9. Circular Motion Kinematics

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Learning Objectives

  • Describe the kinematic quantities that describe the circular motion of an object.
  • Be able to explain the meaning of analytic expressions for those kinematic quantities. using various physical quantities.
  • Be able to explain the direction and magnitude of the acceleration of an object moving in a circle.
  • Explain the direction and magnitude of acceleration of an object moving in a circle by vector subtraction of velocities.
  • Be able to describe the motion of an object moving in a circular path using appropriate models: constant speed model or non-constant speed model.
  • Constant speed model: Be able to describe the direction and magnitude of acceleration of an object moving at constant speed (v) in a circle.
  • Non-constant speed model: Be able to describe the tangential component of the acceleration of an object moving in a circle with changing speed.

Preparation

Course Notes

This resource may not render correctly in a screen reader.Notes: Uniform Circular Motion (PDF - 4.5MB)

Suggested Textbook Reading (Optional)

Buy at Amazon Chapter 3.4. Young, Hugh D., Roger A. Freedman, and A. Lewis Ford. Sears and Zemansky's University Physics: with Modern Physics. 12th ed. San Francisco, CA: Addison-Wesley, 2007. ISBN: 9780805321876.

Lecture Video

Video Excerpts

Watch the following excerpts from the Physics I lecture videos:

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Download the complete lectures from this course:

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Learning Activities

Guided Activities

Read through the class slides carefully. They explain all of the concepts from the module.

Slides: Circular Motion Kinematics (PDF - 1.7MB)

Self-Assessment

Do the Concept Questions first to make sure you understand the main concepts from this module. Then, when you are ready, try the Challenge Problems. If you are struggling with the Challenge Problems, watch the Homework Help Session videos, which will give you tips on how to tackle problems of this type.

Concept Questions

Concept Questions (PDF)

Solutions (PDF)

Challenge Problems

Challenge Problems (PDF)

Solutions (PDF - 1.3MB)

Problem Solving Help

In the following videos Prof. Walter Lewin explains how to approach the Challenge Problems.

Help Session 1

{'English - US': '/courses/physics/8-01sc-physics-i-classical-mechanics-fall-2010/circular-motion/circular-motion-kinematics/help-session-1/U-k3m4cZKS0.srt'}

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Help Session 2

{'English - US': '/courses/physics/8-01sc-physics-i-classical-mechanics-fall-2010/circular-motion/circular-motion-kinematics/help-session-2/ZUK8drpO4YY.srt'}

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Related Resources

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