Ball on a String

Man holding a string with a ball on one end and a weight on the other
PIRA: 
1D50.20
Area: 
1 Mechanics
Topic: 
1D Motion in Two Dimensions
Concept: 
Central Forces

 

A string with a rubber ball on one end is passed through a copper sleeve, and a weight is attached to the other end. Whirl the ball above your head. At a certain speed, the system is in equilibrium. Below the equilibrium speed, the weight moves downward. Above the equilibrium speed, the weight moves upward.

Start the ball spinning at a constant rate. When the weight is pulled downward, the radius of the ball's arc decreases, and the angular velocity of the ball increases.

 

Demo Contact

Scott Thomas
Demonstration Manager
828-262-2435
thomassa@appstate.edu