P17- Motion In A Circle Flashcards
(12 cards)
What is centripetal acceleration?
The acceleration of an object moving in a circular path at constant speed, due to the constantly changing direction of velocity.
Centripetal acceleration is always directed towards the center of the circular path.
According to Newton’s first law, what must an object experience to accelerate?
A resultant force.
This principle implies that an object moving in a circle must experience a force.
What is centripetal force?
The force that acts towards the center of a circular path, enabling an object to move in a circle.
Centripetal force is necessary for circular motion.
Define angular speed (ω).
The angle an object moves through per unit time.
Angular speed can be calculated using the formula: ω = v/r.
How can angular speed be calculated using the time period (T)?
By dividing the angle in a circle (in radians) by the object’s time period.
The relationship is given by ω = 2π/T.
What is one radian?
The angle in the sector of a circle when the arc length is equal to the radius of the circle.
This definition helps in understanding angular measurements.
How is the angle of a full circle expressed in radians?
2π radians.
This is derived from the formula for the circumference of a circle.
What is the formula for converting degrees to radians?
Multiply by π/180.
This conversion is essential for working with angles in different contexts.
How can centripetal acceleration (a) be calculated?
Using the formula a = v²/r or a = ω²r.
Both forms of the formula relate linear and angular quantities.
What is the relationship between centripetal force (F) and Newton’s second law?
Centripetal force can be derived from F = ma.
This shows how force relates to mass and acceleration in circular motion.
What is the formula for centripetal force (F)?
F = mω²r.
This formula indicates that centripetal force depends on mass, angular speed, and radius.
How can we describe an object moving in circular motion and a constant speed
An object moving in a circular path at constant speed has a constantly changing velocity as velocity
has both magnitude and direction, therefore the object must be accelerating (this is known as
centripetal acceleration).
