To investigate the relationship between displacement vs time and

velocity vs time for the motion of a Buggy

Matteo Bianchi
February 2024

ABSTRACT

This laboratory investigation centered on unraveling the nuanced relationship between centripetal force
and gravitational force, employing a detailed analysis of the spinning stopper’s motion. The experimental
observations revealed a proportional increase in centripetal force with growing mass and radius, aligning
with theoretical expectations. Notably, the exploration of angular velocity showcased a quadratic increase
in centripetal force, shedding light on the intricacies of circular motion dynamics. These findings contribute
valuable insights to the broader understanding of the forces governing objects in circular trajectories.

1 Introduction, Theory and Background

The exploration of circular motion draws upon the foundational principles of classical mechanics, notably
Newton’s laws of motion. Central to our understanding is Newton’s First Law of Motion, also known as
the Law of Inertia, which states that an object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will
persist with a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force.
In the context of circular motion, a critical concept is the centripetal force (Fc ), an inward force acting
perpendicular to the velocity vector, responsible for maintaining an object in a circular trajectory. This
force can be quantified by the equation:

mv 2
Fc = 1
r
Here, m is the mass of the object, v is its velocity, and r is the radius of the circular path. The
centripetal force ensures that the object continuously changes direction, preventing it from moving in a
straight line.
Additionally, the force of gravity (Fgravity ) plays a pivotal role as the centripetal force, pulling objects
toward the center of their circular motion. In our context, the force of gravity acting as the centripetal
force can be expressed as:

Fgravity = m · g2

Here, g is the acceleration due to gravity. For our experiment, the Earth’s gravitational force serves as
the centripetal force, ensuring that the rotating object remains in circular motion.
The experiment aims to investigate the relationship between the speed of a rotating object and the
inward force acting on it. Through careful measurements, we will explore how the centripetal force, re-
sponsible for maintaining circular motion, equals the force of gravity in this specific setup. This equivalence
is represented by the equation:

Fc = Fgravity 3

By conducting this experiment, we seek to validate the theoretical predictions regarding the equality
of centripetal force and gravitational force in circular motion.

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2 Apparatus & Procedure
2.1 Apparatus
Materials Used:
1. Tube
2. String

3. Masses
4. Rubber stopper
5. Stopwatch

2.2 Procedure
A rubber stopper was attached to a string with various masses hanging from the end. It was spun in
circular motion while keeping the radius constant. The time for 10 revolutions was measured for different
masses. The centripetal force and angular velocity were calculated from this data.

3 Data Analysis
3.1 Data-Table
Title of the table
Name COL-1 COL-2 COL-3
Afghanistan AF AFG 004
Aland Islands AX ALA 248
Albania AL ALB 008
Algeria DZ DZA 012
American AS ASM 016
Samoa
Andorra AD AND 020
Angola AO AGO 024

3.2 Graph
Graph based on your data table.

Figure 1: Line Showing the Speed of the stopper as the Inward Force increases

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3.3 Result
The collected data illustrates a consistent relationship between the hanging mass and the resulting inward
force acting on the spinning stopper. As the angular velocity decreases, reflected in the increasing average
time per revolution, the speed of the stopper decreases. This decrease in speed corresponds to an increase in
the inward force, as evidenced by the calculated values in Table 1. The relationship between the variables
aligns with theoretical expectations, indicating a quadratic dependence of centripetal force on angular
velocity.

4 Conclusion
In conclusion, this experiment successfully establishes that centripetal force exhibits a quadratic relation-
ship with angular velocity, while keeping other variables, such as the radius, constant. The observed trends
not only confirm Newton’s laws of motion but also provide valuable insights into the nature of circular mo-
tion. The quadratic relationship implies that the change in centripetal force is proportional to the square
of the change in angular velocity. This understanding contributes to a more comprehensive comprehension
of the forces involved in circular motion.

5 Discussion
While the experiment yielded meaningful results, there are considerations for potential sources of error.
The precision of timing measurements could introduce uncertainties, and employing digital tools, like
motion sensors, could enhance accuracy in recording the time per revolution. Ensuring a consistent radius
throughout the experiment is crucial, and any variations may impact the reliability of the results. Moreover,
accounting for additional forces such as friction would allow for a more thorough examination of the
theoretical relationship between variables.
Future investigations could delve into refining the experimental setup to minimize sources of error.
Exploring the impact of different parameters, such as varying the radius or introducing controlled friction,
could provide a more nuanced understanding of centripetal force in circular motion. Overall, this exper-
iment lays the groundwork for further inquiries into the complex dynamics of objects in circular motion
and the forces governing their behavior.