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Torque and Centripetal Force Lab

Name:

1 Torque

The goal of this part of the lab is to understand the relationship between force and distance when

creating torque.

1. You will have masses from two different locations on a meter stick and try to balance the

meter stick at the 50cm point. Adjust the positions until the meter stick balances.

2. In the table below, record the masses and distances. The distances need to be measured from

the hanging location to the pivot point, not to the end of the ruler. Make sure to match the

information: x1 is the distance of the mass m1 and x2 is the distance of the mass m2.

3. Multiple the distance x1 by the mass m1 and x2 by m2 and enter the results in the table.

These numbers are related to torque.

4. Repeat this procedure by trying different mass combinations and finding new places where

the meter stick balances.

x1 x2 m1 m2 (x1)(m1) (x2)(m2)

2 Centripetal Force

The goal of this part of the lab is to understand the direction and size of centripetal force. For each

of the following steps, predict the result before performing the experiment.

1. Hang a mass on a string from a spring scale, creating a pendulum. Let the pendulum swing

from an initial angle, observing the readings on the spring scale.

Predict: Compared to the reading on the scale at the highest point, the reading at the bottom

will be:

Smaller Larger About the same

Experiment: Compared to the reading on the scale at the top, the reading at the bottom is:

Smaller Larger About the same

2. Let the mass hang (not swinging) to observe the weight. Then release it from an initial angle

to let it swing as a pendulum, observing the readings on the spring scale.

Predict: Compared to the weight, the reading at the bottom when the cup is swinging will

be:

Smaller Larger About the same

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Torque and Centripetal Force Lab

Experiment: Compared to the weight, the reading at the bottom when the cup is swinging is:

Smaller Larger About the same

3. First start the pendulum with a fairly small angle and observe the force that you read when

the pendulum is at the bottom of the swing. Then start the pendulum at a much larger angle

(higher).

Predict: When the pendulum is started higher, the force at the bottom will be :

Smaller Larger About the same

Experiment: When the pendulum is started higher, the force at the bottom is :

Smaller Larger About the same

4. Start the pendulum at the same height, but add more mass.

Predict: When there is more mass, the force at the bottom will be:

Smaller Larger About the same

Experiment: When there is more mass, the force at the bottom is:

Smaller Larger About the same

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