Centripetal Force

Purpose:

To investigate quantitatively centripetal force.

Equipment:

Centripetal force apparatus, timer, set of weights.

Procedure:

Manually whirl apparatus by the knurled portion of the shaft until the weight is in line with the pointer. Keep the speed constant and time at least ten revolutions. Stop the apparatus and determine the force necessary to keep the weight at the pointer by adding weights over the pulley.