Gravity, Circular Motion, and Satellites

Demonstration: Circular Motion

Click the picture to watch the movie

Equipment
  • Large ball on the end of a rope
  • Water bucket
  • Fish bowl
  • Ring
  • Steel ball
  • Triangle, square, hexagon, and ring
Description

In this movie, uniform circular motion (i.e. circular motion at constant speed) is assumed for simplicity.

Various objects are set into circular motion. In each case, it is shown that a centripetal force is required to maintain circular motion. The agent which supplies that net force toward the center is discussed and demonstrated.