Circular Motion, Rotations and Gravity

When an object is moving with uniform circular motion, the object’s tangential speed...

• is circular

• is perpendicular to the plane of motion

• is constant

• is directed toward the center of motion

When an object is moving with uniform circular motion, the centripetal acceleration of the object...

• is circular

• is perpendicular to the plane of motion

• is zero

• is directed toward the center of motion

What term describes a change in the speed of an object in circular motion?

• tangential speed

• centripetal acceleration

• tangential acceleration

• centripetal force

What is the term for the net force directed toward the center of an object’s circular path?

• circular force

• centripetal force

• centrifugal force

• orbital force

Which of the following can be a centripetal force?

a. friction c. tension

b. gravity d. all of the above

• friction

• gravity

• tension

• all of the other answers are correct silly

What kind of force provides the centripetal force on a bicycle riding in a circle?

• gravitational force

• air resistance

• friction

• normal force

When a car makes a sharp left turn, what causes the passengers to move toward the right side of the car?

• centripetal acceleration

• centrifugal force

• centripetal force

• inertia

A ball is whirled on a string, then the string breaks. What causes the ball to move off in a straight line?

• inertia

• centripetal force

• centrifugal force

• centripetal force

Why does an astronaut weigh less on the moon than on Earth?

• he has less mass on the moon

• he is farther from Earth's center when on the moon

• the gravitational field strength is less on the moon

• he is in free fall so has no weight

How can an object with constant speed have nonzero acceleration?

• it's motion is not changing

• it's direction is constantly changing

• it has no inertia

• there are is no centripetal force on the object