Force exerted on you while you move in a circle at unchanging speed?

In summary, circular motion at a constant speed is considered accelerated in physics because velocity changes when the direction of motion changes. Newton's 2nd law states that force and acceleration are proportional, and even his 1st law suggests that a force is required for an object to change its motion. This can be seen in the example of swinging a rock on a string, where a force is exerted on the rock to keep it in circular motion. Galileo's discovery further supports the idea that any motion not in a straight line is being accelerated by a force.
  • #1
subieman
5
0
Is any force exerted on you while you move in a circle at unchanging speed? howdo you know?
 
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  • #2
Are you accelerating? What does Newton's 2nd law tell you?
 
  • #3
No acceleration because its amoving at a contastant speed.I don't know Newtons 2nd law
 
  • #4
In physics, acceleration means a change in velocity, not just speed. Velocity changes when the direction of motion changes, so circular motion is accelerated.

Newton's 2nd law will tell you that force and acceleration are proportional. But even Newton's 1st law should tell you that a force is required in order for something to do anything but continue moving in a straight line at constant speed.

Imagine that you tied a rock on the end of a string and swung it around in a circle. Does that require exerting a force on the rock (via the string)? Sure.
 
  • #5
Ok, the rock and the string makes a lot of sense. so there would be a force exerted on you because a force is required for something to do anything right?
 
  • #6
A net force is required for an object to change its motion (change speed or direction).
 
  • #7
subieman said:
Ok, the rock and the string makes a lot of sense. so there would be a force exerted on you because a force is required for something to do anything right?

yep, you can be pretty sure that anything which doesn't move in a dead straight line is being accelerated by a force. It was Galileo who dicovered that simple idea.
 
  • #8
Thanks for the help. Its a lot clearer now.
 

FAQ: Force exerted on you while you move in a circle at unchanging speed?

What is centripetal force?

Centripetal force is the force that keeps an object moving in a circular path at a constant speed. It is directed towards the center of the circle and is necessary to maintain the object's circular motion.

How does centripetal force change as speed increases?

As speed increases, the centripetal force required to keep an object moving in a circle at a constant speed also increases. This is because the faster an object is moving, the greater the force needed to overcome its inertia and maintain its circular motion.

Can an object moving in a circle at a constant speed experience a change in velocity?

Yes, an object moving in a circle at a constant speed can experience a change in velocity. This is because velocity is a vector quantity that takes into account both speed and direction. Therefore, even if an object is moving at a constant speed, if its direction changes, its velocity will also change.

How does the radius of the circle affect the force exerted on an object?

The radius of the circle has a direct impact on the force exerted on an object. As the radius decreases, the force required to keep the object moving in a circle at a constant speed increases. This is because a smaller radius means a tighter turn, which requires a greater force to overcome the object's inertia.

What happens to the force exerted on an object in circular motion if the speed is doubled?

If the speed of an object in circular motion is doubled, the force required to keep it moving in a circle at a constant speed will also double. This is because the greater speed means a greater inertia that must be overcome to maintain the circular motion. Additionally, the centripetal force will also need to increase in order to keep the object moving in a tighter circle at the higher speed.

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