Overview:

Circular motion

CHAPTER 6:
Circular motion
(3 Hours)

Uniform circular
motion

Definition

Centripetal force

6.1 UNIFORM CIRCULAR MOTION

LEARNING OUTCOME:
6.1 Uniform circular motion (1 hour)
At the end of this chapter, students
should be able to:
a) Describe graphically the uniform
circular motion in terms of the
change in direction of velocity.

Circular motion motion which occurs when bodies rotate in circular path.

Circular motion
Uniform
(Horizontal plane)
Examples:
a ball is swung in horizontal circle.
a car /motorcycle turning a corner.
cone pendulum.
merry go round.

Non - Uniform
(Vertical plane)
Examples:
a bucket of water is swung in vertical
circle.
roller coaster cars

6.1 Uniform Circular Motion

6.1 Uniform Circular Motion

Uniform circular motion is the motion of an object in a circle with a
constant / uniform speed.

MOTION CHARACTERICTICS FOR CIRCULAR MOTION

magnitude of its linear velocity (speed)remains

...

direction of its velocity ..

Linear Distance (

s )

The arc length between A and B

Comparison Of Linear And

Circular Motion
Linear motion

Angular Displacement ( )

Circular motion

The angle subtended by the arc length.

Unit : radian ( rad )

Relation between

, r,

s = r
6

6.1 Uniform Circular Motion

Motion Characterictics For Circular Motion

Motion Characterictics For Circular Motion

6.1 Uniform Circular Motion

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LINEAR VELOCITY, V AND ANGULAR

VELOCITY,

ANGULAR VELOCITY ( )
 Rate of change of angular displacement.

s = r
=

angular displacement (rad)

Divide both sides by

, t
s r
=
t
t

time taken (s)

- Unit : .
- Other units: .... and

v = r

- The direction of linear velocity at every point along the circular path is
tangent to the point.

- and its direction is perpendicular to the plane of

motion (right hand rule)

-The direction of the angular velocity, depends on the rotation

of the object (clockwise or counterclockwise ).

Motion Characterictics For Circular Motion

Period, T
is defined as the time taken for (cycle/rotation).
(cycle/rotation)
The unit of the period is second (s).
(s)

Frequency, f
is defined as the .(cycles/rotations) completed in
one second.
second
.or
.
The unit of the frequency is .
Equation :
1

f =

6.1 Uniform Circular Motion

LINEAR VELOCITY can be written in terms of period, T and frequency, f :

v=

2 r
= 2 r f
T

ANGULAR VELOCITY can be written in terms of period, T and frequency, f :

Let the object makes one complete revolution in circular motion, thus
the distance travelled is 2r (circumference of the circle),
the time interval is one period, T.

2
= 2f
T

10

Motion Characterictics For Circular Motion

6.1 Uniform Circular Motion

6.1 Uniform Circular Motion

EXAMPLE 6.1.2

EXAMPLE 6.1.1

An object travels around the circumference of a circle of radius 6 m at a rate of

30 rev/min. Calculate

An object undergoes circular motion with uniform angular speed 100 rpm.
Calculate :
(a) the period, T
(b) the frequency of revolution, f.

(a) its angular speed in rad/s.

(b) its linear speed around the circle.

SOLUTION 6.1.1

SOLUTION 6.1.2
r = 6m
= 30 rev/min

Given : = 100 rpm

Convert to rad s-1 :

Motion Characterictics For Circular Motion

100 rev 100(2 )

=
= 10.47 rads 1
1 min
60

(a)

30 2
60

(b)

v = r

(a)
(b)
11

12

Learning Outcome:

EXAMPLE 6.1.3

6.2 Centripetal force (2 hours)

The diameter of a tire is 64.8 cm. A tack is embedded in the tread of the right
rear tire. What is the magnitude and direction of the tack's angular
velocity vector if the vehicle is traveling at 10.0 km/h?

At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:

a)
Define and use centripetal acceleration:

Solution 6.1.3:

v2
ac =
r

(10 km/h)(1000/3600) = 2.78 m/s

b)

Define and solve problems on centripetal force:

14

6.2 Centripetal Acceleration, ac

6.2 Centripetal Acceleration, ac

 When an object moving in a circle of radius, r at a constant speed, v, the

direction of the object changes. Thus it has an acceleration called the centripetal
acceleration.

v2
ac =
r

Magnitude of ac :

speed of the object

radius
 ac is defined as the acceleration of an object moving in circular path and it
directed towards the center of the circle.
since v = r ,

ac = v

 Direction of ac graphically.

a=

ac = r 2

v
t

If v =

2 r
then,
T

v : linear tangential velocity

: angular velocity (angular
frequency)
r : radius of circular path

ac =

4 2 r
T2

FIGURE 6.2.1

15

16

Uniform Circular Motion Problem Solving

Step

Technique

Drawing diagram.

Identifying and drawing

external forces.

Resolving external forces into

components.

Drawing centripetal force.

Identifying the type of motion.

Calculation.

Explanation
Draw proper diagram especially the path of the circular
motion).
Identify and draw all the external forces (including
applied and reaction forces) acting on the object. Make
sure :
- the direction of all forces is correct and labeled.
- the number of forces is correct.
- the tip of all forces is concentrated at the same point
(called the origin point).

6.2 Centripetal Acceleration, ac

Example 6.2.1
Calculate the centripetal acceleration of a car traveling on a circular racetrack of
1000 m radius at a speed of 180 km h-1.
Solution
Given : r = 1000 m
v = 180 km h-1

Resolve all the external forces into x-axis (called xcomponents) as well as y-axis (called y-components)
Draw the centripetal force, Fc which is always pointing to
the centre of the circular path.
Identify whether the circular motion is horizontally or
vertically.
Use the correct condition to relate the centripetal force
with the all the external forces of the same axis. Assign
the external forces as :
 positive if the direction is the same as the direction
of the centripetal force.
 negative if the direction is opposite to the direction
of the centripetal force.

18

Centripetal Force, Fc

Centripetal Force, Fc

Magnitude of Fc :
Fc is defined as the net force required to keep an object of mass, m
moving at a speed v on a circular path of radius, r.
since v = r , thus
Examples :

Fc = mr 2 = mv
As the moon orbits the Earth, the force of gravity acting
upon the moon provides the centripetal force required for
circular motion.

Direction of Fc - .of the circle and same direction of the

centripetal acceleration.

FIGURE 6.2.2
Fc is perpendicular to the direction v, so it does
no work on the object.
As a car makes a turn, the force of friction acting upon
the turned wheels of the car provides the centripetal force
required for circular motion.
FIGURE 6.2.3

19

FIGURE 6.2.4

20

Circular motion in horizontal plane (uniform circular motion)

Circular motion in horizontal plane

(uniform circular motion)

Example 6.2.2

Case 1 : object moves in a horizontal circle with steady speed.

A 0.25 kg rock attached to a string is whirled in a horizontal circle at a constant

speed of 10.0 ms-1. The length of the string is 1.0m. Neglecting the effects of
gravity, find the tension in the string.

T
Solutio 6.2.2

mg

FIGURE 6.2.5

T = Fc

Two forces acting on the object :

1.The force of gravity ( weight i.e. mg )
2.The tension in the string - is the only component in the radial direction that
provided the centripetal force.
Applying Newton 2nd Law :

mv 2
T=
r

mv 2
Fnet = mac =
r

21

Case 2 : Motion of car round a curve : Flat curve road

Motion of car round a curve

Example 6.2.3

If the coefficient of static friction between the tires & the road is
then,
f s= R
Horizontal comp.:

Fy = 0

fs = Fc =

R mg = 0
R = mg ( 1 )

(1) into (2)

:

A car travels around a flat curve of radius r = 50m. The coefficient of the
static friction between the tires & the road is s = 0.75. Calculate the
maximum speed at which the car can travel without skidding.

Vertical comp. :

22

mg =

mv 2
r

Solution 6.2.3

fs

R
mg

Given: s = 0.75 , r = 50m

mv 2 ( 2 )
R =
r

fs supplies the centripetal force

mv 2
fs =
r

mv 2
r

The maximum velocity without slipping on the road is :

mg =

v = r g
23

mv 2
r

But fs= sR

fs
mg

v= rg

24

Motion of car round a curve

Case 3 : Conical Pendulum

Example 6.2.4

A conical pendulum moving in uniform circular motion with speed v:

A 1200 kg car with a velocity of 8.0 m/s travels around a flat curve of radius r =
9.0m.
a) Calculate the horizontal force must the
pavement exert on the tires to hold the car
in the circular path ?
R
b) What coefficient of friction must exist for
the car not to slip ?

T sin supplies centripetal

force.

Solution 6.2.4
a)

b)

mv
f s = Fc =
r

mv 2
fs =
r

1200 (8 . 0 )
=
= 8533 N
9 .0

R = mg

r = L sin

Component x :

fs

r
mg

Fx =

mv 2
r
mv 2
mg =
r

mv 2
r

FIGURE 6.2.7

R =

mv 2
Tsin =
r

Component y :
(1)

Fy = 0
Tcos = mg

(2)

25

26

Conical Pendulum

Case 3 : Conical Pendulum

Example 6.2.6
r = L sin

mv 2
Tsin =
r

(1)

Tcos = mg

(2)

A 0.15 kg ball attached to a string which is 1.2

m in length moves in a horizontal circle. The
string makes an angle of 30 with the vertical.
Find the tension in the string & the speed of the
ball.

r = L sin 30

Solution 6.2.6

mv 2
)
Tsin
(1)
:
= r
mg
(2) Tcos
(

FIGURE 6.2.8

tan =

v2
rg

Component - y :

Component - x :

T cos 30 = mg

Tsin =

mv 2
r

v=

r Tsin
m

v=

(Lsin)Tsin
m

v = r g tan = Lg sin tan

27

28

CIRCULAR MOTION IN VERTICAL PLANE

Circular motion in vertical plane

Case 1 : A ball is attached to a string & moves in a vertical circle.

Circular motion is possible as long as the cord remain taut, thus there is a critical
(minimum) speed to be maintained.

T + mg =

FIGURE 6.2.9
At the top of the circle ( point A ) :
both T & mg are directed downwards

FIGURE 6.2.10

(T is minimum)

mg =

Fnet = mac

mv 2
T + mg =
r
mv2
mg
r

If the rope is sagging, T = 0 , thus :

At the bottom of the circle ( point B ) :

T & mg point in opposite direction

Fnet = mac

T=

mv 2
r

T=0

mv 2
T mg =
r
T=

mv 2
+ mg
r

mv 2
r

v min = r g

(T is maximum)
29

30

Circular motion in vertical plane

Circular motion in vertical plane

Example 6.2.7

Example 6.2.8

A 1.2 kg rock is tied to the end of a 90 cm length of string. The rock is then is
whirled in a vertical circle at a constant speed of 8 m/s. What are the tensions
in the string at the top and bottom of the circle ?

A 2 kg ball is tied to the end of a 80 cm length of string. The ball is then is whirled
in a vertical circle and has a velocity of 5 m/s at the top of the circle.
a) What is the tension in the string at that instant ?
b) What is the minimum speed at the top necessary to maintain circular motion ?

Solution 6.2.7
m = 1.2 kg , r = 90 cm , v = 8 m/s
Top

Solution 6.2.8
m = 2 kg , r = 80 cm , v = 5 m/s at the top.

Bottom

a)

T + mg =
2

mv 2
r

mv
T=
mg
r

Top

mv 2
T mg =
r

mv2
T=
mg
r

mv
T=
+ mg
r

b)

T=

mv2
mg
r

For vmin , T = 0

mg =

mv 2
r

vmin = r g
=
31

32

Circular motion in vertical plane

Circular motion in vertical plane

Case 2 : Roller coaster on a circular track / Ferris wheel

Example 6.2.9
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.

Top of the circle :

mv 2
R + mg =
r

Fnet = mac
mv 2
T + mg =
r

R=

Fnet = mac
R mg =

R
mg

mg

mv 2
mg
r

R=

mv 2
r

mv 2
+ mg
r

A minimum velocity (when R = 0) is required in order to keep a roller coaster car

on a circular track.

The water will not spill out if the T=0, thus :

mv 2
r

Fnet = mac

Solution 6.2.9

mg =

Bottom of the circle :

v min = r g

0 + mg =

v min =

mv 2
r

v min = r g

33

34

Circular motion in vertical plane

Example 6.2.11 :

Example 6.2.10

What minimum speed must a roller coaster be traveling when

upside down at the top of a circle (refer to the figure) if the
passengers are not to fall out ? Assume R = 8.0 m.
Solution 6.2.10
r = 8.0 m
Top

Fnet = mac

Figure 6.13

mv 2
R + mg =
r

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)

For vmin , R = 0

v min = r g
vmin =
35

36

Solution 6.2.11:

Solution 6.2.11:

m = 60 kg; r = 8 m; T = 10 s
a. The constant speed of the rider is

v=

2r
T

m = 60 kg; r = 8 m; T = 10 s

b. The free body diagram of the rider at the bottom of the circle :

2(8)
10
v = 5.03 m s 1
v=

mv 2
r
mv 2
N b mg =
r

The free body diagram of the rider at the top of the circle :

Nt


ac

mg

F =

mv 2
r

mg N t =

mv
r

ac

F=

Nb

mg

37

38

Motion Characterictics For Circular Motion

6.1 Uniform Circular Motion

EXERCISES 6.1

Caution :


1. A particle is moving on a circular path of radius 0.5 m at a constant

speed of 10 m/s. Calculate the time taken to complete 20 revolutions.
(t = 6.28 s)

For vertical uniform circular motion only,

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.

2. Two wheels of a machine are connected by a transmission belt. The radius

of the first wheel r1 = 0.5 m, the radius of the second wheel r2 = 0.125 m.
The frequency of the bigger wheel equals 3.5 Hz. What is the frequency of
the smaller wheel ? (f2 = 14 Hz)

40

Motion Characterictics For Circular Motion

6.1 Uniform Circular Motion

3. 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 s2. Take the radius of the Earth as 6400 km.
Determine :
a. the speed of the satellite,
b. the time interval required to complete one orbit around the Earth.
ANS. : 7581 m s1; 5802 s
4. A pendulum bob of mass 1 kg is attached to a string 1 m long and made to
revolve in a horizontal circle of the radius 60 cm. Calculate the period of the
motion and the tension of the string.

T=

2r
= 1 .8 s
v

Tension , T = 12.25 N