2. Circular Motion Activity - Google Docs
2. Circular Motion Activity - Google Docs
urpose:
P
The purpose of this activity is to explore the characteristics of the motion of an object in
a circle at a constant speed.
After gaining familiarity with the program, use it to answer the questions below.
.Velocity is a vector quantity which has both magnitudeand direction. Using complete sentences, describe
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the object's velocity. Comment on both the magnitude and the direction.
. TRUE or FALSE?
2
If an object moves in a circle at a constant speed, its velocity vector will be constant.
Explain your answer.
.Describe the relationship between the directionof the velocity vector and the direction of the acceleration for
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a body moving in a circle at constant speed.
.If an object is in uniform circular motion, thenit is accelerating towards the center of the circle; yet the object
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never gets any closer to the center of the circle. It maintains a circular path at a constant radius from the
circle's center. Suggest a reason as to how this can be. How can an object accelerate towards the center
without ever getting any closer to the center?
6.Suppose that an object is moving in a clockwise circle (or at least trying to move in a circle).
a) S uppose that at point A the object traveled in a straight line at constant speed towards B'. In what
direction must a force be applied to force the object back towards B?Draw an arrow on the diagram
in the direction of the required force.
b) Repeat the above procedure for an object moving from C to D'. In what direction must a force be
applied in order for the object to move back to point D along the path of the circle?Draw an arrow on
the diagram.
c) If the acceleration of the body is towards the center, what is the direction of the unbalanced force?
Using a complete sentence, describe the direction of the net force that causes the body to travel in a
circle at constant speed.
.Thinking Mathematically: Explore the quantitativedependencies of the acceleration upon the speed and the
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radius of curvature. Then answer the following questions.
. For the same speed, the acceleration of the object varies _____________ (directly, inversely) with the radius
a
of curvature.
. For the same radius of curvature, the acceleration of the object varies _____________ (directly, inversely)
b
with the speed of the object.
. As the speed of an object is doubled, the acceleration is __________________ (one-fourth, one-half, two
c
times, four times) the original value.
. As the speed of an object is tripled, the acceleration is __________________ (onethird, one-ninth, three
d
times, nine times) the original value.
. As the radius of the circle is doubled, the acceleration is __________________ (one-fourth, one-half, two
e
times, four times) the original value.
f. As the radius of the circle is tripled, the acceleration is __________________ (onethird, one-ninth, three
times, nine times) the original value.
onclusion:
C
Write a conclusion to this activity in which you describe the characteristics of an object that is traveling in
uniform circular motion.
Give attention to the quantities speed, velocity, acceleration and net force.