SF017

SF017 1
UNIT 6: Circular Motion
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6.1 Uniform Circular Motion
Definition - is motion in a circle (circular arc) at a constant speed.
Uniform circular motion of a particle about the axis of rotation, O can
be described by the angular position ( ) of a reference line with
respect to the x-axis as shown below.
r
s
=
motion circular the of radius the :
length) (arc arc. of length the :
radian in position angular : where
r
s

If the particle changes its angular

position of the reference line from

1
to
2
, the angular displacement
is given by
1 2
=
clockwise. is motion the if negative is
ise. anticlockw is motion the if positive is

y
O

1
x

t
1
t
2
y
s
O

x
r
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6.1.1 Angular velocity (angular frequency),
Average angular velocity,
av
Definition is the rate of change of angular displacement.
Instantaneous angular velocity,
Definition is the instantaneous rate of change of angular
displacement.
Vector quantity.
The unit of angular velocity is radian per second (rad s
-1
).
Notes :
For uniform circular motion, the angular velocity is constant
therefore the angular displacement in time, t, =t
Unit conversion :
The direction of angular velocity will be learnt in unit 7.

r
t t t
av

1 2
1 2
dt
d
t
t

=

=
0
limit
o
o
360 rad 2
180 rad
=
=

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6.1.2 Tangential velocity (linear velocity),
From the definition of instantaneous linear velocity, we get
Vector quantity.
The unit of the tangential (linear) velocity is m s
-1
.
It is directed tangentially to the circular path.
The magnitude of the linear velocity (speed) of an object is constant
in uniform circular motion but the direction is continually changing.
The linear velocity is difficult to measure but we can measure the
period, T of an object in circular motion.
v
r
r s
dt
ds
v = = where

= =
dt
d
dt
d
r v where
r v =
The relationship between angular
velocity and linear velocity
y
s
O

x
v
v
v
r
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The period, T
Definition is the time taken for one complete revolution
(cycle/rotation).
The S.I. unit of the period is second.
If the object makes one revolution (rotation), the angular
displacement, = 2 radian and the time interval, t = T hence
The frequency, f
Definition is the number of revolutions (cycles/rotations)
completed in one second.
The S.I. unit of the frequency is hertz (Hz) or s
-1
.
Therefore we can determine the linear velocity by using equation
below.

t

=
rf 2
T
r 2
v

= =
T
1
f f 2
T
2
= = = where or

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6.1.3 Centripetal (radial) acceleration,
The figure below shows a particle moving with constant speed in a
circular path of radius, r with centre at O. The particle moves from A
to B in a time, t.
Consider sector OAB of the circle.
The arc length AB is given by
The velocities of the particle at A
and B are v
0
and v
1
respectively
where
r s =
r
s
=
v v v
1 0
= =
r r
(1)
r c
a a
r r
or
0
v
r
1
v
r
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Let PQ and PR represent the velocity vectors v
0
and v
1
respectively, as
shown in figure below.
Then QR represent the change in velocity vector v of the particle in
time interval t. Since the angle between PQ and PR is small hence
Equation (1) is equal to equation (2) then
Dividing by time, t, we get
0 1
v v v
r r r
=
1
v
r
0
v
r
P Q
R
( ) ( ) PQ QR =
v v =
v
v
= (2)
v
v
r
s
=

t
v
v
1
t
s
r
1
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As t0, we have
Definition is defined as the acceleration of an object moving in
circular path whose direction is towards the centre of the
circular path and whose magnitude is equal to the square
of the speed divided by the radius.
v
a
r
v
=

dt
dv
v
1
dt
ds
r
1
motion circular of radius the :
velocity gential) linear(tan the :
on accelerati l centripeta the : where
r
v
a
r
v
a
c
2
c
=
v r a
2
c
= =

t
v
v
1
t
s
r
1
0 t 0 t

limit limit
or
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c
a
r
c
a
r
c
a
r
c
a
r
c
a
r
c
a
r
The direction of centripetal (radial) acceleration is always directed
toward the centre of the circle and perpendicular to the linear
(tangential) velocity as shown below.
Because of
therefore we can obtain the alternative expression of centripetal
acceleration is
2
2
c
T
r 4
a

=
T
r 2
v

=
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Example 1:
A sprinter is running at constant speed 9.2 m s
-1
in a circular track
with centripetal acceleration 3.8 m s
-2
. Find
a. the radius of the circular track.
b. the time required by the sprinter to make one revolution.
Solution: v = 9.2 m s
-1
and a
c
= 3.8 m s
-2
a. Applying equation of centripetal acceleration:
b. the period of the sprinter,
a
r
v
2
c
=
( )

.
.
r
2 9
8 3
2
=
m 3 22 r . =

T
r 2
v

=
. s 2 15 T =
or
2
2
c
T
r 4
a

=
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Example 2:
A boy whirls a stone in a horizontal circle of radius 1.5 m and at
height 2.0 m above level ground. The string breaks, and the stone
flies off horizontally and strikes the ground after traveling a horizontal
distance of 10 m. What is the magnitude of the centripetal
acceleration of the stone while in circular motion?(HRW.70.51)
(Use g = 9.81 m s
-2
)
Solution:
The time taken by the stone to strikes the ground,
0 v gt
2
1
t v s
y 0
2
y 0 y
= = where

0
v
2.0 m
1.5 m
Before
After
2.0 m
10 m
s 64 0
g
h 2
t . = =
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Considering the horizontal distance, x = 10 m
The initial speed of the stone after the string breaks is equal to the
speed of the stone in horizontal circular motion. Therefore
Example 3: (exercise)
The astronaut orbiting the Earth is preparing to dock with Westar VI
satellite. The satellite is in a circular orbit 600 km above the Earths
surface, where the free fall acceleration is 8.21 m s
-2
. Take the radius
of the Earth as 6400 km. Determine the speed of the satellite and the
time interval required to complete one orbit around the Earth.
Ans. : 7581 m s
-1
, 5802 s
No. 32, pg. 104,Physics for scientists and engineers with modern physics,
Serway & Jewett,6th edition.
t v t v x
0 x 0
= =
2
2
c
s m 162
r
v
a

= =
1
0
s m 6 15
64 0
10
v

= = .
.
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6.1.4 Uniform circular motion in terms of position vector,
For example, an object is in the circular motion as shown in figure
below.
By using the equation of instantaneous velocity, the tangential
velocity vector is
The position vector at point P in the circular
path is
hence
where r : the radius of circular path
r r
r r j r i r r
y
x y x
sin
cos where

=
= + =
r
dt
r d
v
r
r
=
r
r
r
r
O

v
v
v
P
x
r
y
r
t j r i r r = + = where

sin

cos
r
j t r i t r r

sin

cos + =
r
( ) j t i t r r

sin

cos + =
r
( ) j t r i t r
dt
d
v

sin

cos + =
r
( ) j t i t r v

cos

sin + =
r
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By using the equation of instantaneous acceleration, the centripetal
(radial) acceleration vector is
Negative sign means the direction of centripetal acceleration always
opposite to the direction of position vector,
( ) j t r i t r
dt
d
a
c

cos

sin + =
r
dt
v d
a
c
r
r
=
r
r
( ) j t i t r a
2
c

sin

cos + =
r
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6.2 Non-uniform Circular Motion
In non-uniform circular motion, the tangential (linear) velocity changes
both in direction and in magnitude.
Therefore the resultant acceleration can be written as the vector sum
of the component vectors :
The tangential acceleration component
causes the change in the speed of the particle (object).
its direction always parallel to the tangential (linear) velocity and
given by
If a particle (object) is speeding up the direction of a
t
is in the
same direction of the tangential velocity, v
If a particle (object) is slowing up the direction of a
t
is
opposite direction of the tangential velocity, v
on accelerati l tangentia the :
on accelerati l centripeta the : where
t
c t c
a
a a a a
r r r
+ =
dt
v d
a
t
r
=
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The centripetal (radial) acceleration component
arises from the change in direction of the tangential (linear) velocity.
its direction always toward the centre of the circular path and given
by
The example of non-uniform circular motion is a particle moving in a
vertical loop, like a roller coaster car with a varying speed as shown in
figure below.
r
v
a
2
c
=
c
a
r
c
a
r
c
a a
r r
=
c
a a
r r
=
t
a
r
t
a
r
a
r
a
r
v
r
v
r
v
r
v
r
A
B
C
D
Because a
c
and a
t
are always
perpendicular to each other, the
magnitude of resultant acceleration, a at
any time is
At point D, the resultant acceleration is
maximum.
At point B, the resultant acceleration is
minimum.
2
t
2
c
a a a + =
r
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a. By using centripetal acceleration
equation :
Then the speed is
Example 4:
A particle revolves in a vertical circle with a radius of 2.50 m. At a
particular instant, its total acceleration is 1.20 m s
-2
in the direction
that makes an angle of 30.0 with the direction of the motion. Find
a. its speed at that moment.
b. its speed 2.00 seconds later,
Assuming constant tangential acceleration. (Csw.CD4.2.6.1.pg7)
Solution: a = 1.20 m s
-2
and r =2.50 m
o
30 a
r
v
a
2
c
sin = =
v
r
o
30 ra v sin =
1
s m 22 1 v

= .
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b. By using equation of motion:
where
hence we obtain
Example 5: (exercise)
A particle starts moving in a circle of radius of 0.20 m with constant
tangential acceleration, a
t
= 5 cm s
-2
. After what time will the value of
centripetal acceleration reach twice the value of the tangential
acceleration? (Csw.CD4.2.6.1.pg8t3)
Ans. : 2.83 s
Example 6: (exercise)
A racing car starts from rest in the pit area and accelerates at a
uniform rate to a speed of 35 m s
-1
in 11 s, moving on a circular track
of radius 500 m. Assuming constant tangential acceleration, find
a. the tangential acceleration, and
b. the radial acceleration, at the instant when the speed is v=15 m s
-1
and again when v=30 m s
-1
. (Gc.121.ex.5-14)
Ans. : 3.2 m s
-2
, 0.45 m s
-2
, 1.8 m s
-2
t a v v
t 0
+ =
1
t
s m 04 1 30 a a

= = . cos
o
( )
1
s m 3 3 00 2 04 1 22 1 v

= + = . . . .
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6.3 Centripetal Force,
Any object moving in uniform circular motion has a centripetal
acceleration directed towards the centre of the circular path.
From Newtons second law of motion, a force must be associated
with the centripetal acceleration. This force is known as the
centripetal force and is given by
r c
F F
r r
or

= = = =
c c net
F F a a a m F F
r r
r r r
r r
and where
v r
r
v
a a m F
2
2
c c c
= = = =
r r
r
where
mv mr
r
mv
F
2
2
c
= = =
SF017 20
c
F
r
c
a
r v
r
c
F
r
c
F
r
c
a
r
c
a
r
v
r
v
r
v
r
v
r
0 F
c
=
r
0 F
c
=
r
0 a
c
=
r
0 a
c
=
r
c
a
r
c
F
r
c
F
r
c
F
r
c
a
r
c
a
r
v
r
v
r
v
r
Its direction is in the same direction of centripetal acceleration
(directed toward the centre of the circle) as shown in figure below.
If the centripetal force suddenly ceases to act on a body in circular
motion, the body flies off in a straight line with the constant tangential
(linear) velocity as show in figure below.
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Definition is defined as the force acting on a body causing it to
move in circular path and its always directed towards the
centre of the circular path.
Notes :
In uniform circular motion, the net force on the system is
centripetal force.
The work done by the centripetal force is zero but the kinetic
energy of the body is not zero and given by
The figure below shows an overhead view of a ball moving in a
circular path in a horizontal plane. When the string breaks, the
ball moves in the direction tangent to the circle.
2 2 2
mr
2
1
mv
2
1
K = =
r
v
r
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6.4 Examples of the Circular motion
6.4.1 Conical Pendulum
Example 7:
The figure shows an object with mass 40 kg is
attached to one end of a string 1.50 m long. The
object revolves in a circle of radius, r and
makes an angle, with the vertical line. The
string will break if its tension exceeds 600 N.
Find
a. the maximum angle,
b. the maximum speed,
c. the minimum period
of the object can attain without breaking the
string.
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The weight of a conical pendulum is supported by the vertical
component of the tension in figure above.
Hence
The centripetal force is contributed by the horizontal component of the
tension.
Hence
Note:
For a conical pendulum, cannot be equal to 90.
Solution : l= 1.5 m ; m =40 kg ; T 600 N
T
r
g m
r
g m
r
cos T
sin T
mg T = cos (1)
r
mv
F T
2
c
= = sin (2)
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a. By using equation (1),
b.
c.
o
2 49.
max
=
max
max
cos
T
mg
=
then
m
Tr
v
sin
max
=
l
l
r
= sin
By using equation (2),
1
s m 6 3 v

= .
max
r v
T
2
= = and

max
min
v
r 2
T

=
s 00 2 T .
min
=
m
Tl
v
2
sin
max
=
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Centre of
circle
6.4.2 Motion rounds a curve on a flat (unbanked) track (for car,
motorcycle, bicycle, etc)
Example 8:
A flat (unbanked) curve on a highway has a radius of 220 m. A car rounds
the curve at a speed of 25.0 m s
-1
. What is the minimum coefficient of
friction that will prevent sliding? ( Use g = 9.81 m s
-2
)
No. 5.44, pg. 197, University Physics with Modern Physics,11th edition, Young &
Freedman.
Solution :
From the free body diagram above,
x-component : The centripetal force is provided by the frictional force
between the wheel (4 tyres) and the road. Hence
g m
r
N
r
f
r
r
mv
f
2
=
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y-component : The normal force is balance by the weight of the car,
hence
Therefore
6.4.3 Motion rounds a curve on a banked track (for car, motorcycle,
bicycle, etc)
Example 9:
A car rounding a curve on a road banked at an angle, to the
horizontal with design speed 50 km h
-1
. If the radius of the curve is
50 m, find the angle, at which the car can travel without skidding.
Neglect the friction between the car and the road. (use g = 9.81 m s
-2
)
(Gc.120.ex.5-13)
mg N =
r
mv
N
2
=
r
mv
mg
2
=
290 0. =
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Solution : v = 50 km h
-1
= 14 m s
-1
, r = 50 m
From the free body diagram above,
x-component : The centripetal force is contributed by the horizontal
component of the normal force. Hence
y-component : No vertical motion, hence
Equation (1) divided by equation (2), hence
r
mv
N
2
= sin
mg N = cos
(1)
(2)
rg
v
2
= tan
o
22 =

Centre of
circle
g m
r
N
r

cos N
sin N
c
a
r
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Notes:
Motion rounds a curve on a banked track with friction (for a car,
motorcycle, bicycle, etc)
From the free body diagram above,
x-component : The centripetal force is contributed by both the horizontal
component of the normal force and frictional force.
Hence
y-component : No vertical motion, hence
r
mv
f N
2
cos sin = +
sin cos f mg N + =

Centre of
circle
g m
r
N
r

cos N
sin N
c
a
r
f
r
cos f
sin f
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r
6.4.4 Motion in a horizontal circle
A figure below shows a ball of mass, m whirled at the end of a thread
in a horizontal circle.
The centripetal force which enables the ball to move in a circle is
provided by the tension in the string. Hence
It is an example of uniform circular motion in which the magnitude of
velocity always constant.
Example 10:
A stone with mass 0.80 kg is attached to one end of a string 0.90 m
long. The string will break if its tension exceeds 600 N. The stone is
whirled in a horizontal circle on a frictionless tabletop; the other end of
the string remains fixed. Find the maximum speed the stone attain
without breaking the string.
No. 5.43, pg. 197, University Physics with Modern Physics,11th edition, Young
& Freedman.
r
mv
T
2
=
g m
r
T
r
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r
Solution : m = 0.80 kg, l=0.90 m=r, T 600 N
From the figure above,
The centripetal force is contributed by the tension of the string. Hence
m
l T
v
max
max
=
r l
r
mv
T = = where
2
1
max
26

= s m v
g m
r
T
r
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The figure shows the mass and the
taut string inclined at an angle, to
the vertical line.
The forces acting on the mass, m
are the tension of the string, T and
its weight mg.
In any circular motion,
By resolving forces along the string,
we get
6.4.5 Motion in a vertical circle
An object of mass, m tied to an inelastic string is moving in a vertical
circle of radius, r.

= =
c net
F F F
r r r
r

O
T
r
g m
r
sin mg
cos mg
r
mv
mg T
2
cos =
cos
2
mg
r
mv
T + =
The tension of the string changes with the position of
the object because of
the angle,
the tangential velocity, v
changes
SF017 32
A
v
r
B
v
r
C
v
r
D
v
r
A
B
C
D
O
g m
r
A
T
r
g m
r
g m
r
g m
r
B
T
r
C
T
r
D
T
r
Equation of Net force Point
r
mv
mg T
2
A
A
=
r
mv
T
2
B
B
=
r
mv
mg T
2
C
C
= +
r
mv
T
2
D
D
=
A
B
C
D
For example,
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A
v
r
g m
r
A
T
r
O
g m
r
g m
r
g m
r
B
v
r
C
v
r
D
v
r
B
T
r
C
T
r
D
T
r
A
B
C
D
Total Energy Point
2
A A
mv
2
1
K =
mgr mv
2
1
U K
2
B B B
+ = +
( ) r 2 mg mv
2
1
U K
2
C C C
+ = +
mgr mv
2
1
U K
2
D D D
+ = +
A
B
C
D
Notes:
The tension of the string is greatest at A and smallest at C.
The tangential (linear) speed is minimum at C and maximum at A.
The vertical circular motion is an example of the non-uniform circular motion.
If the mass is fixed to one end of a light rod, it would be possible to rotate the
mass in a vertical circle at constant speed for example Ferris wheel (uniform
circular motion) where
D C B A
v v v v = = =
SF017 34
Example 11:
An object of mass 1.5 kg is tied to a string of length 0.50 m. The
object is made to move in a vertical circle, as shown in figure below.
Solution : m = 1.5 kg, l = r = 0.50 m, v
A
= 4.0 m s
-1
a. By using the principle of conservation of energy, we get
b.
A
B
When it reaches the highest point A, the linear
tangential velocity is 4.0 m s
-1
. Determine
a. the angular velocity of the object at B,
b. the tension in the string at B.
(Use g = 9.81 m s
-2
)
m 00 1 h . =
A
B
m 50 0 .

=
B A
E E
B B A A
U K U K + = +
mgr mr
2
1
mgh mv
2
1
2
B
2 2
A
+ = +
1
2 . 10

= s rad
B

2
B
2
B
B
mr
r
mv
T = =
N T
B
0 . 78 =
B
T
r
g m
r
SF017
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What is the magnitude of the normal force exerted
on the car by the walls of the cylinder at
a. point A (at the bottom of the vertical circle)?
b. point B (at the top of the vertical circle)?
(Use g = 9.81 m s
-2
)
No. 5.118, pg. 205, University Physics with
Modern Physics,11th edition, Young &
Freedman.
Example 12:
A small remote control car with mass 1.60 kg moves at a constant speed of
v = 12.0 m s
-1
in a vertical circle inside a hollow metal cylinder that has a
radius of 5.00 m as shown in figure below.
SF017 36
A
B
O
Solution : m = 1.60 kg, r = 5.00 m, v = 12.0 m s
-1
B
N
r
r
mv
F F
2
c
= =

r
mv
mg N
2
A
=
N 8 61 N
A
. =
r
mv
mg N
2
B
= +
N 4 30 N
B
. =
a. At point A,
b. At point B,
A
N
r
g m
r
g m
r
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Example 13:
A 1000 kg sports car moving at 20 m s
-1
crosses the rounded top of a
hill (radius = 100 m). Determine
a. the normal force on the car,
b. the normal force on the 70 kg driver,
c. the car speed at which the normal force is zero.
(Use g = 9.81 m s
-2
) (Gc.128.47)
Solution : m = 1000 kg, r = 100 m, v = 20 m s
-1
a.
b.
v
r
g m
r
C
F F
r r
=

N
r
r
v m
N g m
2
car
car
=
N 10 x 81 5 N
3
. =
r
v m
N g m
2
d
d
=
N 10 x 07 4 N
2
. =
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c.
Example 14:
A rope is attached to a bucket of water and the bucket is then rotated
in a vertical circle of 0.70 m radius. Calculate the minimum speed of
the bucket of water such that the water will not spill out.
(Use g = 9.81 m s
-1
) (Csw.CD4.2.6.3.pg11t1)
Solution : r = 0.70 m
0 N
r
v m
N g m
2
car
car
= = where
rg v =

.
1
s m 3 31 v

=
v
r
N
r
g m
r
The water will spill out when the bucket at the
top of the circle where the equation of the net
force is given by
At this moment, if the water is not falling out from
the bucket means the speed of the bucket is
minimum and normal force, N=0 therefore

2
r
mv
N mg = +

2
min
r
mv
mg =
s m . rg v
-1
min
62 2 = =
SF017
SF017 39
Example 15: (exercise)
A cyclist goes around a curve of 50 m radius at a speed of 15 m s
-1
.
The road is banked at an angle ; the cyclist travels at the right angle
with the surface of the road. The mass of the bicycle and the cyclist
together equals 95 kg. Find
a. the centripetal acceleration of the cyclist
b. the normal force which the road exerts on the bicycle and the
cyclist
c. the angle,
Ans. : 4.5 m s
-2
, 1.02 kN, 24.6
(Csw.CD4.2.6.3.pg11t4)
Example 16: (exercise)
A 4.00 kg object is attached to a vertical rod by two strings, as shown
in figure below. The object rotates in a horizontal circle at constant
speed 6.00 m s
-1
.
Find the tension in
a. the upper string
b. the lower string.
Ans. : 108 N, 56.2 N
No. 11, pg. 172,Physics for scientists
and engineers with modern physics,
Serway & Jewett,6th edition.
SF017 40
v
v
Example 17: (exercise)
A small mass, m is set on the surface of a sphere as shown in
figure below. If the coefficient of static friction is
s
= 0.60, at what
angle, would the mass start sliding?(Gc.121.83)
Ans. : 31
Example 18: (exercise)
A rider on a Ferris wheel moves in a vertical circle of radius, r = 8 m
at constant speed, v as shown in figure above. If the time taken to
makes one rotation is 10 s and the mass of the rider is 60 kg, find
the normal force exerted on the rider
a. at the top of the circle,
b. at the bottom of the circle.
Ans. : 399 N, 778 N