Circular Motion Device

Circular Motion Device

The uniform circular motion apparatus can be used to quantitatively investigate the effects of changing speed, mass, and radius on the net radial (centripetal) force required to keep an object moving in a circular path. The apparatus includes a motor driven spinning track that holds a small cart in a circular path. The apparatus can be used in a high tech mode with a force probe and a photogate, or in a low tech mode using a spring scale and a stopwatch. In addition to the apparatus that will be built, teachers would need a variable dc power supply with an output of at least 12 V, a mass set and various lab clamps and rods. Teachers would also need a force probe, photogate, lab interface and appropriate software (in the high tech mode) or a 10-N spring scale and a stopwatch (in the low tech mode.)

This is my second year using this apparatus, and I have been extremely pleased with the results it has yielded. Pasco has just started marketing a similar apparatus that costs several hundred dollars (not including the photogate, force probe, interface, power supply, and software.)

.pdf files of graphed data from the device

Workshop description used in December 2003:

To register for the workshop, send the following information, along with a check for $50.00 per apparatus you wish to build made out to Rex Rice by Monday, November 24th so that he can order materials.
Name, School, School Address, School Phone, Email Address, Home Address, Home Phone:
Please send this information to: Rex Rice 6051 Kingsbury St. Louis, MO 63112
The first two hours will be spent building a uniform circular motion apparatus that can be used to quantitatively investigate the effects of changing speed, mass, and radius on the net radial (centripetal) force required to keep an object moving in a circular path.

The remainder of the workshop will focus on the use of the apparatus to teach circular motion. Participants will perform the three experiments (Force vs. speed, Force vs. mass, Force vs. radius)

Teachers who would like to attend the workshop to learn more about the apparatus and the experiments that can be done with it will be welcomed to the workshop for no cost, but whether you will build the apparatus or not, Rex needs to know who will be attending by November 24th. Last minute registration cannot be accomodated for this workshop.