Circular Motion Essay

1341 Words3 Pages

School No: 893
Name: Lim Shu Hui
Group members: Tiong Chi Kai ,Tay Quan Lin and Lim Chung Heng

Practical Investigation 1:
Circular Motion
Aim of the experiment:
To study the relationship between the centripetal force FC and the period of the rotation in a uniform circular motion

Hypothesis:
F is inversely proportional to T^2 which causes circular motion

Apparatus and Materials:
Electronic balance, weights and weight hanger, paper clip, meter ruler, plastic handle, string, stopwatch and rubber stopper

Theory:

The rubber stopper maintains a uniform circular motion provided by the force Fc as shown in the drawing above. The formula of this force is specified as
Fc = mv^2/r
It is given by Newton’s second law that:
Fc = mac ①
Centripetal acceleration is given the formula: ac = v^2/r ②
By substituting ② into ①,
Fc = m (v^2/r), thus the formula Fc = mv^2/r is proven.
Fc = mac, m symbolizes the mass of the object, ac is the centripetal acceleration.
Fc = mv^2/r, m represents the mass of the object, v is the speed of the object whereas r is the radius from the centre of the circle to the object.
When an object moves in a circular path, the net force is called centripetal force. Centripetal force is a force that is always directed along the radius towards the centre of the circle. Whenever an object moves in a circular path, the object is constantly being pulled towards the centre of the circle and away from its tangential path. If the string were to break, the object will fly off at a tangent.
Fc, which is the centripetal force on the object, is supplied by the tension of the string. The tension of the string is...

... middle of paper ...

...as gripping the plastic handle tightly to prevent the plastic handle from moving while rubber stopper is in motion will avoid random errors during experiment. Systematic error can be prevented by periodic calibration of the equipment. The systematic error of air resistance can be reduced by means of conducting the experiment in a vacuum. Systematic error can be minimized by improving the skills of the experiment through carrying out several practices.

Conclusion:
The mass of rubber stopper obtained is 12.60g. Percentage error is 10%. The graph is a linear graph hence it is in a straight line and the systematic error and random error is significant to each other. The graph of 1/T^2 against Fc is in a straight line and it passes through the origin as a consequence the hypothesis is proven that F is inversely proportional to T^2 which causes circular motion.

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