QCEphysics

Circular motion

describe uniform circular motion in terms of a force acting on an object in a perpendicular direction to the velocity of the object

 - Uniform circular motion is the motion of an object travelling at a constant speed in a circle

• Force acting on an object is perpendicular to the velocity of the object (velocity is tangential to the motion of the object)

Define the concepts of average speed and period

- Average speed (or tangential velocity) is the linear velocity of an object undergoing circular motion, where the magnitude is the speed of the object, and the direction is a tangent to the circular path at the moment.

-  Period is the time taken to complete one revolution

define the terms centripetal acceleration and centripetal force

- Centripetal acceleration is the acceleration experienced by any object moving in a circular path directed towards the centre of motion

- Centripetal force is the force acting on an object travelling in a circle that constantly either pulls or pushes the object towards the centre of motion.

solve problems involving forces acting on objects in uniform circular motion.

solve problems involving average speed of objects undergoing uniform
circular motion

- In a Gravitron, the person feels like they are being pressed against the wall, but actually the person is trying to traveling in a straight line but the wall pushes on the person (the centripetal force) and the person pushes back

○ Centripetal force is the normal force directed radially inwards on the rider

○ There is no force pressing the person against the wall