Module 5 - 5.2.2 Centripetal Force

Question 1

If the centripetal force acting on a rotating object was removed

Answer 1

the object would move off in a straight line

Question 2

Acceleration is proportional to

Answer 2

linear velocity

Question 3

Centripetal Acceleration (definition)

Answer 3

The acceleration of an object moving with uniform circular motion

Question 4

An object moving in a circular path can have a constant speed but (4)

Answer 4

• will have a changing velocity
• due to the changing velocity, the object is described as accelerating
• as the speed is not changing, there can be no acceleration parallel to the direction of motion
• therefore centripetal acceleration acts towards the centre of the circle (perpendicular to the velocity at any instant)

Question 5

Centripetal Force (definition)

Answer 5

The resultant force on an object, acting towards the centre of the circle causing it to move in a circular path

Question 6

Centripetal force in a vertical circle is (2)

Answer 6

• the resultant of tension in the string and the weight
• the tension in the string changed depending on its position around the circle

Question 7

The slowest an object can travel in a vertical circle is when (4)

Answer 7

• the tension at the top = 0
• therefore the centripetal acceleration would equal the weight
• if weight > centripetal acceleration, the object will not spin in a vertical circle
• acceleration > 9.81 ms^-2