G484

Chapter 2 – Gravitational
fields, Circular Motion and
Oscillations
Module 2 – Circular motion and oscillations

Circular motion
1. Define the radian
2. Convert angles for degrees to radians and vice versa
3. Explain that a force perpendicular to the velocity of an object will the
object follow a circular path
4. Explain what is meant by centripetal acceleration and centripetal force
5. Select and apply the equations for speed;

and centripetal acceleration;

6. Select and apply the equation for centripetal force;

Gravitational fields 

1. Describe how a mass creates a gravitational field in the space around it

2. Define gravitational field strength as force per unit mass

3. Use gravitational field lines to represent a gravitational field

4. State Newton’s law of gravitation

5. Select and use the equation;

6. Select and use the equation;

7. Explain that close to the Earth’s surface the gravitational field strength is
uniform and approximately equal to g (9.81m/s²)

8. Analyse circular orbits an inverse square law field by relating

gravitational force to the centripetal acceleration it causes

9. Define and use the period of an object following a circular path

10. Derive from first principles the equation;
 11. Select and apply the equation for the orbit of planets and satellites
12. Select and apply Kepler’s third law T 2 ∝ r 3
13. Define geostationary orbit of a satellite and state the uses of such
satellites

Simple Harmonic Oscillations

1. Describe simple examples of free oscillations

2. Define and use the terms displacement, amplitude, period, frequency,

angular frequency and phase difference

3. Select and use the equation:

period = 1/frequency

4. Define simple harmonic motion

5. Select and apply the equation a=−(2 πf )2 x as the defining equation of

simple harmonic motion

6. Select and use x= A cos (2 πft )or x= A sin( 2 πft) as solutions to the equation
a=−(2 πf )2 x

7. Select and apply the equation v max=(2 πf ) A for maximum speed of a

simple harmonic oscillator

8. Explain that the period of an object with simple harmonic motion is

independent of its amplitude

9. Describe, with graphical illustrations, the changes in displacement,

velocity and acceleration during simple harmonic motion

10. Describe and explain the interchange between kinetic and potential
energy during simple harmonic motion

11. Describe graphically how the amplitude of a forced oscillation changes

with frequency near to the natural frequency of the system
12. Describe the effects of damping on an oscillatory system
13. Describe practical examples of forced oscillations and resonance
14. Describe with examples where resonance is useful and where it is not

Definitions & equations

Here is the list of definitions & equations that you need to know. Fill in the missing
information.

Radian
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Centripetal force & acceleration
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Gravitational field strength

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Period
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Kepler’s third law

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Geostationary orbit
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Simple harmonic motion

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Angular frequency
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Phase difference
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Damping
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Circular motion
Label the direction of the force on this object. What is the name of this force?

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 Object

What equation is used to calculate the size of this force?

Use equations , and

to derive the equation

Gravitational fields
 Planet with 2g

Draw the gravitational field lines on the diagrams above.

What is an inverse square law? Give an example of one.

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What is Newton’s law of gravitation?

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What do we use satellites in geostationary orbit for?

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What is Kepler’s third law and what does it tell you about the orbits of objects?
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Simple Harmonic Motion

What is simple harmonic motion?
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Complete the graphs for an object oscillating with simple harmonic motion:

displacement

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 t / s

velocity/

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 t / s

acceleration

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 t / s

Label the kinetic energy, potential energy and total energy on the graph below:
Draw a graph showing what happens to the amplitude as the oscillating object reaches its
natural frequency: Amplitude

│
Natural frequency Driving
Frequency

Draw a second line to show how damping would affect the amplitude.

List examples where resonance is useful and not useful:

Useful :
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Not useful
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Exam questions
1 This question is about orbits around the Sun.

(a) The gravitational force of the Sun, mass M, provides the centripetal force which holds
the Earth in a near circular orbit of radius R.

By considering the Earth as an isolated planet moving in a circular orbit show that its
GM
speed v is given by the equation v = .

[3]

(b) A space observatory to monitor activity on the surface of the Sun has been placed in a
circular orbit, which is 1% smaller than the orbit of the Earth, as shown in Fig. 3.1.

Sun

Space observatory Earth’s orbit

not to scale

Fig. 3.1

Explain why the equation of part (a) predicts that the observatory should orbit the Sun
in less than one year.

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(c) Fig. 3.2 shows the special case where the Earth and observatory are positioned so that
both orbit the Sun in exactly one year.
 Sun

space Earth
observatory
not to scale

Fig. 3.2

(i) Explain why in this special case the speed of the observatory must be less than
the speed of the Earth.

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(ii) Draw labelled arrows on Fig. 3.2 to show the directions of the gravitational forces
acting on the observatory. Indicate, by length of arrow, which force is larger. [1]

(iii) Explain how it is possible for the observatory to have an orbital period of one
year. Suggest why this is convenient.

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[ Total : 10]
 2 (a) Fig. 2.1 shows the London Eye.

Fig. 2.1

It has 32 capsules equally spaced around the edge of a large vertical wheel of radius 60 m. The
wheel rotates about a horizontal axis such that each capsule has a constant speed of 0.26 m
s–1.

(i) Calculate the time taken for the wheel to make one complete rotation.

time = ...................................................... s [1]

(ii) Each capsule has a mass of 9.7 × 10 3 kg. Calculate the centripetal force which must
act on the capsule to make it rotate with the wheel.

centripetal force = ..................................................... N [2] (b) Fig. 2.2 shows the drum of a spin-dryer
as it rotates. A dry sock S is shown on the inside surface of the side of the rotating drum.
 A

S B

C
spinning drum

Fig. 2.2

(i) Draw arrows on Fig. 2.2 to show the direction of the centripetal force acting on S
when it is at points A, B and C. [1]

(ii) State and explain at which position, A, B or C the normal contact force between the
sock and the drum will be

1 the greatest

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2 the least.

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[ Total: 7]
3 Fig. 3.1 represents the planet Jupiter. The centre of the planet is labelled as O.

Jupiter

Fig. 3.1

(a) Draw gravitational field lines on Fig. 3.1 to represent Jupiter’s gravitational field. [2]

(b) Jupiter has a radius of 7.14 × 107 m and the gravitational field strength at its surface is
24.9 N kg–1.

(i) Show that the mass of Jupiter is about 2 × 1027 kg.

[3]

(ii) Calculate the average density of Jupiter.

density = ............................................. kg m –3 [2]

[ Total: 7]
4 (a) Fig. 2.1 shows an aeroplane flying in a horizontal circle at constant speed. The weight of the
aeroplane is W and L is the lift force acting at right angles to the wings.

centre of aeroplane
circle

Fig. 2.1

(i) Explain how the lift force L maintains the aeroplane flying in a horizontal circle.

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(ii) The aeroplane of mass 1.2 × 105 kg is flying in a horizontal circle of radius 2.0 km.

The centripetal force acting on the aeroplane is 1.8 × 10 6 N. Calculate the speed
of the aeroplane.

speed = ................................................ m s–1 [2]

(b) Fig. 2.2 shows a satellite orbiting the Earth at a constant speed v. The radius of the orbit
is r.
 v

satellite
r

Earth

Fig. 2.2
Show that the orbital period T of the satellite is given by the equation :

where M is the mass of the Earth and G is the gravitational constant.

[3]
(c) The satellites used in television communication systems are usually placed in
geostationary orbits.

In your answer, you should use appropriate technical words spelled correctly.
(i) State two features of geostationary orbits.

1. ........................................................................................................................................ ....

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2. ........................................................................................................................................

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(ii) Calculate the radius of orbit of a geostationary satellite.

The mass of the Earth is 6.0 × 1024 kg.

radius = .................................................... m [3]

[ Total : 12]
5 (a) State two conditions concerning the acceleration of an oscillating object that must apply for
simple harmonic motion.

1. ............................................................................................................................................... ...................

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2. ............................................................................................................................................... ...................

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(d) Fig. 3.1 shows how the potential energy, in mJ, of a simple harmonic oscillator varies with
displacement.

displacement / m

Fig. 3.1

On Fig. 3.1 sketch graphs to show the variation of

(i) kinetic energy of the oscillator with displacement – label this graph K [2]

(ii) the total energy of the oscillator with displacement – label this graph T. [1] (c)
Use Fig. 3.1 to determine
 (i) the amplitude of the oscillations

amplitude = .................................................... m [1]

(ii) the maximum speed of the oscillator of mass 0.12 kg

maximum speed = ............................................... m s –1 [2] (iii) the frequency of the oscillations.

frequency = ................................................... Hz [2]

(d) Resonance can either be useful or a problem. Describe one example where resonance has a useful
application and one example where resonance is a problem or nuisance. For each example
identify what is oscillating and what causes these oscillations.

(i) useful application

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(ii) problem

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6 Fig. 4.1 shows a mass suspended from a spring.

Fig. 4.1

(a) The mass is in equilibrium. By referring to the forces acting on the mass, explain what
is meant by equilibrium.

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(b) The mass in (a) is pulled down a vertical distance of 12 mm from its equilibrium position.
It is then released and oscillates with simple harmonic motion.

(i) Explain what is meant by simple harmonic motion.

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(ii) The displacement x, in mm, at a time t seconds after release is given by

x = 12 cos (7.85 t ).

Use this equation to show that the frequency of oscillation is 1.25 Hz.

[2]
 (iii) Calculate the maximum speed Vmax of the mass.
(iv)
Vmax = ............................................... m s–1 [2] (c) Fig. 4.2 shows how the displacement x of
the mass varies with time t.
15
x /mm
10

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4
t/s
–5

–10

–15

Fig. 4.2

Sketch on Fig. 4.3 the graph of velocity against time for the oscillating mass.

Put a suitable scale on the velocity axis. [3]

velocity/m s–1

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4
t/s

Fig. 4.3

[ Total : 11]

7 (a) Define simple harmonic motion.

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 (b) Fig. 2.1(a) shows a simple pendulum suspended from point P with the bob at the amplitude
of its swing. A student knocks the bob at this instant causing the bob to rotate in a
horizontal circle as shown in Fig. 2.1(b).

P
P

not to scale 0.05m

Fig. 2.1(a) Fig. 2.1(b)

Draw and label arrows on Fig. 2.1(b) to represent the forces acting on the bob. [2]

(c) Fig. 2.2 shows a graph of the displacement of the bob against time when it is oscillating as
a simple pendulum.

0.05

displacement/m

0
0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0
t/s

–0.05
Fig. 2.2

The frequency f of oscillation is related to the length l of the pendulum by the formula

Use data from Fig. 2.2 to determine

(i) the length l of the pendulum

l = .................................................... m [3]
 (ii) the maximum acceleration a of the bob.

a = ............................................... m s –2 [2]

(d) Explain why the circular motion of the conical pendulum has the same frequency as the
simple pendulum.

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[ Total : 12]

Answers
1
4
5(a)
 6