Research question :How does the radius of 2.5±(0.01 mm),6.0±(0.01 mm),8.0±(0.

01 mm),
21±(0.01 mm) and 30±(0.01 mm) of an oscillating solid sphere affect the time in the units of
seconds (s) with an uncertainty of (± 0.01s) on a curved track with a constant measured
diameter of 0.50m with an uncertainty of ± (0.01m).

BACKGROUND INFORMATION.
Among the fascinating aspects of the field of physics is the oscillation of objects, such as the
planets, following a curved path and their variation when they complete one successful rotation
around the sun during the course of their orbit. It was during the early years of my childhood that
I interacted with science fiction and movies, particularly Plane 5I, which gave me an
overwhelming urge to examine how masses of different radiuses might have a significant impact
on the amount of time it takes for most celestial bodies, such as planets, to complete and properly
rotate. Further, the core topics of circular motion and waves in IB physics have also sparked my
interest in this area.

The research question “How does the radius of 2.5±(0.01 mm),6.0±(0.01 mm),8.0±(0.01 mm),
21±(0.01 mm)and 30±(0.01 mm) of an oscillating solid sphere affect the time in the units of
seconds (s) with an uncertainty of (± 0.01s) on a curved track with a constant measured
diameter of 0.50m with an uncertainty of ± (0.01m).” aims to find the relationship of radius of
a solid sphere and its time for a successful oscillation by considering all the possible forces
present in the system such as the gravitational force and other factors such as the diameter of the
curved track. According to an exploration conducted by J. R. Taylor and C. D. Zafiratos
indicated that as the radius of the curved track increases , the time for one oscillation will also
increase since larger radius yields to a very minimal amount of centripetal acceleration , which
may eventually reduce its speed and thus making large objects to take longer a successful
competition of one oscillation.(Thornton & Rex , 2013).Therefore , the study cited that the time
taken for an object to complete one oscillation in a curved track can be calculated using the
following formula:

𝑟
T=2Π 𝑔
where T=Time taken for one oscillation

r= radius of the curve

 g= acceleration due gravity.

Another interesting study by A. Pesciarelli and G. Artioli investigated the effect of radius on the
time taken for oscillation in roller coasters.(Stephens, 2018) The research concluded that as the
radius of a roller coaster's curve decreases, the speed of the coaster increases, resulting in shorter
times for one oscillation.However, the formula applied in this study is slightly different from
Taylor and Zafiratos considered:Artioli and Pesciarelli formula is

𝑟
T = 2Π 2𝑔
where T= the time taken for one oscillation,

r =is the radius of the curve, and

g = acceleration due to gravity

The two researchers found that as r decreases, T also decreases due to an increase in
velocity.However this formula is commonly used to find the time period of oscillation in a
simple pendulum for it neglects the size ,the radius of the curved track , its rotational oscillation
,the mass of the bob and only considers that the motion of the pendulum is only affected by the
force of gravity.This two formulas tend to assume that the objects movie in a very perfect circle
and force such as friction and air resistance do not affect its motion.There is a high possibility
that the two formula may not be accurate enough to predict how the radius of a solid sphere
affects its time period when oscillating on a curved track since they do not account for the radius
of the spherical ball and the radius of the curved track.

Therefore for my investigation, I will use the derived principles of Newtonian mechanics and
2
7(𝑅−𝑟) 𝑚𝑣
the conservation of energy by James Clerk Maxwell. T=2Π 5𝑔
is derived from, 𝑟
, the

fundamental energy formula in circular motion .(Janna, 2010).This derived formula is very
important in this investigation because it takes into account both the radius of the curved track
and the radius of the object moving around the curved track, which is an important factor in
investigating the dynamics of an object moving around a curved track. Additionally, the
conservation of energy is also an important principle to use because it ensures that the energy of
the system will remain constant throughout the motion by considering all the forces such as the
gravitational force and frictional force on the curved track.

7(𝑅−𝑟)
From the approach of the formula T=2Π 5𝑔
,I hypothesize that :

H1= if the radius of 2.5±(0.01 mm),6.0±(0.01 mm),8.0±(0.01 mm), 21±(0.01 mm),and 30±(0.01
mm) of an oscillating solid sphere increase, the time in the units of seconds (s) with an
uncertainty of (± 0.01s) for it to make 6 successful oscillations on a curved track with a constant
measured diameter of 0.50m with an uncertainty of ± (0.01m) decreases because a larger ball
will have a shorter period of oscillation, as it will experience more centripetal force and therefore
move more slowly.(Cooksy, 2014)

H0=he radius of 2.5±(0.01 mm),6.0±(0.01 mm),8.0±(0.01 mm), 21±(0.01 mm),and 30±(0.01

mm) of an oscillating solid sphere will not have any effect on the time in the units of seconds
(s) with an uncertainty of (± 0.01s) for it to make 6 successful oscillations on a curved track with
a constant measured diameter of 0.50m with an uncertainty of ± (0.01m) .

METHOD.

Variables

Independent variable -:Radius (r)of the spherical balls( 2.5mm,6.0 mm,8.0mm, 21mm and 30
mm with a uncertainty of ±(0.01 mm) will be the independent variable.This is because the
experiment is is based on determining whether or not there is an relationship between the radius
and time taken for 6 oscillations of a spherical ball.

Dependent variable- Time-period (T) with an uncertainty of (± 0.01s) of 6 oscillation of the

spheres over the curved track of 0.47 m ± (0.01m) will be the dependent variable since it is
expected to change as the radius of the spherical ball changes .

Controlled variables.
 Variable How it will be controlled Why it should be controlled.

The Diameter of the curved Use the same curved track with the Ensures that the spherical balls
track diameter of 0.47 m ± (0.01m) for oscillate on the same path
every trail distance.

Number of oscillations Time the oscillation of the spherical Ensures that the experiment
ball and stop the stopwatch after achieves accurate and precise
exactly 6 oscillations. measurement of the time taken
for 6 oscillations.

Material used Use the same material for the Ensuring the investigation is
spherical balls . fine enough to get the expected
time taken.

Mass of the spherical Use the same mass of 50.0g ± Limits the variation of the time
(0.01g) taken measurement that may be
affected by the mass of the the
spherical balls

APPARATUS

1. 6 Spherical balls with different radii of 2.5±(0.01 mm),6.0±(0.01 mm),8.0±(0.01 mm),

21±(0.01 mm) and 30±(0.01 mm)
2. A curved track- with a diameter of 0.47 m ± (0.01m)
3. Stopwatch (± 0.01s)
4. Vernier calipers (±0.05 mm)
5. Measuring tape(± (0.01m)
6. Thread
7. Electronic weighing balance ± (0.01g)
Environmental, ethical and safety considerations.

1. 1.The wood used to make the curved track was left over from another project in school
and therefore this investigation did not contribute to deforestation whatsoever.
2. The wooden curved track may contain splinters and hence it should be handled with
caution

For this experiment it is important to assume that frictional force on the curved track is very
minimal since there is ideally a single contact point between the 2 surfaces.
Procedure:

1. Measure the diameter of each sphere using a vernier caliper by holding the sphere
between the jaws of the caliper.
2. Take 3 readings for the diameter by placing one of the spheres between the jaws of
the caliper in 3 different positions so that any non-uniformity in the sphere is
considered.
3. Take the average diameter from the 3 readings and then half it to find the radius.
4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 for the remaining 5 spherical balls and record all data in a table.
5. Make sure that the Length of the curved track about which the sphere will oscillate is
0.50m with an uncertainty of ± (0.01m).
6. Take the sphere with a radius r in mm,Place it on the left-hand side f of the curved track
and release it so that it performs Oscillatory motion.
7. Measure time taken for the spherical ball to make exactly 6 oscillations.
8. Repeat step 6 and 7 , 4 more times for the same sphere and then take the average of time
of the oscillation.
9. Repeat steps 6 to 8 for the remaining 5 spheres with different radii.
7(𝑅−𝑟)
10. Record all the data in a suitable table and use the formula,T=2Π 5𝑔
to Find T.

11. Plot a suitable graph to find the relationship between the Time period and the radius of
the sphere.

Raw quantitative data

Radius of the Measured length of the spherical balls( mm)

balls( ±0.01mm)

2.50 Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average Uncertainty

6.00 2.49 2.51 2.51 2.50 0.01

8.00 6.01 6.01 6.00 6.00 0.01

21.0 21.2 21.1 21.1 21.0 0.01

30.0 30.0 30.2 30.1 30.0 0.01

 Table 2:Measurement of the radius of the balls to determine mean length and uncertainty

2.51 +2.49+2.51
𝑇 𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 3
≈2. 50

𝑚𝑎𝑥−𝑚𝑖𝑛 2.51−2.49
Δr= 2
= 2
= 0. 01

Processed Quantitative data

Time taken for 6 oscillations (± 0.01s)

Radius( ±0.01 Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Average

mm)

2.50 40.59 40.60 40.57 40.66 40.65 40.61

6.00 39.62 39.65 39.63 39.60 39.61 39.62

8.00 37.40 37.42 37.24 37.43 37.40 37.38

21.0 36.19 36.16 36.15 36.18 36.25 36.19

30.0 35.63 35.38 35.69 35.69 35.69 35.62

Table 3:Measurement of the time taken to make 6 oscillations in 3 significant figures

The time taken for the spherical ball to make exactly 6 oscillations was converted from
seconds and milliseconds , which was stated in 3 significant figures, to second only which is
given by three significant figures as well to maintain the precision of the original values. This
conversion is very necessary, second is easier to work with and also is the SI unit for time.

7(𝑅−𝑟)
When applying the formula T=2Π 5𝑔
we can get the theoretical time taken for 6

oscillations. where

T=Time taken

r=Radius of the spherical ball

R=Radius of the curved track.Here the diameter will be divided into2

and then changed to mm inorder to have the same units.

 g =the gravity due to acceleration.

Calculating the theoretical values of the time taken for 6 oscillations.

2Π mm and g is a constant so it is ignored in this uncertainty calculation as the order of

magnitude of the uncertainty makes it insignificant in this case. Let's consider the theoretical
value of time taken to make 6 oscillations with a spherical ball with 2.5mm as the radius.

7(250−2.5)𝑚𝑚
T=2Π 5𝑥10
= 37.0

The uncertainties will be calculated as

(Δ𝑅−Δ𝑟) 1 Δ𝑅 Δ𝑟 1 10 0.01
T= 1
=2 ( 𝑅
+ 𝑟
)= 2 ( 250 + 2.5
) = 0. 022

∴ T= 37.0 (±0.22s)

Radius (mm) Time taken (s) Δ of the time taken(s)

2.50 37.0 0.022

6.00 36.7 0.022

8.00 36.6 0.022

21.0 35.6 0.022

30.0 34.9 0.022

Table 3:Theoretical value and their corresponding uncertainties.

Graph 1 :Theoretical value and their time taken for 6 oscillations.

Graph 1 shows that both the theoretical and measured relationship between the radius of a
spherical ball( x-axis) and the the time taken for it to make 6 oscillations ( y-axis) along with its
error bars shave an inverse proportion .The time taken obtained is highly precise for both
values and as seem from the graph, there is , in fact, a negative slope which suggests that if the
radius of the oscillating spherical bal increases ,then time taken for it to complete 6 oscillation
decrease and this resonates so well with the information provided in the background
information.However, before concluding that the hypothesis is valid, it is very essential to use
statistical analysis to indicate the degree of correlation between these two variables using both
the theoretical and the measured values of the time taken by the spherical balls to make 6
complete oscillations.

Value equation Correlation( R2)

Measured 𝑦 =− 0. 170𝑥 + 40. 2 0.815

Theoretical 𝑦 =− 0. 756𝑥 + 37. 2 0.999

The( R2) correlation coefficient of both time taken values indicate there is a very strong
goodness of fit, however , the theoretical expression has a higher correlation coefficient. This
suggests that it is more appropriate in determining the time taken for the spherical ball to make
6 oscillations on a curved track.As established earlier, the measured value represents the
relationship time for oscillation and radius of the oscillating ball as variables. There was an
assumption made that the experiment is isolated from external forces such as frictional force.
However in the experimental setup of this investigation, this was not applicable. The frictional
force acting between the surface of the curved track and the oscillating spherical ball was
present throughout this investigation period . This force, given by the equation Friction=μ𝑁,
where μ is the coefficient of dynamic friction and N is the normal force .Therefore it can be
deduced that due to the frictional force present, the experimental relationship between T and r
7(𝑅−𝑟)
is most appropriately modeled using T=2Π 5𝑔
.

Conclusion.

Considering the information provided in the Background section, the Alternative hypothesis is
valid for this investigation for as the radius of 2.5±(0.01 mm),6.0±(0.01 mm),8.0±(0.01 mm),
21±(0.01 mm),and 30±(0.01 mm) of an oscillating solid sphere increased, the time in the units
of seconds (s) with an uncertainty of (± 0.01s) for it to make 6 successful oscillations on a
curved track with a constant measured diameter of 0.50m with an uncertainty of ± (0.01m)
decreased because a larger ball will have a shorter period of oscillation, as it will experience
more centripetal force and therefore move more slowly.Furthermore ,based on the R-squared
value, the theoretical model can be considered to have a precision of 0.999, which indicates the
7(𝑅−𝑟)
high degree of precision of the data obtained through the formula, T=2Π 5𝑔
other than the

measured value.

Evaluation.

Strengths

The experiment conducted was fair and guided to the best of its ability to identify the most
adequate answer to the research question, :How does the radius of 2.5±(0.01 mm),6.0±(0.01
mm),8.0±(0.01 mm), 21±(0.01 mm) and 30±(0.01 mm) of an oscillating solid sphere affect the
time in the units of seconds (s) with an uncertainty of (± 0.01s) on a curved track with a
constant measured diameter of 0.50m with an uncertainty of ± (0.0Im ).Apparently, the most
significant contribution to the success of the experiments was the way that the controlled
variables displayed in Table1 , such as the mass and the material of the oscillating spherical balls
was managed and controlled so that they did not interfere with the raw data collected .
Additionally, the experiment was conducted in a safe and secure environment. The data collected
was accurately recorded and analyzed using the appropriate methods with all procedures
carefully and stringently followed to ensure reliability of the results.

A digital measuring tool such as the vernier caliper which was used to calculate the mass of
the spherical balls. As opposed to analog apparatus, the digital measuring tools possessed a high
degree of precision,and hence removing all the potential human errors by avoiding the need of
manually reading the measured mass .Finallly the collection of data for a total of 5 radius
variations ensured that the trend could be easily be identified, and an appropriate data set with
a strong correlation to be used to model the representation of the relationship between the
period oscillation and the time taken for the spherical ball to make 6 oscillations on a curved
track.

Limitations and Improvements.

A potential source of error in this experiment was the fact that the spherical ball was released
from its initial position manually . Although there was care taken taken to ensure there was no
application additional force,it is very probable that this would have resulted to this irregularities
between the measured and the theoretical values of period.In Order to minimize this source of
random error,a mechanism that administer an indirect human release of the spherical ball could
be implemented .

Additionally,,the level of disparity between the the calculated and the measured values in the
investigation may also be be due to some anomalies and assumptions made throughout the
whole investigation process such as the assumption that the absence of friction force and its
effect on the oscillatory motion of the spherical ball.The friction between the ball the the surface
of the wooden curved track may also have been a reason why the obtained values tend to be a
little bit distinct.When friction comes into play, it acts as a retarding force that opposes the
motion of the ball. Consequently, this retarding force affects the ball's speed and its ability to
complete an oscillation quicker. Therefore this assumption is a contributing factor to the
irregularities observed in this investigation.

Lasly, more complex models should be considered in order to better capture the possible
nonlinear relationships between independent and dependent variables. This is because simple
linear regression models are not always able to accurately capture the complexities of the
relationship between independent and dependent variables.Outliers and measurement errors can
be sources of bias that could distort the results. An improvement could be identifying these error
sources and incorporating them into more complex models would be necessary for accurate
modeling of the relationship between the radius of an oscillating spherical balla and the time
taken for 6 oscillations.

Extension

This experiment could be extended in a variety of ways , the most likely way featuring the focus
on the assumed absence of frictional forces.A better extension of this exploration will be
looking into this assumption, frictional force , further and find out how the radius of the
oscillating spherical ball effects the frictional force between the surface of the curved track and
the ball.This can be done by varying the radius of the circle and measuring the frictional force.

BIBLOGRAPHY AND REFERENCE.

1. Cooksy, A. (2014). Physical chemistry : quantum chemistry and molecular interactions

with masteringchemistry [1 ed.] 0-321-81416-9, 978-0-321-81416-6. Dokumen.pub.
https://dokumen.pub/physical-chemistry-quantum-chemistry-and-molecular-interactions-
with-masteringchemistry-1nbsped-0-321-81416-9-978-0-321-81416-6.html

2. Janna, W. (2010). Introduction to Fluid Mechanics FOURTH EDITION.

https://handoutset.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Introduction-to-Fluid-Mechanics-Fo
urth-Edition-Janna-William-S.pdf
3. Stephens, R. (2018, July 13). The Psychology of Roller Coasters. Scientific American.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-psychology-of-roller-coasters/

4. Thornton, S., & Rex , A. (2013). Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers. Brooks
Cole.
https://www.eng.uc.edu/~beaucag/Classes/AdvancedMaterialsThermodynamics/Books/M
odern%20Physics%20for%20Scientists%20and%20Engineers.pdf