Experiment 106: Uniform Circular Motion

Keywords: Centripetal force, radius of rotation, frequency of rotation, mass, period of rotation

Abstract. Aside from centripetal force and Newton’s Second Law of Motion, the range of this
experiment will include parameters such as mass, frequency, radius, and force. We are going to discuss
how each of these relate and depend on each other and how to use these to solve for the centripetal
force for each part of the experiment. Centripetal force, which is said to be the main reason why a
uniform straight motion is compelled into a circle, will be solved in two different ways. One that is
solved using obtained parameters mentioned above, and one through using the acceleration due to
gravity. This experiment will have three major parts, and have corresponding objectives to meet.

Introduction
Uniform circular motion is said to be a motion of a body or object that has a circular path moving at
a constant speed. It is cause by a certain force called centripetal force which is a force that moves at a
straight line first then begins to form a circle as it causes the body or object to change direction.
Centripetal force can be used in so many examples involving curves such as a car in a rounding curve
and the orbiting earth. These two examples state an evident center and how either of the two, the car or
the earth, moves or circles around that center. The object that is now moving in circular path will
accelerate and slowly change its velocity or direction. See Figure 1. Centripetal force is also described
as a net force or inward force since its direction is toward the center of the circle. So, in this
experiment, we will use again Newton’s Second Law of motion to measure the centripetal force’s
magnitude. If centripetal force will not be present in a motion, it may continue to be only a uniform
straight line and not a circular motion. That is why it is important to note that this inward force causes
the object to undergo a change in direction because it is perpendicular to the velocity vector.

Figure 1
Newton’s Second Law of Motion which uses the formula,

F net=ma (Eq. 1)
 as stated will be used as a reference in this experiment. F net , being the unbalanced force and, the
mass of the body and acceleration is denoted by m and a respectively. F net as the centripetal force and a c
as the centripetal acceleration are both components of an object or body moving in a circular motion or
path. Through examining Eq. 2 below, we can compute for the magnitude of the centripetal force.
2
∆v v
ac= = (Eq. 2)
∆t r

Furtherly expanding this equation for the instantaneous acceleration, ∆ t approaches zero.

∆ v dv v 2
a c = lim = = (Eq. 3)
∆t→0 ∆t dt r

Solving for the centripetal force in terms of tangential velocity, we arrive to Eq. 4.

mv 2
F c= (Eq. 4)
r

If it is solved in terms of angular velocity which is ω (v =rω), the equation would be expressed as,

F c =mr w2 (Eq. 5)

Finally, solving the centripetal force in terms of frequency of rotation, f ( ω=2 rπ f ) , we come up to,
2 2
F c =m 4 π f r (Eq. 6)

Here are samples of suitable units of measurement that correspond with each other for better
understanding and uniformity:
parameters SI CGS
Centripetal force Newton [N] Dynes [dynes]
Mass of rotating body Kilogram [kg] Gram [g]
Radius of rotation Meter [M] Centimeter [cm]
Tangential velocity Meter per second [m/s] Centimeter per second [cm/s]
Angular velocity Radian per second [rad/s] Radian per second [rad/s]
Frequency of rotation Revolution per second [rps] Revolution per second [rps]

Uniform circular motion is one thing evident in the area of my chosen field. Although civil
engineers are not really in charge of the motors and machines that are used in a construction site, they
are still part of the scope of the overall work. An example would be drilling machines which have
nozzles that rotate thousands of revolutions to make digging faster. This is commonly done during the
making of the foundation of any structure being built. This is one visible application of uniform
circular motion in my future work.
Working on this experiment, we will be required to meet certain objectives, and they are:
1. To quantify the centripetal force on the body when one of the parameters is held constant
2. To verify the effects of varying the factors involved in circular motion.

Methodology
 For the procedure, it will be divided again in three parts which will be called Part A, Part B, and Part
C respectively. Before starting, the students checked any note for equipment care so that damage could
be avoided. Then they began to set up the materials for determining centripetal force with constant
mass and variable radius of rotation. See Figure 2 for set up.

Figure 2

Then with a weighing scale, the mass of the rotating body was measured and recorded in Table 1.
The constant centripetal force was created by hanging a known mass over the clamp on pulley, and
then recording its mass also. Taking note that this would be the initial radius, the thumb screw on the
side post was loosened and slid to 16cm mark. If it is necessary, the bracket could be adjusted up or
down. This is to make sure that the string that is connected to the rotating body is in a vertical position.
For the group, the bracket was moved with the orange indicator as reference. Since the mass should be
constant, the hanging pulley was removed from the pulley. Then, the apparatus was rotated slowly until
making sure that the orange indicator is centered in the indicator bracket. It should be centered so that
the object will continue to rotate at the set radius. They used a stopwatch to know the period of ten
complete revolutions. The period then was divided by ten and this was recorded as the period of
rotation in Table 1. For the succeeding trials, a new radius was set and the steps above were repeated.
Five trials were performed. The centripetal force was then computed using Eq. 6, and this will serve as
the experimental value used to calculate percent difference. Finally compute for the percent difference,
the actual value being the mass hanging plus mass of pan times the acceleration due to gravity – (mass
hanging + mass of pan) x 980cm/s2. See Eq. 7 below.

| AV −EV|
percent difference= x 100
AV + EV (Eq. 7)
( )
2

Now, let’s move on to the next part on how the students determined centripetal force with a constant
radius and variable mass of rotating body. Since in this part the radius is constant, the group didn’t have
to move or slide the side post to different radius marks. The mass of the rotating body was measured
using the digital weighing scale and was recorded in Table 2. Just like in the previous part, the spring
bracket was adjusted and the orange indicator moved up or down until it is in a vertical position. Before
rotating the apparatus, they made sure to remove the mass hanging over the pulley first. Again,
observing that the orange indicator is centered in the indicator bracket, the apparatus was rotated to ten
complete revolutions. See Figure 3 to see on how the apparatus is rotated. Using a stopwatch, the
period was divided by 10 and recorded in Table 2. The frequency of rotation is the inverse of period.
As the procedure was repeated for three trials, the mass of the rotating body is changing. Then using
Eq. 6 the centripetal force was computed and the percent difference using Eq. 7. The centripetal force
serves as the experimental value while the actual value is the mass hanging plus the mass of pan times
the acceleration due to gravity.

Figure 3

For the final part, the students determined the mass of the rotating body with variable force. Before
continuing, take note that the set up for all three parts is the same. The first step of Part C was also
weighing the mass of the rotating body and recording it in Table 3. Then, a known mass mas hanged
over the clamp on pulley was recorded in Table 3 as well. To set the desired radius, the thumb screw on
the slide post was loosened and slid to the mark of the radius. It is important also to make sure that the
thumb screw is tightened and secured to position because this will be constant throughout the five
trials. After securing the slide post to position, the apparatus was gently rotated. Since in the previous
parts the spring bracket was already adjusted, there is no need to adjust it again this time. Also, ten
complete revolutions were timed using the stopwatch and the time obtained will be recorded as the
period of rotation. Before recording the period, they divided it by 10 first. As each trial is complete, a
different mass was hanged over the pulley to differ each centripetal force. The mass of the body was
computed by using Eq. 8 below.

Fc
m= (Eq. 8)
4 π2 f 2r

This will serve as the experimental value when calculating the percent difference. After obtaining
each mass, the students compared this experimental value with the actual value of the rotating body. To
finish off the procedure, they calculated the percent difference using Eq. 7.
Results and Discussion
Part A: Determination of Centripetal Force (variable radius of rotation)
Mass of rotating body, m = 207.7
(mass hanging + mass of pan) x 980 cm/s2, actual value of centripetal force = 19600 [dynes]

TRIA Radius of rotation, r Period of rotation, T Frequency of rotation, f Centripetal force,

L (experimental value)
Fc
1 16 [cm] 2.602 [s] 0.3843 [rev/s] 19377.67 [dynes]
2 18 [cm] 2.608 [s] 0.3834 [rev/s] 21699.69 [dynes]
3 20 [cm] 2.716 [s] 0.3682 [rev/s] 22231.39 [dynes]
4 22 [cm] 2.812 [s] 0.3556 [rev/s] 22813.31 [dynes]
5 24 [cm] 2.888 [s] 0.3463 [rev/s] 23594.63 [dynes]

Centripetal force (average) 219943.34 [dynes]

Percent difference 11.28 %

Part B: Determination of Centripetal Force (constant radius and variable mass of rotating body)
Radius of rotation, r = 20 [cm]
(mass hanging + mass of pan) x 980 cm/s2, actual value of centripetal force = 19600 [dynes]

TRIAL Mass of rotating body, m Period of rotation, T Frequency of Centripetal force,

rotation, f (experimental value)
Fc
1 207.7 [grams] 3.06 [s] 0.3268 [rev/s] 17513.92 [dynes]
2 212.7 [grams] 2.811 [s] 0.3557 [rev/s] 21253.75 [dynes]
3 215.7 [grams] 2.51 [s] 0.3984 [rev/s] 27032.98 [dynes]

Centripetal force (average) 21933.50 [dynes]

Percent difference 11.24 %

Part C: Determination of rotating body (constant radius and variable force)

Radius of rotating body, r = 18 [cm]
Mass of rotating body (actual value), m = 207.7 [grams]

TRIAL (mass hanging + mass of Period of rotation, T Frequency of Mass of rotating body
pan) x 980 cm/s2, rotation, f (experimental value),
centripetal force m
1 24500 [dynes] 2.108 [s] 0.4743 [rev/s] 153.20 [grams]
2 29400 [dynes] 2.02 [s] 0.4950 [rev/s] 168.61 [grams]
3 34300 [dynes] 1.937 [s] 0.5162 [rev/s] 181.10 [grams]
4 39200 [dynes] 1.8 [s] 0.5555 [rev/s] 178.73 [grams]
5 44100 [dynes] 1.662 [s] 0.6016 [rev/s] 171.42 [grams]

Mass of rotating body (average) 170.66 [grams]

 Percent difference 19.58 %

Interpretation of Results
As it is mentioned earlier, uniform circular is described as a circular movement at a constant speed.
This motion is caused by centripetal force which allows the body to deviate into a curve. Otherwise, the
motion will continue into straight line. The centripetal force is an inward force that is directed to the
center of the circle, and this leads the body to undergo a change in the direction. To be able to complete
the entirety of this experiment, it was divided into three parts which have varying components.
For Table 1 – the determination centripetal force but with variable radius of rotation – starting at
16cm, we can see that the radius of rotation is increased by two after each succeeding trial. Then
whatever time the stopwatch gives after ten complete revolutions of the body, it is divided by 10 and
recorded as the period of rotation. An example would be, if the stopwatch gives off 26.02 seconds,
dividing this by 10 will make it 2.602. The same goes for trial 4-5. For the frequency, the period of
rotation is the divisor of the fraction 1/period. We can also say that it is dependent to the radius. Finally
using Eq. 6, the centripetal force is computed. In Table 1 we can see the obtained centripetal force for
each trial and how it increases as the radius of rotation increases. The actual value of the centripetal
force and other results of the experiment’s similarities may be noted. Even though the radius of rotation
is changing, we can see in Table 1 that the centripetal forces appears to have almost the same value – if
not the same, just near in number. This is because as the radius of rotation is changed, the frequency is
also changing. To get the average centripetal force, all forces from trial 1-5 were added and then
divided by 5. The final data needed is the percent difference which was obtained by using Eq. 7.
The next part is still focuses on determining centripetal force but this time with constant radius and
variable mass of rotating body. This part consists of only three trials. Observing Table 2, the mass of
the rotating body changes after each succeeding trial. Even so, the results of the centripetal forces are
still almost the same. This is because the components are dependent to one another. The steps of
obtaining and calculating for the period, frequency, forces, average and percent difference is the same
with Part A, except that there is a different starting radius of rotation and an actual value.
Finally, we determined the rotating body with constant radius and variable force. Comparing the
experimental value to the actual value, the masses of the rotating body varies as the centripetal force
varies. The mass of the rotating body (experimental value) was then calculated using Eq. 8 with the
same actual value as Part A’s and a radius starting 18 cm. Other data filled in were obtained and
calculated with the same procedure as the two previous parts except that centripetal force this time will
be the mass hanging plus the mass of pan times 980 cm/s2 which is the acceleration due to gravity.

Answers to Questions

1. When the radius and mass are held constant, what do you expect to happen to the centripetal
force if the frequency of rotation is increased?
If the frequency of rotation is increased, usually the centripetal force’s results will either vary or
be almost the same. This is if the frequency is dependent on the radius of rotation. But if the
frequency will increase with the radius and mass held constant, the centripetal force will increase
as well. The explanation for this can be found by observing Eq. 4 and equating it so that v can
equal to 2πrf. Hence, we can say that if the radius and mass are both constant, the centripetal
force’s increase depends on the increase of the frequency.

2. What will happen if the centripetal force apparatus was set up slightly off the horizontal?
If the centripetal force apparatus will be set up slightly off the horizontal, there will be major
changes on the value of the centripetal force. If so, this major change is definitely caused by a
component or parameter that refused to be constant. Also, the speed of the motion will not stay
 the same. There will be period wherein the speed will be fast then slow. Other than speed and
centripetal force, other parameters may be inconsistent as well.

Conclusion
In this experiment we studied about uniform circular motion and how centripetal force is a big factor
in it. In Part A and B, we determined centripetal force with both a variable and constant radius of
rotation and variable mass of rotating body. Through timing ten complete revolutions for the body, the
period of rotation is obtained and was used to compute for frequency. In Part C, we determined the
mass of rotating body with a constant radius and variable force using a different way to calculate the
centripetal force. Other equations such as Eq. 1 derived from the principle of Newton’s second law will
be used in this experiment as well. In each part – Part A, Part B, Part C – we are able to see how each
parameter is dependent to the other. Their dependence to each other shows why certain data resulted to
be constant or increasing. Overall, we can say that centripetal force is directly proportional to mass but
inversely proportional to the radius.
Therefore, the objectives of this experiment have been met and fulfilled. We were able to quantify
the centripetal force on the body when one of the parameters is held constant and verify the effects of
varying the factors involved in circular motion through the methods and principles stated above. One of
the principles that helped us complete this is Newton’s second law. It has indeed been a crucial
understanding that students like us should master.

Recommendation
The errors that we have encountered in this experiment were a little lesser on the calculation part.
Instead, there were more on the procedure or the methodology. Suppose the apparatus should be timed
at ten complete revolutions. As we counted to ten, one of our members holding the stopwatch stopped
the watch at the count of ten instead of stopping it after the count of ten. So then, in all five trials, the
periods of rotation were all timed only at nine complete revolutions. In this case, we had to start over.
This error should have been avoided if we have been more attentive to the instructions and of course
understand it well before actually doing it. Human error can be inevitable sometimes, but if it is
possible to avoid simple errors like this, we might as well strive to avoid it by not ignoring even the
simplest instruction there is. Because if we had, time could have been saved.

References
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[2] Uniform Circular Motion (n.d.) Retrieved from:
http://www.sparknotes.com/physics/dynamics/uniformcircularmotion/section1.rhtml
[3] Centripetal Force. (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://www.quora.com/What-are-examples-of-
everyday-activities-that-apply-centripetal-force
[4] Centripetal Force. (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-uniform-circular
motion-What-are-the-applications