Picture the situation where a ball is attached to the end of a string. By whirling the ball with the string, you can make it move around in a horizontal circle at constant speed. (a) What is the net vertical force on the ball? Sketch a free-body diagram of the forces acting on the ball for some point in its circular orbit. (b) What must be the direction of the ball’s acceleration to keep it moving in a horizontal circle? (c) From your free-body diagram in part (a), determine the net force acting on the ball. Does this agree with part (b)?
Gravitational force
In nature, every object is attracted by every other object. This phenomenon is called gravity. The force associated with gravity is called gravitational force. The gravitational force is the weakest force that exists in nature. The gravitational force is always attractive.
Acceleration Due to Gravity
In fundamental physics, gravity or gravitational force is the universal attractive force acting between all the matters that exist or exhibit. It is the weakest known force. Therefore no internal changes in an object occurs due to this force. On the other hand, it has control over the trajectories of bodies in the solar system and in the universe due to its vast scope and universal action. The free fall of objects on Earth and the motions of celestial bodies, according to Newton, are both determined by the same force. It was Newton who put forward that the moon is held by a strong attractive force exerted by the Earth which makes it revolve in a straight line. He was sure that this force is similar to the downward force which Earth exerts on all the objects on it.
Picture the situation where a ball is attached to the end of a string. By whirling the ball with the string,
you can make it move around in a horizontal circle at constant speed.
(a) What is the net vertical force on the ball? Sketch a free-body diagram of the forces acting on the ball
for some point in its circular orbit.
(b) What must be the direction of the ball’s acceleration to keep it moving in a horizontal circle?
(c) From your free-body diagram in part (a), determine the net force acting on the ball. Does this agree
with part (b)?
Trending now
This is a popular solution!
Step by step
Solved in 3 steps with 1 images
