Circular Motion and Angular Dynamics

A comprehensive set of flashcards focused on key concepts of circular motion and angular dynamics, essential for understanding the subject.

What is angular displacement?

The angle subtended at the center of a circle by a particle moving along the circumference in a given time.

What is the SI unit of angular measurement?

Radian.

What determines angular acceleration?

The rate of change of angular velocity.

What is the equation for centripetal force?

F = mv²/r, where F is centripetal force, m is mass, v is velocity, and r is the radius.

Define moment of inertia.

The rotational analogue of mass in linear motion; it depends on mass and mass distribution relative to the axis of rotation.

What is angular momentum?

The product of moment of inertia and angular velocity.

What does the law of conservation of angular momentum state?

If no external torque acts on a system, the total angular momentum remains constant.

What is orbital velocity?

The necessary tangential velocity to maintain a satellite in circular motion around the Earth.

How is artificial gravity created in a spacecraft?

By rotating the spacecraft around its own axis.

What is a geostationary satellite?

A satellite whose orbital motion is synchronized with the Earth's rotation, remaining over the same point on the equator.

What effect does increasing the frequency of a rotating spacecraft have?

It increases the artificial gravity until it equals the gravitational pull of Earth.

What is the equation for angular velocity?

ω = Δθ/Δt, where ω is angular velocity, Δθ is angular displacement, and Δt is time.

Describe how you convert between radians and degrees.

To convert radians to degrees, multiply by 180/π; to convert degrees to radians, multiply by π/180.

What happens to an object in circular motion if the centripetal force ceases?

It will move off in a straight line tangent to the circular path.

What is the physical significance of tension in a rotating system?

It provides the necessary centripetal force for circular motion.

Explain the right-hand rule for angular displacement.

Curl the fingers of your right hand around the axis of rotation; your thumb points in the direction of the angular displacement.

What is tangential velocity?

The linear velocity of a point on a rotating body, directed along the tangent to the circular path.

How can you express the relationship between linear and angular acceleration?

at = rα, where at is tangential acceleration, r is the radius, and α is angular acceleration.

Why does a diver spin faster in a tuck position?

To conserve angular momentum, decreasing moment of inertia results in an increase in angular velocity.