Normal force in circular motion refers to the force that acts perpendicular to the surface of an object that is moving in a circular path. It is a contact force that prevents the object from falling through the surface and is equal in magnitude to the force pushing the object towards the center of the circle.
Normal force is directly related to centripetal force in circular motion. In order for an object to maintain circular motion, there must be a net force acting towards the center of the circle. This force is known as the centripetal force and is provided by the normal force in most cases.
Yes, in certain cases the normal force can be greater than the weight of an object. This can occur when the object is moving in a vertical circle or when there is an additional force acting on the object, such as friction. In these cases, the normal force must be greater in order to provide the necessary centripetal force for circular motion.
In non-uniform circular motion, the direction and magnitude of the velocity of the object is constantly changing. As a result, the normal force also changes in direction and magnitude throughout the motion. The normal force will be greatest when the object is moving in a vertical direction and smallest when it is moving horizontally.
As the radius of the circle changes, the normal force will also change. This is because the centripetal force needed for circular motion is directly proportional to the square of the radius. As the radius increases, the centripetal force and therefore the normal force will also increase. Similarly, if the radius decreases, the normal force will decrease.