Report for Experiment #5

Uniform Circular Motion

Hridaya Patel
Lab Partner: Mariella Todebush, Hope Morita
TA: Yunhao Zhu

7thth February 2024

Abstract
The centripetal acceleration of an item was measured in this experiment using a Sargent-Welch
device. The goal was to investigate how period, acceleration, and velocity affect centripetal force
while taking error analysis—more specifically, random error propagation—into account. The
effect of different tensions on centripetal acceleration and force as the bob revolves around the
device was examined using rubber bands to produce centripetal force. Two graphical
representations were created: one that showed the force-velocity relationship and the other that
showed the force-squared velocity relationship.

Introduction
A uniformly moving item in a circle has a constant centripetal acceleration. This force causes the
item to move in a circular rather than a linear manner by continuously changing its velocity
direction. An arc length (s) in relation to a horizontal or vertical reference line, or an angular
change (Δθ), can be used to characterize an object's location during circular motion. Typically,
angular measurements are given in degrees or radians; in scientific contexts, radians are the
preferred unit and are defined as the ratio.
∆𝒔
1. ∆= 𝒓

In this case, r stands for radius, Δs for the arc length, and Δfor the angle expressed in radians.
A moving object's velocity is represented as a vector that includes both direction and magnitude.
The item in uniform circular motion always keeps its velocity at any given location tangent to the
circle. As a result, there is acceleration present because the velocity vector constantly modifies
its direction to maintain circular motion. The amount of acceleration doesn't change during
uniform circular motion. By using fundamental trigonometric relationships and using the same
angle in respect to a reference line, it is possible to compute the acceleration value. It is
interesting to note that the definition of traditional acceleration is the change in velocity with
time. By using these connections, the acceleration magnitude (Δv) may be calculated with the
following equation:
𝑣 𝑣𝑟 𝑣2
2. 𝛿 = 𝑡 = =
𝑟 𝑡 𝑟

Acceleration has two components, similar to velocity: magnitude and direction. The vector of
acceleration in uniform circular motion is always perpendicular to the velocity and points in the
direction of the circle's center. A centripetal force acting on the item causes this type of
acceleration, known as centripetal acceleration. Based on the centripetal acceleration equation
and Newton's Second Law, we may deduce that the centripetal force (F) equals
𝑚𝑣 2
3. 𝛿 = 𝑟

If there was no centripetal force acting on the item, it would not follow a circular route. This
experiment sought to determine the relationship between centripetal force (F), velocity (v), and
radius (r) as given by Newton's Second Law by examining the motion of an item undergoing
uniform circular motion. In the first investigation, we looked at a bob hanging from a centripetal
force device moving in a uniform circle. Six different degrees of centripetal force (F) were
applied to the bob, and we recorded the velocity and velocity squared of the bob's motion in
addition to the time it took to complete a certain number of rotations (period). We created graphs
 showing Force vs. velocity and Force vs. velocity squared using the data we had collected.
According to Newton's Second Law (equation 3), the Force vs. velocity squared plot should, in
theory, show a linear connection between the variables.

Investigation 1
Finding the empirical relationship between centripetal force (F), velocity (v), and radius (r) in
line with Newton's Second Law was the aim of Investigation 1. First, a bob's mass (m = 0.456
kg) was determined. The bob was then linked to a centripetal force device such that it hung
straight above a pointer that was fastened to the device's base. After that, the device was levelled,
and the counterweight was changed to keep the bob fixed wherever it was. A measurement and
recording of the radius (r) was made between the apparatus post's center and the pointer's center
(r = 0.183 m). δr = 0.0005 m is the result of dividing the error in r by the smallest unit of
measurement.
After that, a rubber band was obtained, and two ends of the band were secured to the centripetal
force apparatus post and the bob, respectively, with paperclips. This caused the bob to be
dragged in the direction of the post. A bucket filled with weights was fastened to the bob's other
side to measure the force that the elastic applied to it. Up until the bob reverted to its initial
vertical position, in line with the pointer, mass was gradually added to the bucket. At this point,
the rubber band's pull on the bob and the force of gravity pushing on the bucket were equal. The
bucket and weights were then taken out, weighed, and the mass was entered into Excel (see to
Table 2). By observing the amount of weight needed to misalign the bob from the pointer, the
error in mass (δm) was calculated.

Circular motion data table (table1)

Mass (m) of bob (kg) 0.456

radius of circle, r (m) 0.183

Absolute error r (m) 0.0005

relative error of radius 0.0027

Table 2
M Absolute Centripital absolute Number of t1s T2s T3s Avg absolute Period Absolute sped relative abs v^2 relative absolute
(string error of force error F revolutions t s error in T (s) error of v error of error (m/s)^2 error of error of
/bucket/ mass (F) (N) time (s) T (s) m/s speed of v^2 v^2 (m/s)^2
weights) speed
(kg) m/s
0.0860 0.0001 0.84280 0.0010 2 4.3 4.6 3.9 4.3 0.2 2.13 0.11 0.54 0.11 0.03 0.29 0.10 0.03

0.1700 0.0001 1.66600 0.0010 5 5.03 4.9 4.65 4.9 0.1 0.97 0.02 1.18 0.02 0.03 1.40 0.05 0.06
0.1530 0.0001 1.49940 0.0010 5 5.76 5.85 5.85 5.82 0.03 1.16 0.01 0.99 0.01 0.01 0.98 0.01 0.01

0.2600 0.0001 2.54800 0.0010 5 4.36 4.23 4.66 4.4 0.1 0.88 0.03 1.30 0.03 0.04 1.69 0.06 0.10

0.7000 0.0001 6.86000 0.0010 5 3.1 2.85 2.93 3.0 0.1 0.59 0.01 1.94 0.03 0.05 3.77 0.05 0.19

0.4000 0.0001 3.92000 0.0010 5 3.93 3.55 3.76 3.7 0.1 0.75 0.02 1.53 0.03 0.05 2.35 0.06 0.14

The formula F=m⋅g, in which m is the object's mass and g is its acceleration due to gravity, was
used to calculate the force. When the bob was in line with the pointer, this outcome was then
recorded as the centripetal force (F). Subsequently, the bob entered a consistent circular motion
when the centripetal force equipment was triggered. Every spin of the post was made at a speed
that kept the bob in line with the pointer. We then measured how long it took to make two
revolutions. To get three recorded timings, this procedure was conducted twice more. From this,
the period (t) and average time (t) to finish two rotations (T) were computed. The average time's
error (δt):The error in period (δT) was calculated using the provided equation, where σ stands for
the standard deviation of the data and N represents the sample size.
𝜎
4) 𝛿 =
√𝑁

With all of the data collected, we used the following equation to determine the velocity:
2𝜋𝑟
5) 𝑉 = 𝑇
The equation, in where T is the period and r is the circle's radius, was used to calculate the
velocity, or v. Using the propagating error equation—explained in Appendix A—the relative
error in velocity v was calculated.
𝛿𝑣 𝛿𝑇 𝛿𝑟
6) = √(( 𝑇 )2 + ( 𝑟 )2 )
𝑣

Table 1 contains documentation for each of these computations. This process was repeated five
more times, with varying forces, after the first attempt. By changing the quantity of rubber bands
and using springs to join the bob and the post, the force acting on the bob may be changed.
After all six trials were completed, the values found via experimentation were used to create two
charts.

Figure 1: A graph depicting the centripetal force acting on the bob as a function of velocity was
created. Error bars were included, with the vertical bars representing the plus and minus absolute
error in force, and the horizontal bars representing the absolute error in velocity.
Figure 2: The graph depicts how the centripetal force acting on the bob changes in response to
variations in the square of its velocity. Error bars extending vertically represent the range of
absolute error in force measurements, while those extending horizontally indicate the absolute
error in velocity squared measurements.
A linear trend is demonstrated by the direct link between force and velocity, as demonstrated by
the analysis of Newton's Second Law and Equation 4. The graph's slope, which represents the
ratio of t. The ratio of the bob's mass to the circle's radius is shown by the slope of the best fit
line on this graph.

Conclusion
The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the motion of an item moving in a uniform
circle and to determine, using Newton's Second Law, the relationship between centripetal force
(F), velocity (v), and radius (r). We looked at the consistent circular motion of a bob hanging
from a centripetal force device in Investigation 1. In order to empirically verify the predicted
linear connection given by Newton's Second Law, plots were created to show the link between
Force and velocity as well as Force and velocity squared. A distinct linear trend emerged from
the graphic analysis, and the trendline's slope matched the real ratio of the bob's mass to the
circle's radius. Enhancements to lower mistake sources might be implemented to improve the
caliber of next tests. Notably, compared to human timing, using an automated timer equipped
with a sensor would offer a more precise way to measure the pace of rotations.

Questions

Answer1) The units for the slope of the F versus v^2 plot, as mentioned above, are kilograms per
meter (kg/m)

Answer2) The origin is where the lines on the F vs. v^2 diagram should connect. This is because
there shouldn't be any centripetal force (F) when the velocity (v) is zero. Newton's Second Law
states that acceleration is exactly proportional to force, and therefore acceleration cannot exist at
zero velocity. Therefore, the line must pass through the origin as the lack of velocity requires the
absence of centripetal force.

Answer3) It would be route B that the marble chose. The marble is initially driven in a circular
direction inside the copper tube by centripetal force applied to it. But the centripetal force stops
when the marble breaks away from the copper. Consequently, route B sees the stone moving
straight forward.

Answer4) The centripetal force, which is the result of squaring the velocity, may be calculated
with a relative error of √2 times the relative error of each individual measurement if the velocity
and radius are both measured with 1% precision. Consequently, 1.41% would be the accuracy
(relative error) of the centripetal force divided by the mass.

Answer5) In order to keep the centripetal acceleration constant while the velocity doubles, the
radius needs to grow by a factor of four. Since centripetal acceleration is inversely proportional
to radius and directly proportional to the square of velocity, a modification is required. For this
reason, to guarantee that the acceleration doesn't change when the velocity doubles, the new
radius needs to be quadrupled.

Honors
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank my lab partners and lab TA.

References
IPL Straight Line fit calculator
Excel manual to plot the graph and error bars.
Physics: Principles with Applications, 7e by Douglas C Giancoli