Mason Trang

Hour 5
December 11, 2008
I. Title: AP Physics Centripetal Force - Radius Lab

II. Purpose: To find out if the amount of centripetal force needed to keep a body in orbit depends on the
orbital radius (length of string).

III. Hypothesis: If the orbital radius is increased, then the amount of centripetal force increases. The
centripetal force increases because the further an object is from the source of force, the greater the force
has to be to keep it moving at a constant velocity.

IV. Variables: Independent (manipulated): length of string / orbital radius

Dependant (responding): tension of string
Controlled: mass and velocity

V. Procedure:
a. Materials
i. Two Meter Sticks
ii. String with Plastic Tube and Rubber Stopper Attached
iii. Tape
iv. Logger Pro Force Probe
v. Computer with Logger Pro Software
b. Data Collection
i. Gather materials.
ii. Use tape to attach plastic tube to meter stick.
iii. Connect the force probe to the end of the string opposite from rubber stopper.
iv. Zero the force probe.
v. Hold the force probe firmly to the meter stick at a selected distance so the orbital radius
stays constant. Distances used were: .68m, .74m, .80m, and .90m.
vi. Measure the radius of the string (from rubber stopper to the plastic tube).
vii. Swing the rubber stopper in circular motion above head.
viii. Count the number of rotations in a 10 second interval.
ix. Collect average force data with Logger Pro over 10second interval.
circumference ×rotations 
x. Calculate velocity for selected radius. Velocity =  
 time 
xi. Choose a different radius and calculate necessary rotations in a 10 second interval to
10sec onds ×velocity 
maintain the same velocity of initial radius trial. rotations = 
 radius ×2π 
xii. Repeat steps v-x for four different radius measurements.
c. Graphing in Excel
i. Enter Radius and average Force in two separate columns.
ii. Highlight radius and average force data and create a graph.
iii. Label the x-axis with “Radius (m)” and the y-axis with “Force (N)”
iv. Add a trend line
v. Create an adjusted graph with Radiusn.
vi. Find an n value that makes a linear graph and the R2 value less than or equal to 1.
VI. Data
 Mason Trang
Hour 5
December 11, 2008
Radius Force
Mass (g) (m) (N)
11.4 0.68 1.0145
11.4 0.74 0.8755
11.4 0.8 0.8072
11.4 0.9 0.7204
 Mason Trang
Hour 5
December 11, 2008

VII.Calculations for Data

circumference ×rotations  2π74cm ×17rotations  2π74cm ×17rotations 
Velocity =  =  =  
 time   10sec onds   10sec onds 
=790.42cm/s

Velocity = 790.42cm/s
10sec onds ×velocity 
Initial Radius. For r =74cm, rotations = 
 radius ×2π 

10seconds ×790cm /s 
For r =68cm, rotations = =18.5 rotations
 68cm ×2π 

10seconds ×790cm /s 
For r =80cm, rotations = =15.7 rotations
 80cm ×2π 

10seconds ×790cm /s 
For r =90cm, rotations = =14 rotations
 90cm ×2π 

VIII.Conclusions: The collected data shows that there is a relationship between the orbital radius of an
object and its centripetal force. The collected data and graph show that the radius is inverse cubically
proportional to centripetal force. So as the radius increases and mass and velocity remain the same, the
centripetal force will decrease. The hypothesis was incorrect because as the radius of an objects circular
motion is increased, the centripetal force decreases. Comparing the findings with the centripetal force
formula (F=mv2/r), they are not correct. The findings showed 1/r3, while the formula would simplify to
F=1/r when only factoring radius.

It took a while to figure out the best, accurate method to doing this experiment. The data collection
could have been improved the force probe was taped to the meter stick at each radius length. It would
have taken longer to attach the force probe and remove it for each radius setting. Also, the rubber
stopper was difficult to rotate at an exact horizontal. The velocities in the experiment were
approximate and were difficult to get exactly a certain amount of rotations in 10 seconds for each
radius setting.

If there was a device that could keep the rubber stopper at an exact constant velocity, it could increase
the accuracy of this experiment. It would be easier to time the stopper with some type of photo gate
probe that it could orbit through. Also, if more trials for more radii were conducted, the accuracy
could have been improved.

Design:
3 2
Hypothesis: Hypothesis is complete
and includes and if…
then…. Because
statement that is clear
and logical.
Define the problem and Formulates a focused
select variables problem/research
question and identifies
relevant variables
Controlling Variables Designs a method for
the effective control of
variables
Developing a method Develops a method that
for collection of data allows for the collection
of sufficient relevant
data
Data collection and Processing:
3 2
Recording Raw Data Records appropriate
quantitative and
associated qualitative
data, including units and
uncertainties where
relevant.
Processing Raw Data Processes the
quantitative raw data
correctly
Presenting processed Presents processed data
data appropriately and where
relevant includes errors
and uncertainties
Conclusion and Evaluation
3 2
Concluding States a conclusion, with
justification, based on
reasonable interpretation
of the data.
Evaluating procedures Evaluates weaknesses
and limitations
Improving the Suggests realistic
Investigation improvements in respect
of identified weaknesses
Mason Trang
Hour 5
December 11, 2008
1
Hypothesis is Hypothesis is unclear or
incomplete or vague, but illogical; does not follow
still includes if… then… the if…then… because
because statement that is statement.
clear and logical.
Formulates a Does not identify a
problem/research problem/research
question that is question AND does not
incomplete or identifies identify any relevant
only some relevant variables
variables
Designs a method that Designs a method that
makes some attempt to does not control the
control the variables. variables.
Develops a method for Develops a method that
the collection of does not allow for any
insufficient relevant data relevant data to be
collected
1
Records appropriate Does not record any
quantitative and appropriate quantitative
associated qualitative raw data or raw data is
raw data, but with some incomprehensible.
mistakes or omissions.
Processes quantitative No processing of raw
raw data, but with some data is carried out or
mistakes and/or major mistakes are made
omissions. in processing.
Presents processed data Presents processed data
appropriately, but with inappropriately or
some mistakes and/or incomprehensibly.
omissions
1
States a conclusion States no conclusion or
based on reasonable the conclusion is based
interpretation of the on an unreasonable
data. interpretation of the
data.
Indentifies some Identifies irrelevant
weaknesses and weaknesses and
limitations, but the limitations.
evaluation is weak or
missing.
Suggests only Suggests unrealistic
superficial improvements
improvements
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Hour 5
December 11, 2008
and limitations

Manipulative Skills:
3 2 1
Following instructions Follows instructions Follows instructions but Rarely follow
accurately, adapting to requires assistance instructions or requires
new circumstances constant supervision
(seeking assistance
when required)
Carrying out techniques Competent and Usually competent and Rarely competent in the
methodical in the use of methodical in the use of use of a range of
a range of techniques a range of techniques techniques and
and equipment. and equipment equipment
Working Safely Pays attention to safety Usually pays attention to Rarely pays attention to
issues safety issues safety issues.

Communicates Results:
3 2 1
Scientific language Scientific terms are Inconsistent use of Little understanding of
accurately and accurate and appropriate scientific terms
appropriately applied in scientific terms
report throughout the report.
Grammar The application of The application of The application of
grammar and grammar and grammar and
conventions do not get conventions get in the conventions make it
in the way of way of completely hard to follow the
understanding the understanding the explanations and/or the
results of the experiment or results results of the
experiment. experiment.