Physics - Online Lab: Centripetal Force of Simple Pendulum
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this experiment is to investigate the centripetal force exerted on a pendulum bob
using real data from a centripetal force apparatus (force sensor and smart gate) and compare it to
the centripetal force obtained from the speed of the pendulum. We will also explore the
oscillations of a simple pendulum using simulation software.
EQUIPMENT USED:
● Real Centripetal Force data
● Scientific Calculator
● PhET Pendulum Simulation Software
THEORY
Newton’s second law of motion is:FNet = ΣF = m a , with FNet as the net force, a as the
acceleration, and the m as the mass. The second law of motion ultimately states that in the scenario where
a net external force FNet acts on the mass m of an object, there will be a resultant acceleration a that is
directly proportional to the net force. The acceleration’s magnitude is inversely proportional to the mass
and the overall direction of the acceleration ends up being in the same direction as the net force, as this is
a vector. This formula can be used for a simple oscillating pendulum moving in the vertical direction.
When taking Newton’s second law of motion in regards to the radial direction, the formula
mv 2
becomes ΣFr = Fc = . ΣFr is the net force about the radial direction, Fc is the centripetal
r
force, v is the speed and r is the radius. So to find the centripetal force at the lowest central position will
mv 2
be found from the formula: Fc = T − mg = , Fc is the centripetal force, T is the tension, m
r
is the mass, v is the speed, r is the radius(length) and g is the acceleration due to gravity. Some important
observation to gain from this is that the mass affects the time period, and with no friction, the mass will
have no effect.
, Physics - Online Lab: Centripetal Force of Simple Pendulum
DIAGRAMS
The tension faces toward
the center while the weight
faces the opposite direction.
Due to the tension being
larger
(Ftension > Fweight ), the
Fnet points to the center.
The period of a simple oscillating pendulum was 2.0113s with the length as 0.99m, the mass of
0.20kg, the gravity of 9.81 m/s2, and the friction is set as none.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this experiment is to investigate the centripetal force exerted on a pendulum bob
using real data from a centripetal force apparatus (force sensor and smart gate) and compare it to
the centripetal force obtained from the speed of the pendulum. We will also explore the
oscillations of a simple pendulum using simulation software.
EQUIPMENT USED:
● Real Centripetal Force data
● Scientific Calculator
● PhET Pendulum Simulation Software
THEORY
Newton’s second law of motion is:FNet = ΣF = m a , with FNet as the net force, a as the
acceleration, and the m as the mass. The second law of motion ultimately states that in the scenario where
a net external force FNet acts on the mass m of an object, there will be a resultant acceleration a that is
directly proportional to the net force. The acceleration’s magnitude is inversely proportional to the mass
and the overall direction of the acceleration ends up being in the same direction as the net force, as this is
a vector. This formula can be used for a simple oscillating pendulum moving in the vertical direction.
When taking Newton’s second law of motion in regards to the radial direction, the formula
mv 2
becomes ΣFr = Fc = . ΣFr is the net force about the radial direction, Fc is the centripetal
r
force, v is the speed and r is the radius. So to find the centripetal force at the lowest central position will
mv 2
be found from the formula: Fc = T − mg = , Fc is the centripetal force, T is the tension, m
r
is the mass, v is the speed, r is the radius(length) and g is the acceleration due to gravity. Some important
observation to gain from this is that the mass affects the time period, and with no friction, the mass will
have no effect.
, Physics - Online Lab: Centripetal Force of Simple Pendulum
DIAGRAMS
The tension faces toward
the center while the weight
faces the opposite direction.
Due to the tension being
larger
(Ftension > Fweight ), the
Fnet points to the center.
The period of a simple oscillating pendulum was 2.0113s with the length as 0.99m, the mass of
0.20kg, the gravity of 9.81 m/s2, and the friction is set as none.
