Centripetal Force

• What is circular motion?

  Physics behind objects moving in circles
• Why is the velocity of an object in circular motion constantly changing?

  Because its direction is constantly changing
• What must occur if an object's velocity is changing in circular motion?

  The object must be accelerating
• What direction does the acceleration act in circular motion?

  Towards the center of the circle
• What is the resultant force that causes acceleration in circular motion called?

  Centripetal force
• What role does friction play in a car going around a bend?

  It produces the centripetal force
• What happens if there is no friction when a car goes around a bend?

  The car will fly off a tangent
• What provides the centripetal force for the moon's orbit around the Earth?

  The gravitational attraction between the moon and Earth
• What factors affect the magnitude of centripetal force?

  Speed, mass, and radius of the circle
• How does speed affect the centripetal force required for circular motion?

  Greater speed requires greater centripetal force
• How does mass affect the centripetal force needed for circular motion?

  Greater mass requires greater centripetal force
• What happens to centripetal force if the radius of the circle decreases?

  Centripetal force must increase
• What are the key concepts of circular motion?

  • Constantly changing velocity
  • Acceleration towards the center
  • Resultant force is centripetal force
  • Examples: cars on bends, moon orbiting Earth
  • Factors affecting centripetal force: speed, mass, radius