17.2- CENTRIPETAL ACCELERATION Flashcards
When an object is moving in a circle at constant speed, what is the velocity like?
velocity of object continually changing direction
As when an object is moving in a circle, it’s velocity is changing, what else is happening?
object accelerating
Along where is the velocity of an object in uniform circular motion at any point along its path?
along tangent to circle at that point
Why does the velocity change as an object is moving along a circular path?
direction of velocity changes continually
Where is the change in velocity towards when it travels in a circular path?
change in direction of velocity towards centre of circle
As the change in direction of velocity of an object moving in a circular path is towards the centre, where is the acceleration of the object towards?
towards centre of circle
What is centripetal acceleration?
acceleration towards the centre of a circle when an object is moving in a circular path
What does centripetal mean?
towards centre of the circle
What is the equation for centripetal acceleration?
a = v²/r
To make an object move around in a circular path, what must be acting on it?
must be acted on by resultant force that changes its direction of motion
What is the centripetal force?
resultant force on object moving around circle at constant speed
Why is the centripetal force called so?
as it acts in same direction as centripetal acceleration, which towards the centre of circle
For an object whirling around rapidly on the end of a string, what provides most of the centripetal force?
tension in the string
For a satellite moving around the Earth, what is the centripetal force?
force of gravity between satellite and Earth
For a planet moving around the Sun, what is the centripetal force?
force of gravity on planet due to Sun
