PERFORMANCE TASK IN GENERAL PHYSICS

NARRATIVE REPORT
GROUP 4

I. Introduction

Physics is the most fundamental and inclusive of the sciences. It is the branch of science that
deals with the structure of matter and how the essential components of the universe interact. Moreover,
it enables us to understand how the world around us works. Undeniably, it involves the study of
everything in physical existence. We have used this knowledge to create things to benefit society or in
our everyday lives even in Amusement Parks.

Amusement rides, sometimes called carnival rides, are mechanical devices or structures that
move people to create enjoyment. A rotating circular platform with seats for riders makes up an
amusement attraction called a carousel, merry-go-round, or hurdy-gurdy. How can Physics be applied
in this ride? This project will answer that. We are tasked to do a Miniature of a Carousel Ride using
recyclable materials.

II. Objectives
• To create and design a miniature of an amusement park ride (Carousel) with the requirements
that it must be fun, safe and educational
• To be able to use recyclable materials as the main materials in creating the parts of the ride
assigned
• To have a basic understanding of the basic concepts of Physics particularly relative motion
which includes distance, displacement, speed, velocity, acceleration, free falling bodies and
projectile
• To discover the application of Physics in the assigned Amusement Park ride (Carousel)
• Create a written report that will discuss the Physics behind the rides of an Amusement Park

III. Discussion

What is physics behind the carousel?

Carousels rotate on a stationary center pole and are powered by electric motors. The seats are
traditionally in the form of rows of horses. The word "carousel" is a French word that means "a tilting
match”. With all of its beauty and seeming simplicity, the carousel is a delicate balance of motion and
forces. All of the horses move through one complete circle in the same amount of time. In a normal
carousel, each horse maintains a constant acceleration, radius, speed.

Newton’s first law states that an object in motion stays in motion and that motion is in a
straight path, not a circular path. Centripetal means ‘center-seeking’ and is the force that is acting on
the carousel. The platform upon which the horses and people are riding is the centripetal force that keeps
them traveling in a circular motion. As long as the ride is moving slowly enough, the centripetal force
of the platform can keep everyone and everything on board. Velocity is the speed of something in a
given direction. When we ride on a carousel our speed does not change but the velocity changes. This
is due to the fact that the linear speed of the riding person is constant but the direction of its motion
continuously changes along the circular path. In additional, the speed of the ride is low in order to
keep centrifugal force low because the faster it turns the more centrifugal force the ride will have.
Acceleration is a measure of the change in velocity of a moving object. As the carousel turn and
changes in velocity, it accelerates. Displacement is the moving of something from its place or

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position. For some carousel, horses move up and down. The vertical displacement of the horses
follows that of simple harmonic motion, with one up-and-down cycle. The conceptual and contextual
applications of the laws of Physics in Amusement Parks particularly, a Carousel is essential for fun
experience while keeping the rides safe. Understanding it is a great way to give you an appreciation of
the dynamics of the various rides.

PROGRESS REPORT EVERY WEEK

Date Information Attachments

Our task was given by Mrs. Adante on the first

week of September, particularly on September 2,
2022. The groupings were based on the alphabetical
order of the names in our whole section producing 5
groups since we have 5 rides to make. We have
gathered in group 4 having a total of 9 members
including Ivan Nathaniel Andal, John Romell Diaz,
Steven Madlangbayan, Mary Grace Maralit, Harvey
Joy Mendoza, Donnah Pasia, and Lorryne Julia
1st week Rosima. Our goal is to make an amusement park
made with recyclable materials making it fun, safe,
and educational. It will include the application of
Physics behind the rides in the amusement parks,
which will include the Ferris wheel, Carousel,
Rollercoaster, Vikings, and Flying fiesta. The
carousel ride was assigned to our group. Ma'am
Adante mentioned that it is only optional to make it
operational since physical contact is still limited.
After this task was given, we immediately made a
group chat to recognize our members and for us to
be able to plan early because we believed that it is
going to be a long and hard process of making.

Searching for knowledge is opening doors for

ideas. For us to be guided, the first thing we did was
research how to make a carousel using recyclable
materials. Our group is a competitive one because
we are dedicated in making the carousel move even
though it is optional. With the help of different
platforms like YouTube and google, we watched a
lot of videos on how to make this ride considering
what is attainable and creative.

The whole section had a meeting to visualize our

amusement park. We decided to have a color purple-
themed amusement park. Moreover, the estimated
measurements were given for each ride in order to
be clear about what should be bigger or smaller. In
addition, we also talked about the placements of
each ride, and our carousel was assigned to be at the
center having a measurement of 8by8 inches. We
applied the details from the meeting in preparing

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 materials. Considering our time management, we as
a group decided to work also in weekends. At
Steven's Residence in San Jose is where we made
our first progress.

Working together with other people for a task can

be challenging in some cases like when someone has
something to do at the time everyone is free or is out
of their coverage area but luckily, we are complete
this day. The boys were assigned to make the
basement with the dc motor for the operational
nd
2 week process. . Though we still haven’t bought the dc
motor here with the batteries and switch, they
started the basement. Since it was already out of
stock here in Ibaan, Steven volunteered in buying
the dc motor and switch. On the other hand, the girls
were assigned to the horses and the chairs. There’s a
lot of trial and error since we're dedicated in making
Steven's it to spin. To be honest, this day was full of planning
Residence and the parts we made were not included in our final
at San output. Nonetheless, a progress is still a progress.
Jose We applied all the failures, trials, and adjustments
this day to our next working day.

The day after this after this, Monday, September

13, Ma'am Adante messaged us that our scheduled
time for Physics will be allotted for the continuation
of the making of our rides. We prepared our
materials and reminded Steven to bring them. In
addition, we also downloaded the videos we are
School using as a guide so we can be organized. We made
the long rail for the horses with bamboo stick and
jolens under for suppor. Furthermore, the carousel’s
pillar was made of cardboard to stand firm and the
chair was from popsicle sticks. For the roof, we cut
the kartons in triangular shape binding it together.
After all, as instructed by our teacher we made a
progress report for this day.

We can say that for this week our progress is

3rdweek visible. The parts we have made are now bind
together showing a carousel form. We decided to
Donnah’s upgrade the design of our horses into Styrofoam as
Residence the body and printed figure. Our chairs at first were
at Bago made out of popsicle sticks but it's not stable when
attached so we thought of using cotton buds, still
recyclable, for the chairs. We added purple glitters
making it more presentable and pleasing to the eyes.
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 For the roof, we cut the kartons in triangular shape
painting each with white, pink and purple with a
touch of curvy glitters. The rails were also painted
with color pink complementing the horses. Then, we
chose a suited printed pattern for the floor.
Meanwhile, we thought of putting egg shells and
broken CDs on the pillar making it firmer, decorative
School and more recycled. More importantly, even with a lot
and of trial and errors, our group is still dedicated to make
House it spin.

4th Week
Finally, we're now at the last week of developing
this ride. After attaching the parts altogether, we
brainstormed ideas to make our carousel more
decorative through recyclable materials. Using the
BBQ stick, we created a fence around the floor with
a braided yarn (white and purple) tied up on each. We
noticed that our roof was still lacking in design so by
the use of cotton balls we glued it underneath and by
School its corners. Good thing the shipping was faster than
and expected, we bought lights (purple and white) from
House Shopee to make the carousel look lively and stunning.
Also on the roof, using plastic spoons, we made some
flowers putting them on the top and by the 2 sides
align with each other. This idea was from YouTube.

The most complicated part of the making of this

ride was its operational mechanism. From Day 1 up
to now, we have had trials and errors that made it all
worth it in the end. The night day before the exhibit,
our carousel was at Steven's house, still hoping that it
will spin. In the last step, he measured the
circumference of the circle wherein the base of the
carousel is not evenly balanced making the spin not
smooth as it should be. For about 4 hours, he tried
different procedures but the carousel won't rotate. He
thinks that the carousel will not function due to its
uneven base but at the last minute, the night before
the exhibit, he disassembled the base and created a
new one. He used 2 cake boxes from Goldilocks and
Red ribbon and merged the plate holder on top of it
while the battery was hanging in the columns of the
plate holder. The DC motor was put on the center of
Address: JP Rizal St. Poblacion, Ibaan, Batangas
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 the holder as the switch was sticking on the other side
of the plate holder and the base was now more steady
than the last one. Luckily, the base can now hold the
weight of the carousel and it was also spinning. For
the finishing touch, he put proper weight on the
carousel so that it will hold for a long time even while
spinning.

Since the clouds (cotton balls) in our ride were

so visible and its objective was to make people happy,
we named it The Carousel in Cloud 9. We also
prepared an explanation about the application of
Physics behind the Carousel so the students who will
see it will understand.

IV. Illustration

Recycled Box
(Kartons)
Plastic Spoons

Egg shells Cotton Balls

Broken CDs
Styrofoam
Bamboo Stick

Recycled
BBQ Stick
Beads

Recycled Plate of a Cake Box

There are cotton balls here
added (it can be seen on
the video documentation) Switch

Battery

DC Motor

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V. Total Cost

Materials Cost
Craft Supplies Php 105.00
(glue stick, glue, cartolina, paint, etc.)
Operational Mechanism Supplies Php 235.00
(DC Motors, Batteries, Bearings, Switch)
Lights Php 60.00
Total Php 400.00

VI. Documentation

Progress of the Operational Mechanism (DC Motor, Switch, & Batteries) of the Carousel Ride
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T2oiAGDvfNS9HcGntTZlt3LcZUu7xQ4U/view?usp=sharing

Lights
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UCSPXpYrh5bo_tBleYY0_wcFaI88UySc/view?usp=sharing

VII. Conclusion / Realization

In many respects, using the trial-and-error method is the only way we can truly learn. When
we make a mistake or fail at something, we allow ourselves the chance to reflect, make changes, and
try again. This whole project taught us how not to give up even on last minute. It urged us to always
look for ways instead of giving up. It also made us realize how recyclable materials can still be used for
decoration or in production of a new thing.

This project is a proof that Physics really have an application in our everyday life, it is
everywhere even when the times we're unaware. Our carousel made us stressed and tired but it is worth
it at the end. With the comfortable chairs of cotton buds, the horses that are safe to ride, and the ambience
of the whole carousel that everyone will love, would you ride our Carousel in Cloud 9?

Address: JP Rizal St. Poblacion, Ibaan, Batangas

Contact No.: (043) 414-1040, 706-2512, 414-3271, 321-9594
E-mail: sjaosj55@gmail.com
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Group 4 Members:

Andal, Ivan
Diaz, John Rommell
Madlangbayan, Steven

Maralit, Mary Grace

Mendoza, Harvey Joy
Pasia, Donnah
Rosima, Lorryne Julia

Address: JP Rizal St. Poblacion, Ibaan, Batangas

Contact No.: (043) 414-1040, 706-2512, 414-3271, 321-9594
E-mail: sjaosj55@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foreverjamesians