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VICPhysicsQuick questions
Unit 2: How does physics help us to understand the world?
Quick questions on Uniform circular motion introduction (VCE Physics Unit 2)
4short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is treating centripetal force as a "new" force?Show answer
It is the net inward force from the actual forces acting (tension, friction, gravity, normal).
What is pointing centripetal force outward?Show answer
Always toward the centre. The "centrifugal" effect is a perceived inertia, not a force in an inertial frame.
What is forgetting that speed is constant?Show answer
$a_c$ has constant magnitude but changing direction. KE is constant in uniform circular motion; net work done by centripetal force is zero (force perpendicular to velocity).
What is using $a_c = v^2/r$ when motion is not uniform?Show answer
If speed is also changing, there is a tangential acceleration component in addition. Year 11 problems use uniform circular motion.
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