Jack Boland

Physics 1443-008

Purpose:
To be able to understand and verify the relationship of the centripetal force, mass,
velocity, and the radius of orbit for a body moving at a constant velocity.
Introduction:
In this lab we manipulated variables in order to see the effects one can have on the system
when it is either held constant or varied.
Procedure for experiment C:
First we chose an arbitrary radius by loosening the retaining screw and disconnecting the
spring so the spinning mass is hanging freely. Then we adjusted the arm so that our final radius
would be on the last dimple for the final experiment. Next we adjusted the pointer so that it was
directly below the mass and recorded the radius. We used a constant centripetal force of 0.55kg
(0.60kg total); so, after reattaching the spring and connecting the force string to the mass we
adjusted the tension knob accordingly. Then removing the force string we began to rotate the
shaft.
As one person was rotating the shaft and maintaining the appropriate viewing angle of the
spinning mass and pointer another waited to begin recording the data using data studio. When the
spinning mass was directly over the pointer with a constant velocity we began recording the time
it took to complete one revolution for fifteen revolutions. When we were sure our standard
deviation was below .01s we recorded the mean value of T(period). After recording the data, we
disconnected the spring and moved the arm by one dimple and repeated the previous steps for a
total of 5 experiments of varying radius.

Data Sheet C
r
(m)

T
(s)

m
( s )

0.02

1.62

0.06 4

0.172 0.002

0.709 0.02

1.52

0.06 1

0.162 0.002

0.699 0.02

1.45

0.059

0.152 0.002

0.689 0.02

1.38

0.058

0.142 0.002

0.687 0.02

1.29

0.056

0.182

0.002

0.707

1. The slope of the straight line for v2 vs. r = 20 2.1

v2

m
( )
s

Uncertainty used for

Worst line of fit

2.61

0.021
2.32

0.186
2.12

0.173
1.92

0.161
1.68

0.145

m
s2

m
s
=20
(0.1520.162)(m)
(2.122.32)

1.56

( )

1
2. Calculated value of Fc/m = 14.5 1.49 N kg
5.88 N
0.588 N 0.001 kg
=14.5 N kg1
(14.5N)( 5.88 N + 0.405 kg ) = 14.5 N kg-1
0.405 kg

3.77

3.

% error = 100*(

(14.520)
14.5

) = 38%

Velocity squared vs. radius

3

2.5

f(x) = - 5.78x + 2.59

R
==
1 13.57x - 0.06
f(x)
R = 0.98

2
Line of Best Fit

Velocity^2 (m^2/s^2)

Linear (Line of Best Fit)

1.5

Line of Worst Fit

Linear (Line of Worst Fit)

0.5

0
0

0.05

0.1

0.15

r(m)

Graph for data sheet A

0.2

Velocity squared vs. Centripetal force

4

f(x) = 0.45x + 1.56

R = 1

3.5
f(x) = 0.39x - 0.04
R = 0.99

2.5
Line of Best fit
velocity^2 (m^2/s^2)

Linear (Line of Best fit)

Line of Worst Fit

Linear (Line of Worst Fit)

1.5

0.5

0
0

Centripetal Force (N)

Graph for data sheet B

10

Velocity squared vs. mass

2.5
f(x) = 0.98x + 0.01
R = 0.99
f(x) = - 0.25x + 2.25
R = 1
2

1.5
Line of Best Fit
Linear (Line of Best Fit)

V^2 (m/s)

Line of Worst Fit

Linear (Line of Worst Fit)

0.5

0
0

0.5

1.5

2.5

m^-1(kg^-1)

Summary:

From the data collected in the centripetal motion experiments it is clear that v2 is directly
proportional to Fc since as Fc increases v2 increases as well. It is also obvious that as the spinning
masss mass increases v2 decreases. Lastly as the radius decreases v2 decreases too. This shows

that v2 is directly proportional to r and Fc, while v2 is inversely proportional to the mass (spinning
mass).
Looking at the percent error it is clear that many errors in the experiment had occurred.
Most likely causes of such errors must have been from incorrect and or inaccurate readings of the
radius, imperfect setup of the centripetal force, non-constant velocity during rotation, inaccurate
revolutions periods, and incorrect calculations. Even with said errors it is still clear that the
relationship between the centripetal force, velocity, mass, and radius is still present.