Physics

concept reinforcement quiz 4

Projectiles, Simple Harmonic Motions, & Circular Motions

The purpose of this page is to help you understand Newtonian dynamics and develop related skills.  Be prepared to answer or do all the following:

Section 1: Development of the theory:

• What is the shape of a projectile's motion?
  
  
• How is a projectile's vertical motion affected by its horizontal motion?
  
  
• What are constant during a projectile's motion?
  
  
• Define period and frequency:
  
  
• What are constant in uniform circular motion?
  
  
• What is the direction and magnitude of the force necessary to maintain uniform circular motion?
  
  
• What are the two formulas for calculating centripetal acceleration?
  
  
• What is centripetal force?
  
  
• What is centrifical force?

Section 2: Mathematical section: Apply your understanding by making specific predictions.  List all equations you use, and show substitutions and algebra.   Show your stepwise solution procedure.  Answers need to be reported with the correct uncertainty (i.e., the correct number of significant figures), and appropriate unit labels:

• If a bullet is fired horizontally at 500 m/s, how far will it fall in 0.50 s?   How far will it travel horizontally in that time?
  
  
• An old phonograph turntable has 3 speeds: 33 1/3 rpm, 45 rpm, and 78 rpm.   What is the period for each rotation speed in seconds? What is the frequency for each rotation speed in revolutions per second?
  
  
• The earth is an average of 1.49 x 10¹⁰ m from the sun and completes an orbit in 1 year.   What acceleration does the earth have orbiting?   Could you feel (or measure) the difference in noon and midnight acceleration?
  
  
• If the mass of the earth is 5.98 x 10²⁴ kg, what force must the sun pull on the earth?   What force must the earth pull on the sun?   What must be the speed of the earth travelling around the sun?
  
  
• If a baseball player wanted to hit a 300 m home run, presuming no friction and the wall is approximately the same elevation as the bat, what would be the best angle to hit the ball?  What would be the minimum speed needed to hit the home run?  How long will the ball be in the air?