Name: Obasi Charles
Date: April 12th 2021
Title: Circular Motion
2
mv
Aim: To test the validity of the equation F= for circular motion with constant speed and
r
determine the mass of a rubber bung using the apparatus shown below.
Apparatus:
String
Rubber bung
Glass tube
Masses
Metre rule
Diagram:
Procedure:
i. The apparatus was set up as shown above, with a 100 g brass mass
attached.
ii. The radius of the circle was measured.
iii. The bung was swung in a horizontal circle until constant velocity was
achieved
iv. The time for 20 oscillations was taken
v. The timing was repeated
vi. The above procedure was repeated, keeping the radius constant, but
changing the masses until at least five sets of readings were obtained
vii. With the same set up and the mass set constant at 300 g, the radius was
varied and the timing for 20 oscillations was repeated until another five set
of readings were obtained.
Results: Table #1
Radius = 0.71m
Mass, Force, F/N time for 20 osc./s Period, T/s 1/T2
m/kg t1 t2 tave /s-2
0.30 2.94 4.88 5.22 5.05 0.25 16.0
0.25 2.45 5.12 5.53 5.33 0.27 13.7
0.20 1.96 5.81 5.90 5.86 0.29 11.9
0.15 1.47 6.03 6.21 6.12 0.31 10.4
0.10 0.98 6.45 6.88 6.67 0.33 9.2
Table #2
Mass = 0.3kg F =2.94N
Radius, r/m time for 20 osc./s Period, T/s T2/s2
t1 t2 tave
0.25 3.94 4.30 4.12 0.21 0.044
0.30 4.00 4.98 4.49 0.22 0.048
0.40 4.75 5.53 5.14 0.26 0.068
0.50 5.31 5.72 5.52 0.28 0.078
0.60 6.24 5.81 6.03 0.30 0.090
Manipulation of Results:
2
mv 2r
F= and v=
r T
2
4 m❑ r
F= 2
T
1
When the radius is constant, F 2
T
Using the points (9,0.92) and (15,2.88)
y 2− y 1
Gradient ¿
x 2−x 1
2.88−0.92
¿
15−9
¿ 0.37 kgm
2
4 m❑ r
F= 2 (Radius constant)
T
1 2
Plot of F vs 2
gives gradient =4 m π
T
2
0.327=4 m π (0.71)
0.327
m= 2
4 π ( 0.71)
m1=0.0117 kg
When F is constant, r T2
Using the points (0.023,0.1) and (0.09,0.585)
y 2− y 1
Gradient ¿
x 2−x 1
0.585−0.1
¿
0.09−0.023
−2
¿ 7.24 m s
2
4 m❑ r
F= 2
T
2 2
F T =4 m❑ r (force constant)
F 2
r= 2
T
4 m❑
2 F
Plot of r vs T gives gradient = 2
4 m❑
2.94
7.24= 2
4mπ
147
50
7.24= 2
4π m
147
7.24= 2
200 π m
2
1448 π =147
m2=0.0103 kg
∴m m1+m2
ave=
2
0.0117+ 0.0103
¿
2
¿ 0.11kg
Precautions:
Repeated readings to minimize experimental errors
Closed all windows to prevent wind disturbance
Took all measurements at eye to avoid parallax error
Sources of error:
Human reaction time stopping and starting the stopwatch.
Friction from rotating was not accounted for.
Inconsistent velocity
Conclusion: The mass of the rubber bung was determined to be 0.11 kg