Chapter 8: Circular and Satellite Motion

Newton's laws of motion and kinematic principles are applied to describe and explain the motion of objects moving in circles; specific applications are made to roller coasters and athletics. Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation is then presented and utilized to explain the circular and elliptical motion of planets and satellites.

Chapter 8: Circular and Satellite Motion is available as an iBook on Apple Books

Lesson 1: Motion Characteristics for Circular Motion

  1. Speed and Velocity
  2. Acceleration
  3. The Centripetal Force Requirement
  4. The Forbidden F-Word
  5. Mathematics of Circular Motion

Lesson 2: Applications of Circular Motion

  1. Newton's Second Law - Revisited
  2. Amusement Park Physics
  3. Athletics

Lesson 3: Universal Gravitation

  1. Gravity is More Than a Name
  2. The Apple, the Moon, and the Inverse Square Law
  3. Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation
  4. Cavendish and the Value of G
  5. The Value of g

Lesson 4: Planetary and Satellite Motion

  1. Kepler's Three Laws
  2. Circular Motion Principles for Satellites
  3. Mathematics of Satellite Motion
  4. Weightlessness in Orbit
  5. Energy Relationships for Satellites
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