All Flashcards
In UCM, what direction does centripetal acceleration point?
Towards the center of the circle.
In UCM, what direction does centripetal force point?
Towards the center of the circle.
In UCM, what direction is the velocity vector?
Tangent to the circle.
In a gravitational vector field diagram, what do the vectors represent?
The strength and direction of the gravitational force between two objects.
In a gravitational vector field diagram, where are distances calculated from?
Between the centers of mass of the objects.
What is the effect of a net force pointing towards the center of a circle?
It causes the object to move in uniform circular motion.
What happens to the velocity of an object in UCM?
The direction changes continuously, resulting in acceleration, even if the speed is constant.
What happens when a string breaks while twirling an object in UCM?
The object will move in a straight line tangent to the circle at the point where the string broke.
What is the effect of gravitational force between two objects?
Each object exerts a force on the other, pulling them towards each other's center of mass.
What causes centripetal acceleration?
A change in direction of the velocity vector.
What are the differences between centripetal and centrifugal forces?
Centripetal: Center-seeking, real force causing circular motion | Centrifugal: Center-fleeing, apparent force felt in a rotating frame.
Compare speed and velocity in uniform circular motion.
Speed: Constant magnitude | Velocity: Changing direction, therefore not constant.