PHYSICS CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 6:
Circular motion
(3 Hours)

1
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Learning Outcome:

6.1 Uniform circular motion (1 hour)

At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
 Describe graphically the uniform circular motion.
 In terms of velocity with constant magnitude (only the
direction of the velocity changes).

2
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
6.1 Uniform circular motion
 is defined as a motion in a circle (circular arc) at a constant
speed.
 Consider an object which does move with uniform circular
motion as shown in Figure 6.1.

 The length of a circular arc, s is given

r by
θ
s s  rθ
O where
θ : angle which the arc subtends
to the centre of the circle in radian
r : radius of the circular path
Figure 6.1

3
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6

6.1.1 Linear (tangential) velocity , v
 It is directed tangentially to the circular path and always
perpendicular to the radius of the circular path as shown in
Figure 6.2.  
v v
r r

O
r
Figure 6.2 
v
 In uniform circular motion, the magnitude of the linear velocity
(speed) of an object is constant but the direction is
continually changing.
 The unit of the tangential (linear) velocity is m s1.

4
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
 The linear velocity, v is difficult to measure but we can measure
the period, T of an object in circular motion.
 Period, T
 is defined as the time taken for one complete revolution
(cycle/rotation).
 The unit of the period is second (s).

 Frequency, f
 is defined as the number of revolutions (cycles/rotations)
completed in one second.
 The unit of the frequency is hertz (Hz) or s1.
 Equation : 1
f 
T
 Let the object makes one complete revolution in circular motion,
thus
 the distance travelled is 2r (circumference of the circle),

 the time interval is one period, T.

5
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
 From the definition of speed,
changeof distance
v
time interval
2r
v OR v  2rf
T
2
If ω  2f therefore v  rω
T
where
ω : angular ve locity (angular frequency)
 Note: r : radius of the circular path
 The unit of angular velocity (angular frequency) is rad s1
(radian per second).
 Unit conversion of angle,  :  rad  180 
2 rad  360 
6
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Learning Outcome:

6.2 Centripetal force (2 hours)

At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
 Define and use centripetal acceleration and use
centripetal acceleration,
2
v
ac 
r
 Define and solve problem on centripetal force,

mv 2
Fc 
r
7
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
 
6.2.1 Centripetal (radial) acceleration, ac or ar
 Figure 6.3 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.
v1  The arc length AB is given by
 Δs  rΔ
v2 Δs
Δ  (1)
r
 The velocities of the particle at A
and B are v1 and v2 respectively
where
 
v1  v2  v

Figure 6.3 8
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
 Let PQ and PR represent the velocity vectors v1 and v2
 in Figure 6.4.
respectively, as shown
v1
P Q
  
 Δv  v2  v1
Figure 6.4 v2
R
 Then QR represent the change in velocity vector v of the
particle in time interval t. Since the angle between PQ and PR

QR  PQ
is small hence

Δv  vΔ
Δv
Δ  (2)
v
 By equating (1) and (2) then
Δs Δv

r v 9
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Dividing by time, t, thus

1  Δs  1  Δv 
   
r  Δt  v  Δt 
v a

r v
v2
ac  OR ac  r  v
2

r
where ac : centripeta l accelerati on
v : linear(tangential) velocity
r : radius of circular path
ω : angular ve locity (angular frequency)

10
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
 The centripetal acceleration 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.
 The direction of centripetal (radial) acceleration is always
directed toward the centre of the circle and perpendicular to
the linear (tangential) velocity as shown in Figure 6.5.


 ac 
ac ac


ac

ac

ac
Figure 6.5 11
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
 For uniform circular motion, the magnitude of the centripetal
acceleration always constant but its direction continuously
changes as the object moves around the circular path.
 Because of 2r
v
T
therefore we can obtain the alternative expression of centripetal
acceleration is

ac  T
 
2 r 2

r
4 2 r
ac  2
T

12
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Example 6.1 :
A motorbike moving at a constant speed 20.0 m s1 in a circular
track of radius 25.0 m. Calculate
a. the centripetal acceleration of the motorbike,
b. the time taken for the motorbike to complete one revolution.
1
Solution : v  20.0 m s ; r  25.0 m
a. From the definition of the centripetal acceleration, thus
v2

20.0 
2
ac  ac
r 25.0

b. From the alternate formula of the centripetal acceleration, hence

4 2 r 4 2 25.0  2r
ac  2 16.0  OR v
T T2 T

13
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Example 6.2 :

Figure 6.6
A car initially travelling eastward turns north by travelling in a
circular path at uniform speed as shown in Figure 6.6. The length
of the arc ABC is 235 m and the car completes the turn in 36.0 s.
Determine
a. the acceleration when the car is at B located at an angle of
35.0,
b. the car’s speed,
c. its average acceleration during the 36.0 s interval.
14
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Solution : s ABC  235 m, t  36.0 s
a. The period of the car is given by
T  4t  436.0 
T  144 s
The radius of the circular path is
s ABC  rθ
π
235  r  
2
Therefore the magnitude of the centripetal acceleration is
4 2 r 4π 2 150
ac  2 ac 
T 1442

15
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Solution : s ABC  235 m, t  36.0 s
b. From the definition of the speed, thus
s s ABC
v 
t t
235
v
36.0
c. 1st method :
By using the triangle method for vector addition, thus the change
in the velocity isgiven by
 vA
θ v  vC 2  v A 2
   
v  vC  v A vC v  6.532  6.532
θ

16
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Solution : s ABC  235 m, t  36.0 s
Therefore the magnitude of the average acceleration is
v
aav 
t
9.24
aav 
36.0

1  vC 
and its direction : θ  tan  
v 
 A
1  6.53 
θ  tan  
  6.53 

17
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Solution : s ABC  235 m, t  36.0 s
c. 2nd method :
v x vCx  v Ax
 x
x-component : aav  
t t
aav x 
0  6.53
36.0

v y vCy  v Ay
y-component : aav y  
t t
aav y 
6.53  0
36.0

18
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Solution : s ABC  235 m, t  36.0 s
Therefore the magnitude of the average acceleration is

aav     
2
aav x
2
aav y

aav   0.181  0.181

2 2

 aav  y 
1 
and θ  tan  
a 
 av x 

1  0.181 
θ  tan  
  0.181 

19
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Example 6.3 :
A boy whirls a marble in a horizontal circle of radius 2.00 m and at
height 1.65 m above the ground. The string breaks and the marble
flies off horizontally and strikes the ground after traveling a
horizontal distance of 13.0 m. Calculate
a. the speed of the marble in the circular path,
b. the centripetal acceleration of the marble while in the circular
motion.
(Given g = 9.81 m s-2)
Solution :
r =2.00 m

u

u
1.65 m 1.65 m

13.0 m
Before After
20
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Solution :
a. From the diagram :
u x  u; u y  0
sx  13.0 m ; s y  1.65 m
The time taken for the marble to strike the ground is
1 2
s y  u y t  gt
2
 1.65  0  9.81t 2
1
2
The initial speed of the marble after the string breaks is equal to
the tangential speed of the marble in the horizontal circle.
Therefore s u t
13.0  u0.580
x x

21
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Solution :
b. From the definition of the centripetal acceleration, thus
2 2
v u
ac  
r r
ac 
22.4 
2

2.00

22
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
6.3 Centripetal force
6.3.1 Equation of centripetal force
 From Newton’s 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
      
where a  ac and  F  Fc
 F  Fnett  ma
  v 2

Fc  mac and ac   r  v
2
r
mv2
Fc   mr 2  mv
r
where Fc : centripeta l force

25
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
 The centripetal force is defined as a force acting on a body
causing it to move in a circular path of magnitude
mv 2
Fc 
r
and its always directed towards the centre of the circular
path.
 Its direction is in the same direction of the centripetal
acceleration as shown in Figure 6.8.

  v
 ac
v Fc

 Fc
ac
 
Fc ac

Figure 6.8 v
26
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6

27
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
 If the centripetal force suddenly stops to act on a body in the
circular motion, the body flies off in a straight line with the
constant tangential (linear) speed as show in Figure 6.9.

  v
 Fc ac
v  Simulation 6.1
 Fc
ac
 
 a
Fc c  0
F c  0
F
ac  0 ac  0
c

 Note :
Figure 6.9   
v v v
 In uniform circular motion, the nett 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
1 2 1 2 2
K  mv  mr 
2 2
28
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6

As the moon
As a car makes a turn, As a bucket of water
orbits the Earth,
the force of friction is tied to a string
the force of
acting upon the turned and spun in a circle,
gravity acting
wheels of the car the tension force
upon the moon
provides centripetal acting upon the
provides the
force required for bucket provides the
centripetal force
circular motion. centripetal force
required for
required for circular
circular motion
motion.

29
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Without a centripetal force, an
object in motion continues along a
straight-line path.

With a centripetal force, an object in

motion will be accelerated and change its
direction.

30
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6

Note that the centripetal force is proportional to

the square of the velocity, implying that a
doubling of speed will require four times the
centripetal force to keep the motion in a circle.
If the centripetal force must be provided by
friction alone on a curve, an increase in speed
could lead to an unexpected skid if friction is
insufficient.
31
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6

32
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
6.3.2 Examples of uniform circular motion
Conical Pendulum
Example 6.4 :
Figure 6.10 shows a conical pendulum
with a bob of mass 80.0 kg on a 10.0 m
long string making an angle of 5.00 to the
vertical.
a. Sketch a free body diagram of the bob.
b. Determine
i. the tension in the string,
ii. the speed and the period of the bob,
iii. the radial acceleration of the bob.
(Given g =9.81 m s2)
Figure 6.10

33
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Solution : m  80.0 kg; l  10.0 m; θ  5.00 
a. The free body diagram of the bob :


T θ T cos θ

ac

T sin θ

mg

b. i. From the diagram, F

y 0
T cos θ  mg
34
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Solution : m  80.0 kg; l  10.0 m; θ  5.00 
b. ii. The centripetal force is contributed
by the horizontal component of the

r
tension.
 F F
x c
mv 2
sin θ  T sin θ 
l r2
l mv
r  l sin θ T sin θ 
l sin θ
Tl sin 2 θ
r v
m

v
788 10.0 sin 5.00 
 2

80.0

35
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6

Solution : m  80.0 kg; l  10.0 m; θ  5.00
b. ii. and the period of the bob is given by
2r
v
T
v
2l sin θ 
0.865 

2 10.0 sin 5.00  
T T
iii. From the definition of the radial acceleration, hence
v2 v2
ar  ar 
r l sin θ
ar 
0.865 
2


10.0 sin 5.00

36
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Motion rounds a curve on a flat (unbanked) track (for car,
motorcycle, bicycle, etc…)
Picture 6.1
Example 6.5 :
A car of mass 2000 kg rounds a circular turn of radius 20 m. The
road is flat and the coefficient of friction between tires and the road
is 0.70.
a. Sketch a free body diagram of the car.
b. Determine the maximum car’s speed without skidding.
(Given g = 9.81 m s-2)
Solution : m  2000 kg; r  20 m; μ  0.70
a. The free body diagram of the car : 
 N
ac

Centre of f
circle 
mg
37
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Solution : m  2000 kg; r  20 m; μ  0.70
b. From the diagram in (a),
y-component :  Fy  0 N  mg
x-component : The centripetal force is provided by the frictional
force between the wheel (4 tyres) and the road.
Therefore mv 2
F x 
r2
mv
f 
r2
mv
μmg 
r
v  μrg

38
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Motion in a horizontal circle
Example 6.6 :
A ball of mass 150 g is attached to one end of a string 1.10 m long.
The ball makes 2.00 revolution per second in a horizontal circle.
a. Sketch the free body diagram for the ball.
b. Determine
i. the centripetal acceleration of the ball,
ii. the magnitude of the tension in the string.
Solution : m  0.150 kg; l  r  1.10 m; f  2.00 Hz
a. The free body diagram for the ball :

ac 
T r

mg
39
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Solution : m  0.150 kg; l  r  1.10 m; f  2.00 Hz
b. i. The linear speed of the ball is given by
2r
v  2rf
T
v  21.10 2.00 
Therefore the centripetal acceleration is
v 2

13.8 
2
ac  ac
r 1.10

ii. From the diagram in (a), the centripetal force enables the ball
to move in a circle is provided by the tension in the string.
Hence  Fx  Fc  mac
T  ma c

40
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Motion in a vertical circle B
Example 6.7 : 
v
3.00 m


v
Figure 6.12
A
A small remote control car with mass 1.20 kg moves at a constant
speed of v = 15.0 m s1 in a vertical circle track of radius 3.00 m as
shown in Figure 6.12. Determine the magnitude of the reaction
force exerted on the car by the track at
a. point A,
b. point B.
(Given g = 9.81 m s2)
41
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Solution : m  1.20 kg; r  3.00 m; v  15.0 m s 1
a. The free body diagram of the car at point A :

 
ac NA


mg
mv 2 mv2
 F
r
N A  mg 
r
  
N A  1.20 9.81 
 
1.20 15.0 2

3.00

42
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Solution : m  1.20 kg; r  3.00 m; v  15.0 m s 1
b. The free body diagram of the car at point B :


NB 
 mg
ac

2 2
mv
F  r
mv
N B  mg 
r
N B  1.20 9.81 
1.20 15.0 
2

3.00

43
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Example 6.8 :
v

v
Figure 6.13
A rider on a Ferris wheel moves in a vertical circle of radius,
r = 8 m at constant speed, v as shown in Figure 6.13. If the time
taken to makes one rotation is 10 s and the mass of the rider is
60 kg, Calculate the normal force exerted on the rider
a. at the top of the circle,
b. at the bottom of the circle.
(Given g = 9.81 m s-2) 44
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Solution : m  60 kg; r  8 m; T  10 s
a. The constant speed of the rider is
2r 2π8
v v
T 10

The free body diagram of the rider at the top of the circle :

Nt mv 2

 F
r
ac  mv 2
mg mg  N t 
r
60 9.81  N t  60 5.03
2

45
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Solution : m  60 kg; r  8 m; T  10 s
b. The free body diagram of the rider at the bottom of the circle :

mv 2
 F
r
mv 2
N b  mg 
r
 
N b  60 9.81 
60 5.03
2
ac Nb
8


mg

46
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Example 6.9 : 3.0 m s1 A

3.0 m s1

Figure 6.14 E 3.0 m s1

A sphere of mass 5.0 kg is tied to an inelastic string. It moves in a
vertical circle of radius 55 cm at a constant speed of 3.0 m s1 as
shown in Figure 6.14. By the aid of the free body diagram,
determine the tension in the string at points A, D and E.
(Given g = 9.81 m s-2)

47
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Solution : m  5.0 kg; r  0.55 m; v  3.0 m s 1
The free body diagram of the sphere at :
Point A,
mv 2 mv2
F 
A
 TA  mg 
r r
TA 

ac
mg
TA  5.09.81 
5.03.0
2

0.55

Point D,
 mv 2
ac  TD 
TD r
D
TD 
 
5.0 3.0 2

 0.55
mg
48
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Solution : m  5.0 kg; r  0.55 m; v  3.0 m s 1
The free body diagram of the sphere at :
Point E,
mv2
  TE  mg 
ac r
TE
TE  5.09.81 
5.03.0 
2

E 0.55

mg
Caution :
 For vertical uniform circular motion only,

 the normal force or tension is maximum at the bottom of

the circle.
 the normal force or tension is minimum at the top of the
circle.
49
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Exercise 6.2 :
Use gravitational acceleration, g = 9.81 m s2
1. 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  to the horizontal and
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.
Calculate
a. the magnitude of the centripetal acceleration of the cyclist,
b. the magnitude of 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

50
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Exercise 6.2 :
2. A ball of mass 0.35 kg is attached to the end of a horizontal
cord and is rotated in a circle of radius 1.0 m on a frictionless
horizontal surface. If the cord will break when the tension in it
exceeds 80 N, determine
a. the maximum speed of the ball,
b. the minimum period of the ball.
ANS. : 15.1 m s1; 0.416 s
3. A small mass, m is set on the surface m
of a sphere as shown in Figure 6.14.
If the coefficient of static friction is s θ
= 0.60, calculate the angle  would
the mass start sliding. O
ANS. : 31

Figure 6.14
51
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6
Exercise 6.2 :
4. A ball of mass 1.34 kg is connected
by means of two massless string to
a vertical rotating rod as shown in
Figure 6.15. The strings are tied to
the rod and are taut. The tension in
the upper string is 35 N.
a. Sketch a free body diagram for
the ball.
b. Calculate
i. the magnitude of the tension
in the lower string,
ii. the nett force on the ball,
iii. the speed of the ball. Figure 6.15
ANS. : 8.74 N; 37.9 N (radially
inward); 6.45 m s1

52
PHYSICS CHAPTER 6

THE END…
Next Chapter…
CHAPTER 7 :
Gravitation

53