Understanding Physical Science

Mini-Quiz: Center of Mass and Tangential Gravitational Motion

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Take this Mini-Quiz to check your understanding of the lesson material.

QUIZ

Self-check your understanding

What is the ratio of tangential speeds with respect to the CM?
It is sTM/sTm = M/mSorry, not correct. Try another button. It is vTm/vTM = M/mGood try, but not right. Select another answer. It is sTm/sTM = M/mCorrect. You understand the tangential motion.
What happens when you slightly increase the tangential velocity of a circular orbit?
The orbit becomes ellipticalThat is Correct. You know about the center of mass. The object will fly off into space in a radial directionOops! Wrong answer. Re-read the question and try again. It becomes a larger circleSorry, not correct. Try another button.
How does an additional radial component affect the object's motion?
It negates the tangential motionGood try, but not right. Select another answer. It can cause the object to move in a path toward or away from the CMCorrect. You understand the tangential motion. You cannot have an additional radial componentOops! Wrong answer. Re-read the question and try again.

Pick an answer to see instant feedback. Re-read the lesson if you miss one.

If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in Physics. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.

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Resources and references

Websites

Center of Mass Calculator – Univ. of Tennessee – Knoxville (Java applet)

Center of Mass – Wikipedia

Gravitation Resources

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Self-check your understanding

Resources and references

Websites

Questions and comments

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