Describe the two dimensions of the motion of an objects in a circle due to centripetal force. Explain why putting them together results in circular motion
The two dimensions of the motion of an object in a circle due to centripetal force are linear motion and radial motion.
Linear motion refers to the movement of an object along a straight line. In the context of circular motion, it refers to the object's motion tangentially to the circle. This component of motion allows the object to maintain a constant speed while moving along the circumference of the circle. Without linear motion, the object would simply remain at a fixed point in the circle without any rotational movement.
Radial motion, on the other hand, refers to the movement of an object towards or away from the center of the circle. In circular motion, it is directed towards the center and is responsible for keeping the object on its circular path. This force, known as the centripetal force, is always directed inward and acts perpendicular to the linear motion component. It ensures that the object continually changes its direction, preventing it from moving in a straight line.
Putting these two dimensions together results in circular motion because the linear motion allows the object to travel along the circumference of the circle, while the radial motion provided by the centripetal force ensures that the object remains on the circular path. The combination of these two motions creates a continuous rotation around the center of the circle, resulting in circular motion.