lab 8

Question 1

2. Period (T)

Answer 1

Period is the amount of time (in seconds) it takes for an object to complete 1 revolution. Use the simulation timer to measure the period for object.

Question 2

3. Frequency (f) –

Answer 2

Frequency is a similar measure for circular motion. It is defined as the number of times an object completes a revolution each second. Use the simulation timer to find the frequency of the object. The SI unit for frequency is 1/s or Hz. *Note: the timer is running in slow motion, so make sure to use the given timer and not your own for an answer!

Question 3

4. Angular velocity ()

Answer 3

– Angular velocity or angular frequency, is a measure of the angle through which an object passes each second. It is measured in units of radians/second (rad/s). You can calculate it with the following formula:
ω = 2πf = 2π/T
Use the simulation timer and either frequency or period to calculate angular velocity.

Question 4

5. Period vs. Frequency

Answer 4

Convert the period to frequency using the formula f = 1/T

Question 5

6. Frequency vs. Period –

Answer 5

Convert the frequency to period

Question 6

7. Tangential Speed (v) –

Answer 6

– Tangential speed is the linear speed of the object as it travels in a circular path. Since the object completes one revolution traveling along the circumference of the circle (circumference = 2πr) in one period (T), you can find the tangential speed with the following formula:
v = 2πr/T
To measure the speed, you will need to measure the radius of the path of the ball.

Question 7

8. Tangential Velocity –

Answer 7

Although the speed is constant, the velocity of the ball is constantly changing due to its constant change in linear direction. For this exercise you will find the time that the direction of the ball is either directly up, down, left or right. Make sure to start the timer when the ball passes through the vertical white line. *Note: although the ball starts at a direction of right, do not enter t = 0 for this direction. Wait until the next time the velocity of the ball points in this direction!

Question 8

1. What is the relationship between period (T) and tangential speed (v)?

Answer 8

The relationship between the period and the tangential speed is inversely related. When the period increases the tangential speed decreases.

Question 9

2. Comparing tangential speed with centripetal force, what can you conclude about the relationship between the centripetal force and speed? What is the functional form of this relationship?

Answer 9

The relationship between the centripetal force and speed are proportionally linearly related because as the tangential speed decreases the centripetal force also decreases. The functional form of this relationship would be a circular path.