Understanding Circular Motion: The Role of Centripetal Acceleration

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of centripetal acceleration in circular motion, focusing on how velocity changes even when speed remains constant. Participants explore the nature of velocity, its representation, and the implications of direction changes in circular motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion about how velocity changes in circular motion, questioning when it is considered positive or negative based on direction.
  • There is a discussion about how to describe velocity, with some stating it is speed with a direction and others seeking clarification on its physical representation at each moment.
  • One participant suggests that using polar coordinates might simplify the understanding of circular motion compared to Cartesian coordinates.
  • Another participant references derivations available on Wikipedia related to centripetal force and circular motion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the specifics of how velocity changes in circular motion, with multiple viewpoints and questions remaining unresolved.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes various assumptions about the representation of velocity and the choice of coordinate systems, which are not fully explored or agreed upon.

Oliver Gough
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<Moderator's note: Removed template prior to moving it from Homework.>

I am looking at centripetal acceleration, and I know that even at a constant speed the object is acceleration because its velocity is changing. But I don't understand how it is changing, like when is it negative and when is it positive ? Like if you were to make a simulation of the object going round in circles what would the velocity look like as it goes around, negative when down and positive when up? What about horizontal?
 
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Oliver Gough said:
<Moderator's note: Removed template prior to moving it from Homework.>

I am looking at centripetal acceleration, and I know that even at a constant speed the object is acceleration because its velocity is changing. But I don't understand how it is changing, like when is it negative and when is it positive ? Like if you were to make a simulation of the object going round in circles what would the velocity look like as it goes around, negative when down and positive when up? What about horizontal?
How do you describe velocity?
 
fresh_42 said:
How do you describe velocity?
Speed with a direction. I know it's direction is changing but how does it PHYSICALLY change? If you were to actually write down the velocity at each moment.
 
No?
 
Oliver Gough said:
Speed with a direction. I know it's direction is changing but how does it PHYSICALLY change? If you were to actually write down the velocity at each moment.
Velocity is a vector. One easy way to write it down is as an ordered pair (x,y) using cartesian coordinates.
 
Oliver Gough said:
Speed with a direction. I know it's direction is changing but how does it PHYSICALLY change? If you were to actually write down the velocity at each moment.

Are you looking for a derivation of the math describing circular motion (including the change in velocity)?
 
It might be easier to think about this using polar coordinates than regular xy coordinates.
 

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