Circular Motion and Forces in 2D

Big Questions:
1. What does it mean to analyze forces in 2D?
2. How do forces cause object to move in a circle?
3. What does it mean to be in orbit? How do satellites orbit planets? How do planets orbit the sun?

For this weeks lab, we engaged in tasks that would give us insight on motion is 2 dimensions.  This is different from analyzing a force in 1D because you only measure one variable, x or y.  But, with 2D there is two!  This will incorporate geometry and our best friend SOH CAH TOA. 

With the hover disk lab we spun a hover disk, with a string attached to it, in a circle.  The hover disk is ACCELERATING.  How you ask?  Not because its speed is changing, but rather because its direction is changing.  In order for an object to accelerate a NET force needs to be acting on it.  When we let it go it traveled in a 90 degree angle.  Again, why?  Because of Newton’s 1^st law.  To address the third big question, the tension force keeps an object going in a circle (which is identified as orbiting).  This is how planets orbit the sun.  They are in a sense falling toward the earth.  Due to speed however they miss their target and keep on accelerating.