Circular Motion and Gravitation Physics Room

CIRCULAR MOTION AND GRAVITATION
Part A: Multiple Choice

Instruction Read and understand the question and encircle best answer.
1. Which of the following statements are true of an object moving in a circle at a constant
speed? Include all that apply.
a. The object experiences a force which has a component directed parallel to the
direction of motion.
b. Inertia causes objects to move in a circle.
c. There can be a force pushing outwards on the object as long as the net force in
inwards.
d. Because the speed is constant, the acceleration is zero.
e. The acceleration and the net force vector are directed perpendicular to each other.
f. If the net force acting upon the object is suddenly reduced to zero, then the object
would suddenly depart from its circular path and travel tangent to the circle.
g. The acceleration of the object is directed tangent to the circle.

For Questions #2-#5, identify the type of force which causes the following bold-
faced objects to travel along a circular path.
2. An eraser is tied to a string swung in a horizontal circle.
a. gravity b. normal c. tension d. applied
e. friction f. spring g. electrical h. magnetic

3. The moon orbits the earth.

4. A car makes a sharp right-hand turn along a level roadway.

5. A roller coaster car passes through a loop. Consider the car at the bottom of the loop.
h. magnetic
e. friction f. spring g. electrical
6. A physics teacher ties an eraser to the end of a string and

then whirls it in a counter-clockwise circle. If the teacher lets
go of the string, then the eraser hits a student (or several
students) in the classroom. If the string is let go when the eraser is at point X on the diagram
at the right, then which student(s) in the class will the eraser hit? Write the initials in this
space: _JG_______________

7. Which of the following statements are true about gravitational force? Identify all that
apply.
a. The gravitational force only acts between very, very massive objects.
b. The gravitational force between an object and the earth is inversely related to the
distance between the object's and the earth's center.
c. The gravitational force can ALWAYS be accurately calculated by multiplying the
object mass by the acceleration of gravity (m•g).
d. The gravitational force acting upon an object is the same as the weight of the object.
e. The gravitational force between two objects is independent of the mass of the smaller
of the two objects.
f. If object A gravitationally attracts object B with a force of X Newtons, then object B
will also gravitationally attract object A with the same force of X Newtons.
g. The doubling of the separation distance (measured from the center) between two
objects will halve the gravitational force between the objects.
h. It an object is placed two earth-radii above the surface of the earth, then the force of
gravitational attraction between the object and the earth will be one-fourth the magnitude
as on earth's surface.
i. Orbiting astronauts do not experience a force of gravity; this explains why they feel
weightless.

8. Which of the following statements are true about the acceleration of gravity? Identify all
that apply.
a. The acceleration of gravity experienced by objects located near to (and far from) from
the earth depends upon the mass of the object.
b. The acceleration of gravity experienced by objects located near to (and far from) from
the earth depends upon the mass of the Earth.
c. The acceleration of gravity experienced by objects located near to (and far from) the
earth is inversely related to the distance between the center of the object and the center of
the earth.
d. Increasing the mass of an object will increase the acceleration of gravity experienced
by the object.
e. Doubling the distance between an object and the earth's center will decrease the
acceleration of gravity by a factor of four.
f. The acceleration of an orbiting satellite is equal to the acceleration of gravity at that
particular location.
g. If the mass of the Earth were doubled (without an alteration in its radius), then the
acceleration of gravity on its surface would be approximately 20 m/s2.
h. If the mass of the Earth were doubled and the radius of the earth were doubled, then
the two changes would offset each other and the acceleration of gravity on its surface
would still be approximately 10 m/s2.

9. Which of the following statements are true about satellites? Identify all that apply.
a. Satellites are falling projectiles.
b. All satellites follow circular paths.
c. The orbital velocity required of a satellite is dependent upon the mass of the satellite;
a more massive satellite would require a greater orbital speed.
d. The orbital velocity of a satellite does not depend upon the mass of the planet around
which it orbits.
e. A high-altitude satellite will require a greater orbital speed than a low-
altitude satellite.
f. By definition, a geosynchronous satellite orbits the earth in a perfect circle,
maintaining the same distance above the surface of the earth.
g. Satellites travel faster along their orbital path when they are closest to the earth.
h. The acceleration of a satellite varies inversely with its distance from the center of the
earth. More distant satellites have smaller accelerations.

10. Which of the following statements are true about the motion of planets about the sun?
Identify all that apply.
a. The force of gravity is the only force which acts upon the planets.
b. Their trajectories are highly elliptical.
c. The planets which are furthest from the sun have the greatest period.
d. For any given planet, the speed is greatest when the planet is closest to the sun.
e. The velocity vector is directed tangent to the elliptical path.
f. The net force vector is at all times directed perpendicular to the velocity vector.
g. To keep the planet from escaping the sun's gravitational field, the net force vector is
greatest when the planet is furthest from the sun.

Part B: Short Answer

11. Explain how something can be moving at a constant speed yet be accelerating at the same
time.
Acceleration is needed in order to maintain the speed since velocity is not constant, it may
change when the direction is change. Therefore, acceleration is needed to change its velocity
over a change in time. Also, friction can change the speed of a moving object so acceleration
is needed to maintain the speed.

12. How did Newton come up with the idea that the moon is actually "falling" toward the
Earth.
Since the earth has a gravitational force that pulls objects towards it, Newton concluded that
the moon uses the gravitational force of the earth to accelerate and orbit around it.

13. Distinguish between true- and apparent-weightlessness.
Weightlessness, condition experienced while in free-fall, in which the effect of gravity is
canceled by the inertial force resulting from orbital flight. ... Excluding spaceflight, true
weightlessness can be experienced only briefly, as in an airplane following a ballistic path.
While for apparent weightlessness occurs when you are under strong influence of a large
body but were also experienceing acceleration of an equal and opposite direction that
basically cancelled out gravitational acceleration and made you feel weightless- e.g. floating
weightlessly amidst your surroundings

14. Describe the apparent weight of a person in an elevator while upward, accelerating
downward, and not accelerating.
While upward the elevator needs force to oppose the weight of the person and the
gravitational force which leads to a greater apparent weight.
While downward, the gravitational force is being applied therefore apparent weight is lesser.
While on not accelerating, the apparent weight would be equal to weight of the person.

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CIRCULAR MOTION AND GRAVITATION

Part A: Multiple Choice

6. A physics teacher ties an eraser to the end of a string and

Part B: Short Answer

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