Circular motion Basics Flashcards
What is the definition of uniform circular motion?
Uniform circular motion is the motion of an object in a circle at a constant speed.
If the speed As of a ball is constant in circular motion, why is there acceleration?
Acceleration is a vector quantity, which means it accounts for magnitude and direction.
Therefore, when a ball revolves around the center in a circular motion, there is always a change in direction, despite the same speed.
As a result, the ball experiences acceleration, specifically the centripetal acceleration.
As an object moves in a circle, it is constantly changing its direction. However, at all instances, the object moves tangent to the circle. True or false?
Why does the object move in a circular motion?
True. The object will always move tangent to the circle
However, it will start having a more circular and smooth motion due to the friction force acting upon the object and the weight of the object affecting the net resultant force and thus curving outwards.
What is centripetal force?
Centripetal force is basically the net force in a circular motion.
The centripetal force is essentially the force applied on an object towards the centre of the circle.
True or false?
The direction of the velocity vector is the same as the direction of the object’s motion.
Also, the velocity vector is directed as the tangent to the circle as well.
True
What is the difference between average velocity and Instantaneous velocity?
Instantaneous velocity is the velocity of an object at a certain point in time. However, average velocity, is the total distance travelled over the total time taken, accounting for the whole journey and overall velocity.
What is the formula for average velocity in the context of circular motion?
Average Velocity
= Total circumference /time
What is a period in mechanics? (Goes back to its proper definition in mod 4)
A period in chemistry is the time taken for 1 revolution to occur.
Therefore, a period is the time taken for 1 revolution in circular motion
