MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
ST. MARY’S SCHOOL
MATH AND PHYSICS DEPARTMENT
11th – PHYSICS LABORATORY #2:
CIRCULAR MOTION
Teacher: Carlos Obaldia/ Luis Jiménez
INTRODUCTION
In this lab we will explore some concepts and ideas discussed in classes regarding circular motion. The
first part is related to the speed of a point in a rigid object when this moves in a circle. The second part is related
to the centripetal force experienced by an object moving in a circle.
Centripetal force causes a moving object to follow a curved path. When an object is in uniform circular
motion, a constant centripetal force is being applied to the object. For this experiment, the centripetal force will
be equal to the force of gravity of the mass attach at the end of a string. The relationship between the speed of
the object and the centripetal acceleration caused by the centripetal force is:
While rotating an object with a constant centripetal force and string, you will count the rotations and
estimate the angular velocity. We will compare this to the linear velocity.
MATERIALS:
Meter stick
String
Rubber stopper
Washer or set of masses
Spring scale
Clamps
Plastic Tube
Analog clock
Electric fan
PROCEDURE:
I. Rotational Kinematics:
1. Determine the angular velocity and displacement of the hands in the analog clock during the remaining time
left for the class. Write the exact time at which you start and finish the experiment.
2. Calculate the linear speed and displacement of the hands for the whole motion.
3. Determine the angular speed of the electric fan. For each level, count the revolutions of the blades for a
specific amount of time, like one minute. You can also record the revolutions using your cellphone.
II. Centripetal Force and acceleration:
1. The following diagram represent the set-up for the experiment.
2. Measure the mass of the stopper and the masses that will be attach at the end of the string.
3. The stopper will be the object that experience the centripetal force. This force (Tension) will be directly
proportional to the weight hanging at the other end of the string.
4. For the set-up, you need to choose a length for the string that goes from the stopper to the plastic tube. This
radius must keep constant while you rotate the stopper.
5. With a stopwatch or a slow-motion recording, record the time it takes to complete 30 rotations. After this,
obtain the period of the movement (T) by dividing the obtained time by 30. Write all the values in the table
of the lab report.
6. This process must be repeated three times for different values of the radius and for the masses hanging in
the string.
7. Prepare a graph of Fg vs v2. Express the equation for the graph.
LAB REPORT:
CIRCULAR MOTION
Teacher: Carlos Obaldia Total: 70 points Score: ____/70
Names: ______________________________
Johny Kamen Juan Fernando 4
Group: 11-____
______________________________
Navelys Manuel
I. Write the time of start and end for the analog clock experiment.
Start:
Finish:
Hand Δθ ω s
Second
Minute
Hour
II. Complete the table with the values of the angular velocity for the electric fan.
Electric Fan:
Centripetal
Angular Speed Linear Speed
Speed Level Revolutions Time (s) Acceleration
(rad/s) (m/s)
(m/s2)
1
2
3
III. Write the values obtained for the rubber stopper:
Mass of the stopper:
radius of the string:
0.455m
Mass or
Fg (N) ac (m/s2) T (s) v (m/s) v2 (m2/s2)
washers (kg)
radius of the string: 0.566 m
Mass or
Fg (N) ac (m/s2) T (s) v (m/s) v2 (m2/s2)
washers (kg)
2 10kg
radius of the string: 0.335m
Mass or
Fg (N) ac (m/s2) T (s) v (m/s) v2 (m2/s2)
washers (kg)
1 10Rg
2 10Rg
1.5 10kg
Graph Fg vs v2:
IV. ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION:
1. When increasing the speed level of the fan, did you notice any change in the speed of the blade? If so,
which speed changed?
2. If you let the fan to move for 6 hours, how much distance (arc length) its blade will move?
3. Don´t try this but imagine that you attach an object with a string to the fan. How fast you think this
object will go? Give an estimation. Why does this happen?
4. What does the slope represent in the graph Fg vs v2?
5. What relationship you observed between the centripetal force and the radius of the string?
