All Flashcards
What is a vector field?
A vector field assigns a vector to each point in space, showing the direction and strength of a force at different points.
What is uniform circular motion (UCM)?
Motion of an object moving in a circle at a constant speed, but with changing velocity due to direction change.
What is centripetal force?
The net force that points towards the center of the circle, causing the circular motion. It is not a new, separate force.
What is centripetal acceleration?
The acceleration that points towards the center of the circle, responsible for changing the direction of the object's velocity.
What is centrifugal force?
An apparent, center-fleeing force felt in a rotating frame, but not a real force.
What is the effect of a net centripetal force?
It causes an object to move in a circular path.
What happens when the string breaks in a UCM setup?
The object will move in a straight line tangent to the circle at the point where the string broke.
What happens when the car moves at a constant speed around a circular track?
The car's acceleration is directed towards the center of the circle.
What happens when a satellite is orbiting the Earth in a circular path?
The gravitational force provides the centripetal force necessary for this motion.
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.