PhysicsLAB: Centripetal Acceleration

PhysicsLAB

CP Workbook
Centripetal Acceleration

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Newton's 2nd law, a = net F / m, tells us that net force and its corresponding acceleration are always in the same direction. Remember that both force and acceleration are vector quantities. But force and acceleration are not always in the direction of velocity, another vector quantity.

Refer to the following information for the next three questions.

You're in a car at a traffic light. The light turns green and the driver "steps on the gas."

Your body lurches

forward.
not at all.
backward.

The car accelerates

forward.
not at all.
backward.

The force on the car acts

forward.
not at all.
backward.

The sketch shows the top view of the car.

Note the directions of the
velocity and acceleration vectors

Refer to the following information for the next three questions.

You're driving along and approach a stop sign. The driver steps on the brakes.

Your body lurches

forward.
not at all.
backward.

The car accelerates

forward.
not at all.
backward.

The force on the car acts

forward.
not at all.
backward.

The sketch shows the top view of the car.

Draw vectors for velocity and acceleration.

Refer to the following information for the next three questions.

You continue driving, and round a sharp curve to the left at constant speed.

Your body lurches

inwards towards the left.
not at all.
outwards towards the right.

The car accelerated

inwards towards the left.
not at all.
outwards towards the right.

The force on the car acts

inwards towards the left.
not at all.
outwards towards the right.

The sketch shows the top view of the car.

Draw vectors for velocity and acceleration.

In general, the directions of the lurch and the acceleration, and therefore the firections of the lurch and the force, are

the same.
not related.
opposite.

Refer to the following information for the next two questions.

The whirling stone's direction of motion keeps changing.

If it moves faster, its direction changes

faster.
slower.

This indicates that as speed increases, acceleration

increases.
decreases.
remains the same.

Refer to the following information for the next two questions.

Consider whirling the stone on a shorter string-that is, of smaller radius.

For a given speed, the rate that the stone changes direction is

less.
more.
the same.

This indicates that as the radius decreases, acceleration

increases.
decreases.
remains the same.

Related Documents

Lab:	Labs - A Physical Pendulum, The Parallel Axis Theorem and A Bit of Calculus Labs - Calculation of "g" Using Two Types of Pendulums Labs - Conical Pendulums Labs - Conical Pendulums Labs - Conservation of Energy and Vertical Circles Labs - Introductory Simple Pendulums Labs - Kepler's 1st and 2nd Laws Labs - Loop-the-Loop Labs - Moment of Inertia of a Bicycle Wheel Labs - Oscillating Springs Labs - Roller Coaster, Projectile Motion, and Energy Labs - Sand Springs Labs - Simple Pendulums: Class Data Labs - Simple Pendulums: LabPro Data Labs - Video LAB: A Gravitron Labs - Video LAB: Circular Motion Labs - Video LAB: Looping Rollercoaster Labs - Water Springs
Resource Lesson:	RL - A Derivation of the Formulas for Centripetal Acceleration RL - Centripetal Acceleration and Angular Motion RL - Conservation of Energy and Springs RL - Derivation of Bohr's Model for the Hydrogen Spectrum RL - Derivation: Period of a Simple Pendulum RL - Energy Conservation in Simple Pendulums RL - Gravitational Energy Wells RL - Kepler's Laws RL - LC Circuit RL - Magnetic Forces on Particles (Part II) RL - Period of a Pendulum RL - Rotational Kinematics RL - SHM Equations RL - Simple Harmonic Motion RL - Springs and Blocks RL - Symmetries in Physics RL - Tension Cases: Four Special Situations RL - The Law of Universal Gravitation RL - Thin Rods: Moment of Inertia RL - Uniform Circular Motion: Centripetal Forces RL - Universal Gravitation and Satellites RL - Vertical Circles and Non-Uniform Circular Motion
Review:	REV - Review: Circular Motion and Universal Gravitation
Worksheet:	APP - Big Al APP - Ring Around the Collar APP - The Satellite APP - The Spring Phling APP - Timex CP - Centripetal Force CP - Satellites: Circular and Elliptical NT - Circular Orbits NT - Pendulum NT - Rotating Disk NT - Spiral Tube WS - Basic Practice with Springs WS - Inertial Mass Lab Review Questions WS - Introduction to Springs WS - Kepler's Laws: Worksheet #1 WS - Kepler's Laws: Worksheet #2 WS - More Practice with SHM Equations WS - Pendulum Lab Review WS - Pendulum Lab Review WS - Practice: SHM Equations WS - Practice: Uniform Circular Motion WS - Practice: Vertical Circular Motion WS - SHM Properties WS - Static Springs: The Basics WS - Universal Gravitation and Satellites WS - Vertical Circular Motion #1 TB - Centripetal Acceleration TB - Centripetal Force

Paul G. Hewitt
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All rights reserved.
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