PASCO ME-8088 Centripetal Force Apparatus - Manual (Page 6)

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Model No. ME-8088 Centripetal Force Apparatus
5
Introduction
PASCO’s Centripetal Force Apparatus
(ME-8088) allows students to investigate
the relationships between centripetal
force, radius, mass, and velocity for an
object undergoing uniform circular
motion. Traditional experiments in this
area involve the swinging of masses above
the head. The traditional approach is
difficult to execute and data is rarely
sufficient for an understanding of the
relationships. The Centripetal Force
Apparatus removes these difficulties by
using sensors to measure the force and
velocity of the mass as it rotates.
Velocity is varied by changing the voltage
supplied to the included electric motor.
Drilled masses are included to facilitate a range of mass trials. The radius is
changed by sliding the captured masses along the grooves in the rotating
arm. A convenient measuring scale is included on both sides of the arm.
The sturdy base includes rod clamps for connection to a standard rod stand
or the unit can be clamped to a table using a common “C” clamp.
Equipment Setup
1. Mount a stainless steel rod into
a base support stand.
2. Use the rod clamps to attach
the Centripetal Force
Accessory to the rod (See
Figure 2).
3. Remove the free mass holder
(Figure 3) and measure its
mass. To remove the free mass
holder, loosen the screw below
the rotating arm.
Figure 1: Setup with Force
Sensor on stand
Figure 2: Mounting the
Centripetal Force Accessory
base stand
rod