CIRCULAR MOTION

TARGET PRACTICE

Grades
5-12

Group size
Individual students

Time required
15 minutes

Materials

1.0 m long string
rubber stopper
target
goggles

Instructional Goal

To demonstrate direction of velocity of an object in circular motion

National Science Standards

Objectives
Student will:

Predict that the rubber ball will hit the target upon release.
Explain the relationship between the direction of the velocity of the rubber stopper and the orientation of the string.

Prerequisite Knowledge
Concept of centripetal acceleration and circular motion.

Advance Preparation Time
Get the materials necessary to conduct the activity.

Teacher tips

Create a target(s) by putting a mark(s) on a wall.

Background Information

The velocity is always perpendicular to the radius. The acceleration is due to the change of direction of velocity even though the speed of the rubber stopper is constant. The force is exerted by the fingers that are holding the string and transmitted to the rubber stopper through the string. The acceleration is called centripetal (center seeking) acceleration.

F = ma_c = mv²/r (m=mass, v=velocity, F=force, a_c = acceleration)

Activity Procedure

Step 1
Everyone in the classroom put on goggles for eye protection.

Step 2
Tie a 1.0 m length of string onto a one-hole stopper.

Step 3
Swing the stopper around your head in a horizontal circle.

Step 4
Release the string from your hand when the string is lined up with a spot on the wall.

Step 5
Did the stopper travel toward the spot on the wall? What does this indicate about the direction of the velocity compared to the orientation of the string?

Step 6
Repeat the activity until the stopper flies toward the spot on the wall.

Enrichment Activities
For physics students:
Record the Mass the rubber ball. Measure the length of the string. With a timer record the time it takes for one rotation. Calculate magnitude of velocity, centripetal acceleration, and force.

Author: Tugrul Sezen
[email protected]

BACK TO COURSE MAIN PAGE

BACK TO SPACE SETTLEMENT HOME PAGE

Curator: Al Globus
If you find any errors on this page contact Al Globus.

This site was hosted by the NASA Ames Research Center from 1994-2018 and is now hosted by: