Experience Approaches in Physics (I)

Circular Motion, Centripetal Force and Torsion

Group : A2
Name : 曹安旭 B122035008
Editor : 黃昱綸 B122035009
Professor : 洪昇廷
 Date : 11/13
I. Objectives
Discuss the relationship between centripetal force, velocity, mass, and the
radius of rotation when an object undergoes circular motion. Additionally,
observe the simple harmonic oscillation of metal bars of different types and
specifications under external forces to obtain their "torsion constant" and
"modulus of rigidity."

II. Principle

A. Circular Motion, Centripetal Force

In the situation as shown in Figure 1, an object
with a mass of m is subject to centripetal force
and is rotating with a radius of r. When an
object is in rotation, the direction of
acceleration continually changes, always
pointing towards the center of the circle.
The relationship between the value of acceleration (a), speed (v), and radius (r)
is defined as:
2
v
a=
r
Based on the Newton’s first law, it should be:
2
mv 2
F=ma= =mr ϖ
r
When:
2 πr
v= =rω
T
If we mix two functions, it would be:
2
4 π mr
F= 2
T

B. Torsion
Applying a torsion on an elastic object will cause it to deform. Once the
torsion is removed, the object will return to its original shape and size. The
Hooke’s Law can also be applied to describe this phenomenon. When an
object encounters a force within its elastic limit, the torque produced by the
 torsion should be proportional to the angle of twist along its direction of
torque.
'
τ =K θ
And K’ can be describe as
2
4π I
K '= 2
T
Modulus of rigidity is also called the Shear modulus of elasticity. It can also
be written as
'
2lK
n= 4
R π
When we apply this definition to a cylindrical object under torsion

III. Procedure & To-Do List

A. Circular Motion, Centripetal Force

1. Equipment:

2. Prepare: Start by connecting the motor to the rotating disk using rubber
bands, set the motor to DC mode, and finally connect the weight as shown
in the diagram.
3. Adjust the balance weight on the horizontal bar to level the rotor support.
 <To-Do> Use the smartphone and align the device with the phone to
ensure horizontal alignment.
4. Fix the weight on the U-shaped weight support and record its total weight.
Then, connect it to one side of the weight. Place the centripetal force
pointer at the bottom of the spring and secure it.
<To-Do> Initially, ensure that all ropes are in a taut state.
5. Power on and gradually increase the output voltage to increase the motor's
rotation speed. Pay attention to the spring. When the spring stabilizes the
output at the centripetal force pointer, record the time it takes for it to
complete ten rotations. <To-Do> Use the horizontal bar mentioned earlier
as a reference for observing the number of rotations.
6. Fix the rotation radius and mass, change the centripetal force (U-shaped
weight support), and repeat the measurement.
7. Fix the rotation radius and centripetal force, change the mass (pendulum
weight), and repeat the measurement.
8. Fix the mass and centripetal force, change the rotation radius (in
increments of 5cm), and repeat the measurement.

B. Torsion
1. Equipment:
 2. Choose an aluminum rod, measure its length and radius, and set up the
apparatus as shown in the diagram. Ensure that the aluminum rod is
perpendicular to the horizontal bar and remains horizontal without tilting.
<To-Do> Place weights on both sides of the horizontal bar to increase the
moment of inertia.
3. Record the mass (m) and distance (r) of the weight, then calculate the
system's moment of inertia using I = mr².
4. With the amplitude less than 10 degrees, perform four measurements of
the oscillation period (T) for the aluminum rod system (two clockwise and
two counterclockwise), and calculate the average. <To-Do> We measure at
10 degrees to meet the requirement of less than 30 degrees.
5. Replace the aluminum rod with another metal rod and repeat steps 1-5.

IV. Tables and Figures

Q&A
A. Describe the "gravity assist" concept in the following article (pay attention to
the physics and explain how it works):
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/basics/primer/
 A:
1. Approach Phase:
The spacecraft approaches a celestial body, usually a planet or moon, in the
direction of its motion.
2. Gravitational Interaction:
a. As the spacecraft gets close to the celestial body, it comes under the influence
of its gravity.
b. The gravitational pull of the celestial body affects the spacecraft's trajectory.
3. Transfer of Energy:
a. The celestial body's gravitational field acts on the spacecraft, altering its
speed and direction.
b. The spacecraft gains or loses energy from the gravitational field of the
celestial body.
4. Exit Phase:
a. The spacecraft then exits the gravitational field of the celestial body with a
higher or lower velocity, depending on the direction of its approach.
The key principle behind gravity assist is the conservation of energy. The
spacecraft steals a small amount of the celestial body's orbital energy, either
increasing or decreasing its speed. This exchange allows the spacecraft to
achieve a higher velocity than it could with its propulsion system alone, saving
fuel and enabling more efficient exploration of the solar system.

B. Do you weigh the same at the equator and at the North Pole? Explain the
reason in detail and in a quantitative manner.
A:
Since the formula of the force that made by gravitation is
GMm
F g= 2
,
r
the radius obviously effect the our weight. In addition, the earth is an oval that
the radius is not a constant value. As a result, we would not weigh the same at
the equator and at the North Pole.

C. Describe precession and nutation explicitly and give examples.

A:
a. Precession: Precession refers to the gradual change in the orientation of the
rotational axis of a spinning object. In the context of Earth, it specifically refers
to the slow movement of the axis around a cone, caused primarily by the
gravitational forces of the Sun and the Moon acting on the Earth's equatorial
bulge.
Example: A classic example of precession is the Earth's axis precession. The
Earth's axis completes a circular path over a period of about 26,000 years. This
precession is responsible for the changing pole star over time. Currently, the
North Star is Polaris, but due to precession, it will change, and other stars will
take on the role of the North Star in the future.
b. Nutation: Nutation is a periodic oscillation in the axis of rotation of a largely
spherical object. It is superimposed on the slower precession motion. In the
case of Earth, nutation involves a periodic "wobbling" or nodding of the Earth's
axis.
Example: A well-known example of nutation is the Chandler wobble, a small,
irregular motion in the Earth's axis of rotation with a period of about 433 days.
It was first observed by American astronomer Seth Carlo Chandler in 1891. The
Chandler wobble is a manifestation of nutation and is caused by the
redistribution of mass within the Earth, such as changes in atmospheric
pressure and ocean currents.