Physics 221 Worksheet: Chapter 5, Circular Motion

1) The acceleration of an object moving in a circle at constant speed is:

a) zero.

b) directed tangent to the circle.

c) directed toward the center of the circle.

d) directed away from the center of the circle.

2) If the speed of a turning car is doubled the centripetal force will

a) stay the same.

b) be doubled.

c) be cut in half.

d) multiplied by four.

e) divided by four.

3) In order to increase the force of gravitational attraction between two masses by a factor of four, their separation should be

a) cut in half.

b) doubled.

c) multiplied by four.

d) divided by four.

4) All Earth satellites at the same altitude have the same

a) acceleration.

b) speed.

c) period.

d) all the above.

e) none of the above.

5) The value of “g” is less on the Moon than on Earth because

a) the Moon is far from the Earth.

b) the Moon has less mass than the Earth.

c) the radius of the Moon is less than the radius of the Earth.

d) there is no air on the Moon.

6) If satellite A is in a higher orbit than satellite B then

a) satellite A is traveling faster than satellite B.

b) satellite A has a longer period than satellite B.

c) satellite A has a greater acceleration than satellite B.

d) satellite A has a greater weight than satellite B.

7) The direction of the velocity vector is always

a) tangent to the path.

b) directed toward the center of curvature.

c) directed away from the center of curvature.

8) A car is going around a curve at constant speed. The resultant force on the car is

a) zero.

b) directed tangent to the curve.

c) directed toward the center of the curve.

d) directed away from the center of the curve.

Ans: 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-d, 5-b, 6-b, 7-a, 8-c