Darshan Patel

Linghua Zhu
Group Members : Sean, Jai, Nikki
Physics Lab 114
Lab Date: 10/15/15
I. Objective
1. To study the motion of a body traveling with constant speed in a circular
path (uniform circular motion).
2. To verify the expression for centripetal acceleration and centripetal force.
II. Theoretical Background
If a body with mass (m) travels a circular path of radius r around a point (O),
the body has a linear velocity tangent to the circle at any instant. And
according to Newtons First Law of motion, the mass will retain this linear
velocity if it is not acted upon by external forces.
Net Force = mass * acceleration according to Newtons second Law
The centripetal acceleration on a mass is equal to the velocity squared
divided by the radius.
The acceleration, the direction of which is the direction of the change in
velocity, is directed towards the point O. The relationship between linear
velocity v and angular velocity w is given by v=rw = r(2pi*n). n is the
number of revolutions per second (RPS).
Ac = rw^2 = 4pi^2*n^2*r
Fc = 4pi^2*m*n^2*r
F=kd
III. Results: Data sheet
Trial

Mass

Radiu

Time of

Avera

RPS

Force

Force

[g]

50

ge

(n)

Comput

Measured

[cm]

Revolutio

Time

[?/s]

ed

[N]

% dif

ns

447.9
5
452.9
5
457.9
5
462.9
5
467.9
5

[s]

[s]
40.58
14.6

42.88

[N]

1.180

3.595

7.056

36.26

1.379

4.965

7.056

31.72

1.576

6.556

7.056

7.63%

29.93

1.671

7.451

7.056

5.30%

28.37

1.762

8.374

7.056

43.69
38.68
14.6

34.83
35.26
31.86

14.6

31.13

96.27

42.38

%
42.11
%

32.18
30.13
14.6

29.59
30.07
28.92

14.6

27.81

28.38
Counterbalanced by 720g on pulley

15.74
%

Reaction time error +- 0.2 seconds (estimate)

Radius: ruler +- 0.1 cm
IV. Results: Calculations
Average Time Sample Calculation for Trial #1:
Average = Total Time/Number of Times (40.58+42.88+43.69)s / 3 = 42.38s
RPS (n) sample calculation For Trial #1:
50 / average time = 50/42.38s = 1.180/s
Force Measured (from 720g counterweights) = m*a = .720kg*9.8N = 7.056N
% diference
Sample Calculation For Trial #1

|Theoretical Experimental|/Theoretical * 100% = 3.595-7.056/3.595 * 100%

= 96.27%

V. Discussion and Analysis of Results

1. What is providing the centripetal force on the body of mass m when it
undergoes the circular motion?
The centripetal force is caused by the constant speed of the mass
traveling in the circular path.
2. Is the expression (eq. 5) for centripetal acceleration verified? Is the
expression (eq. 6) for centripetal force verified?
Yes both expressions for centripetal force are verified, but there was
some error due to real world conditions and limitations on the
precisions of instruments.
3. Is it possible for an object to have acceleration when the velocity of the
object is constant? How about when the speed of the object is
constant?
Yes because the acceleration is going towards the central, centripetal
acceleration. If the speed of the object is constant, then for an object
to have acceleration is certain.
4. Consider two people, one at the equator, and another at the North
Pole. Which has the greatest centripetal acceleration?
The person standing on an equator has the greatest centripetal
acceleration because hes closer to the earths center.
5. Suppose we have two identical balls connected to two identical strings.
The arrangement is whirled around in a horizontal circle as shown
below. As it is whirled faster and faster, which string is likely to break
first?
The string attached to the ball that has smaller radius is likely to break
first because the acceleration will be the greater than the ball who has
larger radius.
6. The moon constantly accelerates toward the earth, yet it never falls
into the earth. How can these happen?

The centripetal acceleration is towards the earth and the velocity is

not.
In this experiment, we had some significant error present due to realworld conditions present and the limitations of the precisions of the
instruments used during the lab. For example, the ruler limited our data to a
precision of +- 0.1 cm. The reaction time error was +- 0.2 seconds. Our
percentage of error from Trials 1 to 5 respectively is
96.27%,42.11%,7.63%,5.30%, and 15.74%. As you can see, some of our
trials had a great precision of error. Some other factors which could have
resulted in this would be wind drafts, change in temperature, and
vibrations/sound waves. These interferences definitely led to our data not
being equal to the theoretical values. We could have done this experiment
better if we had used a more accurate method of spinning the object with a
constant acceleration, since humans do not have an innate ability to produce
a constant force. If I was to repeat this experiment, I would definitely
improve upon my mistakes and be able to produce more accurate results. I
learned how the centripetal acceleration of an object moving in a circular
motion with a constant acceleration works in an experimental fashion. This
lab was really helpful as I was also able to calculate the force and test if it
would be constant or not.
Conclusions:
In conclusion, the expression for the centripetal acceleration and
centripetal force has been mostly verified due to the fact that even though
the values were not exactly the same as the theoretical, we conducted the
lab in the manner indicated and experienced some error as it is the real
world. The reason for having this percent error is the human error and other
environmental factors. Because the group has to move the object circular,
they cant apply the constant force, which helps get constant velocity. Since

the velocity is not going to be constant, the acceleration centripetal

acceleration is not going to be the same as the calculated one. Since the
measured acceleration gives you the centripetal force, the calculated force
wont be the same either.