After learning about Uniform Circular Motion we expect you to be able to:
  • Be able to determine if a system is in uniform circular motion or not
  • Be able to identify the radial direction and label that on a free body diagram
  • Follow the steps for Newton's Second Law and sum the forces in the radial and, as needed, tangential direction(s).
  • Know that the acceleration in the radial direction is v^2/r and the tangential acceleration is 0 for uniform circular motion.
  • Know when you need to use the tangential direction as your second dimension and when to use X and/or Y direction.
  • If an object undergoes UCM it's best to choose a coordinate system with one dimension in the inward radial direction
  • Understand inertia related to circular motion.
  • Pseudo force when against the wall of an object in uniform circular motion.
  • Identify centripetal force as a net force
  • Identify centrifugal force as fictitious and a mathematical feature from a reference frame transformation