Physics of Circular Motion and Gravitation

A series of flashcards covering key concepts related to circular motion, centripetal acceleration, gravitational forces, and Kepler's Laws in physics.

What is uniform circular motion?

An object moving in a circular path at a constant speed.

What causes centripetal acceleration in circular motion?

Centripetal acceleration is caused by a net force directed towards the center of the circle.

What is the formula for centripetal acceleration?

The formula is a_c = v^2 / r, where v is the speed and r is the radius.

How do you calculate the speed of an object in circular motion using its period?

The speed (v) can be calculated using the formula v = 2πr / T, where T is the period.

What is gravitational field strength (g)?

Gravitational field strength is defined as the net force per unit mass at a point in the field, equal to the acceleration due to gravity.

What is Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation?

Every particle in the universe attracts every other particle with a force proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

How do you derive the formula for the speed of a satellite in circular orbit?

The speed (v) is given by v = √(GM / r), where M is the mass of the central body and r is the radius of the orbit.

What is Kepler's first law of planetary motion?

All planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one focus.

What does Kepler's second law state?

An imaginary line drawn from the center of the sun to the center of the planet sweeps out equal areas in equal time intervals.

What is Kepler's third law of planetary motion?

The ratio of the squares of the periods of any two planets is equal to the ratio of the cubes of their average distances from the sun.

Why do geostationary satellites need to be in the equatorial plane?

They must be in the equatorial plane to maintain a fixed position relative to the Earth as it rotates.

What is the eccentricity of an ellipse?

The degree to which it deviates from being circular.

What happens to gravitational force as the distance between two masses increases?

The gravitational force decreases, following an inverse square relationship.

What is the significance of the gravitational constant (G)?

It is the proportionality factor in Newton's law of universal gravitation, defining the strength of the gravitational force.

What is the centripetal force required for an object to maintain circular motion?

It is the net force directed towards the center of the circle, which can be provided by various forces such as tension, gravity, or friction.

How does banking a curve assist in vehicle motion?

Banking reduces reliance on friction by providing a component of the normal force that contributes to centripetal acceleration.

What is a polar orbit?

A satellite orbit that passes over both poles, typically at a lower altitude.

What advantages do polar orbit satellites have?

They can provide global coverage and high-resolution imaging due to their low orbit.

What challenges do geostationary satellites face?

They experience communication delays, weaker signals, and poor coverage at higher latitudes.

How is the gravitational acceleration of a planet or moon calculated?

Using Newton’s law of universal gravitation, g = GM/r^2 where G is the gravitational constant.

What is the period of rotational motion?

The time taken for an object to complete one full revolution in circular motion.

What role does friction play in a car making a turn on a flat road?

Friction provides the centripetal force necessary for the car to safely navigate the turn.

What is condensation?

Condensation is the process in which water vapor cools and transforms into liquid water, forming clouds.

What is precipitation?

Precipitation is any form of water, liquid or solid, that falls from the atmosphere, including rain, snow, sleet, and hail.

What is collection in the water cycle?

Collection refers to the accumulation of water in bodies like rivers, lakes, and oceans after precipitation.

What role do plants play in the water cycle?

Plants contribute to the water cycle through transpiration, where they release moisture back into the atmosphere from their leaves.

What is infiltration?

Infiltration is the process by which water seeps into the soil from the surface, replenishing groundwater supplies.