![]() ![]() T represents the tension force that pulls the object to the center, and mg is the force due to gravity, or the weight, that acts on the object. It is perpendicular to the centripetal force and is constant for an object moving in a circular path at a constant speed. Tangential velocity is the velocity of an object moving in a circular path in a direction tangent to the circle. The velocity of the object, v, is tangential to the circular path, pointing in the direction of the object’s circular Here’s an example of the free body diagram of an object attached to a string moving in circular motion: In this diagram, the object’s center of mass is represented as a black circle, and the forces acting on it are represented as arrows that stem from the black circle, pointing in their respective directions. Free Body DiagramĪ free body diagram (FBD) is a portrayal of the forces that act on an object. As one increases, the other decreases, and vice versa. The radius being a denominator causes its relationship with the centripetal force to be inversely proportional. ![]() This is due to mass and velocity being numerators of the equation instead of denominators, like the radius. In relation to the whole formula, the centripetal force is proportional to the mass of its squared velocity as one increases in magnitude, the others do as well. In the context of circular motion, this equation gets turned into, with Fc representing centripetal force, v representing the velocity of the object, and r representing the radius of the object’s circular path. F represents the force, m represents the mass, and a represents the acceleration. Newton’s second law of motion, F = ma, is a universal equation that is the blueprint for solving almost every physics problem. Centripetal force does just that by overcoming the object’s linear path, pulling it inwards and creating a circle. ![]() As stated in Newton’s First Law of Motion, an object in motion will continue its course of motion, unless acted upon by an outside force. Centripetal force is required to keep objects moving in a circular path due to its relationship with inertia. The magnitude of this force is dependent on the object’s mass, velocity, and the radius of the path traveled. The centripetal force (Fc) is the force that acts on an object moving in a circular path and is always directed towards the path’s center. This article is a surface-level introduction to the topic, focusing only on the vertical path of circular motion. In this unit, students taking the course are expected to learn and understand the characteristics of an object moving in a circular path. Unit 3 of the AP Physics 1 curriculum covers circular motion. ![]()
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