What Are Some Basic Newtonian Problems?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on basic Newtonian physics problems, specifically addressing concepts such as centripetal force, gravitational force, and the effects of distance on gravitational attraction. Key answers include that the acceleration of an object moving in a circle at a constant speed of 20 m/s is 4 m/s², the force required to maintain circular motion is centripetal force, and the gravitational force decreases with the square of the distance between masses. Additionally, it is established that a person's weight increases if the radius of the Earth decreases while mass remains constant.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Familiarity with centripetal force concepts
  • Knowledge of gravitational force and its dependence on distance
  • Basic mathematical skills for solving physics problems
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the concept of centripetal acceleration in circular motion
  • Explore Newton's law of universal gravitation in detail
  • Learn about gravitational fields and their implications
  • Investigate the effects of mass and distance on gravitational force
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Students, educators, and anyone interested in foundational physics concepts, particularly those studying Newtonian mechanics and gravitational interactions.

PhysicsNovice
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Please review the correctness of these basics physics questions. Add any comments or helpful hints to help my rudimentary understanding. I am truly a "physics novice." Thanks.

Physics Problems – Round 2


1. An object moves with a constant speed of 20 meters per second on a circular track of radius 100 m. What is the acceleration of the object?

a. zero
b. 0.4 m/s/s
c. 2 m/s/s
d. 4 m/s/s*

2. What force is needed to make an object move in a circle?

a. kinetic friction
b. static friction
c. centripetal force*
d. weight

3. A car goes around a curve of radius r at a constant speed. What is the direction of the net force on the car?

a. toward the curve's center*
b. away the curve's center
c. toward the front of the car
d. toward the back of the car

4. If a car goes around a curve at half the speed, the centripetal force on the car is:

a. four times as big
b. half as big
c. one-fourth as big*

5. According to Newton, the greater the distance between masses of interacting objects, the:

a. less the gravitational force between them
b. more the gravitational force between them
c. less the force by the square of the separation distance*
d. none of these





6. If the radius of Earth somehow decreased with no change in mass, your weight would:

a. increase*
b. not change
c. decrease
7. The force of gravity acting on you will increase if you:

a. burrow deep inside the planet
b. stand on a planet with a radius that is shrinking
c. both of these*
d. none of these

8. A hollow spherical planet is inhabited by people who live inside it, where the gravitational field is zero. When a very massive ship lands on the planet’s surface, inhabitants find that the gravitational field inside the planet is:

a. still zero
b. non-zero, directed toward the spaceship*
c. non-zero, directed away from the spaceship

9. A very massive object A and a less massive object B move toward each other under the influence of mutual gravitation. Which force, if either, is greater?


a. The force on A
b. The force on B
c. Both forces are the same*

10. A woman who normally weights 400 N stands on top of a very tall ladder so she is one Earth radius above the Earth’s surface. How much does she weigh there?

a. zero
b. 100 N*
c. 200 N
d. 400 N
e. none of these
 
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