Uniform Circular Motion

What force keeps an object moving in a circle?

• centripetal force (inward)

• centrifugal force (outward)

The velocity is always _____ to the line of a circle. 

• outwards
• towards the center
• tangent
• faster

What type of acceleration does an object moving with constant speed in a circular path experience?    
A) free fall  
B) constant acceleration  
C) linear acceleration  
D) centripetal acceleration 

• A
• B
• C
• D

An object moves in a circular path at a constant speed.  Compare the direction of the object's velocity and acceleration vectors.    
A) Both vectors point in the same direction.  
B) The vectors point in opposite directions.  
C) The vectors are perpendicular.  
D) The question is meaningless, since the acceleration is zero

• A
• B
• C
• D

Is it possible for an object moving with a constant speed to accelerate?  Explain. 
A) No, if the speed is constant then the acceleration is equal to zero.  B) No, an object can accelerate only if there is a net force acting on it.  
C) Yes, although the speed is constant, the direction of the velocity can be changing.  
D) Yes, if an object is moving it can experience acceleration 

• A
• B
• C
• D

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

An object moves with a constant speed of 30 m/s on a circular track of radius 150 m.  What is the magnitude of the acceleration of the object?    
A) zero  
B) 0.17 m/s2  
C) 5.0 m/s2 
D) 6.0 m/s2 

• A
• B
• C
• D

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

Two masses m and M are separated by a distance d. If the distance between the masses is increased to 3d, how does the gravitational force between them change? 

• becomes 1/3 as great
• 1/9 as great
• 3x greater
• 9x greater

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

When an object experiences uniform circular motion, the direction of the acceleration is     
A) in the same direction as the velocity vector.  
B) in the opposite direction of the velocity vector.  
C) is directed toward the center of the circular path.   D) is directed away from the center of the circular path. 

• A
• B
• C
• D

A 0.50-kg mass is attached to the end of a 1.0-m string.  The system is whirled in a horizontal circular path.  If the maximum tension that the string can withstand is 350 N.  What is the maximum speed of the mass if the string is not to break?    
A) 700 m/s  
B) 26 m/s  
C) 19 m/s  
D) 13 m/s  

• A
• B
• C
• D

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

Which one of the following statements concerning the two “gravitational constants” G, the universal constant,  and g the magnitude of the acceleration due to the gravity is true? 

• The value for G and g do not depend on location. 
• The value of G is the same everywhere in the universe, but the value of g is not. 
• The value of G and g are equal on the surface of any planet, but in general, vary with location in the universe. 

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-4