Centripetal Force Proportionality Check

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationships between centripetal force, mass, frequency, and radius. Participants are exploring proportionality statements related to these variables, particularly how they interact in the context of centripetal motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to derive proportionality statements such as F ∝ f², r ∝ F², and m ∝ F². Some express uncertainty about these relationships and question how they hold under different conditions, such as constant frequency or speed.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the correctness of the proposed proportionality statements. Some participants have provided feedback on the original poster's statements, suggesting that certain definitions or assumptions may be incorrect. The discussion includes attempts to clarify how centripetal force is expressed in relation to the other variables.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the quality of data from a lab experiment, indicating that the results may not be reliable. There is also a note about the need for clarification regarding which variables are held constant when discussing the relationships.

Weird Fishes
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Homework Statement



Write a proportionality statement for F, m, f and r using your three proportionality statements.

Homework Equations


F = centripetal force
f = frequency
m = mass
r = radius

F \propto f^2

r \propto F^2

m \propto F^2

The Attempt at a Solution




m \propto F^2 & r \propto F^2
therefore: m \propto r
m/r \propto F^2/F^2 \propto some constant
F \propto m/r . f^2
F \propto mf^2/r

which matches F \propto mv^2/r as f^2 \propto v^2

Edit: I removed all the tex tags because they messed everything up, hope this is still understandable

Thank you in advance:smile:
 
Last edited:
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Weird Fishes said:
F \propto f^2

okay...

Weird Fishes said:
r \propto F^2

Not quite sure I get this. If the orbital frequency is to remain constant, then r ~ F.

If the orbital speed is to remain constant, then F ~ 1/r

Weird Fishes said:
m \propto F^2

not sure I get this either...
 
We did a lab in class and those were the proportionality statements I came up with.

They might be wrong, we used very poor equipment and the data is nopt very good, nor is there much to work from.

Here are the two graphs that I based my last two proportionality statements off of:
attachment.php?attachmentid=16291&d=1226259979.gif
attachment.php?attachmentid=16292&d=1226259979.gif


See what I mean about the bad data? I was pretty sure about the mass graph, though...

I guess I should have clarified that the rest of the variables were constant for the proportionality statements.

Thanks again.
 

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I suppose you know how the centripetal force is expressed in terms of m, v, and r?

All you need now is to rewrite v in terms of f and r. That will tell you how F depends on f,m, and r.

Your answer, F\propto m f^2/r, is certainly not correct.
 
borgwal said:
I suppose you know how the centripetal force is expressed in terms of m, v, and r?

All you need now is to rewrite v in terms of f and r. That will tell you how F depends on f,m, and r.

Your answer, F\propto m f^2/r, is certainly not correct.

F=mv^2/r

f=rotations/time
f=2nr/t

v=d/t
2nr~d therefore v~f right?

which would give me F~mf^2/r

Where did I go wrong then?
 
You went wrong in your definition of f.
 
borgwal said:
You went wrong in your definition of f.

Ah, I see. To bad I have to go to work now, anyway, thanks.

How does radius relate to Force though, Is my graph correct?
 
I cannot see your graphs...they are pending approval.
 
Sorry, didn't look at that.

Is r~F or r~F^2? (if everything else is constant)
 
  • #10
if by "everything else" you mean f and m, then r ~ F
 
  • #11
How's this look:

v=\frac{d}{t}
f=rot/t
1rot=2 \pi r^2
f2 \pi r^2=v
F= \frac{4 \pi^2 m r^2 f^2}{r} = 4 \pi^2 m r f^2

Edit: I changed the graphs and the lines were just as poor, so I don't know why I decided to square them in the first place, thanks for pointing that out.
 
Last edited:

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