6 Circular Motion and Gravitation 

online pg 245

Introduction: “Two apparently distinct areas of physics are linked in this topic: motion in a circle and the basic ideas of gravitation. But of course they are not distinct at all. The motion of a satellite about its planet involves both a consideration of the gravitational force and the mechanics of motion in a circle. Man cannot travel beyond the Earth without a knowledge of both these aspects of Physics.”

6.1 Circular motion

UNDERSTANDING

• Period, frequency, angular displacement, and angular velocity
• Centripetal force
• Centripetal acceleration

Moving in a circle

What is needed to keep something rotating at constant speed?