AP Physics: Circular Motion Questions! Trivia Quiz

1. What term describes a force that causes an object to move in a circular path?

Circular force

Centripetal acceleration

Centripetal force

Centrifugal force

Centripetal force is the correct answer because it is the force that acts towards the center of a circular path, keeping an object moving in that path. It is responsible for changing the direction of an object's velocity, without changing its speed. Centripetal force is necessary to maintain circular motion and is commonly observed in various phenomena such as the rotation of planets around the sun or the motion of a car around a curve.

Explanation

Centripetal force is the correct answer because it is the force that acts towards the center of a circular path, keeping an object moving in that path. It is responsible for changing the direction of an object's velocity, without changing its speed. Centripetal force is necessary to maintain circular motion and is commonly observed in various phenomena such as the rotation of planets around the sun or the motion of a car around a curve.

2. A ball is whirled on a string, then the string breaks. What causes the ball to move off in a straight line?

Centripetal acceleration

Centripetal force

Centrifugal force

Inertia

When the string breaks, the ball will continue moving in a straight line due to its inertia. Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its motion. Since there is no longer a centripetal force acting on the ball to keep it moving in a circular path, the ball will move off in a straight line according to Newton's first law of motion.

Explanation

When the string breaks, the ball will continue moving in a straight line due to its inertia. Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its motion. Since there is no longer a centripetal force acting on the ball to keep it moving in a circular path, the ball will move off in a straight line according to Newton's first law of motion.

3. Which of the following is due to inertia?

A ball whirled in a circular motion stays in one plane.

A ball whirled in a circular motion experience centripetal acceleration directed toward the center of motion.

A ball whirled in a circular motion experience a centripetal force directed toward the center of motion.

A ball whirled in a circular motion will move off in a straight line if the string breaks.

When an object is in motion, it tends to stay in motion in a straight line due to its inertia. In this case, when a ball is whirled in a circular motion, it has a natural tendency to continue moving in a straight line if the string holding it breaks. This is because the ball wants to keep moving in the direction it was already going, following the path of inertia.

Explanation

When an object is in motion, it tends to stay in motion in a straight line due to its inertia. In this case, when a ball is whirled in a circular motion, it has a natural tendency to continue moving in a straight line if the string holding it breaks. This is because the ball wants to keep moving in the direction it was already going, following the path of inertia.

4. A centripetal force acts

In the same direction as tangential speed.

In the direction opposite tangential speed.

Perpendicular to the plane of circular motion.

Perpendicular to tangential speed but on the same plane.

A centripetal force is the force that acts towards the center of circular motion. In this case, it is perpendicular to the tangential speed because it is responsible for changing the direction of the object's velocity, keeping it moving in a circular path. However, it is on the same plane as the tangential speed because both forces act within the plane of the circular motion.

Explanation

A centripetal force is the force that acts towards the center of circular motion. In this case, it is perpendicular to the tangential speed because it is responsible for changing the direction of the object's velocity, keeping it moving in a circular path. However, it is on the same plane as the tangential speed because both forces act within the plane of the circular motion.

5. When a car makes a sharp left turn, what causes the passengers to move toward the right side of the car?

Centripetal acceleration

Centripetal force

Centrifugal force

Inertia

When a car makes a sharp left turn, the passengers tend to move toward the right side of the car due to their inertia. Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion. As the car turns left, the passengers' bodies want to continue moving in a straight line due to their inertia. This causes them to move toward the right side of the car, which is the opposite direction of the car's turn.

Explanation

When a car makes a sharp left turn, the passengers tend to move toward the right side of the car due to their inertia. Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion. As the car turns left, the passengers' bodies want to continue moving in a straight line due to their inertia. This causes them to move toward the right side of the car, which is the opposite direction of the car's turn.