Circular Motion Flashcards
What is the radian?
The angle subtended at the centre of a circle by an arc equal in length to the radius of the circle
How do you concert from degrees to radians?
θ degrees x (π/ 180) = θ radians
What is angular displacement,θ ?
The change in angle, in radians, of a body as it rotates around a circle
What is the angular displacement ratio equation?
θ = distance travelled around the circle/ radius of the circle
What is frequency?
The number of complete oscillations per unit time
What is time period?
The time taken for one complete oscillation, in seconds
What is the frequency and time period equation?
f = 1/ T and T = 1/ f
f = frequency, Hz
T = time period, s
What are the features of an object travelling in circular motion at a constant speed?
- It has a constantly changing velocity
- The object is constantly changing direction
- This means it is accelerating, and therefore has a changing velocity
What is angular velocity,ω?
The rate of change in angular displacement with respect to time
What are the angular velocity equations?
ω = Δθ / Δt
ω = 2π / T
ω = 2πf
The greater the rotational angle, θ, in a given amount of time, the _______ the angular velocity
Greater
An object rotating further from the circle (larger r) moves with a _________ angular velocity
Smaller
For an object in circular motion, where does the force act?
At a 90 degree angle to the velocity, for it to have a circular path
Where is there no force component in circular motion?
In the direction of the velocity
What does there being no force component in the direction of the velocity mean?
That the magnitude is constant - however the direction is constantly changing and velocity is a vector quantity so it must mean the velocity is changing. It also means there is acceleration present, and therefore a net force.
How do you investigate circular motion?
