SME
Grade 11 Science
Circular motion and universal gravitation
The main lesson, then each kind of problem it solves.
Circular motion and universal gravitation
Main lesson
A car rounding a flat curve
Use this for “A 1,200 kg car takes a 50 m curve at 15 m/s. How much friction does it need, and what is the least μₛ that holds it?”
At the bottom of a swing
Use this for “A 2 kg ball on a 1.5 m string swings through the bottom at 3 m/s. What is the tension there?”
Universal gravitation
Use this for “How hard do Earth (5.97 × 10²⁴ kg) and the Moon (7.35 × 10²² kg), 3.84 × 10⁸ m apart, pull on each other? What if they were twice as far?”
A satellite in orbit
Use this for “A satellite circles Earth (5.97 × 10²⁴ kg) 7 × 10⁶ m from its center. How fast does it go, and how long is one orbit?”