Mechanics: Circular Motion and Gravitation

We have 18 ready-to-use problem sets on the topic of Circular Motion and Gravitation. These problem sets focus on the use of Newton's laws of motion and of universal gravitation to mathematically analyze situations involving circular motion or satellite motion.



Click a link to open a publicly-available problem set.  If you are a Task Tracker student, open the assignment using the link on the Task Tracker assignment board.


Problem Set CG1: Linear Speed
Use the equation v = 2•π•R/T to determine the speed, radius or period. Includes 4 problems.

 
 
Problem Set CG2: Centripetal Acceleration 1
Use circular motion equations to relate the linear speed or centripetal acceleration to the radius of the circle and the period. Includes 7 problems.

 
 
Problem Set CG3: Centripetal Acceleration 2
Use circular motion equations to relate a linear speed or centripetal acceleration to the rotational speed. Includes 7 problems.

 
 
Problem Set CG4: Centripetal Force
Use circular motion equations to relate a linear speed or centripetal acceleration to the centripetal force. Includes 5 problems.

 
 
Problem Set CG5: Circular Motion and a Force Analysis 1
Use circular motion equations, a force analysis, and Newton's second law to analyze situations with objects moving in vertical circles.  Most problems include some scaffolding. Includes 7 problems.

 
 
Problem Set CG6: Circular Motion and a Force Analysis 2
Use circular motion equations, a force analysis, and Newton's second law to analyze situations with objects moving in horizontal circles. Includes 5 problems.

 
 
Problem Set CG7: Circular Motion and a Force Analysis 3
Use circular motion equations, a force analysis, and Newton's second law to analyze situations with objects moving in circles. Includes 7 problems.

 
 
Problem Set CG8: Circular Motion and a Force Analysis 4
Use circular motion equations, a force analysis, and Newton's second law to analyze situations with objects moving in circles. Includes 7 problems.

 
 
Problem Set CG9: Gravitational Force 1
Use Newton's law of universal gravitation to calculate the force of attraction between two objects of known mass and separation distance. Includes 7 problems.

 
 
Problem Set CG10: Gravitational Force 2
Use Newton's law of universal gravitation to calculate the force of attraction between two objects of known mass and separation distance. Includes 5 problems.

 
 
Problem Set CG11: Gravitational Force 3
Use Newton's law of universal gravitation as a proportional reasoning tool and as a problem-solving tool for some complex scenarios. Includes 4 problems.

 
 
Problem Set CG12: Gravitational Field Strength
Use the equation for gravitational field strength to calculate the value of g under varying conditions. Includes 6 problems.

 
 
Problem Set CG13: Orbital Speed
Use the equation for orbital speed to relate the orbital radius, orbital period, and the mass of the central body. Includes 8 problems.

 
 
Problem Set CG14: Orbital Acceleration
Relate the orbital period and orbital radius to the orbital acceleration. Includes 6 problems.

 
 
Problem Set CG15: Satellite Motion Mathematics
Use orbital motion equations to relate the orbital radius, orbital speed, orbital period, and the mass of the central body. Includes 4 problems.

 
 
Problem Set CG16: Kepler's Third Law 1
Use Kepler's third law to analyze period-orbital radius data in an effort to determine an unknown period or radius of orbit. Includes 4 problems.

 
 
Problem Set CG17: Kepler's Third Law 2
Use Kepler's third law to relate the orbital period, orbital radius, and the mass of the central body. Includes 7 problems.

 
 
Problem Set CG18: Kepler's Third Law 1
Combine Kepler's third law with proportional reasoning skills to determine an unknown period or radius of orbit. Includes 5 problems.