Circular Motion

Question 1

Explain what centripetal acceleration is.

Answer 1

An object moving in a circular path with a constant speed has a constantly changing velocity and therefore is accelerating (vector quantities include both magnitude and direction). This is centripetal acceleration. Due to Newton’s 1st Law, as it is accelerating this means it must have a resultant force acting on it - the centripetal force.

Question 2

In what direction does the centripetal force act towards?

Answer 2

Towards the centre of the circle.

Question 3

What is angular velocity?

Answer 3

The angle an object moves through per unit time (in radians).