Centripetal force apparatus lab

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a centripetal force apparatus lab, focusing on pre-lab questions related to the use of an economy force sensor and the relationship between centripetal force, mass, and velocity. Participants seek clarification on specific experimental procedures and concepts.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the meaning of verifying the result of the 'Tare' button on the economy force sensor, specifically whether it indicates that the force is truly zero or if the voltage of the electric motor being 0V signifies a force of 0N.
  • Another participant explains that the 'Tare' button sets the display to zero for the current force, emphasizing the importance of ensuring no force is applied when using it, and notes that the zero setting can drift over time.
  • There is uncertainty about the relationship between the curve mentioned in the pre-lab question and voltage, with one participant expressing confusion over this connection.
  • One participant proposes that if the radius (r) is unchanged, then the velocity (v) remains constant, as derived from the formula v = 2πr / t.
  • Another participant reiterates that if r is unchanged, then v should also remain unchanged to keep the ratio v²/r constant, but still expresses confusion regarding the 'Tare' button question.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding regarding the 'Tare' button functionality and its implications, with some clarity on the velocity aspect but no consensus on the sensor-related questions.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully resolved the implications of the 'Tare' button and its verification process, nor have they clarified the relationship between the curve and voltage in the context of the experiment.

MickeyGoh
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Actually, I am going to do a centripetal force apparatus lab tmr morning.
Here I get some pre-lab questions.

In this lab, we are going to use economy force sensor (as I know there are 2 types, but it doesn't matter).
There is one question related to this sensor...
It says "The 'Tare' button on the economy force sensor is to set the force to be zero. How to verify the result? Hint: Observe the curve."

First question, what result? That the force is really zero? Is the voltage of the electric motor 0V indicating that the force is 0N?

Second question, what curve? I don't get the relation of it with voltage. Or is it not related to the voltage?Besides, in the experiment of Centripetal force vs Mass, there is a question asking whether the velocity is a constant or not. It seems an easy question and I should know...
But somehow I forget it. Is the velocity increasing with the radius and thus keeping v2/r a constant? Or both v and r are constants so that v2/r is already a constant?

Thank you.
 
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MickeyGoh said:
It says "The 'Tare' button on the economy force sensor is to set the force to be zero.

On the force sensors that I've used, the button simply sets the display to read zero, for whatever value the actual force is at that moment. You normally use it by first ensuring that there is no force being applied to the sensor (e.g. by letting a string tied to it go slack), then pressing the button.

As time passes, this "zero setting" tends to drift so that when no force is applied, the sensor reads a small nonzero value. Therefore I always make sure to reset the zero frequently during the course of the experiment.
 
But do you know what the question wants me to answer?
 
for the velocity one, i think i get it.
Since v = 2πr / t
so if r is unchanged, v will not be changed. i.e. kept constant
 
or simply to say
as centripetal force vs mass, v2/r is constant
as r is unchanged, v should be unchanged to keep v2/r constantbut i still don't get the 'tare' button question
 

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