Physics Ch 6 Flashcards
Uniform circular motion
motion in a circular path at constant speed
Pure rotational motion
occurs when points in an object move in circular paths centered on one point
Pure translational motion
motion with no rotation
Rotation angle
ratio of the arc length to the radius of curvature
Arc length
distance traveled along a circular path
Radius of curvature
r of the circular path
Radians
units used to measure rotation angles; 2pi rad = 1 revolution; ~57.3 degrees
Angular velocity
rate of change of an angle in rads/s
Centripetal acceleration
acceleration of an object moving in uniform circular motion (resulting from a net external force)
Centrifuge
rotating device used to separate specimens of different densities
Ultracentrifuge
centrifuges with very high centripetal accelerations
Centripetal force
any net force causing uniform circular motion; direction is toward the center of curvature, the same as the direction of centripetal acceleration
Banked curves
a curve where the slope of the road helps you negotiate the curve
Ideal banking
the net external force equals the horizontal centripetal force in the absence of friction
Non-inertial frame of reference
ex. a moving car, b/c it is accelerated to the side