5.2  Circular motion

 

5.2.1  Kinematics of circular motion

 

Learners should be able to demonstrate and apply their knowledge and understanding of:

 

(a) the radian as a measure of angle

Don't let this worry you, it really is quite straightforward.  You just need to know that 360 degrees = 2 pi radians and take it from there.

 

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​(b) period and frequency of an object in circular motion

 

(c) angular velocity

 

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5.2.2  Centripetal Force

 

Learners should be able to demonstrate and apply their knowledge and understanding of:

 

(a) a constant net force perpendicular to the velocity of an object causes it to travel in a circular path

 

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(b) constant speed in a circle;

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(c) centripetal acceleration;

 

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(d) (i) centripetal force;

You may find many a site on the internet that talks about centrifugal forces i.e. a force acting outwards from the circle.  These sites are wrong and you should leave them immediately!  To make something move in a circle there must be an inward force.

 

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(ii) techniques and procedures used to investigate circular motion using a whirling bung.

 

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