Physics 114 Experiment: Procedure
For our experiment, the first step we took was to weigh our IO Lab device. This device contains an internal accelerometer, which we used to help determine the force of tension in the rope later on.
We then set up an apparatus (pictured here) that would allow the rope to maintain a constant radius, and decrease any errors that could have been caused by the human hand as the rope went over it.
Following the first two steps, we began testing. Testing was done by placing a piece of tape at our desired radius, measured from the center of the IO Lab, and then sliding the rope until the tape was just at the edge of the pipe. In order to properly swing the IO Lab, one hand was placed near the top of the tube, and the other near the bottom. While testing, we conducted 60 trials. While conducting these trials, in order to maintain a constant period of motion, we used a metronome to give a sense of how fast or slow we had to swing in order maintain a constant period. During each trial we collected the period of motion of the IO Lab as it was swung around, using the stopwatches on our phones to record the time it took for the IO Lab to reach a certain point in its motion. Using this data, as well as the acceleration data given by the IO Lab itself, we determined an average force of tension.