Physics Pre/Practice Test
Chapter 10 – Circular Motion
Name_________________________________
Multiple Choice
1. _____ Whereas a rotation takes place about an axis that is _____, a revolution takes place about an axis
that is ____.
a. Internal, external.
b. External, internal.
c. At the center of mass, at the center of gravity.
d. At the center of gravity, at the center of mass.
2. _____ When you roll a tapered cup across a table, the path of the cup curves because the wider end rolls
a. slower.
b. at the same speed as the narrow part.
c. faster.
d. in an unexplained way.
3. _____ When you whirl a tin can in a horizontal circle overhead, the force that holds the can in the path acts
a. in an inward direction.
b. in an outward direction.
c. in either an inward or outward direction.
d. parallel to the force of gravity.
4. _____ A bug inside a can whirled in a circle feels a force of the can on its feet. This force acts
a. in an inward direction.
b. in an outward direction.
c. in either an inward or outward direction.
d. parallel to the force of gravity.
5. _____ When an object is moving with uniform circular motion, the centripetal acceleration of the object
a. Is circular
b. Is perpendicular to the plane of motion
c. Is zero
d. Is directed towards the center of motion
6. _____ The centripetal force on an object is circular motion is
a. Perpendicular to the plane of the object’s motion
b. In the plane of the object’s motion and perpendicular to the tangential speed
c. In the place of the object’s motion and in the same direction as the tangential speed
d. In the plane of the object’s motion and in the direction opposite the tangential speed
7. _____ When a car makes a sharp left turn, what causes the passengers to move toward the right side of the car?
a. Centripetal acceleration
b. Centripetal force
c. Centrifugal force
d. Inertia
Short Answer
8. Which has a greater tangential speed on a merry-go-round, a horse near the outside rail or one near the inside
rail? Which has the greater rotational speed? Explain.
9. Imagine a rider on a Ferris wheel. The riders ( rotate / revolve ) around the central axis of the Ferris wheel. The
Ferris wheel itself ( rotates / revolves ) around the central axis of the wheel? What’s the difference between
rotation and revolution?
10. If you whirl a tin can on the end of a string, what is providing the inward force that
keeps the can in a circular path? What is providing the outward force that keeps the
can pulling towards the outside of the path?
11. Identify the centripetal force in the following scenarios.
a. The moon orbits earth ____________________
b. A car travels on a circular track ____________________
c. A roller coaster car is completely vertical on the side of a loop ____________________
Problem Solving
12. At an amusement park, you and a friend sit on a large rotating disk. You sit at the edge and have a rotational
speed of 4 RPM and a linear speed of 6 m/s. Your friend sits halfway to the center. What is her rotational speed?
What is her linear speed?
13. A 35 kg child moves with uniform circular motion while riding a horse or a carousel. The horse is 3.2 m from the
carousel’s axis of rotation and has a tangential speed of 2.6 m/s. What is the centripetal force on the child?
14. A ball is whirled around in a circle of radius 1.5 m with a constant speed of 5 m/s. What is the
centripetal acceleration of the ball?