Centripetal Force Lab Report
Abstract
This purpose of this experiment was to observe the relationship between centripetal acceleration, centripetal force, and a mass M. In this experiment we used a circular motion apparatus that had a plumb bob attached to a metal shaft (that connected the plumb bob to the vertical shaft) and spring. We found the centripetal force from the spring when it was in circular motion. We hung masses off a pulley system that was attached to the plumb bob until the plumb bob was perpendicular to the horizontal shaft. We took the distance of the shaft to the starting point of the plumb bob, and this value was used for the radius. We then measured how long it would take the plumb bob to complete ten full rotations, which was used to find the frequency of this experiment.
Questions & Answers
1. The purpose of this lab is to examine objects in circular …show more content…
Imagine that a harder spring (spring with a higher spring constant k) is used in the experiment. Explain how the centripetal force FC and the frequency f of the hanging mass will change (i.e. if they increase or decrease). (2.0 points)
If a harder spring (spring with a higher spring constant k) is used in the experiment then the frequency and centripetal force will both increase. If the spring constant increases, the plumb bob will have to rotate at higher velocity to become perpendicular to the horizontal shaft. A higher velocity means a higher frequency since the plumb bob is moving faster and is completing each rotation in less time than before. The centripetal force will be higher because the spring requires more force to cover less distance when the spring is harder.
Conclusion
In conclusion, in this lab we determined that there is a relationship between centripetal force, centripetal acceleration, and a mass M which the force is acting upon. We also learned about circular motion in this experiment. Also my data was a bit off because of human and system error so the data wasn’t as perfect as it could have
This purpose of this experiment was to observe the relationship between centripetal acceleration, centripetal force, and a mass M. In this experiment we used a circular motion apparatus that had a plumb bob attached to a metal shaft (that connected the plumb bob to the vertical shaft) and spring. We found the centripetal force from the spring when it was in circular motion. We hung masses off a pulley system that was attached to the plumb bob until the plumb bob was perpendicular to the horizontal shaft. We took the distance of the shaft to the starting point of the plumb bob, and this value was used for the radius. We then measured how long it would take the plumb bob to complete ten full rotations, which was used to find the frequency of this experiment.
Questions & Answers
1. The purpose of this lab is to examine objects in circular …show more content…
Imagine that a harder spring (spring with a higher spring constant k) is used in the experiment. Explain how the centripetal force FC and the frequency f of the hanging mass will change (i.e. if they increase or decrease). (2.0 points)
If a harder spring (spring with a higher spring constant k) is used in the experiment then the frequency and centripetal force will both increase. If the spring constant increases, the plumb bob will have to rotate at higher velocity to become perpendicular to the horizontal shaft. A higher velocity means a higher frequency since the plumb bob is moving faster and is completing each rotation in less time than before. The centripetal force will be higher because the spring requires more force to cover less distance when the spring is harder.
Conclusion
In conclusion, in this lab we determined that there is a relationship between centripetal force, centripetal acceleration, and a mass M which the force is acting upon. We also learned about circular motion in this experiment. Also my data was a bit off because of human and system error so the data wasn’t as perfect as it could have