Mf-4 Centripetal Force

Aim

To demonstrate a centripetal force using an accelerometer.

Apparatus

  • Coriolis Apparatus
  • Accelerometer
  • Wi-Fi Camera
  • Laptop Computer
  • Video Projector

Centripetal Force 1 Centripetal Force 2

Centripetal Force 1 Label Centripetal Force 2 Label

Description

Accelerometer is placed on the Coriolis Turntable so that it can be viewed by the Wi-Fi camera which is positioned at the apex of the frame. When the accelerometer is placed tangently on the turntable. When you push the turntable, the accelerometer will register a force momentarily in the direction of the rotation. Once the turntable is freewheeling, the accelerometer will not register any force.

Now place the accelerometer in the radial position on the turntable. When you rotate the turntable, the accelerometer will register a force in the inward direction. Reversing the direction of the accelerometer, the accelerometer will still register a force in the inward direction.

Video