Centripetal Force (experiment)
|
 |
 |
Introduction
In this investigation we determine the centripetal force of a rubber
call, which is suspended from the end of a rope. The centripetal force
of an object is determined by Newton's Second Law of Motion: The relationship
between an object's mass m, its acceleration a, and the applied force
F is F = ma. Acceleration and force are vectors (as indicated by their
symbols being displayed in slant bold font); in this law the direction
of the force vector is the same as the direction of the acceleration vector.
Questions to Consider:
How does gravity affect flight?
Answer: We have to overcome gravity in order to fly through the
air. Gravity is a force. Force is an invisible influence that acts on
other objects.
How does centripetal force affect flight?
Answer: As Airplanes fly through the air, they follow a curved
path (trajectory) around the Earth because the Earth is a sphere. We also
encounter centripetal force with our space shuttles and space satellites.
They circle the Earth in an orbital (circular) path. Centripetal force
is a force that is directed toward the center of a circular path.
Materials
- String
- Rubber ball
- Scissors
Procedure
- Cut a piece of string at least two feet long.
- Tie a rubber ball to one end of the string (make sure it is securely
tightened).
- Spin the string in a circle over your head.
- Congratulations! You are experiencing Centripetal Force!
Download the video! (Requires
Windows
Media Player or other MPEG viewer)
|
