Gravity & Circles

Front

What is the formula for centripetal acceleration?

Back

Centripetal acceleration (a_c) = v²/r, where v is the velocity and r is the radius of the circular path.

Front

Where is the net force when the rollercoaster is at the top of the loop?

Back

Towards the ground.

Front

At the instant shown in the diagram, the car's centripetal acceleration is directed-

Back

toward E.

Front

The distance between two masses has a _______________ relationship to the force of gravity.

Back

inverse square.

Front

As the distance between two objects increases, the pull of gravity ______________.

Back

Decreases.

Front

What is gravity?

Back

Gravity is a force that attracts two bodies towards each other, proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

Front

What is the relationship between mass and gravitational force?

Back

Gravitational force is directly proportional to the product of the masses of the two objects.

Front

What is the effect of increasing the radius of a circular path on centripetal acceleration?

Back

Increasing the radius decreases the centripetal acceleration for a constant speed.

Front

What happens to the gravitational force if the distance between two objects is halved?

Back

The gravitational force increases by a factor of four.

Front

What is the direction of centripetal force in circular motion?

Back

The direction of centripetal force is always towards the center of the circular path.