Analysis

Physics is a subject thats not easily understood. In studying physics, one must
give it all and bring all their knowledge as one. One person cannot finish studying
physics in one seating or one week or maybe a month. It is because physics covers
many topics as of now. One of the topics that is being discussed in physics in the
Uniform Circular Motion. It can be described as the motion of an object in a circle
at a constant speed. Recalling motion of an object, it is the change of position of an
object with respect to time. Motion is typically described in terms of displacement,
distance, velocity, acceleration, time and speed.
In uniform circular motion, as an object moves in a circle, it is constantly
changing its direction. Since direction of the velocity vector is the same as the
direction of the objects motion, the velocity is directed tangent to the circle as
well. Another definition is that the movement of the object along the circumference
of a circle is that it can be uniform, with constant angular rate of rotation and
constant speed, or non-uniform with a changing rate of rotation. The rotation
around a fixed axis of a three-dimensional body involves circular motion of its
parts. The equations of motion describe the movement of the center of mass of a
body.
An object moving in a circle is accelerating. Accelerating objects are objects
which are changing their velocity either speed (i.e., magnitude of the velocity
vector) or the direction. An object undergoing uniform circular motion is moving
with a constant speed. Nontheless, it is accelerating due to its change in direction.
The direction of the acceleration is inwards.

Examples of circular motion include: an artificial satellite orbiting the Earth at

constant height, a stone which is tied to a rope and is being swung in circles, a car
turning through a curve in a race track, an electron moving perpendicular to a
uniform magnetic field, and a gear turning inside a mechanism.

Since the objects velocity vector is constantly changing direction, the moving
object is undergoing acceleration by a centripetal force in the direction of the
center of rotation. It is also called as the centripetal acceleration. Without this

acceleration, the object would move in a straight line, according to Newtons

Second Law of Motion.
Centripetal Acceleration is defined as an acceleration towards the center of a
circular path. All objects in uniform circular motion must experience some form if
uniform centripetal acceleration.
The figure below shows the velocity vector of a particle in uniform circular
motion at two instants of time. By vector addition we can see that the change in
velocity, v , points toward the center of the circle. Since acceleration is the change
in velocity over a given period of time, the consequent acceleration points in the
same direction.

We find the magnitude of this acceleration by comparing ratios of velocity and

position around the circle. Since the particle is traveling in a circular path, the ratio
of the change in velocity to velocity will be the same as the ratio of the change in
position to position. Thus:
=

Rearranging the equation,

=

Thus
a=

Centripetal force is the force that causes centripetal acceleration. It is also a

force that tends to deflect an object moving in a straight path and compels it to
move in a circular path. Centripetal force is just a label to represent the unbalanced
force experienced by the body every time it moves in a circular fashion. Newtons
Second Law of Motion is used to measure the magnitude of the centripetal force.
(Another Detailed Explanation of Finding the Centripetal Acceleration)
By using Newtons Second Law
Fnet =ma
Fnet

is the unbalanced force, the mass of the body is denoted by m and a

is the acceleration. In the case of bodies moving in a circular path, Fnet is the
centripetal force, and ac is the centripetal acceleration. The magnitude of the
centripetal acceleration is given by the expression,

ac =

as t approaches zero, the instantaneous acceleration is

ac = lim

t0

v dv v 2
= =
t dt r

Thus, the centripetal force in terms of tangential velocity is expressed as,

Fc =

m v2
r

In terms of angular velocity, ( v=r) ,

Fc =mr

In terms of frequency rotation, f ( =2 f ) ,

Fc =m 4 2 f 2 r

With a knowledge of physical forces such as tension, gravity and friction,

centripetal force becomes merely an extension of Newton's Laws. It is special,
however, because it is uniquely defined by the velocity and radius of the uniform
circular motion. All of Newton's Laws still apply, free body diagrams are still a
valid method for solving problems, and forces can still be resolved into
components. Thus the most important thing to remember regarding uniform
circular motion is that it is merely a subset of the larger topic of dynamics.
In this experiment, we investigated the effects of varying the parameters involved
in circular motion. Horizontal circular type of motion is considered in this activity.
The objectives of this experiment is to quantify the centripetal force on the body
when one of the parameters is held constant and to verify the effects of varying the
factors involved in circular motion.

The materials that we used in this experiment are (1) rotating platform, (2)
clamp-on pulley, (3) set of weights, (4) mass hanger, and lastly, (5) stopwatch. We
are given precautions in using these materials, these are that we should always take
are in using the materials since they are school properties and damages on them
can mean serious to offense to the staff and that we shout take extra care should be
given on the supper pulley and the spring to avoid damages. Below are the photos
of the materials that are been used in this experiment.

The first part of the experiment

is

Determination

of

Centripetal

Force (with constant mass and variable radius of rotation). The first procedure is
to weigh the rotating body using a digital weighing scale and record its mass in
Table 1. Next is to create a constant centripetal force, hang a known mass over the
clamp-on pulley. Record this mass in Table 1. Remember to initially set the radius
to 16 cm. You can loosen up the thumb screw on the side post and slide it to the
desired radius. Tighten the thumb screw to secure its position. Adjust the spring
bracket up or down to make sure that the string connecting the rotating body is in
vertical orientation. Move the bracket with the orange indicator up or down located
on the center post. Take note of the position of the orange indicator. This serves as
a reference and remove the mass hanging over the pulley. Next is to gently rotate

the apparatus. The orange indicator must be centered in

the indicator bracket to keep the rotating object at its
desired radius. Use a stopwatch to record the time to
complete ten revolutions. Divide the time simply by
ten and record the period in Table 1. The frequency of
rotation is simply the inverse of period. Side the side
post to a new radius and repeat the procedure. Perform
five trials. After that, compute the centripetal force
using the equation:
Fc =m 4 2 f 2 r

The actual value is computed as:

Fc = ( mass hanging+ mass of pan ) x 980 cm/ s2

Solve for the percent difference:

x 100
AV + EV
2
Percent Difference=

AV EV

The results in the first part of the experiment is shown in a tabulated view below:
Table 1
Mass of rotating body, M
= 207.8 grams
2
(mass hanging + mass of pan)x980 cm/s
= 14700 dynes
Actual value of centripetal force
FREQUENCY
CENTRIPETAL
TRIA RADIUS OF PERIOD OF
ROTATION ROTATION OF ROTATION, f
FORCE
L
r
T
Fc
1
16 cm
2.708 s
0.3693 rev/s
17873.1253 dynes
2
17 cm
2.912 s
0.3434 rev/s
16422.6795 dynes

3
4
5

19 cm
3.146 s
19 cm
3.393 s
20 cm
3.557 s
Centripetal Force (Average)
Percent Difference

The

second

part

of

the

0.3179 rev/s
0.2947 rev/s
0.2811 rev/s
15132.5372 dynes
2.8998%

experiment

14898.1693 dynes
13519.5962 dynes
12949.1155 dynes

is

Determination of Centripetal Force (with constant

radius and variable mass of rotating body). For this
part of the experiment, there is no need to slide the
side post to different positions. Move the side post to
the desired radius. The first procedure is to weigh the
rotating body using a digital weighing scale and
record its mass in Table 2, Then create a constant
centripetal force, hang a known mass over the clampon pulley. Record this mass in Table 1. Next is to
adjust the spring bracket up or down to make sure that
the string connecting the rotating body is in vertical
orientation. Move the bracket with the orange
indicator up or down located on the center post. Take
note of the position of the orange indicator. This
serves as a reference. Remove the mass hanging over
the pulley. Gently rotate the apparatus. The orange indicator must be centered in
the indicator bracket to keep the rotating object at its desired radius. Use a
stopwatch to record the time to complete ten revolutions. Divide the time simply
by ten and record the period in Table 2. The frequency of rotation is simply the

inverse of period. Repeat the procedure and perform three trials by changing the
mass of the rotating body.

Compute the centripetal force using the equation:

2 2

Fc =m 4 f r

The actual value is computed as:

2

Fc = ( mass hanging+ mass of pan ) x 980 cm/ s

Solve for the percent difference:

x 100
AV + EV
2
Percent Difference=

AV EV

The results for the second part of this experiment is given in a tabulated view
below:
Table 2
Radius of Rotation, r
(mass hanging + mass of pan)x980 cm/s2
Actual value of centripetal force
MASS OR
PERIOD OF
TRIA
ROTATING
ROTATION
L
T
BODY, m
1
106.7 grams
2.079 s
2
157.1 grams
2.584 s
3
157.1 grams
2.61 s
Centripetal Force (Average)
Percent Difference

= 16 cm
= 14700 dynes
FREQUENCY
OF ROTATION,
f
0.4810 rev/s
0.3862 rev/s
0.3831 rev/s
14988.234 dynes
1.9419 %

CENTRIPETAL
FORCE
Fc
15593.169 dynes
14804.434 dynes
14988.264 dynes

The last part of the experiment is Determination of mass of rotating body

(with variable force). The first procedure is to weigh the rotating body using a
digital weighing scale, hang a known mass over the clam-on pulley and record
both its mass in Table 3. Next is to set the radius. Loosen up the thumb screw on

the side post and slide it to the

desired radius and tighten the thumb
screw to secure its position and make
sure to keep radius constant. Next is
to adjust the spring bracket up or
down to make sure that the string
connecting the rotating body is in a
vertical orientation. Move the bracket
with the orange indicator up or down
located on the center post. Take note
of

the

position

of

the

orange

indicator. This serves as a reference.

Figure 10. Determination of mass of

rotating body (with variable force)

Remove the mass hanging over the

pulley. After that is to gently rotate the apparatus. The orange indicator must be
centered in the indicator bracket to keep the rotating object at its desired radius.
Use a stopwatch to record time to complete ten revolutions. Divide the time by ten
and record the period in Table 3. The frequency of rotation is simply the inverse of
period. To vary the centripetal force, hang a different mass over the pulley. Repeat
the procedure and perform five trials. Compute the mass of the rotating body using
the equation below.
m=

Fc
4 2 f 2 r

Compare the experimental value with the actual value of the mass of the
rotating body and solve for the percent difference.


x 100
AV + EV
2
Percent Difference=

AV EV

The results in the last part of this experiment is given in a tabulated view below:
Table 3
Radius of Rotation, r
= 16 cm
Mass of rotating body
= 207.5 grams
Actual value
TRIAL (MASS HANGING + PERIOD OF
MASS OF PAN) x 980 ROTATION
cm/s2
T
CENTRIPETAL
FORCE

1
2
3
4
5

14700 dynes
2.663 s
24500 dynes
2.234 s
34300 dynes
1.930 s
44100 dynes
1.781 s
53900 dynes
1.590 s
Mass of rotating body (Average)
Percent Difference

FREQUENCY
OF ROTATION,
f
0.3755 rev/s
0.4476 rev/s
0.5181 rev/s
0.5615 rev/s
0.6289 rev/s
199.61 grams
3.8747 %

MASS OR
ROTATING
BODY,(EXP.
VALUE) m

165.04 grams
193.57 grams
202.27 grams
221.46 grams
215.73 grams

Conclusion
By understanding deeper what does the centripetal force serve in a circular
motion, students can then fully master the problems in the uniform circular motion.

2
2 2
Using the formula Fc = ma =m v / R= m4 f R , we can now compute for the

centripetal force and its frequency of rotation.

In this experiment, it is critical that we should convert the SI units of the values
that are gathered into this experiment into CGS units. For the centripetal force,
Newton (N) dynes. Mass of rotating body, kilogram (kg) gram (g). Radius of
rotation, meter (m) centimeter (cm). Tangential velocity, meter per second (m/s)
centimeter per second (cm/s). Angular velocity, radian per second(rad/s)
radian per second (rad/s) and frequency of rotation, revolution per second
(rps)revolution per second (rps).
By verifying the effects of varying factors that are involved in circular motion, it
was discovered that there is an inverse relationship between radius and frequency
and frequency and mass of rotating body and also the direct relationship between
frequency and centripetal force is observed. By this following observations, we can
say that as the radius increase, the frequency would decrease. This is because the
rotating object will take longer time to cover a longer distance of rotation. Another
observation says that when you increase the rotating bodys mass, the frequency
would also decrease. Frequency denotes speed of the object so with a heavier mass,
there would be a decrease in speed as well as frequency and this is explained in the
last experiment the Second Law of Motion. The last observation is that when you
increase the centripetal force, the frequency also increases. This explains that as an
object rapidly rotates, the centripetal force increases causing the string to become
parallel to the rotating plane.