Circular Motion Practice Quiz

The purple ball is rolling counterclockwise around a track with uniform circular motion. Which vector represents the direction of the acceleration of the ball?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

What is the direction of the net force on an upsidedown roller coaster at the top of the loop?

• Up, toward the sky.

• To the right.

• To the left.

• Down, toward the ground.

Answer explanation

The net force is a combination of gravity and the normal force from the track, both of which are downward in this position.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

An object with uniform circular motion, has constant _?_ but constantly changing _?_.

• speed, acceleration

• speed, direction

• acceleration, speed

• acceleration, velocity

Answer explanation

The "uniform" refers to the unchanging speed.

Any force or acceleration described as "centripetal" will always point _?_.

• in the direction the object is moving

• tangential to the circle

• towards the center of the circle around which an object is moving

• towards the outer edge of the circle around which an object is moving

Answer explanation

The word centripetal means "toward the center" or "center-seeking."

The time it takes an object to make one complete trip around a circle is called the _?_.

• period

• frequency

• angular velocity

• rotational speed

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

An object in uniform circular motion is accelerating because _?_.

• it is changing speed

• it is changing direction

• it is moving in a straight line

• it has mass

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

The centripetal force that allows a car to move in a circular path is usually provided by _?_.

• friction

• centrifugal force

• normal force

• applied force

A car travels at a constant speed around a flat circular track. Which diagram correctly represents the direction of the car's velocity and the direction of the centripetal force acting on the car?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

At the instant shown in the diagram, the centripetal force on the car as it moves around the circle is acting _?_.

• toward the East

• toward the North

• toward the West

• clockwise

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

Satellites stay in orbit around the Earth because a centripetal force prevents them from moving in a straight line. This force is provided by _?_.

• gravity

• tension

• inertia

• the radius

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

NGSS.HS-PS2-4