Physics - Circular Motion

Direction of the velocity vector in uniform circular motion

constant change

Magnitude of the velocity vector in uniform circular motion

constant

Direction of centripetal acceleration

(towards the) center

Causes circular motion

centripetal force

Relationship of centripetal force and centripetal acceleration

F=ma

What types of forces can act as centripetal force?

gravity, friction, normal, tension

What affects centripetal motion to move in a straight line once centripetal force stops?

inertia

The force that acts a centripetal force causing a circular orbit

gravity

Tangential speed

The speed of an object moving along a circular path. (Can be used interchangeably with linear speed for circular motion.)

Centripetal acceleration equation

ac = v�/r

Weight

the force of gravity on an object

Mass

A scalar quantity used to measure an object's inertia.

When a centripetal force disappears

motion continues with the same velocity and direction (a linear path that is tangential to the circle, does NOT continue circular motion as the direction is no longer changing)

Weight formula

F = mg

Circumference of a circle

2?r

RPM

revolutions per minute (measures angular velocity)

RPM to v

� circumference � 1min/60s

The force that acts as centripetal force when a car makes a turn.

friction

The force that acts as centripetal force when a clothes are spun in a dryer.

normal

The force that acts as centripetal force when a monkey swings on a vine.

tension