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Playground as Classrooms: Centripetal Force

Ceci Muñoz and Julia Howarth

STS.014

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Brainstorm List

  1. Friction using slides (6-8th)
  2. Momentum using swings (9-12th)
  3. Centripetal force using spinners (9-12th)
  4. Gravity/conservation of energy using monkey bars
  5. Shapes/geometry using playground apparatuses (Elementary)
  6. Counting using stairs (Elementary)
  7. Sustainability using wood structures (6-8th)

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Centripetal Force

Centripetal force is a force on an object directed to the center of a circular path that keeps the object on the path.

Its value is based on three factors:

1) the velocity of the object as it follows the circular path;

2) the object's distance from the center of the path; and

3) the mass of the object.

Centripetal force is the force that allows an object to move in a circular path. It can be any type of force, such as an applied force, friction, the normal force and gravity.

https://study.com/academy/lesson/centripetal-force-definition-formula-examples.html

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Centripetal Force Formula

  • m - mass
  • v - velocity
  • r - radius (distance from center)

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Initial Trial

  • Began by sitting at a consistent distance and spinning at a constant rate to use as a baseline

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Changes in Mass

  • The more mass, the larger the centripetal force.

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Changes in Velocity

  • The larger the velocity, the larger the centripetal force.
  • Velocity has a larger impact than mass because the velocity term is squared.

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Changes in Radius

  • The larger the radius (distance from center), the smaller the centripetal force.

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How Embodiment Can Facilitate Learning

Individuals will…

  • Feel the direction of the force
  • Experience how different factors affect the force

Which will lead to…

  • A greater physical intuition of the force
  • A hands-on memory to help with recalling the information

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How to Structure a Lesson Plan

Section 1: Preliminary Investigation

  • Spinning on the spinners and commenting on the forces felt
    • Ex. “I feel as though I have to grip the sides or I will slide off the spinner”
    • Ex. “When she spins me faster my body leans back and I have to hold tighter”

Section 2: Group Discussion

  • Create a correct physical system of an object rotating in a circle
    • Relate the physical forces to the comments made during section 1

Section 3: Centripetal Force Understanding

  • Complete Section 1 again but with more guidance
    • Add weight and comment on how the forces change
    • Change the distance from center and comment on how the forces change
    • Change the spinning velocity and comment on how the forces change

Section 4: Derivation of Equation

  • Derive the equation for centripetal force using Section 3 to better understand the equation