Proving Centripetal Acceleration Physically?

[HTHLAndre]

How Can I Prove this Physically

Homework Statement

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So I need to do a project where I prove centripetal acceleration. All the cases I've seen of where it's proved is using formulas, though I need an actual project.

By an actual project I mean something like http://jedlik.phy.bme.hu/~hartlein/www.mip.berkeley.edu/images/physics/A+0+47.gif

Does anybody know how I can prove centripetal acceleration with a physical project behind it?
Yes it can involve forumlas, equations also. Though I still need a project for it.

Homework Equations

a = v^2/r

3. The Attempt at a Solution
Bucket of water - No way of proving so far.

 

[Stephen Tashi]

If you school doesn't have lab equipment for studying centripetal acceleration and force, you could build it: http://www.physics.fsu.edu/users/ng/Courses/phy2053c/Labs/Expt03a/Expt03a-3.htm [Broken]

 

[HTHLAndre]

If you school doesn't have lab equipment for studying centripetal acceleration and force, you could build it: http://www.physics.fsu.edu/users/ng/Courses/phy2053c/Labs/Expt03a/Expt03a-3.htm [Broken]

I'm looking for something a bit simpler, thanks though :)

 

[BvU]

Carousel swing
Some other rotating object on a playground
Simple pendulum: weight hanging from a wire describing circles.

 

[siddharth23]

Bucket of water - No way of proving so far.

Why isn't the bucket thing working? Hold a small bucket of water upside down, the water falls. Rotate it, the water doesn't fall.

 

[BvU]

Turning the bucket thing into a physics learning experience (something to hypothesize, something to measure, something to evaluate) project worth a marking is hard (and wet).

 

[siddharth23]

Haha! It might get a bit wet, yes. But it you can get a small bucket, its pretty much feasible.

 

[BvU]

HTHL, do you have something available that rotates at a reasonable speed ? Lego with a little motor, meccano (Ha, mid 20th century -- shows my age :( ), ceiling fan ?
Anything resembling a carousel swing.
Hang a little weight from a wire and measure the angle as a function of rpm, radius, weight, wire length, time of day, etc... Real physics for you !
How to measure accurately ? Another physics challenge! (although with these thingies nowadays..)
And if you insist on getting wet: angle of liquid in a bucket on a turntable in the playground ! As a function of rpm, radius, temperature,

 

[HTHLAndre]

Haha! It might get a bit wet, yes. But it you can get a small bucket, its pretty much feasible.

Thanks for the answer! :)

HTHL, do you have something available that rotates at a reasonable speed ? Lego with a little motor, meccano (Ha, mid 20th centrury -- shows my age :( ), ceiling fan ?
Anything resembling a carousel swing.
Hang a little weight from a wire and measure the angle as a function of rpm, radius, weight, wire length, time of day, etc... Real physics for you !
How to measure accurately ? Another physics challenge! (although with these thingies nowadays..)
And if you insist on getting wet: angle of liquid in a bucket on a turntable in the playground ! As a function of rpm, radius, temperature,

Using a turntable on the playground is actually a good idea to measure the speed, thank you for that!

 

[siddharth23]

Using a turntable on the playground is actually a good idea to measure the speed, thank you for that!

Measure the speed at which the the kids get thrown off the carousel