Circular Motion and Linear Speed

Which has greater linear speed, a horse near the outside of a merry-go-round or a horse near the inside rail?

• The outside horse
• The inside horse
• Neither - they both have the same linear speed.

Any force that causes an object to move in a circular path is called a centripetal force.

• True
• False

It is possible to rotate a very large cylindrical space habitat around its central axis at just the right speed so people inside the cylinder will experience a force that feels like gravity.

• True
• False

Which has greater angular speed, a horse near the outside rail of a merry-go-round or a horse near the inside rail?

• The outside horse
• The inside horse
• Neither. They both have the same angular speed.

Which of the following is NOT a unit of rotational speed?

• Revolutions per second
• Rotations per second
• Revolutions per minute
• Meters per second

What is the direction of the force that acts on clothes in the spin cycle of a washing machine?

• Outward
• Inward 
• Up 
• Down

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

A tin can whirled on the  end of a string moves in a circle because

• once the can starts moving that is its natural tendency.
• the can continually pulls on the string.
• there is a force on the can pulling it outward.
• the string continually pulls inward on the can.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

If you whirl a tin can on the end of a string and the string suddenly breaks, the can will

• fly directly away from you.
• fly directly toward you.
• fly off, tangent to its circular path.
• spiral away from your hand.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

A ladybug rests on the bottom of a tin can that is being whirled in a horizontal circle at the end of a string.  What exerts the force that holds this ladybug in a circular path?

• Your hand
• The string
• The can 
• Gravity

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

A ladybug on a turntable will make more turns per minute if it is located nearer the center of the turntable.

• True
• False