Circular Motion
If the average speed for an object moving in a straight line path is distance divided by time, show how you would arrive at an equation for the average speed for an object moving along a circular path, define all of the symbols in your equation.
Av. speed = distance / time = circumference / period V = (2)(3.14)r / T r = radius T = period = time for 1 trip around the circle
What does centrifugal mean?
Center fleeing
What does centripetal mean?
Center seeking
How will the force on the ball change when the radius is increased (speed remains constant)?
Decrease
How will the force on the ball change when the acceleration on the ball is increased?
Increase
How will the force on the ball change when the mass of the ball is increased?
Increase
How will the force on the ball change when the speed of the ball is increased?
Increase
As radius decrease, acceleration
Increases
What is the direction of the centripetal acceleration vector?
The vectors are pointed toward the center of the circle.
You observed the fluid-filled accelerometer in class. Explain briefly how it worked.
It goes in the opposite direction of the acceleration.
Explain how an object that is moving in a circle at a constant speed is accelerating.
It is changing direction.
An object in uniform circular motion has constant speed but not constant velocity, explain how the velocity changes.
Velocity changes as the object moves in a circle because the direction is constantly changing.
How are speed and velocity different?
Velocity is the speed in a given direction.
Define Uniform circular motion.
When an object moves in a circle at a constant speed.