9/28/16: Centripetal Force with a Motor

Title: Centripetal Force with a Motor
Purpose: The purpose of this lab is to find the relationship between the angle and angular speed.
Apparatus:

There is an electric motor mounted on a surveying tripod. A long shaft is going vertically up from the shaft. A horizontal rod is mounted on the vertical rod. A long string is tied to the end of the horizontal rod. A rubber stopper is tied to the end of the string. A ring stand is nearby with a horizontal piece of paper sticking out. 

Theory:

As seen from the picture, R, H, L, and h all can be measured. ϴ can be determined with these measures, as well as ω. 

We can determine values for ω hypothetically by collecting various values for h, and then the actual value of ω can be determined by measuring the time it takes to complete 10 rotations at various voltages. 

Data:

Graphs/Calculations:

Analysis:
From the percent error, we can see that all calculations were within 10%. Most were even within 5%, and only one was about 8% off. The reason for this is that the known values of H, h, R, and L all each have a certain amount of uncertainty to themselves, as well as the spin of the motor not being exactly constant at all times.

Conclusion:
From this experiment, we can see that the greater theta, the greater omega is. The faster the motor spins, the greater the angle is. The experimental results we obtained were all relatively accurate to the predicted numbers.