare it with
the theoretical prediction using the last equation.

1. I measured the weight of a circular disk of the measuring equipment for spring constant.
2. I recorded the initial length of the spring.
3. I put the circular disk on the spring and then, I measured how much the spring has been
shortened.
4. I measured the weight of the pendulum to be rotated.
5. I connected the spring and the pendulum properly to a centripetal stick.
6. I carefully attached the centripetal stick to the measuring equipment for centripetal force.
7. I used a measuring ruler to measure the length of both ends of the measuring equipment for
centripetal force that I would use.
8. Then, I installed a camera on the upper side of the measuring equipment for centripetal
force.
9. While installing, I made sure that the centre of the centripetal stick is located in the middle
of the image.
10. I made sure that the camera is parallel to the rotating plane.
11. I connected the rotating part to the DC supply.
 12. I minimised all electric terminals of the direct current power supple system and have the
measuring equipment for the centripetal force connected.
13. I used the voltage terminals of the direct current power supply system to rotate the
centripetal stick.
14. I controlled the voltage properly so that the centripetal stick would not tick over or slip
away.

Experimental Equipment
A measuring device for the centripetal force, a set of weights (100g, 200g), springs, an I-CA set, a DC
supply, a measuring device for the spring force.

By comparing the results, I obtained the variance of the spring, and by multiplying the spring
constant to the variance, I finally obtained the centripetal force.

추무게 : 150g 150g

용수철 상수 : 326.67 N/m

 Weights (g) 0 194 345.6 496.6

X(cm) 6.5 6.8 6.4 5.8

F=mg 0 1.9022 3.2684 4.6889

K(N/m) 0 316.38 338.58 326.67

Number 1 2 3 4 5
R(cm) 4.513 4.515 4.576 4.486 4.506
T(sec) 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.4
Centripetal 6.739 6.742 6.833 6.984 6.722
fore (N)

dx(cm) 1.943 1.965 1.992 1.978 2.003

F = k dx(N) 6.437 6.355 6.655 6.53 6.324
Average of centripetal force = 6.7889

Average of restoring force = 6.4628 %Error = [ (F – Fc)/F] * 100 = 4.8%