Circular Motion Flashcards
Velocity is speed and [ ]
Direction
Circular Motion - [ ] is constantly changing
Velocity
Describe an object traveling in a circular with relation to velocity
It’s constantly changing direction therefore its velocity is constantly changing (not its speed) - so the object is accelerating towards the centre of the circle
What causes the acceleration of an object ravelling in a circle?
There must be a resultant force acting on the object. This force acts towards the centre of the circle
What is the force that keeps something moving in a circle called?
Centripetal force
What 3 things can cause centripetal force?
Tension, friction or gravity
Describe a car going around a bend
1) The force is towards the centre of the bend (imagine it’s a circle)
2) The force is from friction between the car’s tyres and the road
Describe a bucket whirling round on a rope
The centripetal force comes from tension in the rope. Break the rope and the bucket flies off at a TANGENT
Describe a spinning fairground ride
The centripetal force comes from tension in the spokes of the ride
What 3 things affect centripetal force?
Mass, speed and radius
Describe how speed effects centripetal force
The faster an object’s moving, the bigger the centripetal force has to be to keep it moving in a circle
Describe how mass effects centripetal force
The larger the mass of the object, the bigger the centripetal force has to be to keep it moving in a circle
Describe how radius effects centripetal force
You need a larger force to keep something moving in a smaller circle
