Lab 7: Uniform Circular Motion

Professor Dr. K. H. Chu

INTRODUCTION:

When an object moves in a circular path, there exists a force called the centripetal force,
directed toward the center of the circle, that acts to keep the object moving in a circle. The
acceleration due to this force is called the centripetal acceleration and, like the force, it is radial
in direction. The centripetal force can be due any type of force: electric, magnetic, friction, the
restoring force on a string. In this experiment the tension in a string will act as the centripetal
force on an object.

THEORY:

When a body moves with a constant speed in a circular path, it is said to move with uniform
circular motion. Although the speed of the object is constant, the direction of the motion is
continually changing. Thus the velocity is continually changing and the object experiences a net
acceleration. Since only the direction and not the magnitude of the velocity changes, the
acceleration must be directed perpendicular to the velocity resulting in an acceleration in the
radial direction.

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The magnitude of the centripetal acceleration is given by

(1)

where v is the speed of the object and r is the radius of the circle in which it moves. The
centripetal force that produces this acceleration is determined from Newton’s 2 nd law of
motion:

where m is the mass of the object. The centripetal force can be written in terms of the angular
speed using the relationship v = r.

(2)

In most cases this angular speed  is expressed as 2 times the number of revolutions per
second, n:

So the force becomes

(3)

For an object at the end of a string moving with uniform circular motion, the tension of the
string is the centripetal; force. However, if the force due to gravity pulls the object downward
the string is no longer horizontal. In this case only the radial component of the tension will
produce a centripetal acceleration.

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As seen from the above figure, the magnitude of Tr is given by

And since Tr = Fr

( ) (4)

Using this result in equation (3) gives

( ) (5)

If the tension in the string is generated by a mass M hanging from its end, then T = Mg and
equation (5) becomes

( ) (6)

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PROCEDURE:

Apparatus: Rubber Stopper and String 10” long ¾” PVC Pipe

Alligator Clip Meter Stick
Timer Set of Hooked Masses
Digital Balance Vernier Caliper

A light rubber stopper is attached to the end of a string that passes through a PVC pipe. A
hooked mass is suspended from a loop at the opposite end and the length of string that is
allowed to pass through the tube is controlled by attaching an alligator clip to the string above
the holder.

 Measure and record the mass of the rubber stopper

 Hang 150 g at the end of the string. The rubber ball will be pulled against the top of the
pipe by the weigh at the end of the string.
 Hold the pipe vertically, at arm length and above your head.
 Whirl the rubber stopper in a circular, horizontal path. As the speed of rotation of the all
increases, the radius of the circular path increases and the hanging mass at the end of
the string rises.
 The tension in the string (supplied by the mass suspended from it end) provided the
centripetal force necessary to keep the stopper moving in a circular path.
 Practice swinging the stopper until it moves in a horizontal circle with a constant speed
and the mass is just supported by the string.
 To stop the motion, bring the rotating stopper toward the pipe by grasping the mass
and pulling it downward until the stopper rests again the end of the tube.
 Set the pipe on the table and pull about 50 cm of string through the pipe. Securely
attach the alligator clip to the string about 1 cm below the end of the pipe, making
certain that the clip cannot slip along the string.
 Measure the radius of the circular path in which the rubber stopper will move.

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  Secure a mass M, of 150 g to the end of the string. Swing the stopper in a horizontal
circle; adjusting the speed of rotation until the alligator clip remains stationary 1 cm
below the pipe (the clip should not touch the pipe).
 When the speed is constant, one lab partner should measure the time required for the
stopper to swing through N = 20 revolutions. Record the time. Measure again; the two
values recorded should not differ by more than 2 seconds.
 Keep the same radius. Repeat above procedure for changing the hanging mass of 200 g,
250 g, 300 g, and 350 g.

ANALYSIS:

 Using Microsoft Excel Tabulating and graphing M/L versus n2.

 Find the mass of the rubber stopper from the slope of the plot.
 Estimate the percentage difference the measuring mass and experimental mass of the
rubber stopper
 Using the measuring mass of the rubber stopper, find the gravity from the slope of the
plot
 Estimate the percentage error of the theoretical g (9.81 m/s2) and experimental g.
 Write a brief conclusion and mention the sources might contribute the errors.