An object is moving in a circular path with a constant speed. What can be said a
Practice Questions
Q1
An object is moving in a circular path with a constant speed. What can be said about the work done by the centripetal force?
Positive work
Negative work
Zero work
Depends on speed
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
An object is moving in a circular path with a constant speed. What can be said about the work done by the centripetal force?
Step 1: Understand that an object moving in a circular path is constantly changing direction.
Step 2: Recognize that the speed of the object remains constant, but its direction is always changing.
Step 3: Identify the centripetal force, which is the force that keeps the object moving in a circle.
Step 4: Note that the centripetal force acts towards the center of the circle.
Step 5: Realize that the direction of the object's motion is tangential to the circle, which is perpendicular to the centripetal force.
Step 6: Understand that work is done when a force causes displacement in the direction of the force.
Step 7: Since the centripetal force is perpendicular to the direction of motion, it does not cause any displacement in its direction.
Step 8: Conclude that the work done by the centripetal force is zero.
Centripetal Force – Centripetal force is the net force acting on an object moving in a circular path, directed towards the center of the circle.
Work Done – Work is defined as the product of force and displacement in the direction of the force. If the force is perpendicular to the displacement, no work is done.
Uniform Circular Motion – An object moving in a circular path at a constant speed experiences uniform circular motion, where the speed remains constant but the direction changes.