Circular Motion Concepts

Centripetal force, created by swinging something in a circle, acts in a direction--

• along the path of motion

• away from the center of the circle

• toward the center of the circle

• tangent to the circle

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

• toward E

• toward N

• toward W

• clockwise

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NGSS.HS-PS2-1

The diagram shows an object moving counterclockwise around a horizontal, circular track. Which diagram below represents the direction of both the object's velocity and the centripetal force acting on the object when it is in the position shown?

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As the car goes around the curve, the centripetal force is directed--

• toward the center of the circular curve

• away from the center of the circular curve

• tangent to the curve in the direction of motion

• tangent to the curve opposite the direction of motion

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NGSS.HS-PS2-1

At point P, he car hits an area of ice and loses all frictional force on it tires. Which path does the car follow on the ice?

• A

• B

• C

• D

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NGSS.HS-PS2-1

NGSS.HS-PS2-2

A curved groove is place on the top of a level table as shown in the diagram. A ball is pushed in the groove at P so that it leaves at Q. Which picture shows how the ball will move when it leaves the groove at Q?

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• 

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NGSS.HS-PS2-1

NGSS.HS-PS2-2

Which represents the acceleration of the ball?

• A
• B
• C
• D

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NGSS.HS-PS2-1

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

• outwards
• towards the center
• tangent
• faster

Why do objects experience centripetal acceleration?

• Because they are speeding up as they move in a circle
• Because they are constantly changing direction and the net change is directed inward
• Because they are constantly changing both speed and direction
• Because when you have 100 people pedaling, you can speed up more easily.

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NGSS.HS-PS2-1

At the top of a rollercoaster loop where you are upside down, In what directions do gravity and the normal force point. A free body diagram is useful to help answer the question

• gravity: down, normal force: up

• gravity: down, normal force: down

• gravity: down: normal force: direction of motion

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NGSS.HS-PS2-1