N

Question 1

What causes a mass to move in a circular path?

Answer 1

A force perpendicular to the velocity

This force provides the necessary centripetal force to maintain circular motion.

Question 2

What is required to produce a circular orbit?

Answer 2

A force acting toward the center

This force must be balanced appropriately to maintain the orbit.

Question 3

What does a torque perpendicular to the angular velocity cause?

Answer 3

The spinning wheel to ‘precess’

Precession refers to the movement of the wheel in a circular path.

Question 4

What happens when a spinning wheel and axle is supported by one end of the axle?

Answer 4

The torque produced by the weight causes precession

The torque is perpendicular to the angular momentum, changing its direction without altering its magnitude.

Question 5

Precession is analogous to what other physical phenomenon?

Answer 5

The orbit of a mass under a central force

Both involve circular motion due to a central influence.

Question 6

Fill in the blank: A force acting _______ to the velocity provides the necessary centripetal force.

Answer 6

perpendicular

This relationship is essential for maintaining circular motion.