Satellite Motion Lab

PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS:

1. Gravity keeps the satellite from leaving orbit.

2. If an object goes into orbit around something larger or something that has a larger gravitational force (usually something larger/with more mass)

3. A circular satellite orbits in a circle, while an elliptical satellite goes in a more oblong motion.

4. Centripetal force is the force that causes the satellite to move towards the center, while centrifugal force is basically inertia.

5. Centrifugal force keeps the object wanting to go in a straight line, but the centripetal force causes it to orbit. They work together to obtain a consistent orbit using inward and outward/straight motion playing against each other.

LAB:

Change of radius: 62.6 cm - 1.66 rotations per second | 76.2 cm - 1.58 rotations per second | 84.6 cm - 1.46 rotations per second. MASS: 200g for all radii.

Change of mass: 150 g - 2.17 rotations per second | 200 g - 1.88 rotations per second | 250 g - 1.79 rotations per second RADIUS: 51 cm for all masses.

CONCLUSION: Based on the graphs, one can conclude that as the radius goes up, the rotations per second goes down - as well as the amount traveled in one second (aka, the larger the radius, the faster the object moves). As the mass goes up, the satellite slows in its rotation.

Measured mass of stopper: 28.9 g

Calculated AVERAGE mass of stopper: 26.4 g

Equations:

An example of the procedure.

v = d/t ||| (2π x 0.51m) / .578 (average number of rotations per second) = 5.54 m/sec

a = v^2/r ||| 5.54^2 / 0.51m = 60.18

f = m x a ||| mass (unknown) = 1.96 /60.18 = .033, or 33 grams

.2kg (mass of 200g) into newtons = 1.96 newtons.

1. Mass 1: 33 g (200g, 51cm)

2. Mass 2: 37 g (250g, 51cm)

3. Mass 3: 16 g (150g, 51cm)

4. Mass 4: 21.5 g (200g, 76cm)

5. Mass 5: 27 g (200g, 63cm)

6. Mass 6: 24 g (200g, 85cm)

Average mass: 26.4 g