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Because even though the speed of an object moving in a circular path is constant, its velocity is not. And according to Newton's first law a change of velocity is evidence of a force.

The difference is that speed is just the absolute value of velocity, it just says how many units of distance an object can travel in one unit of time. Velocity on the other hand also contains information about the direction of an object (you can regard it as 3 numbers specifying the speed in x, y and z directions).

And the direction of motion for a body moving in a circular path DOES change even though its speed does not, therefore a force is needed. (The force decreases the speed in one direction and increases it in another).

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What is the work done by a body moving along a circular path?

The work done by a body moving along a circular path is zero if the force is perpendicular to the direction of motion, such as in the case of centripetal force. This is because the displacement is perpendicular to the force. If there is a component of the force in the direction of the motion, work is done, calculated as the dot product of the force and displacement vectors.


What does the force diagram for circular motion look like?

In circular motion, the force diagram typically shows a centripetal force pointing towards the center of the circle, along with any other forces acting on the object. This centripetal force is necessary to keep the object moving in a circular path.


How can one determine the normal force in circular motion?

In circular motion, the normal force can be determined by using the equation: Normal force (mass x velocity2) / radius. This formula takes into account the mass of the object, its velocity, and the radius of the circular path it is moving along.


When you observe an object moving in a circle what can you infer about the net force acting on it?

The net force is directed toward the center of the circular path that the object is moving along, and it has a magnitude equal to the velocity squared times mass divided by the radius of the path. (mv^2/r)


What does the force diagram of circular motion illustrate?

The force diagram of circular motion illustrates the forces acting on an object moving in a circular path, such as centripetal force and friction, that keep the object moving in a curved trajectory.

Related Questions

What is the work done by a body moving along a circular path?

The work done by a body moving along a circular path is zero if the force is perpendicular to the direction of motion, such as in the case of centripetal force. This is because the displacement is perpendicular to the force. If there is a component of the force in the direction of the motion, work is done, calculated as the dot product of the force and displacement vectors.


What does the force diagram for circular motion look like?

In circular motion, the force diagram typically shows a centripetal force pointing towards the center of the circle, along with any other forces acting on the object. This centripetal force is necessary to keep the object moving in a circular path.


How can one determine the normal force in circular motion?

In circular motion, the normal force can be determined by using the equation: Normal force (mass x velocity2) / radius. This formula takes into account the mass of the object, its velocity, and the radius of the circular path it is moving along.


When you observe an object moving in a circle what can you infer about the net force acting on it?

The net force is directed toward the center of the circular path that the object is moving along, and it has a magnitude equal to the velocity squared times mass divided by the radius of the path. (mv^2/r)


What does the force diagram of circular motion illustrate?

The force diagram of circular motion illustrates the forces acting on an object moving in a circular path, such as centripetal force and friction, that keep the object moving in a curved trajectory.


What does a circular motion force diagram illustrate?

A circular motion force diagram illustrates the forces acting on an object moving in a circular path, showing the centripetal force required to keep the object moving in a curved trajectory.


CENTRIPETAL?

A force that acts on a body moving in a circular path and is directed around the object which the body is moving


What provides the centripetal force that keeps an object moving in a circular path?

The centripetal force that keeps an object moving in a circular path is provided by the inward force acting towards the center of the circle.


The net force on an object moving with constant speed in circular motion is in which direction?

The net force on an object moving with constant speed in circular motion is directed towards the center of the circle. This force is called the centripetal force and is required to keep the object moving in a circular path instead of moving in a straight line.


Force can be thought of as either a push or a pull as long as it makes the object move in a circular path.?

Centripetal-Brittany Goraczkowski


How does centripetal force overcome friction in circular motion?

Centripetal force is the force that keeps an object moving in a circular path. It acts towards the center of the circle and overcomes the friction between the object and the surface it is moving on. This allows the object to continue moving in a circular motion without sliding or slipping.


What is centriptal force?

Is a force that acts on a body moving in a circular path and is directed toward the center around which the body is moving.