Circular Motion and Gravitation Objectives

The Minds On Physics program consists of 15 topics. Each topic consists of a varying number of missions. Every mission addresses one to three objectives. The objectives for Circular Motion and Gravitation are listed below.
 

• Mission CG1: Speed and Velocity

  • The student should be able to distinguish between the concepts of speed and velocity and use such concepts to describe the motion of objects in a circle.
  • The student should be able to identify and describe the direction of the velocity vector for an object moving in a circle and identify the variables effecting the magnitude of the velocity.
     
• Mission CG2: Acceleration and Net Force
  • The student should be able to recognize that objects moving in circles have an acceleration and explain the cause of this acceleration.
  • The student should be able to describe the magnitude and direction of the acceleration and net force vector of an object moving in a circle at a constant speed.
     
• Mission CG3: Centripetal Force and Inertia
  • The student should be able to use the concept of inertia to explain the reason that objects moving in circles have a tendency to move tangent to the circle.
     
• Mission CG4: The Centripetal Force Requirement
  • The student should be able to use the centripetal force requirement to identify the force which act centripetally in order to cause an object to move in circular motion.
  • The student should be able to analyze a physical situation involving circular motion and compare the magnitude of the individual forces which act upon an object.
     
• Mission CG5: Mathematical Analysis of Circular Motion
  • The student should be able to utilize Newton's laws to analyze the motion of an object moving in a horizontal circle and to determine the values of the acceleration, net force and individual forces.
  • The student should be able utilize Newton's laws to analyze the motion of an object moving in a vertical circle and to determine the values of the acceleration, net force and individual forces.
     
• Mission CG6: Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation
  • The student should be able to recognize key elements of Newton's law of universal gravitation.
  • The student should be able to identify the variables effecting the force of gravity and predict the effect of alterations in these variables upon the force of gravity.
     
• Mission CG7: The Acceleration of Gravity
  • The student should be able to define the acceleration of gravity and identify the variables which effect its value.
  • The student should be able to predict the effect of alterations in strategic variables upon the acceleration of gravity.
     
• Mission CG8: Satellite Motion
  • The student should be able to identify the variables effecting the orbital speed of a satellite and discuss the dependence of orbital speed upon these variables.
  • The student should be able to identify the variables effecting the acceleration and net force acting upon an orbiting satellite and discuss the dependence of a and F_net upon these variables.
     
• Mission CG9: Weightlessness
  • The student should be able to distinguish between the weight of an object and the sensations of weightlessness experienced by an object and to explain the cause of these sensations.
  •  The student should be able to apply concepts of weight and weightlessness to explain a variety of motions such as roller coaster motions and satellite motion.
     
• Mission CG10: Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion
  • The student should be able to identify and describe each of Kepler's three laws of planetary motion.
  • The student should be able to use Kepler's law of harmonies to make calculations regarding the radius and period of orbits of planets.
    
    
     

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