======Centripetal Force with Bucket======


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**Materials: **{{$demo.materials_description}}\\
**Difficulty: **{{$demo.difficulty_description}}\\
**Safety: **{{$demo.safety_description}}\\
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**Alternative titles:** Water Pail in Circular Motion
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  - Fill a sturdy bucket about halfway with water.  
  - Hold the bucket securely by its handle.  
  - Begin swinging the bucket back and forth in an arc to build up momentum.  
  - Gradually extend the swing into a full vertical circle, keeping the speed fast enough so the water remains inside.  
  - Continue for several rotations, then slow down and stop carefully.



====Links==== 
Why does the Water stay in this Bucket?! - The Science Asylum: 
{{youtube>Zjqrx7wrpJc?}}\\

Centripetal Force on a Swinging Bucket | Newtons Laws | Physics Explained - INTEGRAL PHYSICS: 
{{youtube>eNyov0I3gHI?}}\\

📄 What keeps the water in the pail? - University of Wisconsin-Madison: [[https://wonders.physics.wisc.edu/water-pail/]]\\


====Variations====
  * Try using different amounts of water to see how mass affects the motion.  
  * Use a transparent container (plastic jug with lid and holes) to let students see the water pressing against the sides during motion.  
  * Swing the bucket in a horizontal circle to compare forces with the vertical case.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Ensure the swinging area is clear of people and objects.  
  * Use a strong bucket with a secure handle to prevent accidents.  
  * Do not overfill the bucket.
  * Perform the demonstration outdoors or in a space where spilled water is not a problem.




====Questions to Consider====
  * Why doesn’t the water fall out when the bucket is upside down? (Because the centripetal force is greater than gravity when the bucket is moving fast enough.)  
  * What happens if you swing the bucket too slowly? (The water will spill out because gravity becomes stronger than the centripetal force.)  
  * How is this similar to the feeling of being pushed against the door when a car takes a sharp turn? (Both involve inertia resisting a change in straight-line motion.)