Uniform Circular Motion-Physics Interactive - Physics Classroom

What is the purpose of the activity described in the document?

• To explore the characteristics of the motion of an object in a straight line at a constant speed.

• To explore the characteristics of the motion of an object in a circle at a constant speed.

• To explore the characteristics of the motion of an object in a circle with varying speed.

• To explore the characteristics of the motion of an object in a straight line with varying speed.

Velocity is a vector quantity because it has:

• Only magnitude.

• Only direction.

• Both magnitude and direction.

• Neither magnitude nor direction.

TRUE or FALSE: If an object moves in a circle at a constant speed, its velocity vector will be constant.

• TRUE

• FALSE

In uniform circular motion, the acceleration vector is always directed:

• Outwards from the center of the circle.

• Tangent to the circle.

• Inwards towards the center of the circle.

• In the same direction as the velocity vector.

Describe the relationship between the direction of the velocity vector and the direction of the acceleration for a body moving in a circle at constant speed.

• The velocity vector and acceleration are in the same direction.

• The velocity vector is tangent to the circle, while the acceleration is directed towards the center of the circle.

• The velocity vector and acceleration are perpendicular to each other.

• The velocity vector is directed towards the center of the circle, while the acceleration is tangent to the circle.

If an object is in uniform circular motion and is accelerating towards the center of the circle, yet the object never gets any closer to the center of the circle, suggest a reason as to how this can be.

• The object is not actually moving.

• The object is moving in a straight line, not a circle.

• The object's velocity is perpendicular to the acceleration, allowing it to move in a circle without getting closer to the center.

• The object is slowing down, preventing it from moving closer to the center.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

If the acceleration of the body is towards the center, what is the direction of the unbalanced force? Use a complete sentence to describe the direction of the net force that causes the body to travel in a circle at constant speed.

• The unbalanced force is directed away from the center of the circle.

• The unbalanced force is directed towards the center of the circle.

• The unbalanced force is tangent to the circle.

• The unbalanced force is in the same direction as the velocity.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

For the same speed, how does the acceleration of the object vary with the radius of curvature?

• Directly

• Inversely

• Does not vary

• Quadratically

If the radius of curvature is doubled, how does the acceleration of the object vary with the speed of the object?

• Directly

• Inversely

• Does not vary

• Quadratically

When the speed of an object is doubled, by what factor does the acceleration change?

• One-fourth

• One-half

• Four times

• Two times

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1