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The Universal Gravitational Constant-2

The Universal Gravitational Constant-2

SET UP

Preliminary Set Up
1. Place the support base on a flat, stable table that is located such that the Gravitational Torsion Balance will be at least 5 meters away from a wall or screen. For best results, use a very sturdy table, such as an optics table.
2. Carefully secure the Gravitational Torsion Balance in the base.
3. Remove the front plate by removing the thumbscrews.
4. Fasten the clear plastic plate to the case with the thumbscrews.

universal-gravutational-constant-2-1

Figure 2: Removing a plate from the Chamber Box

Leveling the Gravitational Torsion Balance

1. Release the pendulum from the locking mechanism by unscrewing the locking screws on the case, lowering the locking mechanisms to their lowest positions (Figure 3).

universal-gravutational-constant-2-2

Figure 3: Lowering the Locking Mechanism to Release the Pendulum Bob Arms

2. Adjust the feet of the base until the pendulum is centered in the leveling sight (Figure 4). (The base of the pendulum will appear as a dark circle surrounded by a ring of light).
3. Orient the Gravitational Torsion Balance so the mirror on the pendulum bob faces a screen or wall that is at least 5 meters away.

universal-gravutational-constant-2-3

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Figure 4: Using the Leveling Sight Figure 5: Adjusting the Height of the Pendulum

Vertical Adjustment of the Pendulum

The base of the pendulum should be flush with the floor of the pendulum chamber. If it is not, adjust the height of the pendulum:

1. Grasp the torsion ribbon head and loosen the Phillips retaining screw (Figure 5a).
2. Adjust the height of the pendulum by moving the torsion ribbon head up or down so the base of the pendulum is flush with the floor of the pendulum chamber (Figure 5b).
3. Tighten the retaining (Phillips head) screw.

universal-gravutational-constant-2-5

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The Universal Gravitational Constant-1

The Universal Gravitational Constant-1

INTRODUCTION

The Gravitational Torsion Balance reprises one of the great experiments in the history of physics—the measurement of the gravitational constant, as performed by Henry Cavendish in 1798.

The Gravitational Torsion Balance consists of two 38.3 gram masses suspended from a highly sensitive torsion ribbon and two1.5 kilogram masses that can be positioned as required. The Gravitational Torsion Balance is oriented so the force of gravity between the small balls and the earth is negated (the pendulum is nearly perfectly aligned vertically and horizontally). The large masses are brought near the smaller masses, and the gravitational force between the large and small masses is measured by observing the twist of the torsion ribbon.

An optical lever, produced by a laser light source and a mirror affixed to the torsion pendulum, is used to accurately measure the small twist of the ribbon.

THEORY

The gravitational attraction of all objects toward the Earth is obvious. The gravitational attraction of every object to every other object, however, is anything but obvious. Despite the lack of direct evidence for any such attraction between everyday objects, Isaac Newton was able to deduce his law of universal gravitation.

Newton’s law of universal gravitation:

universal-gravutational-constant-1

where m1 and m2 are the masses of the objects, r is the distance between them, and
G = 6.67 x 10-11 Nm2/kg2

However, in Newton’s time, every measurable example of this gravitational force included the Earth as one of the masses. It was therefore impossible to measure the constant, G, without first knowing the mass of the Earth (or vice versa).

The answer to this problem came from Henry Cavendish in 1798, when he performed experiments with a torsion balance, measuring the gravitational attraction between relatively small objects in the laboratory. The value he determined for G allowed the mass and density of the Earth to be determined. Cavendish’s experiment was so well constructed that it was a hundred years before more accurate measurements were made.

The gravitational attraction between a 15 gram mass and a 1.5 kg mass when their centers are separated by a distance of approximately 46.5 mm (a situation similar to that of the Gravitational Torsion Balance) is about 7 x 10-10 Newtons. If this doesn’t seem like a small quantity to measure, consider that the weight of the small mass is more than two hundred million times this amount.

The enormous strength of the Earth’s attraction for the small masses, in comparison with their attraction for the large masses, is what originally made the measurement of the gravitational constant such a difficult task. The torsion balance (invented by Charles Coulomb) provides a means of negating the otherwise overwhelming effects of the Earth’s attraction in this experiment. It also provides a force delicate enough to counterbalance the tiny gravitational force that exists between the large and small masses. This force is provided by twisting a very thin beryllium copper ribbon.

universal-gravutational-constant-2

The large masses are first arranged in Position I, as shown in Figure 1, and the balance is allowed to come to equilibrium. The swivel support that holds the large masses is then rotated, so the large masses are moved to Position II, forcing the system into disequilibrium. The resulting oscillatory rotation of the system is then observed by watching the movement of the light spot on the scale, as the light beam is deflected by the mirror.

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Heat Engine Cycle-2 MSc-Physics

Heat Engine Cycle-2 MSc-Physics

Continued from Cycle-1….
SET UP

1. Put the rod in the rod stand. Attach the Heat Engine to the rod by sliding the Heat Engine’s rod clamp onto the rod. The Heat Engine should be oriented with the piston end up and the Heat Engine should be positioned close to the bottom of the rod stand (see Figure 1).

2. Attach the Rotary Motion Sensor to the top of the rod stand and align the medium groove of the pulley of the Rotary Motion Sensor so a string coming from the center of the Heat Engine’s piston platform will pass over the pulley.

heat-engine-cycle-2

Figure 1– Setup

3. Thread one end of a piece of string through the hole in the top of the piston platform and tie that end of the string to the shaft of the piston under the piston platform. See Figure 2. Pass the other end of the string over the medium step of Rotary Motion Sensor pulley and attach the mass hanger and masses totaling 35 grams. This mass acts as a counterweight for the piston.

3. Thread one end of a piece of string through the hole in the top of the piston platform and tie that end of the string to the shaft of the piston under the piston platform. See Figure 2. Pass the other end of the string over the medium step of Rotary Motion Sensor pulley and attach the mass hanger and masses totaling 35 grams. This mass acts as a counterweight for the piston.

4. Position the piston about 2 or 3 cm from the bottom of the cylinder and attach the tube from the can to one port on the Heat Engine and attach the tube from the pressure sensor to the other port on the Heat Engine.

5. Connect the Pressure Sensor to Channel A, the two Temperature Sensors to Channels B and C, and the Rotary Motion Sensor to Channels 1 and 2 on the computer interface.

heat-engine-cycle-21

Figure 2–Attaching string to piston

6. Put hot water (about 80oC) into one of the plastic containers (about half full). Put ice water in the other plastic container. The large (about 3 liter) containers keep the hot and cold temperatures constant during the heat engine cycle.

7. Place one temperature sensor in the hot water and place the other temperature sensor in the cold water. Note that the temperature sensors are labeled hot and cold in the software program so you will have to pay attention to which sensor you put in the hot water and which is in the cold water.

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Heat Engine Cycle-1 MSc-Physics

Heat Engine Cycle-1 MSc-Physics

INTRODUCTION

A heat engine is a device that does work by extracting thermal energy from a hot reservoir and exhausting thermal energy to a cold reservoir. In this experiment, the heat engine consists of air inside a cylinder which expands when the attached can is immersed in hot water. The expanding air pushes on a piston and does work by lifting a weight. The heat engine cycle is completed by immersing the can in cold water, which returns the air pressure and volume to the starting values.

THEORY

The theoretical maximum efficiency of a heat engine depends only on the temperature of the hot reservoir, TH, and the temperature of the cold reservoir, TC. The maximum efficiency is given by

heat-engine-cycle-1

Where W is the work done by the heat engine on its environment and QH is the heat extracted from the hot reservoir.

At the beginning of the cycle, the air is held at a constant temperature while a weight is placed on top of the piston. Work is done on the gas and heat is exhausted to the cold reservoir.

The internal energy of the gas (?U=nCv? T) does not change since the temperature does not change. According to the First Law of Thermodynamics, (?U=Q _ W) where Q is the heat added to the gas and W is the work done by the gas.

In the second part of the cycle, heat is added to the gas, causing the gas to expand, pushing the piston up, doing work by lifting the weight. This process takes place at constant pressure (atmospheric pressure) because the piston is free to move.

For an isobaric process, the heat added to the gas is QP=nCP?T, where n is the number of moles of gas in the container, CP is the molar heat capacity for constant pressure, and ?T is the change in temperature. The work done by the gas is found using the First Law of Thermodynamics, W=Q-?U, where Q is the heat added to the gas and U is the internal energy of the gas, given by ?U=nCV?T, where CV is the molar heat capacity for constant volume.

Since air consists mostly of diatomic molecules, CV=5/2 R and CP=7/2 R.

In the third part of the cycle, the weight is lifted off the piston while the gas is held at the hotter temperature. Heat is added to the gas and the gas expands, doing work. During this isothermal process, the work done is given by

heat-engine-cycle-13

where Vi is the initial volume at the beginning of the isothermal process and Vf is the final volume at the end of the isothermal process. Since the change in internal energy is zero for an isothermal process, the First Law of Thermodynamics shows that the heat added to the gas is equal to the work done by the gas:

heat-engine-cycle-14

In the final part of the cycle, heat is exhausted from the gas to the cold reservoir, returning the piston to its original position. This process is isobaric and the same equations apply as in the second part of the cycle.


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Conservation of Energy-3 MSc Physics

Conservation of Energy-3 MSc Physics

THREE-CAR COASTER PROCEDURE

1. Keep the same track configuration as shown in Figures 4 and 5. Make certain the photogate is directly over the top of the loop. Hold a car at the top of the loop and adjust the photogate up or down so the photogate flag will block the gate. Note that the flag must be in a particular side of the car in order to pass through the gate.

2. Connect 3 Mini Cars together as shown in Figure 7.

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3. Place a flag in each car as shown in Figure 8.

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4. Set the Smart Timer on Time: Fence Mode to measure the speed of each cart at the top of the loop.

5. Press the Button #3 on the Smart Timer to ready the timer. Place the 3-car coaster at the top of the hill on the left and release it from rest.

6. After the coaster passes through the loop, press Button #3 on the Smart Timer to stop timing. The first time displayed will be the time between blocks on the first car’s photogate flag. See Figure 9. Then step through the subsequent times by repeatedly pressing Button #2.

Figure 9:  Photogate Timing

Figure 9: Photogate Timing

Figure 9: Photogate Timing

The second and third times are when the second car’s photogate flag blocked the photogate. Take the difference between the second and third times to find the time for the passing of the second car’s flag. Similarly, the fourth and fifth times correspond to the blocking by the third car’s flag. Calculate the speed of each car using the block-block distance of the flag (1 cm):
conservation-energy-3-3

QUESTIONS

1. Which car is going the fastest at the top of the loop? Considering energy conservation, how can each car have a different speed at the top of the loop?

2. Which car experiences the least normal force at the top of the loop?

3. How is the experience of the riders in the first car of a coaster different from the experience of the riders in the last car of a coaster?

conservation-energy-3-4

1. Configure the two tracks as shown in Figures 10 and 11. Attach a photogate at the end of the two tracks as shown in Figure 11. Also put catchers on the end of each track to keep the cars from going off the end of the tracks. Put a photogate flag in each of the cars, in the sides nearest to the other car so both flags will block the photogate.

2. If the cars are started from rest on the left end of each track at the same time, predict which car will reach the right end first. Try it to test your prediction.

3. Prediction: Which car will have the greater speed at the right end of the track?

4. Set the Smart Timer for Speed: Collision Mode. Press the Button #3 on the Smart Timer to ready the timer. Place the two cars on the left end of the track and release them from rest.

5. After the cars pass through the photogate, press Button #3 on the Smart Timer to stop timing. The speeds of the cars will be displayed.

QUESTIONS

1. Which car has the greater speed at the right end of the track? How does energy conservation explain the result?

2. Which car reaches the end of the track first? Why?

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Conservation of Energy-2 MSc Physics

Conservation of Energy-2 MSc Physics

QUESTIONS

1. How does increasing the mass of the car change the total energy?

2. How does increasing the mass of the car change the speed of the car at the bottom?

3. Does the car lose a greater percentage of its energy when it has the extra mass or not?

conservation-energy-21

1. Configure the track as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Attach photogates at the top of the hill and on the straight portion at the bottom. Also put the catcher on the end of the straight part to keep the car from going off the end of the track.

2. Place the Mini Car at the top of the hill on the left. Mark on the white board where you start the car. Measure the initial height of the car: Measure from the table to the center of the car.

3. Place the car at the top of the small hill in the center and measure the height of the car.

4. Place the car at the bottom on the flat part of the track and measure the height of the car from the table.

5. Place the car at the top and release it from rest. Use the Smart Timer on Velocity: 2 Gate Mode to measure the speed of the cart at the top of the center hill and at the bottom.

6. Calculate the initial total energy of the car.

7. Calculate the total energy of the car at the top of the center hill.

8. How much energy is lost? Where does it go?

9. Calculate the percent of total energy lost.

conservation-energy-2-21

10. Calculate the total energy of the car at the bottom. Calculate the percent of the total energy lost between the starting position on the left and the final position on the right.

QUESTIONS

1. Using the speed of the car at the top of the middle hill, calculate the normal force on the car. You will need to estimate the radius of a circle that matches the curvature of the hill by drawing the circle on the white board.

2. How fast would the car have to go to cause the normal force to be zero at the top of the hill? How high would the car have to start to make this happen?

conservation-energy-2-3

1. Configure the track as shown in Figures 4 and 5. Attach a photogate at the top of the loop. Also put the catcher on the end of the track to keep the car from going off the end of the track.

2. Put a peg in the center of the loop. Place the Mini Car at the top of the loop. Mark on the position of the center of mass of the car on the white board. Measure from the center of the center peg to the center of mass of the car at the top of the loop (see Figure 6).

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3. Measure the distance from the center of mass of the car at the top of the loop to the table.

4. Using Conservation of Energy, predict the minimum height from which the car can be released on the left end of the track so the car will just make it completely over the loop.

5. Draw a horizontal line from the top of the circle you drew for the loop to the left part of the track. Measure from this line to mark the starting position calculated in Part 4.

6. Place the center of mass of the car at the marked predicted position and release it from rest.

QUESTIONS

1. Does the car make it over? If not, why not? If so, does it just make it or did you start too high?

2. Once you have determined the release position where the car will make it over the loop, observe and mark the highest position reached on the right side of the track. In theory, where should this position be? How far above or below is this position from the horizontal line drawn in Part 5? Use the loss in height from the starting position to calculate the percent energy lost.

conservation-energy-2-5

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Conservation of Energy-1 MSc Physics

Conservation of Energy-1 MSc Physics

INTRODUCTION

A car is started from rest on a variety of shapes of tracks (hills, valleys, loops, straight track) and the speeds of the car at various points along the track are measured using a photogate connected to a Smart Timer. The potential energy is calculated from the measured height and the kinetic energy is calculated from the speed. The total energy is calculated for two points on the track and compared.

The height from which the car must be released from rest to just make it over the loop can be predicted from conservation of energy and the centripetal acceleration. Then the prediction can be tested on the real roller coaster. Also, if the car is released from the top of the hill so it easily makes it over the top of the loop, the speed of the car can be measured at the top of the loop and the centripetal acceleration as well as the apparent weight (normal force) on the car can be calculated.

THEORY

The total energy (E) of the car is equal to its kinetic energy (K) and its potential energy (U).

E = K + U (1)

(2)

where m is the mass of the car and v is the speed of the car.

U=mgh (3)

where g is the acceleration due to gravity and h is the height of the car above the position where the potential energy is defined to be zero.

If friction can be ignored, the total energy of the car does not change. The Law of Conservation of Energy is stated as

E = constant

conservation-energy-1

Figure 1: Step Configuration

1. Configure the track as shown in Figure 1. Attach a photogate to the straight portion at the bottom, positioned to measure the speed of the car just after it reaches the straight part (on the second peg from the left). Also put the catcher on the end of the straight part to keep the car from going off the end of the track.

2. Place the Mini Car at the top of the step on the left. Mark on the white board where you start the car. Measure the initial height of the car: Measure from the table to the center of mass of the car. Note that the center of mass of the car is approximately at the slot where the flag is inserted. The exact center of mass can be determined by balancing the car. Measure the car’s mass.

3. Place the car at the bottom on the flat part of the track and measure the height of the car from the table.

4. Place the car at the top and release it from rest. Use the photogate and Smart Timer (set on the Velocity: One Gate Mode) to measure the speed of the cart at the bottom of the step.

5. Calculate the initial total energy of the car.

6. Calculate the final total energy of the car.

7. How much energy is lost? Where does it go?

8. Calculate the percent of total energy lost.

9. Place the 50g mass on the car and repeat steps 2 through 8 above.

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Centripetal-Force-4 MSc Physics

Centripetal-Force-4 MSc Physics

Setup Passport Sensor

1. Screw the Photogate to the frame of the Centripetal Force Apparatus.
2. Attach the entire Centripetal Force Apparatus as low as possible to the 90cm rod and base.
3. Attach the 45cm rod horizontally to the 90 cm rod with the multi-clamp.
4. Hang the Force Sensor from the horizontal rod.
5. Screw the Ball Bearing Swivel to the Force Sensor.
6. Thread the cable through the plastic pulley and attach the other end to the sliding post.
7. Plug the Photogate into the Photogate Port. Plug the Photogate Port into a PASPORT Interface Plug the Force Sensor into a PASPORT Interface.
8. Making sure it is off, connect the power supply to the Centripetal Force Apparatus with banana plugs.
9. Level the base.

centripetal-force-4

Figure 1: Centripetal Force Apparatus

Software Setup
1. Open any of the files CentripetalForce_A (PP).ds, CentripetalForce_B (PP).ds, and CentripetalForce_C (PP).ds.
2. Select the “Setup” button in DataStudio. Click the Change Value button. Enter the value of 0.3142 for the arc length (in meters). This corresponds to a 0.050 m radius.

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Centripetal-Force-3 MSc Physics

Centripetal-Force-3 MSc Physics

EXPERIMENT 3 – FORCE VS. RADIUS (Mass and Velocity Must be Constant)

1. Science Workshop Interface users, open the file “CentripetalForce_C.ds.” PASPORT Interface users, open the file “CentripetalForce_C (PP).ds.”
2. Make sure the power supply is off when you begin.
3. Keep the 30g mass attached to the string and the rotating platform as it was in Experiment 1. It should be able to slide freely back and forth in the slot. If it does not, adjust the nuts and washers accordingly.
4. Now, adjust the height of the force sensor so that the sliding mass maintains an approximately 0.050 m radius. Turn on the power supply and adjust the voltage from 0 to 5 V. Observe the vertical section of cable. Turn the power supply down to 0 V. If the vertical section of cable is not completely vertical, adjust the horizontal rod. Pull the mass to tighten the cable to determine the actual radius. Record the value of the radius in the Force v. Radius data table. Remember to adjust the fixed mass to match the radius of the free mass.
5. Select the “Setup” button in DataStudio. For ScienceWorkshop Users: Double click the Smart Pulley Icon. In the Sensor Properties Dialog Box select the “Constant” tab. Highlight “Spoke Arc Length.” For PASPORT Users: If necessary, scroll until the Smart Pulley (Linear) Icon is visible. Click the “Change Value” button.
6. Enter the value of the spoke arc length using the following equation: spoke arc length = 2 x ? x radius.
7. For ScienceWorkshop Users: Select “OK” and minimize the Sensor Properties Dialog Box to return to the previous graphs in DataStudio. For PASPORT Users: Select “OK” and minimize the “Experiment Setup” window to return to the previous graphs in DataStudio.
8. From the Experiment Menu, select “Monitor Data.”
9. Slowly increase the voltage until the velocity maintains a constant value; for example, 2.0 m/s.
10. Press the Stop button.
11. Without changing the voltage, turn off the power supply.
12. Press the “TARE” or “ZERO” button.
13. Turn on the power supply.
14. Press the Start button. Observe the velocity data. If it does not maintain a constant value return to step 9.
15. Allow data collection to occur for approximately 5 seconds. Press the Stop button.
16. Decrease the voltage to 0 V. Turn off the power supply.
17. Enter the value of the Mean Force into the Force v. Radius data table.
18. From the Experiment Menu, select “Delete All Data Runs.”
19. Return to step 4 and increase the radius by approximately 0.010 m (1.0cm). Important: The spoke arc length must be recalculated each time the radius is adjusted.
20. Repeat data collection until at least 6 data pairs are recorded.

ANALYSIS – FORCE VS. RADIUS
1. Observe your Force v Radius Graph and Data Table.
2. Enter your Force values from the Force v Radius Data Table into the “Force v 1/Radius” Data Table.
3. Inverse the Radius values and enter them into the “Force v 1/Radius ” Data Table.
4. Observe the Force v 1/Radius Graph. Select the “fit” button and choose the appropriate fit.

centripetal-force-3

FINAL ANALYSIS

1. Using words and a mathematical expression, describe the relationship between force and mass in uniform circular motion.
2. Using words and a mathematical expression, describe the relationship between force and velocity in uniform circular motion.
3. Using words and a mathematical expression, describe the relationship between force and radius in uniform circular motion.
4. Combine the three relationships above to create one relationship for force, mass, velocity, and radius.
5. How would you convert this expression into an equation?
6. What is the constant of proportionality for this equation? Explain.
7. How could such an equation be used?
8. The figure above is an overhead view of the rotating mass. For each of the 4 points, draw the direction and relative magnitude of the force.

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Centripetal-Force-2 MSc Physics

Centripetal-Force-2 MSc Physics

EXPERIMENT 1 – FORCE VS. MASS
(Radius and Velocity Must be Constant)

1. Science Workshop Interface users, open the file “CentripetalForce_A.ds.” PASPORT Interface users, open the file “CentripetalForce_A (PP).ds.”
2. Make sure the power supply is off when you begin.
3. Find the total mass of the 5 g mass, screw, washers, bolt, and nut that comprise the rotating mass. Enter that value in kilograms into the Force v Mass data table in DataStudio.
4. Attach this mass to the cable and the rotating platform as in figure 2. Make certain that the cable is attached below the mass. At this point it should be able to slide freely back and forth in the slot. If it does not, adjust the nuts and washers accordingly.
Figure 2: Attaching the “free” mass

centripetal-force-2

5. Now, adjust the height of the force sensor so that this mass maintains a 0.050 m radius. Pull the mass to tighten the cable to determine the actual radius.
6. To avoid wobbling, tighten an identical mass directly to the rotating platform as a counterbalance so that it is also 0.050 m away from the center of the rotating platform.
7. Turn on the power supply and adjust the voltage from 0 to 5 V. Observe the vertical section of cable. If it is not completely vertical, adjust the horizontal rod. Turn the power supply down to 0 V.
8. From the Experiment Menu, select “Monitor Data.”
9. Slowly increase the voltage until the velocity maintains a constant value; for example, 2.0 m/s.
10. Press the Stop button.
11. Without changing the voltage, turn off the power supply.
12. Press the “TARE” or “ZERO” button.
13. Turn on the power supply.
14. Press the Start button. Observe the velocity data. If it does not maintain a constant value return to step 9.
15. Allow data collection to occur for approximately 5 seconds. Press the Stop button.
16. Decrease the voltage to 0 V. Turn off the power supply.
17. Enter the value of the Mean Force into the Force v. Mass data table.
18. From the Experiment Menu, select “Delete All Data Runs.”
19. Return to step 3 and increase the mass by 5.0 g (0.005kg).
20. Repeat data collection until at least 6 data pairs are recorded.

ANALYSIS – FORCE VS. MASS
1. Observe the Force v Mass Graph. Select the “fit” button and choose the appropriate fit.

EXPERIMENT 2 – FORCE VS. VELOCITY
(Radius and Mass Must be Constant)

1. Science Workshop Interface users, open the file “CentripetalForce_B.ds.” PASPORT Interface users, open the file “CentripetalForce_B (PP).ds.”
2. Make sure the power supply is off when you begin.
3. Keep the 30g mass attached to the cable and the rotating platform as it was in Experiment 1. It should be able to slide freely back and forth in the slot. If it does not, adjust the nuts and washers accordingly.
4. If necessary, adjust the height of the force sensor so that this mass maintains a 0.050 m radius. Pull the mass to tighten the cable to determine the actual radius.
5. Turn on the power supply and adjust the voltage from 0 to 5 V. Observe the vertical section of cable. If it is not completely vertical, adjust the horizontal rod. Turn the power supply down to 0 V.
6. Press the “TARE” or “ZERO” button on the Force Sensor.
7. Select “Start” in DataStudio.
8. Turn on the power supply and adjust the voltage from 0 to 10 V. Do not exceed 10 V on the power supply. Collect data only as the velocity increases.
9. Press “Stop” in DataStudio when the voltage reaches 10 V.

ANALYSIS – FORCE VS. VELOCITY

1. Observe your Force v Velocity Graph and Data Table. Using the Smart Tool , select about 20 representative data points.
2. Enter the Force values from the Force v Velocity Data Table into the “Force v V^2″ Data Table.
3. Square the Velocity values and enter them into the “Force v V^2″ Data Table.
4. Observe the Force v Velocity Squared Graph. Select the “fit” button and choose the appropriate fit.

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Centripetal-Force-1 MSc Physics

Centripetal-Force-1 MSc Physics

INTRODUCTION

In this activity, students will use a Force Sensor and Photo-gate to discover the relationship of centripetal force, mass, velocity and radius for an object in uniform circular motion. Students will determine what happens to centripetal force as the result of changes in mass, velocity, and radius.

THEORY

According to Newton’s First Law, an object in motion tends to stay in motion in a straight line at a constant speed if there is no external net force applied to the object. Does an object in circular motion tend to stay in circular motion if there is no external net force applied to it?
A constant force is required to keep an object in circular motion. Centripetal force is the force that maintains an object’s circular motion.
Examples of centripetal force include the tension in a string attached to a can twirled in a circular path, the friction between the road and the tires of a car on a curve, or the force of gravity pulling a satellite toward the center of Earth as the satellite moves in a circular orbit.
The magnitude of centripetal force Fc depends on the mass m of the object, its circular speed v, and the radius r of the circular motion.

central-force1

1. Screw the Photogate to the frame of the Centripetal Force Apparatus.
2. Attach the entire Centripetal Force Apparatus as low as possible to the 90cm rod and base.
3. Attach the 45cm rod horizontally to the 90 cm rod with the multi-clamp.
4. Hang the Force Sensor from the horizontal rod.
5. Screw the Ball Bearing Swivel to the Force Sensor.
6. Thread the cable through the plastic pulley and attach the other end to the sliding post.
7. Plug the Photogate into Digital Channel 1. Plug the Force Sensor into Analog Channel A.
8. Making sure it is off, connect the power supply to the Centripetal Force Apparatus with banana plugs.
9. Level the base.

Figure 1: Centripetal Force Apparatus

Software Setup
1. Open any of the files CentripetalForce_A.ds, CentripetalForce_B.ds, and CentripetalForce_C.ds.
2. Select the “Setup” button in DataStudio. Double click the Smart Pulley Icon. In the Sensor Properties Dialog Box select the “Constant” tab. Highlight “Spoke Arc Length.” Enter the value of 0.3142 for the arc length (in meters). This corresponds to a 0.050 m radius.

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