Rotational Kinematics, Forces, and Free Body Diagrams

A set of flashcards covering key concepts related to rotational kinematics, forces, and free body diagrams, providing a comprehensive review for studying.

What is centripetal acceleration?

Centripetal acceleration is the acceleration that points towards the center of the circle where the object is moving, resulting from the change in direction of the tangential velocity.

How is angular velocity defined?

Angular velocity describes the rate of change of the angular position of an object with respect to time, typically measured in radians/sec.

What does the slope of an angular position versus time graph represent?

The slope of this graph represents the angular velocity.

What relationship defines arc length in circular motion?

Arc length (s) is defined by the relationship s = rθ, where θ must be in radians.

What is the formula for tangential speed?

Tangential speed (v) is given by the formula v = rω, where r is the radius and ω is the angular speed.

What is the difference between centripetal acceleration and tangential acceleration?

Centripetal acceleration is directed towards the center of the circle due to a change in direction, while tangential acceleration is due to a change in the speed of the object moving along the circle.

What results from a change in tangential speed?

A change in tangential speed results in tangential acceleration and also indicates angular acceleration.

What summarizes the forces acting on an object in equilibrium?

For an object in equilibrium, the net force acting on it is zero, meaning all force vectors must add up to zero.

What is gravitational force and how is it expressed mathematically?

Gravitational force is the attractive force that one mass exerts on another, expressed as F = (Gm1m2) / r^2.

What is normal force?

The normal force is the force exerted perpendicular to the surface that an object is resting on.

What is the difference between static and kinetic friction?

Static friction prevents an object from moving, while kinetic friction opposes the motion of an object that is already sliding.

What determines drag forces?

Drag forces oppose the motion of an object and are dependent on the velocity of the object and the properties of the medium through which it moves.

How is tension force different from other forces?

Tension force is always a pull and is directed along the wire or rope away from the object.

What is essential about free body diagrams?

Free body diagrams are critical for visualizing the forces acting on an object to analyze its motion.