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Physics

Key Terms

PhysicsKey Terms

Key Terms

angle of rotation
the ratio of the arc length to the radius of curvature of a circular path
angular acceleration
the rate of change of angular velocity with time
angular velocity
( ω ω ) the rate of change in the angular position of an object following a circular path
arc length
( Δs Δs ) the distance traveled by an object along a circular path
centrifugal force
a fictitious force that acts in the direction opposite the centripetal acceleration
centripetal acceleration
the component of the acceleration of an object perpendicular to the velocity; an object moving in a circular path experiences centripetal acceleration directed toward the center of the circle
centripetal force
the component of the net force which is perpendicular to the velocity; an object moving in a circular path does so due to a centripetal force
circular motion
the motion of an object along a circular path
kinematics of rotational motion
the relationships between rotation angle, angular velocity, angular acceleration, and time
lever arm
the distance between the point of rotation (pivot point) and the location where force is applied
radius of curvature
the distance between the center of a circular path and the path
rotational motion
the circular motion of an object about an axis of rotation
spin
rotation about an axis that goes through the center of mass of the object
tangential acceleration
the acceleration in a direction tangent to the circular path of motion and in the same direction or opposite direction as the tangential velocity
tangential velocity
the instantaneous linear velocity of an object in circular or rotational motion
torque
the effectiveness of a force to change the rotational speed of an object
uniform circular motion
the motion of an object in a circular path at constant speed
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