Quick Answer: The Centripetal Force Kit lets students whirl a rubber stopper on a cord through a hand-held guide tube, balanced by a hanging weight. Measuring the radius, mass and time per revolution lets them check the centripetal force equation.
Last updated: October 2026
Key Features
Hand-held guide tube with smooth, rounded ends to reduce cord friction
3 rubber stoppers of different, pre-measured masses
Weight hanger with a set of slotted weights as the counterweight
One end of the cord carries a stopper and the other the weight hanger, and a clip just below the tube fixes the radius. A student swings the stopper overhead at a steady rate while a partner times a set number of revolutions; from the period and radius the class works out the speed and force and compares it with the hanging weight. Changing the mass, radius or speed shows how each affects the force needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the alligator clip do in the Centripetal Force Kit?
It is fixed to the cord just below the guide tube to mark the chosen radius. Keeping the clip steady just below the tube shows the radius is constant while the stopper spins.
