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AP Physics C Unit 5 Study Guide

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Lauren Dinh
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140 views

AP Physics C Unit 5 Study Guide

Uploaded by

Lauren Dinh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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AP Physics C:

Mechanics
Unit 5
Study Guide
Lauren Dinh
07/18/24
Key Terms & Definitions
Centripetal: Relating to the force or Uniform circular motion: The
acceleration directed towards the center motion of an object traveling in a
of a circular path. circular path at a constant speed.

Centripetal force : The force that keeps an object moving


in a circular path by constantly pulling it towards the
center of the circle.

Point mass: An idealized object with


Angular momentum: The measure of mass concentrated at a single point,
an object's rotational motion, often used to simplify calculations in
determined by its moment of inertia physics.
and angular velocity.
Circular motion
Circular motion is the
motion of an object that
travels along a curved
path with a constant
radius around a central
point or axis. The object
continuously changes
direction to stay on the
circular path, which
requires a centripetal
force directed towards the
center of the circle.
Torque
Torque is a measure of the rotational force applied to an object, which causes it to rotate
around an axis. It is the product of the force applied and the distance from the axis of
rotation, and it determines how effectively the force causes rotational motion.
Moment of Inertia
The moment of inertia is
a measure of an object's
resistance to changes in
its rotational motion
around a specific axis. It
depends on the mass
distribution of the object
relative to the axis of
rotation.
Rotational Kinematics
Rotational kinematics describes the motion of rotating objects, focusing on how their
angular displacement, velocity, and acceleration change over time. It parallels linear
kinematics but for rotational motion.
Rotational Energy
In rotational motion, work and
energy concepts are similar to
those in linear motion. Work is
done by applying a torque to an
object, causing it to rotate. This
work is directly related to the
amount of rotational kinetic
energy the object gains. Just like
in linear motion where kinetic
energy depends on mass and
velocity, rotational kinetic energy
depends on an object's moment of
inertia and its angular velocity.
Thus, the total energy of a
rotating object includes both its
rotational energy and any other
forms of energy, such as potential
energy.
Example Problem
A 1 kg point mass is attached to a string and swung in a horizontal
circle with a radius of 2 meters. The mass travels at a constant speed
of 4 m/s.

1. Calculate the centripetal force acting on the mass.


2. Determine the angular momentum of the mass.

2m
Examples solution
Given: Calculations-
Centripetal force:
● m=1kg
● v=4 m/s
● r=2 m

Unknowns:
Angular momentum:
● Centripetal force
● Angular momentum

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