What Provides the Centripetal Force for Circular Motion?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of centripetal force in circular motion, particularly in the context of gravitational forces acting on planets in orbit. Participants explore the relationship between gravitational force and centripetal force, as well as the implications for deriving orbital velocity.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the net force acting on a body in circular motion and its direction, with references to torque and its calculation.
  • Others discuss the gravitational force acting on a planet, expressed as GMm/r^2, and the centripetal force required for circular motion, expressed as Mv^2/r.
  • There is a suggestion that the only force acting is gravity, leading to the conclusion that gravity serves as the centripetal force.
  • Participants propose that the velocity of a planet in circular orbit can be derived by equating gravitational force to centripetal force, resulting in the formula v = root[GM/r].
  • Some express confusion over the distinction between different expressions for the same force, while others clarify that gravity is the centripetal force in this context.
  • One participant emphasizes that centripetal force must be provided by a real force, such as gravity or tension, for circular motion to occur.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that gravity acts as the centripetal force in the context of planetary motion, but there is some confusion and debate regarding the interpretation of forces and their expressions. The discussion remains somewhat unresolved regarding the conceptual clarity of these relationships.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions made about forces and their roles in circular motion, as well as the definitions of centripetal force and torque. Some mathematical steps and their implications are not fully resolved.

dreamz25
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If a body is rotating in a circular orbit then what is the moment of net force acting on it about the axis of rotation?
 
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What do you think?
 
0 but how?
 
dreamz25 said:
0 but how?
Which way does the net force act? What's the definition of torque?
 
in gravitation i have read that...
the force on a planet towards radius is given by
GMm/r^2
and the force which acts radially outwards is
Mv^2/r
so don't know where the net force acts... !:{
and torque = F X R
if the direction of net force is towards center then it makes and angle of
180 degrees which gives ex. torque = 0 as sin 180 = 0 ...
but just tell me about the direction of net external force...! (Thanks in advance)
 
dreamz25 said:
in gravitation i have read that...
the force on a planet towards radius is given by
GMm/r^2
OK.
and the force which acts radially outwards is
Mv^2/r
There is no outward force.
so don't know where the net force acts... !:{
The only force acting is gravity.
and torque = F X R
if the direction of net force is towards center then it makes and angle of
180 degrees which gives ex. torque = 0 as sin 180 = 0 ...
Good.
 
How then do we derive the velocity of a plannet in circular orbit?
when we equate both of them...
v = root[GM/R]...!
 
dreamz25 said:
How then do we derive the velocity of a plannet in circular orbit?
By applying Newton's 2nd law. The only force is gravity. Set that equal to mass X the centripetal acceleration.

No need for any mysterious outward force.
 
ok.. so u mean both of them acts towards the centre... Right?
since the force on the particle by the center equals GMm/R^2
and also by Newton's second law of motion, F = ma so, F = m x centripetal acceleration (which is towards the center) = m x v^2/r
and thus we get, v = root[GM/r] ...?
 
  • #10
dreamz25 said:
ok.. so u mean both of them acts towards the centre... Right?
since the force on the particle by the center equals GMm/R^2
and also by Newton's second law of motion, F = ma so, F = m x centripetal acceleration (which is towards the center) = m x v^2/r
and thus we get, v = root[GM/r] ...?

Your math is right, I think you just have a conceptual problem. When you say "both of them acts towards the centre", my question to you is, both of what?

We're not talking about two distinct forces here. Gravity IS the centripetal force in this situation. Centripetal force is always just a requirement for circular motion. It has to be provided by something real, like gravity, or tension in a string. Without something like this to provide (or act as) a centripetal force, there simply won't be any circular motion.
 
  • #11
got ur point... but i too meant the same...
i m nt differentiating the two force i just meant the different expressions for a single force..
the force between them is GMm/r^2 which also equals mv^2/r (the centripetal force which acts towards the center to keep the body rotating in a circular path) and thus gets the formula derived...
 
  • #12
cepheid said:
Centripetal force is always just a requirement for circular motion. It has to be provided by something real, like gravity, or tension in a string. Without something like this to provide (or act as) a centripetal force, there simply won't be any circular motion.

wonderful lines... thanks..!
 

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