Force exerted on you while you move in a circle at unchanging speed?

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    Circle Force Speed
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of force exerted on an object moving in a circular path at a constant speed, exploring the relationship between force, acceleration, and motion as described by Newton's laws of motion.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether any force is exerted on an object moving in a circle at unchanging speed.
  • One participant suggests that acceleration is a key factor, referencing Newton's 2nd law, which relates force and acceleration.
  • Another participant clarifies that acceleration involves a change in velocity, which occurs in circular motion due to a change in direction.
  • A hypothetical scenario involving a rock tied to a string is presented to illustrate that a force is necessary to maintain circular motion.
  • Some participants agree that a net force is required for any change in motion, including changes in direction.
  • There is a reiteration that anything not moving in a straight line is experiencing acceleration due to a force, with a historical reference to Galileo's contributions to this understanding.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that a force is required for circular motion, but there is some initial confusion about the definitions of acceleration and the implications of Newton's laws. The discussion reflects a mix of understanding and uncertainty regarding these concepts.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about Newton's 2nd law and the definition of acceleration, indicating a potential gap in understanding that may affect their interpretations of the discussion.

subieman
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Is any force exerted on you while you move in a circle at unchanging speed? howdo you know?
 
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Are you accelerating? What does Newton's 2nd law tell you?
 
No acceleration because its amoving at a contastant speed.I don't know Newtons 2nd law
 
In physics, acceleration means a change in velocity, not just speed. Velocity changes when the direction of motion changes, so circular motion is accelerated.

Newton's 2nd law will tell you that force and acceleration are proportional. But even Newton's 1st law should tell you that a force is required in order for something to do anything but continue moving in a straight line at constant speed.

Imagine that you tied a rock on the end of a string and swung it around in a circle. Does that require exerting a force on the rock (via the string)? Sure.
 
Ok, the rock and the string makes a lot of sense. so there would be a force exerted on you because a force is required for something to do anything right?
 
A net force is required for an object to change its motion (change speed or direction).
 
subieman said:
Ok, the rock and the string makes a lot of sense. so there would be a force exerted on you because a force is required for something to do anything right?

yep, you can be pretty sure that anything which doesn't move in a dead straight line is being accelerated by a force. It was Galileo who dicovered that simple idea.
 
Thanks for the help. Its a lot clearer now.
 

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