PURPOSE: To show that the centrifugal force of uniform circular motion (UCM) is a function of the radius.
DESCRIPTION: A large circular aluminum platter is made to rotate at about 40 rpm by a motor control, shown in the above left photo. A puck is placed onto the rotating platter. At the center of rotation the puck experiences little force. When the puck is placed further out from the center it feels a greater force. Finally, when the puck is placed sufficiently far away from the center of the platter it experiences sufficient force to overcome the static friction and it will slide off the platter.
EQUIPMENT: Platter and puck, motor, control, c clamp.
SETUP NOTES: Adjust the motor speed to 32 so the puck will slide when placed on the marked brown ring.