Objectives - Circular Motion
The Minds On Physics program consists of 15 modules. Each module covers a different topic and consists of a varying number of assignments. Every assignment addresses one or two objectives. The objectives for the Circular Motion module are listed below.
- Assignment 1: Speed and
Velocity
- The student should be able to distinguish between the
concepts of speed and velocity and use such concepts to
describe the motion of objects in a circle.
- The student should be able to identify and describe the
direction of the velocity vector for an object moving in a
circle and identify the variables effecting the magnitude of
the velocity.
- Assignment 2: Acceleration and Net
Force
- The student should be able to recognize that objects moving
in circles have an acceleration and explain the cause of this
acceleration.
- The student should be able to describe the magnitude and
direction of the acceleration and net force vector of an object
moving in a circle at a constant speed.
- Assignment 3: Centripetal Force and
Inertia
- The student should be able to use the concept of inertia to
explain the reason that objects moving in circles have a
tendency to move tangent to the circle.
- Assignment 4: The Centripetal Force
Requirement
- The student should be able to use the centripetal force
requirement to identify the force which act centripetally in
order to cause an object to move in circular motion.
- The student should be able to analyze a physical situation
involving circular motion and compare the magnitude of the
individual forces which act upon an object.
- Assignment 5: Mathematical Analysis of
Circular Motion
- The student should be able to utilize Newton's laws to
analyze the motion of an object moving in a horizontal circle
and to determine the values of the acceleration, net force and
individual forces.
- The student should be able utilize Newton's laws to analyze
the motion of an object moving in a vertical circle and to
determine the values of the acceleration, net force and
individual forces.
- Assignment 6: Newton's Law of Universal
Gravitation
- The student should be able to recognize key elements of
Newton's law of universal gravitation.
- The student should be able to identify the variables
effecting the force of gravity and predict the effect of
alterations in these variables upon the force of gravity.
- Assignment 7: The Acceleration of
Gravity
- The student should be able to define the acceleration of
gravity and identify the variables which effect its value.
- The student should be able to predict the effect of
alterations in strategic variables upon the acceleration of
gravity.
- Assignment 8: Satellite
Motion
- The student should be able to identify the variables
effecting the orbital speed of a satellite and discuss the
dependence of orbital speed upon these variables.
- The student should be able to identify the variables
effecting the acceleration and net force acting upon an
orbiting satellite and discuss the dependence of a and Fnet
upon these variables.
- Assignment 9: Weightlessness
- The student should be able to distinguish between the
weight of an object and the sensations of weightlessness
experienced by an object and to explain the cause of these
sensations.
- The student should be able to apply concepts of
weight and weightlessness to explain a variety of motions such
as roller coaster motions and satellite motion.
- Assignment 10: Kepler's Laws of
Planetary Motion
- The student should be able to identify and describe each of
Kepler's three laws of planetary motion.
- The student should be able to use Kepler's law of harmonies
to make calculations regarding the radius and period of orbits
of planets.