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Lady Bug Revolution Activity

This document provides instructions for an activity using an online simulation called Ladybug Revolution. Students are asked to use the simulation to explore concepts of angular velocity, tangential velocity, centripetal acceleration, and how these quantities are affected by factors like distance from the axis of rotation and angular velocity. They are to record observations, calculations, and answers to questions about direction of forces and velocities, relationships between rotational variables, and applications of relevant physics equations.

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Angelica Lorenzo
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448 views

Lady Bug Revolution Activity

This document provides instructions for an activity using an online simulation called Ladybug Revolution. Students are asked to use the simulation to explore concepts of angular velocity, tangential velocity, centripetal acceleration, and how these quantities are affected by factors like distance from the axis of rotation and angular velocity. They are to record observations, calculations, and answers to questions about direction of forces and velocities, relationships between rotational variables, and applications of relevant physics equations.

Uploaded by

Angelica Lorenzo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lady Bug Revolution Activity

Name ______________________________ Date _____________ Period _________

Instructions: Go to http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Ladybug_Revolution and


launch the app found there. (You could also search for “Ladybug Revolution” to find the app.) Be sure
to answer all parts of each question, answer questions marked “C.S.” in complete sentences, and show
all work for calculations. Box your answers, include units, and write neatly.

1. Use your notes, the book, or the internet to define angular (aka rotational) velocity. (C.S.)

2. Under show graphs click on , , v. Click the minimize button on the  graph. Type 180 in for
angular velocity and click “go”. This will make the turntable turn at a rate of 180o per second. Look
at the vector arrows coming from the ladybug. A) What direction is her centripetal acceleration? B)
What direction is her tangential velocity?

3. Experiment with changing to location of the ladybug and beetle on the wheel. How does position
relative to the center of the wheel affect the angular velocity? (C.S.)

4. Click on the ruler box at the bottom left of the screen. A) How long is the ruler? (Always include
units!) B) How wide is each band of color on the turntable?

5. Place the ladybug a known distance from the axis (center) of the turntable. A) Record the ladybug’s
tangential velocity as VL. (This is simply referred to as velocity on this simulation, and it is written
in green on the velocity graph.) Place the beetle twice as far from the axis. B) Record the beetle’s
tangential velocity as VB1. C) Move the beetle three times as far from the axis. C) Record the
beetle‘s tangential velocity as VB2. D) Explain how the radius (distance from the axis of the
turntable) affects the tangential velocity? (C.S.)

6. A) Record both bugs’ tangential velocities. Double the angular velocity to 360o/s and record the new
tangential velocities. How does doubling the angular velocity affect the velocity of the bugs? (C.S.)

7. Since the angular velocity is currently 360o/s, the period T is 1 rotation/s. A) Using v = 2r/T,
calculate the tangential velocity the beetle would have if you moved him to the edge of the turntable
(a radius of 4 m from the axis). B) Move the beetle to r = 4 m and record his tangential velocity.

8. If the huge beetle has a mass of 8.0 kg, find his centripetal acceleration ac. D) What is the average
centripetal force Fc on the beetle?

9. If the ladybug has a mass of 6.0 kg and is at a distance r = 1 m, find her A) velocity, B) centripetal
acceleration, and C) centripetal force.

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