Circular Motion: Key Concepts, Forces, and Calculations in Physics

What is uniform circular motion?

Motion along a circular path with constant speed and changing direction.

What force is required to maintain uniform circular motion?

Centripetal force, which acts toward the center of the circular path.

What happens to an object when the centripetal force is removed?

The object moves in a straight line tangent to the circular path.

What is the misconception about centrifugal force?

Centrifugal force is a fictitious force felt from inside a circular motion system, not an actual force acting on the object.

What is centripetal acceleration?

Acceleration directed toward the center of the circular path, necessary for changing the direction of the object's velocity.

How is centripetal acceleration calculated?

Using the formula ac = v²/R, where v is the speed and R is the radius of the circular path.

What is the relationship between period and frequency in circular motion?

Period (T) is the time for one complete revolution, while frequency (f) is the number of revolutions per unit time; they are reciprocals.

How do you convert frequency from rpm to rps?

Divide the frequency in rpm by 60 to convert to revolutions per second (rps).

What is the formula for maximum speed without slipping on a curve?

v = rμg, where μ is the coefficient of static friction, r is the radius, and g is the acceleration due to gravity.

What provides the centripetal force for a car negotiating a turn?

The force of static friction between the tires and the road.

What is the centripetal force acting on a person in a spinning ride like the Gravitron?

The wall of the ride exerts the centripetal force on the person.

What is the effect of inertia on an object in circular motion?

Inertia causes the object to want to travel in a straight line, but the centripetal force keeps it moving in a circle.

What is the centripetal force exerted on a 3-kg rock moving in a circle of radius 5 m at 8 m/s?

38.4 N, calculated using Fc = mv²/R.

How do you calculate the mass of a skater moving in a circle with a known centripetal force?

Use the formula Fc = mv²/R to solve for mass (m).

What is the maximum speed of a car on a circular curve with a radius of 70 m and a coefficient of static friction of 0.7?

21.9 m/s, calculated using v = rμg.

What does the term 'centrifugal force' refer to?

A perceived force felt by an object in a rotating system, not an actual force acting on the object.

What is the role of friction in circular motion?

Friction provides the centripetal force necessary to keep an object moving in a circular path.

How does the spin cycle of a washer remove water from clothes?

Water is expelled due to the lack of centripetal force allowing it to leave through holes in the rotating drum.

What is the direction of the resultant force on a car going around a curve?

The resultant force is directed toward the center of the turn.

What happens to the force exerted on a car during a turn?

The force exerted by the road on the car is centripetal, while the car exerts an outward reaction force on the road.

What is the formula for centripetal force?

Fc = mv²/R, where m is mass, v is velocity, and R is the radius of the circular path.

What is the significance of the period in circular motion?

The period measures the time taken for one complete revolution of an object in circular motion.

What is the centripetal force acting on an 80-kg person moving at 4 m/s on a circular platform with a force of 600 N?

The radius of the circular path is 2.13 m, calculated using centripetal force equations.