Circular Motion EXPERIMENT 1: BALANCING CENTRIPETAL FORCE Data Sheet Table 1. Rotational Data Radius Time per 15 revolutions Period (s) Expected Percent Error (m) Value (s) (% ) 0.25 6.14 0.40 0.15 Post-Lab Questions 1. List all of the physical quantities that affect the value of centripetal force. 2. Compare your experimental period values to your expected period values by calculating the percent error for each radius. Explain any differences with an error analysis. 3. How did changing the radius of rotation affect the period? 4. Draw a circle to represent the path taken by your rotating mass. Place a dot on the circle to represent your rotating washer. Add a straight line from the dot to the center of the circle, representing the radius of rotation (the string). Now label the direction of the tangential velocity and the centripetal force. 5. Use your data to calculate the average velocity, angular velocity, and centripetal acceleration for the mass at each radius. 6. Refer to the picture in Figure 3 again (next page). Before the apparatus begins to spin the wires connecting the swings to the top of the structure will be completely vertical. Once t apparatus begins to spin the swings move outward radially, but also upwards vertically. From where does the force causing this vertical acceleration come? CeScience Labs