Analyzing Variables and Free-Body Diagram in Uniform Circular Motion Lab
a) What are the independent, dependent, and controlled variables for this lab? As well, identify all the constants.
Variables and Free-Body Diagram in Uniform Circular Motion
In this lab, the independent variables could be the radius of the circular path or the mass of the object. The dependent variables could be the centripetal force acting on the object or the period of the circular motion. The controlled variables include the type of object used, the surface on which the object is moving, and the method of measuring the variables. The constants include the gravitational acceleration (9.8 m/s^2) and any other physical properties of the object or the apparatus that remain unchanged throughout the experiment.
Uniform circular motion refers to the motion of an object traveling in a circular path at a constant speed. To conduct this lab, it is important to identify the independent, dependent, and controlled variables, as well as the constants.
Variables:
The independent variable could be the radius of the circular path or the mass of the object. The dependent variable could be the centripetal force acting on the object or the period of the circular motion.
Controlled Variables:
The controlled variables include the type of object used, the surface on which the object is moving, and the method of measuring the variables. These variables are kept constant throughout the experiment.
Constants:
The constants include the gravitational acceleration (9.8 m/s^2) and any other physical properties of the object or the apparatus that remain unchanged throughout the experiment.
A free-body diagram for the apparatus should show the object at the center of the circle with the tension force acting towards the center.