Circular motion and gravity

Question 1

What is centripetal force?

Answer 1

The force which causes an object to have circular motion.

Question 2

What direction does centripetal force have?

Answer 2

This force is “inward” directed

Question 3

How are linear and rotational velocities connected?

Answer 3

Linear velocity is the rate of change in an objects position along a straight path and rotational velocity is how fast the object rotates over time.

Question 4

What happens if the centripetal force stops suddenly?

Answer 4

The object goes of at a tangent

Question 5

How does Newtons 3rd law relate to gravity?

Answer 5

Newtons 3rd law states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. This law allows gravitational force to be possible as it can pull objects together using this principle.

Question 6

When is gravity a centripetal force?

Answer 6

When there is a smaller object (satellite) orbiting a larger object (such as a planet)

Question 7

A rocket ship takes off from earth and moves further away. What happens to its Fg and why?

Answer 7

Its Fg will decrease as the distance between the rocket and earth has increased.

Question 8

What is a geostationary orbit?

Answer 8

Where a satellite is positioned above the same spot on earth, this requires exactly the same speed as earths rotation.