Observing the direction of motion of a body in Motion – Class 9 Science Experiment

Chapter Name: Motion

Activity Name: Observing the direction of motion of a body in Motion

Activity Description:

In this experiment, we will observe the direction of motion of a small object whirling on the end of a string in a horizontal plane. The objective is to understand the direction of the object’s motion when it is released from the string at different points on the circular path.

Required Items:

1. Small object (e.g., a small ball or a weight)
2. String
3. Circular path (you can use a pencil to draw a circle on a flat surface)

Step by Step Procedure:

1. Attach the small object to one end of the string securely.
2. Hold the other end of the string and carefully whirl the small object in a horizontal plane, creating a circular path.
3. While the object is whirling on the string, release it at different points on the circular path.
4. Observe the direction of motion of the object after it has been released from the string.

Experiment Observations:

1. The object moves on a straight line along the tangent to the circle at the point where it was released.
2. The direction of velocity of the object is tangent to its path at the point of interest.

Precautions:

• Ensure that the object is securely attached to the string to prevent accidents.
• Whirl the object gently to avoid any damage or injury.
• Perform the experiment on a smooth and flat surface to get accurate observations.

Lesson Learnt from Experiment:

The experiment demonstrates that when a body is released from a circular path, it moves in a straight line along the tangent to the circle at the point of release. This observation helps us understand the concept of velocity and its direction in the context of circular motion.