Topic: Circular motion

Q. Define centripetal forces.

Ans. A force that acts on a body moving in a circular
path and is directed towards the centre around which
the body is moving.
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Mathematically F mv2/r
Where F is force, m is mass, v is speed and r is radius of
the circular track.
Q. State the factors upon which centripetal force
increase depends.
Ans. A larger force is needed if
(i) The speed v of the ball is increased,
(ii) The radius r of the circle is decreased,
(iii) The mass m of the ball is increased.
Q. Draw a label diagram to show the direction of force,
velocity and acceleration.
Note: Direction of velocity at any point is always
perpendicular to the direction of force.
Q. Define centrifugal force.
Ans. The force which acts in opposite direction to the
centripetal force is called centrifugal force.
Q. If the centripetal force acting on the object is
removed, State the direction in which the object will
move.
Ans. It will move tangent to the circle.
Q. Explain why the roads are banked at turns.
Ans. The banking of the road helps to increase the
centripetal force. The friction between the tires and the
roads provides the centripetal force. It helps the
vehicles to take sharp turns without skating of the
track.