Physics 1401A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Circular Motion, Centripetal Force, Net Force

• School: Western University
• Department: Physics
• Course: Physics 1401A/B
• Professor: Andrea Soddu

Document Summary

Uniform circular motion: an object with a constant speed along a circular path of constant radius. Although speed is constant, the motion is accelerated because the direction of the velocity is changing. Velocity vectors in circular motion are tangent to the path. A net force is necessary to change the direction of motion. The force points towards the center of the curve. The force is in the same direction as the acceleration (towards the center of the circular path) Centripetal acceleration ( ): the instantaneous acceleration that is directed toward the. Period ( ): the time required for a rotating, revolving, or vibrating object to complete. Frequency : the # of rotations, revolutions, or vibrations of an object per unit of time; Centripetal force ( ): the net force that causes centripetal acceleration. Rotating frames of reference: centrifugal force: the fictitious force in a rotating (accelerating or non-inertial) frame of reference.