CIRCULAR

MOTION LAB

REPORT
Physics Lab Report
Wenika
Kamolchanok
Teeranut
Akarawat
 Introduction
Circular motion is motion in two dimensions characterized by a
circular path. A centripetal force must be provided by some other
force to keep an object moving along a circular path. Centripetal
force is essentially the net force action on an object moving in a
circular path. An amusement park ride that travels in a curved or
circular path will experienced a force, called a centripetal force,
pushing the person into the ride. The ride where the floor drops
from beneath your feet, or the seat belt of the "roller coaster" that
supplies the force, you are constantly being accelerated toward the
ride's center. Since the direction of motion of an object following
uniform circular motion is constantly changing, its linear velocity
vector also changes its direction, but not its magnitude. Therefore,
the object has an acceleration. This type of acceleration is called
centripetal acceleration, and is directed toward the center of the
circle. Centripetal acceleration is the force that we feel when an
object is undergoing an uniform circular motion such as when going
around a curve, or on a loop to loop roller coaster. It is the force that
keeps an object in a circular motion. An object that moves in a circle
at constant speed is said to undergo uniform circular motion. To
find the centripetal force and centripetal acceleration by
experimenting with horizontal circular motion with different
masses. In the experiment there is a ball on the end of a string
revolved around one’s head. The lab will allow us to verify the
relationship between mass, velocity, radius, and centripetal force. As
the centripetal acceleration increase, the velocity of the object also
increases in proportion to the square-root of the radius multiplied
by gravity. This is shown in the theory section of this lab report.
 Objective
To study about the forces involved in the motion of a
body moving with constant speed in a circular path.

Material

Ruler
Straw

Slotted Weight Hanger Rope

Marble
 Procedure

1. Measure the mass in of the tiny metal disk.

2. Pass the string through the tube and attach the disk on the
top of the tube.
3. Hang a hooked mass(M) of 175 g on the other end of the
string
4. Hold the tube vertical and swing the disk in a circular path
in a horizontal plane.
5. Adjust the speed of rotation of the disk and the radius so
that the hooked mass is just supported by the string.
6. Start the motion with the tube at arm’s length and above
the head.
7. Count and record the number of revolution in 30 seconds.
8. Grasp the string at the bottom of the tube to mark the
position of the string while the disk is moving. Measure the
distabce from the top of the tube to the center of the disk.
9. Change the radius of rotation. Use smaller valuse or large
one.
10. Repeat steps 3-9 using hooked mass of 200g.
Data & Result
 Calculation
1. Calculate the speed of disk using the total number of revolution
(N), the observed time (t) and the radius of revolution.
V = 2πrN/t
2(π)(0.28)(98)/30 = 5.75
2(π)(0.685)(65)/30 = 9.33
2(π)(0.3)(113)/30 = 7.09
2(π)(0.691)(80)/30 = 11.58
2. Solve for the Centripetal Acceleration.
Ac = V2/r
5.752/0.28 = 118.08 cm/s2
9.332/0.685 = 127.08 cm/s2
7.092/0.3 = 167.56 cm/s2
11.582/0.691 = 194.06 cm/s2
3. Calculate the centripetal force.
Fc = mV2/r
(0.005)(5.75)2/0.28 = 0.59 → 0.6
(0.005)(9.33)2/0.685 = 0.6
(0.005)(7.09)2/0.3 = 0.8
(0.005)(11.58)2/0.691 = 0.97 → 1
4. Calculate the weight of the hooked mass.
Mg
(0.05)(10) = 0.5
(0.05)(10) = 0.5
(0.1)(10) = 1
(0.1)(10) = 1
 Analysis of Result
Based on our data and results,
(a .) Effect of radius on the velocity
Ans. If the radius is increased, the velocity will be increased too.
Due to rotational inertia, the longer the radius, the longer the time
it will spin.
(b .) Effect of radius on the centripetal acceleration
Ans. If the radius increased, the centripetal acceleration will be
decreased, as they are inversely proportional to each other.
(c .) Effect of speed on centripetal force
Ans. If the speed is increased, the centripetal force will also
increased. And if the speed is decreased, the centripetal force will
be decreased as they are directly proportional to each other.
2. Compare the value of the calculated centripetal force with the
calculated hooked mass.
Ans. The centripetal force and the hooked mass are equal and
almost the same with each other.
3. When you swing a metal object at the end of a string in a
circular path, what is the direction of the force you exert on the
metal object?
Ans. The force directed towards the centre.
4. If the string that holds the whirling metal objects in its circular
path breaks, what kind of an absent force causes it to move in a
straight line path?What law of Physics supports your answer?
Ans. Newton’s second law
 Analysis of Result

5. Explain the key ideas behind motion in a circular path with

constant speed.
(a .) Velocity
Ans. Velocity is speed and direction. Although, the speed is
constant, the direction is changed. Therefore, the velocity is
changed.
(b .) Acceleration
Ans. Acceleration directed towards the centre which in this case it
is perpendicular to the Velocity.
(c .) Force
Ans. Force also moves toward the centre. As the force causes the
object to accelerated, therefore the Force and the Acceleration
are the same
 Conclusion
The force that is allowing the ball the swirl around the
center is Centripetal force which is a force pointing in to
the center of the circle. When you whirl the ball the
velocity also changes because the direction is always
changing so acceleration is not zero therefore we can
also use Newton’s 2nd law. Centripetal force is based on
the mass of the object and also the distance of the mass
from the middle.

Recommendation
The further the mass is from the axis the harder for it the
start to spin but also harder to stop. So if you want it to
spin longer you should put the mass further from the
middle.
 Reference
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/circles/Le
sson-1/Mathematics-of-Circular-Motion
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/ce
ntripetal-force-and-gravitation/centripetal-
acceleration-tutoria/a/what-is-centripetal-
acceleration
http://physicsnet.co.uk/a-level-physics-as-
a2/further-mechanics/circular-motion/

Work Log