Centripetal Force Apparatus Troubleshooting and FAQs

Centripetal Force Apparatus, order code CFA, $399
Specifications and User Guide

TROUBLESHOOTING
-Primary Test: Is the apparatus level?
If not, follow these steps:
     1. Secure the Counterbalance Carriage to the outer end of the Rotating Beam.
     2. Place three of the Masses in the carriage.
     3. Use a flathead screwdriver to lower each foot on the CFA footer to its lowest height.
     4. Give the Rotating Beam a very slow spin and watch its motion. The beam will tend to settle to its lowest point. Confirm the location of lowest point by spinning the beam a couple more times.
     5. Raise the lowest end or side of the apparatus by increasing the height of the nearby footer or footers.
     6. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 until the beam spins without returning to a consistently low spot.

-Secondary Test: Is the Sliding Carriage mounted properly?
The Sliding Carriage should be oriented on the Rotating Beam such that the end of the carriage with the single bottom set of bearings slides on first. If you orient the carriage the other way, it will not be able to reach its maximum radius (~16 cm) on the beam.

RELATED TIL ENTRIES
-TIL 2394: What experiments can I do with the Centripetal Force Apparatus?
-TIL 2395: How do I apply a torque to the Rotating Beam of the Centripetal Force Apparatus?
-TIL 2396: What sensors can I use with the Centripetal Force Apparatus?
-TIL 2397: How do I attach the carriages to the Rotating Beam of the Centripetal Force Apparatus?
-TIL 2434: Why can't I see angular and tangential velocity data using the Centripetal Force Apparatus with a photogate? (Advanced Physics experiment # 12A)
-TIL 2506: Is the old Vernier Photogate compatible with the Centripetal Force Apparatus?
-TIL 2624: No points appear when taking data with LabPro and Centripetal Force Apparatus
-TIL 1596: Why do I get no photogate data when also using an analog sensor?
-TIL 2698: Why does my data table have holes (empty cells) in it?
-TIL 2739: Why am I getting poor data from the photogate and LabPro with the CFA?
-TIL 2755: The moving carriage on the Centripetal Force Apparatus is binding

SPECIFICATIONS
-Order code: CFA
-Includes:
     -Rectangular Frame
     -Support Legs (2)
     -Rotating Assembly consisting of Rotational Shaft, Encoder Wheel, 3-Step Pulley, Rotating Beam, Bearing Housing
     -Sliding Carriage to hold the test masses
     -Counterbalance Carriage to balance the rotating beam
     -Swivel Assembly (connects Sliding Carriage to a Dual-Range Force Sensor)
     -Ultra Pulley
     -Ultra Pulley Bracket (preinstalled on Assembly)
     -Photogate Bracket with 1/4 x 20 mounting screw (preinstalled on Assembly)
     -Dual-Range Force Sensor Bracket (preinstalled on Assembly)
     -Rotary Motion Sensor Bracket
     -Rotary Motion Belt for use with a Rotary Motion Sensor
     -100 g masses (6)
     -Hook (attaches a Wireless Dynamic Sensor System (WDSS) to the Sliding Carriage)
     -WDSS Mounting Screw and T Nut to secure a WDSS

RELATED VERNIER PRODUCTS
-Dual-Range Force Sensor, order code DFS-BTA, $109
-Photogate, order code VPG-BTD, $45
-Wireless Dynamics Sensor System, order code WDSS, $249
-Rotary Motion Sensor, order code RMV-BTD, $169