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Faculty / Physics/Unit 9

Unit 9

Circular Motion

In unit 9 of physics, we will study circular motion. Students will begin the unit doing a circular motion lab. In this lab students will study the relationship between velocity, mass, radius, and force. We will then define centripetal force and how it affects objects moving in a circular path, such as a car going around a corner and the velocity needed to complete a vertical loop on a roller coaster.. Then we will apply this knowledge to objects in space, such a satellite circling the earth. We will also explore how change the velocity of orbiting objects changes the objects orbiting path.
 
Circular Motion Video from Youtube.

Readings/Notes/Powerpoints:
Glencoe book:  Physics:  Principles and Problems
Suggested reading:  Pages153-156
This reading will describe circular motion in terms of velocity, accereration, and force. Worksheets Labs

The Physics Classroom

  1. Lesson 1 - Motion Characteristics for Circular Motion

    1. Speed and Velocity

    2. Acceleration

    3. The Centripetal Force Requirement

    4. The Forbidden F-Word

    5. Mathematics of Circular Motion

  2. Lesson 2 - Applications of Circular Motion

    1. Newton's Second Law - Revisited

    2. Amusement Park Physics

    3. Athletics

  3. Lesson 3 - Universal Gravitation

    1. Gravity is More Than a Name

    2. The Apple, the Moon, and the Inverse Square Law

    3. Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation

    4. Cavendish and the Value of G

    5. The Value of g

  4. Lesson 4 - Planetary and Satellite Motion

    1. Kepler's Three Laws

    2. Circular Motion Principles for Satellites

    3. Mathematics of Satellite Motion

    4. Weightlessness in Orbit

    5. Energy Relationships for Satellites

The Physics Classroom Interactives

 
Roller Coaster Model
Up. Down. Spin around. Amidst all the rising, falling and turning of a roller coaster ride is heaps of physics. The Roller Coaster Model allows a learner to explore some of this physics. Whether it is the first drop, a loop, or a collection of dips and hills, you will be able to study it all with this Interactive. Use three pre-designed tracks or design your own. Let the car roll and watch as energy changes form and force, acceleration, and velocity vectors change their size and direction. Explore on your own or use The Physics Classroom's ready-to-use exercise.
 
 
Orbital Motion
Everyone knows that the planets orbit the Sun in a circular orbit, right? Well ... not exactly. A 17th century mathematician by the name of Johannes Kepler was able to show that the orbits of planets about the sun are elliptical in shape. In this Interactive, learners will investigate the nature of an elliptical orbit.  
 
 
Roller Coaster Design
Can a roller coaster design be dangerous? Can a design not be thrilling? What makes one coaster design more thrilling or more dangerous than others? Find out the answers to these questions with the Roller Coaster Design Interactive in which you investigate the effect of design parameters upon the safety and thrill of a roller coaster ride. Modify the height and radius of curvature of loops and hills and investigate the effect of such changes upon the rider's experience. This Interactive is accompanied by an activity sheet.