AP Physics 1 Flashcards: Circular Motion

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Circular Motion, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Physics 1.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Define radial acceleration.

Answer: Acceleration towards the center of circular path. Same as centripetal acceleration definition.

Flashcard 2: State the formula for angular velocity.

Answer: $\omega = \frac{\Delta\theta}{\Delta t}$. Change in angle divided by time interval.

Flashcard 3: Describe the relationship between frequency and angular velocity.

Answer: $\omega = 2\pi f$. One revolution equals $2\pi$ radians.

Flashcard 4: What is the relationship between period and angular velocity?

Answer: $\omega = \frac{2\pi}{T}$. One complete revolution takes period $T$.

Flashcard 5: What is centripetal acceleration?

Answer: Acceleration directed towards the center of circular path. Always points inward, creating circular motion.

Flashcard 6: Calculate angular velocity: $T=3$ s.

Answer: $\frac{2\pi}{3}$ rad/s. Using $\omega = 2\pi/T = 2\pi/3$ rad/s.

Flashcard 7: Find frequency: $T=0.1$ s.

Answer: $10$ Hz. Using $f = 1/T = 1/0.1 = 10$ Hz.

Flashcard 8: Calculate tangential velocity: $r=3$ m, $\omega=2$ rad/s.

Answer: $6$ m/s. Using $v = r\omega = 3 \times 2 = 6$ m/s.

Flashcard 9: Find radius given $v=6$ m/s, $a_c=9$ m/s².

Answer: $4$ m. Using $r = v^2/a_c = 6^2/9 = 4$ m.

Flashcard 10: Define period in circular motion.

Answer: Time to complete one full revolution. Complete cycle duration in circular motion.

Flashcard 11: Identify the cause of centripetal acceleration.

Answer: Change in direction of velocity. Velocity direction changes continuously in circles.

Flashcard 12: Find the period given frequency of 2 Hz.

Answer: 0.5 s. Using $T = 1/f = 1/2 = 0.5$ s.

Flashcard 13: State the formula for angular displacement.

Answer: $\theta = \omega t$. Angle equals angular velocity times time.

Flashcard 14: State the relationship between period and frequency.

Answer: $T = \frac{1}{f}$. Period and frequency are reciprocals.

Flashcard 15: Find angular velocity: $\theta=\pi/2$ rad, $t=2$ s.

Answer: $\pi/4$ rad/s. Using $\omega = \theta/t = (\pi/2)/2 = \pi/4$ rad/s.

Flashcard 16: What is angular velocity?

Answer: Rate of change of angular displacement. How fast angle changes with time.

Flashcard 17: Find centripetal acceleration: $v=10$ m/s, $r=5$ m.

Answer: $20$ m/s². Using $a_c = v^2/r = 10^2/5 = 20$ m/s².

Flashcard 18: What is the formula for tangential velocity?

Answer: $v = r\omega$. Same as linear velocity for circular motion.

Flashcard 19: What is tangential velocity?

Answer: Velocity tangent to the circular path. Speed along the circular path's edge.

Flashcard 20: Calculate period: $f=0.5$ Hz.

Answer: $2$ s. Using $T = 1/f = 1/0.5 = 2$ s.

Flashcard 21: What is uniform circular motion?

Answer: Motion in a circle with constant speed. Constant speed but changing direction.

Flashcard 22: What is the direction of centripetal force?

Answer: Towards the center of the circular path. Always points inward to maintain circular path.

Flashcard 23: State the formula for centripetal force.

Answer: $F_c = \frac{mv^2}{r}$. Newton's second law applied to circular motion.

Flashcard 24: Identify the force responsible for circular motion.

Answer: Centripetal force. Net inward force maintains circular path.

Flashcard 25: Calculate centripetal acceleration: $v=4$ m/s, $r=2$ m.

Answer: $8$ m/s². Using $a_c = v^2/r = 4^2/2 = 8$ m/s².

Flashcard 26: What is the relationship between tangential speed and radius?

Answer: Directly proportional. Larger radius gives higher tangential speed.

Flashcard 27: Calculate centripetal force: $m=2$ kg, $v=3$ m/s, $r=1$ m.

Answer: $18$ N. Using $F_c = mv^2/r = 2(3^2)/1 = 18$ N.

Flashcard 28: Calculate period: $f=5$ Hz.

Answer: $0.2$ s. Using $T = 1/f = 1/5 = 0.2$ s.

Flashcard 29: What is the effect of increasing radius on centripetal force?

Answer: Decreases centripetal force for constant velocity. Force inversely proportional to radius.

Flashcard 30: What is the unit of angular velocity?

Answer: Radians per second (rad/s). Standard unit for rotational speed.

Flashcard 31: State the formula for centripetal acceleration.

Answer: $a_c = \frac{v^2}{r}$. Speed squared divided by radius gives centripetal acceleration.

Flashcard 32: Calculate frequency: $T=0.25$ s.

Answer: $4$ Hz. Using $f = 1/T = 1/0.25 = 4$ Hz.

Flashcard 33: Identify the force responsible for circular motion.

Answer: Centripetal force. Net inward force maintains circular path.

Flashcard 34: Find the force: $m=3$ kg, $a_c=4$ m/s².

Answer: $12$ N. Using $F = ma = 3 \times 4 = 12$ N.

Flashcard 35: Define angular displacement.

Answer: Angle through which a point or line is rotated. Measures rotational position change.

Flashcard 36: Define frequency in circular motion.

Answer: Number of revolutions per unit time. How many cycles occur per second.