Given that centripetal acceleration has the effect of changing the apparent weight of massive objects affected by it, you can imagine that such knowledge could be used to create artificial gravity in space. In this assignment, you will investigate some of the properties of artificial gravity.
Instructions
Your task is to determine the minimum speed required to create artificial gravity using some common materials.
Testable Question
What is the minimum speed required to simulate weightlessness?
Hypothesis
Propose a hypothesis based on the testable question.
In this activity, you are attempting to find the minimum speed of a rotating (circular motion) bucket on a string that produces artificial gravity (i.e. the tennis ball remains inside the bucket as it rotates).
Instead of a controlled experiment where you change one variable to test its affect on another, you will determine if the theoretical value you calculate is observed through a series of tests you will perform using the provided procedure.
For your hypothesis, demonstrate how you derived your predicted minimum speed, including a properly labelled free body diagram (FBD), and whether you believe this calculated value will be observed in your experiment.
Support your prediction with any addition information that you feel is relevant.
Materials
In this activity, you are provided with a procedure. To create your materials list, you need to identify all the necessary materials included in the procedure.
Make sure that your materials list reflects any changes you make to the materials you used in your experiment. For example, if you substitute a rubber ball for a tennis ball, then list the rubber ball in your materials section.
Substitutions may be required depending on your available resources. Discuss with your teacher if you do not have one or more of the materials listed in the procedure. Be prepared to suggest alternatives based on what you have available to you.
Procedure
Use the following procedure to generate the results you will need to address your testable question.
- Assemble the following apparatus:
- Bucket with a strong handle
- A tennis ball (or ball of similar size and mass)
- Meter stick or measuring tape
- Stopwatch
- A partner to help you complete the experiment.
- Measure the distance from the base of the bucket to your shoulder when your arm is completely extended.
- You will need to conduct this operation outdoors or in a place with plenty of space.
- Place the ball in the bucket, and swing the bucket in a vertical circle using a fairly fast speed. The ball should stay in the bucket.
- Continuing this action, slow the speed to the minimal speed that will allow the ball to stay in the bucket (you may need to try this a number of times).
- When you are confident that you are twirling the bucket at the minimal speed that will keep the ball inside, have your partner record the elapsed time of five complete revolutions.
- Create a data table of your observations and summarize your results.
Common Mistake
Do not copy the procedure, as written, into your report. You must first convert the procedure to the passive voice required in scientific writing.
Lab report
- Purpose: A brief description of what the research is all about, including the methods used and the resources available to the student.
- Hypothesis: Guess statements on expected results of the scientific experiment.
- Procedure: A step-by-step guide and instructions followed by the student in the course of the experiment.
- Lab Safety: Safety precautions adhered to by the student throughout the experiment.
- Data: Recorded experimental data generated on the experiment by the student.
- Observations: The sudden burst of insight and perspectives about the experiment.
- Results: The findings of the student from the experiment through collected data and observations.
- Conclusion: Summary of the experiment, most especially as the findings relate to the report’s purpose and hypothesis.
- references :
- All lab reports should include a reference page that lists all the sources cited in your work.
- Provide in-text citations when citing information obtained from one of your sources. Information may be paraphrased or provided as direct quotations.
- Your reference page and in-text citations are to be formatted according to the APA Style Guide.
Assessment Details
You submission should include the following:
- Your lab report
- All in-text citations and a reference list according to APA style for sources used in your lab report
Important
Your lab report should include the following sections:
- Testable question
- Hypothesis
- Materials
- Procedure
- Observations
- Results
- Discussion
- Conclusion