All Flashcards
What is the effect of a net force acting towards the center of a circular path?
It causes centripetal acceleration, resulting in uniform circular motion.
What is the effect of doubling the radius on centripetal acceleration, given constant speed?
The centripetal acceleration is halved (a_c = v^2/r).
What happens to the center of mass if one mass in a two-mass system is increased?
The center of mass shifts closer to the heavier mass.
What happens when an external force acts on a system of particles?
The center of mass of the system accelerates.
What is the difference between uniform and non-uniform motion?
Uniform motion: constant velocity, zero acceleration. Non-uniform motion: changing velocity, non-zero acceleration.
What is the difference between speed and velocity?
Speed is the rate of motion. Velocity is the rate and direction of motion.
How do you calculate average velocity?
v_{avg} = \frac{\Delta x}{\Delta t} (change in position over change in time)
How do you calculate average acceleration?
a_{avg} = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t} (change in velocity over change in time)
How to calculate centripetal acceleration?
a_c = \frac{v^2}{r} (where v is speed and r is radius)
How to calculate centripetal force?
F_c = m a_c = \frac{mv^2}{r} (where m is the mass)
What are the SUVAT equations used for?
Used when acceleration is constant: v = v_0 + at, \Delta x = v_0t + \frac{1}{2}at^2, v^2 = v_0^2 + 2a\Delta x, \Delta x = \frac{1}{2}(v_0 + v)t