Name: __________________________________
Period: _______
Due Date: _________________
Lab 6.2 Centripetal Acceleration
INTRODUCTION
For an object moving in a circular path with constant velocity, the acceleration is due to a change in direction. An
acceleration of this nature is called centripetal acceleration (ac) and it is directed toward the center of the circular
path (centripetal means moving or tending to move toward a center).
The Vernier Centripetal Force Apparatus provides force and velocity data for varying radius and mass
configurations. The velocity automatically varies as the swing arm slows down. The amount of mass and its radius
from the center are set for each trial.
With only one apparatus for this lab, you will be analyzing data collected earlier.
OBJECTIVE

Investigate the effect of varying mass, radius, and velocity on centripetal force.
PROCEDURE
1. Open the file “6.2 Centripetal Acceleration” from the Wildkat Physics folder. This file contains seven data
sets of trial runs with different combinations of mass and radius.
2. Each graph shows that force does increase with increasing velocity but at a rate higher than a linear
relationship ( F  Av ). The next higher order of relationship is a power of two ( F  Av 2 ). Apply a variable
power fit with n = 2 to each graph and record the A Parameter value in the data table.
Trial
Mass (kg)
Radius (m)
1
0.057
0.100
2
0.157
0.100
3
0.257
0.100
4
0.357
0.100
5
0.357
0.070
6
0.357
0.130
7
0.357
0.160
A Parameter
Since a power of two model ( F  Av 2 ) does fit our data, let’s try and determine what makes up the A Parameter.
Both mass and radius were varied during the trials so let’s see how they related to the A Parameter.
3. Open a new blank Logger Pro file. Label x column as Mass (m) in kg units and y column as A Parameter
(A) with no units. Enter the associated data from Trials 1 to 4 where radius was held constant. Find the best
mathematical model for how the A Parameter is related to mass and complete the sentence below.
The A Parameter is ____________________ related to mass.
Page 1 of 2
4. Open another new blank Logger Pro file. Label x column as Radius (r) in m units and y column as A
Parameter (A) with no units. Enter the associated data from Trials 4 to 7 where mass was held constant.
Find the best mathematical model for how the A Parameter is related to radius and complete the sentence
below.
The A Parameter is ____________________ related to radius.
5. Combining these two relationships with our power of two model ( F  Av 2 ), what is the A parameter equal
to?
F=
v2
ANALYSIS
A. Newton’s Second Law of Motion applies to rotating systems with acceleration represented by centripetal
acceleration (F = mac). State the equation for just centripetal acceleration (ac).
ac =
Page 2 of 2