Content

5.1 Angular displacement and angular

velocity
5.2 Centripetal acceleration
5. Circular motion 5.3 Centripetal force

By Liew Sau Poh

Objectives
a) express angular displacement in radians
b) define angular velocity and period
c) derive and use the formula v = r
d) explain that uniform circular motion
has an acceleration due to the change in
direction of velocity
e) derive and use the formulae for
centripetal acceleration a = v2 / r and a
=r 2
Objectives
f) explain that uniform circular motion is due
to the action of a resultant force that is
always directed to the centre of the circle
g) use the formulae for centripetal force F =
mv2/r and F = mr 2
h) solve problems involving uniform
horizontal circular motion for a point mass
i) solve problems involving vertical circular
motions for a point mass (knowledge of
tangential acceleration is not required).

Uniform circular motion

Suppose that an
object executes a
v
5.1 Angular displacement circular orbit of s

and angular velocity radius r with

uniform tangential t = 0 (t) t=t
speed v. r

Uniform circular motion Uniform circular motion

The instantaneous For instance, we
position of the could decide that
v s v s
object is most = 0 corresponds to
conveniently the object's
specified in terms t = 0 (t) t=t location at t = 0, in t = 0 (t) t=t
of an angle . r which case we r
would write (t) =
v t, where is the v
angular velocity of
the object.
Uniform circular motion Angular displacement
For a uniformly Consider the motion
rotating object, the of the object in the s
v s v
angular velocity is time interval
simply the angle between t = 0
through which the t = 0 (t) t=t and t = t. t=0 (t) t=t
object turns in one r r
Here, the object
second. rotates through an
v v
angle , and traces
out a circular arc of
length s.

Angular displacement Angular displacement

It is fairly obvious At this stage, it is
that the arc length s convenient to define
is directly v s v s
a new angular unit
proportional to the
known as a radian
angle , an angle of t = 0 t=t t=0 t=t
360 corresponds to
(t) (symbol rad). (t)
r r
an arc length of 2 r.
Hence, an angle v v
must correspond to
an arc length of s 2 r
360

Angular displacement Angular displacement

An angle measured Thus, 360 2
in radians is related rad,
v s v s
to an angle
180 rad,
measured in degrees
via the following t = 0 (t) t=t 90 ½ rad, t=0 (t) t=t
simple formula: r r
and 57.296 1 rad.
2 v v
rad
360

Angular displacement Angular velocity

When is Consider the motion of the object in the
measured in short interval between times t and t +
v s
radians, t. In this interval, the object turns
2 through a small angle and traces out
s r t=0 (t) t=t a short arc of length s, where s = r .
360
r
simplifies greatly v
to give s = r .
Angular velocity
Now s/ t (i.e., distance moved per unit
time) is simply the tangential velocity v,
whereas / t (i.e., angle turned
through per unit time) is simply the
angular velocity w. Thus, dividing s =
r by t, we obtain v = rw.
Angular velocity
An object that rotates with uniform
angular velocity w turns through w
radians in 1 second.
Hence, the object turns through 2
radians (i.e., it executes a complete
circle) in T = 2 / w seconds.
Angular velocity
Here, the repetition frequency, f , of the
motion is measured in cycles per
second--otherwise known as hertz
(symbol Hz).
Angular velocity
Furthermore, the angular frequency of
the motion is given by w = 2 f = 314.16
rad/s
Finally, the tangential velocity of the
object is v = r w = 1.2 314.16 = 376.99
m/s.
Angular velocity
Note, however, that this formula is only
valid if the angular velocity w is
measured in radians per second.
From now on, in this course, all angular
velocities are measured in radians per
second by default.
Angular velocity
Here, T is the repetition period of the
circular motion. If the object executes a
complete cycle (i.e., turns through 360 )
in T seconds, then the number of cycles
executed per second is f = 1/T = w / 2 .
In other words, w = 2 /T.
Angular velocity
As an example, suppose that an object
executes uniform circular motion,
radius r = 1.2m, at a frequency of f =
50Hz (i.e., the object executes a
complete rotation 50 times a second).
The repetition period of this motion is
simply T = 1/f = 0.02s.
5.3 Centripetal acceleration
Circular motion Circular motion

The speed stays

The tension constant, but the R v
in the string! direction changes

Bart swings the tennis ball around his head The acceleration in this
case is called
in a circle. The ball is accelerating, what centripetal acceleration
force makes it accelerate?

Centripetal acceleration, aC Centripetal acceleration

aC
R
toward the
center
v of the circle
The acceleration
points toward the
center of the circle

Centripetal acceleration Centripetal acceleration

An object executing a It follows that the
circular orbit of radius Z object must be Z
Q v Q v
r with uniform Y accelerating, since Y
v v
tangential speed v acceleration is the (vector)

X X
possesses a velocity P v rate of change of P v
vector v whose r velocity , and the
(vector)
r
magnitude is constant, velocity is indeed
(vector)

but whose direction is varying in time.

continuously
changing.

Centripetal acceleration Centripetal acceleration

Suppose that the The vector PX ,
object moves from Z shown in the diagram, Z
Q v Q v
point P to point Q Y is identical to the Y
v v
between times t and t vector QY. Moreover,
X X
+ t, as shown in the P v the angle subtended P v
figure above. Suppose, r between vectors PZ r
further, that the object and PX is simply .
rotates through
radians in this time
interval.
Centripetal acceleration Centripetal acceleration
The vector ZX It can be seen that
represents the Z this vector ZX is Z
Q v Q v
change in vector Y directed towards the Y
v v
velocity, v, between centre of the circle.
X X
times t and t + t. P v From standard P v
r trigonometry, the r
length of vector is v
= 2v sin( /2).

Centripetal acceleration Centripetal acceleration

However, for small angles sin , In summary, an object executing a
provided that is measured in radians. circular orbit, radius r, with uniform
Hence, v v , tangential velocity v, and uniform
It follows that a = v/ t = v / t=v angular velocity w = v/r, possesses an
, where = / t is the angular acceleration directed towards the centre
velocity of the object, measured in of the circle:- i.e., a centripetal
radians per second. acceleration:- of magnitude a = vw = v2/r
= rw2.

Centripetal acceleration
centripetal acceleration
v2
aC =
R
5.3 Centripetal force
a force is needed to produce this
centripetal acceleration
CENTRIPETAL FORCE
where does this force come from?

Centripetal force Centripetal force

Suppose that a As we have just
weight, of mass m, is learned, the weight is
attached to the end subject to a centripetal
v v
of a cable, of length r, acceleration of
and whirled around m T magnitude v2/r. m
T
such that the weight r Hence, the weight r
executes a horizontal experiences a
circle, radius r, with centripetal force f = m
uniform tangential v2/r.
velocity v.
Centripetal force Centripetal force
What provides this Suppose that the
force? Well, in the cable is such that it
present example, the snaps whenever the
v v
force is provided by tension in it exceeds
m m
the tension T in the T a certain critical T
cable. r value Tmax. r
Hence, T = mv2/r .

Centripetal force Centripetal force

It follows that there If v exceeds vmax
is a maximum then the cable will
velocity with which break. As soon as
v v
the weight can be the cable snaps, the
m m
whirled around: T weight will cease to T
namely, r be subject to a r
centripetal force.
rTmax
vmax
m

Centripetal force Question 1

So it will fly off; with A 2.0 kg mass swinging at the end of a 0.50
velocity vmax along m string is traveling 3.0 m/s.
the straight-line What is the
v
which is tangential a. centripetal acceleration of the mass?
to the circular orbit m T b. centripetal force on the mass?
it was previously r
executing.

Answer 1 Question 2
a) ac = v2/r A student swings a ball in a circle of radius
ac = (3.0 m/s)2/(0.5 m) 70 cm in the vertical plane. The angular
ac = 18 m/s2 velocity of the ball is 10 rad s 1.

b) Fc = mac = 36 J a) What is the velocity of the ball?

b) How long does the ball take to
complete one revolution?
Answer 2 Question 2 (continue)
a) v = r = (10)(0.70) = 7.0 m s-1 A student swings a ball in a circle of radius
70 cm in the vertical plane. The angular
velocity of the ball is 10 rad s 1.
b) The student releases the ball when it is at
2 r 2 A, which is 130 cm above the ground, and
T the ball travels vertically upwards.
v Calculate
a) the maximum height, above the
2 (0.70) 2 ground, the ball will reach;
T 0.63s
7 10 b) the time taken for the ball to hit the
ground after its release from A.

Ball on a string
a) v2 = u2 + 2as
Top view The tension in the
0 = (7)2 + 2(-9.8) s => s = 2.50 m
string provides the
=> max. height = 2.5 + 1.30 = 3.8 m
necessary centripetal
b) Overall: force to keep the ball
A => max. height => ground: going in a circle.
s = ut + ½ at2
-1.30 = 7t ½ (9.8)t2
Path of ball if the
time, t = 1.59 s string breaks

Example Example
What is the tension in a string used to If the string is not strong enough to
twirl a 0.3 kg ball at a speed of 2 ms-1 in a handle this tension (1.2 N) it will break
horizontal circle of 1 meter radius? and the ball goes off in a straight line.
Answer:
Force = mass x acceleration [ m ac ]
Acceleration, ac
= v2 / R = (2)2/ 1 = 4 ms-2
Force, F = mac = 0.3 4 = 1.2 N

Vertical Circular Motion Vertical Circular Motion

If a pail is The cetripetal
whirled in a acceleration,
vertical circle, a = v2/r towards O.
the speed of the v O v O
Using F = ma,
pail varies along T T
its circular r T mg cos = mv2/r r
motion Tension,
mg mg
T = mv2/r + mg cos
Vertical Circular Motion Vertical Circular Motion
T = mv2/r + mg cos T = mv2/r + mg cos
At lowest point, = 0 At highest point, =
T = mv2/r + mg v O T = mv2/r mg v O
At highest point, = The pail well not drop
T T
T = mv2/r mg r if r
When = /2 or 3 /2 mv2/r mg > 0
mg mg
T = mv2/r; (cos = 0) mv2/r > mg
v > (gr)1/2

Conical Pendulum Conical Pendulum

An object is For horizontal
moving in a circular motion, Ty
horizontal circle l a = v2/r (towards centre) l
(forming a conical T T
F = ma = mv2/r
pendulum) For horizontal r
For horizontal r component,
circular motion, T sin = mv2/r Tx
a = v2/r (towards centre) mg mg
= mr 2
= m(l sin ) 2
T = ml 2 Ty = T cos , Tx = T sin

Conical Pendulum Negotiating a flat (level) turn

For vertical The centripetal force
component, Ty is provided by the
ml 2 cos = mg l friction force
cos = g / l 2 T between the road and
= cos-1(g/l 2) tires.
r
this force is reduced if
Tx the road is wet or icy
mg

Ty = T cos , Tx = T sin

Banked Turns Banked turns

Since the road is banked
(not horizontal) the force
of the road on the box is N
not vertical.
Part of the force on the
R
31 degree bank
box from the road points FCENT
toward the center of the
circle.
This provides the
Velodrome centripetal force.
No friction is necessary to
keep the box in the circle.
 Centrifugal force: Definition
The red object will make Force represents the effects
the turn only if there is of inertia that arise in connection with
enough friction on it
0r it goes straight
rotation and which are experienced as an
object on outward force away from the center of
the apparent outward the dashboard
force is called the rotation
centrifugal force
it is NOT A REAL force!
an object will not move straight line
in a circle until object naturally
something makes it! follows

Silly Silo (Rotor) Summary: Circular motion

Angular = / t
Friction between Displacement & v=r
Bart and wall Angular Velocity
wall pushing
in on Bart a = v2/r
Centripetal a=v
Acceleration a=r 2

weight F = mv2/r = mv = mr 2
Centripetal Motion in horizontal circle
The inward wall force keeps Bart in the circle. Force Motion in vertical circle
Friction keeps him from falling down.