This document provides an introduction to periodic and circular motion. It discusses key concepts such as centripetal acceleration, centripetal force, and centrifugal force. Centripetal acceleration is the acceleration toward the center required to maintain circular motion. Centripetal force is the force providing the necessary centripetal acceleration, given by Fc = mv2/r. Centrifugal force is a fictional outward force felt in a rotating reference frame.

1. Introduction to Periodic Motion CP Physics - Sly

2. Periodic Motion: a comparison Projectile motion was an object going up and coming down, ONCE! -vs.- Periodic motion is a repeating motion, that can be described with Newtonian physics and our kinematics equations.

3. So we will be looking at the following examples: Circular Motion Torque Simple Harmonic Motion (Springs and Pendulums) The only thing is that these situations require us to describe things differently.

4. The human body cannot sense constant velocity… But it has a great ability to sense small shifts in acceleration .

5. I. Circular Motion Remember that acceleration is a change in speed or direction.. So an object spinning in a circle can have constant speed, but since its direction is changing, the velocity is changing and therefore acceleration. In circular motion its called Centripetal Acceleration . * Centripeta l: meaning center seeking or towards the center.

6. Centripetal acceleration It it a difficult derivation, that I do not want to spend time on, but based on taking two points very close together on a circle (that can be connected by a tangent), we get… a c =  v = v 2  t r

7. What is Uniform Circular Motion? Based on the car looping around the track, what do you gather?

8. Understanding a circle to understand velocity Remember that circumference = 2  r Trig tells us one complete cycle is the period (T) So velocity is distance around circle divided by time V = 2  r T

9. Why use this for velocity? This makes it easier to determine the velocity of the object, since distance and time can be measured without interfering in the motion.

10. Put these two equations together. (derive as a class)

11. We also have a force Since there is acceleration toward the center, there is also a force towards the center … Centripetal Force F c = ma c = mv 2 = m(4  2 r) r T 2

12. Circular Motion cont. Lets look at this in action…

13. One last item, fictional forces To compensate, objects in an accelerating reference frame invent fictional forces to explain motions in Newtonian terms. In circular motion, this fictional force is called centrifugal force, or in outward direction opposite of centripetal. WHY? (based on momentum)

14. So think about riding in a car Consider riding along in a car with your crazy friend, the one who likes to take turns 50 mph. What forces do you feel in a turn to the left in this scary song? If you say a force to the right then you have identified centrifugal force due to your body wanting to move in a straight line.  NOT A REAL FORCE When you press against the door, the door applies a centripetal force (along with friction on the seat) to make you turn.