PHYSICS Chapter 06 PHYSICS Chapter 06

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

CHAPTER 6: r

by
Circular motion s s  rθ
θ
(3 Hours) 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

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PHYSICS Chapter 06 PHYSICS Chapter 06

Overview: 
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
Circular motion Figure 6.2.  
v v
r r
Uniform circular
Definition Centripetal force
motion 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.

2 5

PHYSICS Chapter 06 PHYSICS Chapter 06

Learning Outcome:  The linear velocity, v is difficult to measure but we can measure
the period, T of an object in circular motion.
6.1 Uniform circular motion (2 hour)  Period, T
 is defined as the time taken for one complete revolution
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
(cycle/rotation).
 Describe graphically the uniform circular motion in terms  The unit of the period is second (s).
of the change in direction of velocity.
 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.

3 6

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 PHYSICS Chapter 06 PHYSICS Chapter 06

 From the definition of speed, Learning Outcome:

change of distance
v
time interval 6.2 Centripetal force (2 hours)
2r At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
v OR v  2 rf  Define and use centripetal acceleration,
T
2
If ω  2f therefore v  rω v2
T ac 
where r
ω : angular ve locity (angular frequency)  Define and solve problem on centripetal force,
 Note: r : radius of the circular path
 The unit of angular velocity (angular frequency) is rad s1
(radian per second). mv 2
 Fc 
 Unit conversion of angle,  :  rad  180 r
2 rad  360
7 10

PHYSICS Chapter 06 PHYSICS Chapter 06

Exercise 6.1 :  
6.2 Centripetal (radial) acceleration, ac or ar
1.
 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.
11.0 m s 1 v1
5.0 m 5.0 m  The arc length AB is given by
centre Δs  rΔ
A B
11.0 m s 1 
v2 Δs
Figure 6.7 Δ  (1)
r
A particle moves in a semicircular path AB of radius 5.0 m with
constant speed of 11.0 m s-1 as shown in Figure 6.7. Calculate  The velocities of the particle at A
a. the time taken to travel from A to B, and B are v1 and v2 respectively
b. the average velocity, where
 
c. the average acceleration. v1  v2  v
ANS. : 1.43 s; 6.99 m s1 (to the right); 15.4 m s2 (downward)

8
Figure 6.3 11

PHYSICS Chapter 06 PHYSICS Chapter 06

 Let PQ and PR represent the velocity vectors v1 and v2

2. The astronaut orbiting the Earth is preparing to dock with  in Figure 6.4.
respectively, as shown
Westar VI satellite. The satellite is in a circular orbit 600 km v1
P Q
above the Earth’s surface, where the free fall acceleration is
8.21 m s2. Take the radius of the Earth as 6400 km. Determine   
a. the speed of the satellite,
 Δv  v2  v1
Figure 6.4 v2
b. the time interval required to complete one orbit around the R
 Then QR represent the change in velocity vector v of the
Earth.
particle in time interval t. Since the angle between PQ and PR
ANS. : 7581 m s1; 5802 s is small hence
3. The radius of the mercury’s circular orbit around the sun is 5.79 QR   PQ
 107 km and the mercury travels around this orbit in 88.0 days. Δv  vΔ
Calculate Δv
a. the linear speed of the mercury, Δ  (2)
b. the radial acceleration of the mercury.
v
 By equating (1) and (2) then
ANS. : 4.79  104 m s1; 3.96  102 m s2 (towards the sun)
Δs Δv

9
r v 12

2
 PHYSICS Chapter 06 PHYSICS Chapter 06

Dividing by time, t, thus

6.2.2 Centripetal force
1  Δs  1  Δv  6.2.2 Equation of centripetal force
    From Newton’s second law of motion, a force must be
r  Δt  v  Δt  
associated with the centripetal acceleration. This force is
v a
 known as the centripetal force and is given by
r v       
F  F  ma where a  ac and  F  Fc
v2 2
nett
   v2
ac  OR ac  r  v
r Fc  mac and ac   r2  v
r
where ac : centripeta l accelerati on mv 2
v : linear(tangential) velocity Fc   mr 2  mv
r : radius of circular path r
ω : angular ve locity (angular frequency) where Fc : centripeta l force

13 16

PHYSICS Chapter 06 PHYSICS Chapter 06

 The centripetal acceleration is defined as the acceleration of  The centripetal force is defined as a force acting on a body
an object moving in circular path whose direction is causing it to move in a circular path of magnitude
towards the centre of the circular path and whose mv 2
magnitude is equal to the square of the speed divided by Fc 
the radius. r
and it always directed towards the centre of the circular
 The direction of centripetal (radial) acceleration is always path.
directed toward the centre of the circle and perpendicular to
the linear (tangential) velocity as shown in Figure 6.5.  Its direction is in the same direction of the centripetal
acceleration as shown in Figure 6.8.
 
 ac    v
ac ac  ac
v Fc

  Fc
ac ac
  
ac Fc ac

ac

Figure 6.8 v
Figure 6.5 14 17

PHYSICS Chapter 06 PHYSICS Chapter 06

 For uniform circular motion, the magnitude of the centripetal  If the centripetal force suddenly stops to act on a body in the
acceleration always constant but its direction continuously circular motion, the body flies off in a straight line with the
changes as the object moves around the circular path. constant tangential (linear) speed as show in Figure 6.9.

 Because of
v
2r   v
 Fc
ac
T v
therefore we can obtain the alternative expression of centripetal 
 Fc
acceleration is ac
 
ac  T
 
2 r 2
 
ac c  0
F c  0
F
Fc ac  0 ac  0
r Note :
Figure 6.9   
 vv v
2  In uniform circular motion, the nett force on the system is
4 r
ac  centripetal force.
T2  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
15 18

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 PHYSICS Chapter 06 PHYSICS Chapter 06

Example 6.2.1 : Solution : s ABC  235 m, t  36.0 s

A motorbike moving at a constant speed 20.0 m s1 in a circular b. From the definition of the speed, thus
track of radius 25.0 m. Calculate s s ABC
v 
a. the centripetal acceleration of the motorbike, t t
b. the time taken for the motorbike to complete one revolution. 235
1
Solution : v  20.0 m s ; r  25.0 m v v  6.53 m s 1
36.0
a. From the definition of the centripetal acceleration, thus c. 1st method :
v2
ac 
20.0 2 By using the triangle method for vector addition, thus the change
ac  in the velocity isgiven by
r 25.0
ac  16.0 m s 2 (towards the centre of the  vA
circular track) θ
v  vC 2  v A 2
b. From the alternate formula of the centripetal acceleration, hence    
4 2 r 4 2 25.0  2r v  vC  v A vC v  6.532  6.532
ac  16.0  OR v θ v  9.24 m s 1
T2 T2 T
T  7.85 s T  7.85 s
19 22

PHYSICS Chapter 06 PHYSICS Chapter 06

Example 6.2.2 : 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
aav  0.257 m s 2
Figure 6.6 v 
A car initially travelling eastward turns north by travelling in a and its direction : θ  tan 1  C 
v 
circular path at uniform speed as shown in Figure 6.6. The length  A
of the arc ABC is 235 m and the car completes the turn in 36.0 s.  6.53 
Determine θ  tan 1  
  6.53  y
a. the acceleration when the car is at B located at an angle of 
35.0, θ  45  aav
b. the car’s speed,
45
c. its average acceleration during the 36.0 s interval. x
20 23

PHYSICS Chapter 06 PHYSICS Chapter 06

Solution : s ABC  235 m, t  36.0 s Solution : s ABC  235 m, t  36.0 s

a. The period of the car is given by c. 2nd method :
v x vCx  v Ax
T  4t  436.0   
x-component : aav x  
T  144 s t t
The radius of the circular path is
aav x 
0  6.53
s ABC  rθ 36.0
π
235  r   aav x  0.181 m s 2
2
r  150 m v y vCy  v Ay
Therefore the magnitude of the centripetal acceleration is y-component : aav y  
t t
4 2 r 4π 2 150 
ac  ac 
aav  y 6.53  0
T2 144 2 
36.0
ac  0.286 m s 2 (towards point O) aav y  0.181 m s 2

21 24

4
 PHYSICS Chapter 06 PHYSICS Chapter 06

Solution : s ABC  235 m, t  36.0 s Solution :

Therefore the magnitude of the average acceleration is b. From the definition of the centripetal acceleration, thus
aav  aav 2x  aav 2y ac 
v2 u2

r r
aav   0.1812  0.1812 22.4
2
ac 
aav  0.256 m s 2 2.00
 a av y 
and θ  tan 1   ac  251 m s 2

 aav x  (towards the centre of the horizontal circle)
 0.181 
θ  tan 1   y
  0.181  

θ  45 aav
45
x
25 28

PHYSICS Chapter 06 PHYSICS Chapter 06

Example 6.2.3 : 6.2 Examples of uniform circular motion

A boy whirls a marble in a horizontal circle of radius 2.00 m and at Conical Pendulum
height 1.65 m above the ground. The string breaks and the marble
flies off horizontally and strikes the ground after traveling a Example 6.2.4 :
horizontal distance of 13.0 m. Calculate Figure 6.10 shows a conical pendulum
a. the speed of the marble in the circular path, with a bob of mass 80.0 kg on a 10.0 m
long string making an angle of 5.00 to the
b. the centripetal acceleration of the marble while in the circular
vertical.
motion.
a. Sketch a free body diagram of the bob.
(Given g = 9.81 m s-2) b. Determine
Solution :  i. the tension in the string,
r =2.00 m u
ii. the speed and the period of the bob,

u iii. the radial acceleration of the bob.
1.65 m 1.65 m (Given g =9.81 m s2)
13.0 m Figure 6.10
Before After
26 29

PHYSICS Chapter 06 PHYSICS Chapter 06

Solution : Solution : m  80.0 kg ; l  10.0 m; θ  5.00 

a. From the diagram : a. The free body diagram of the bob :
u x  u; u y  0
s x  13.0 m ; s y  1.65 m
The time taken for the marble to strike the ground is 
1  T θ T cos θ
s y  u y t  gt 2 ac
2
1
 1.65  0  9.81t 2 T sin θ
2
t  0.580 s 
The initial speed of the marble after the string breaks is equal to
mg
the tangential speed of the marble in the horizontal circle.
Therefore s x  u xt b. i. From the diagram, F y 0
13.0  u 0.580  T cos θ  mg
u  22.4 m s 1 T cos 5.00   80.0 9.81 T  788 N
27 30

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 PHYSICS Chapter 06 PHYSICS Chapter 06

Solution : m  80.0 kg ; l  10.0 m; θ  5.00  Solution : m  2000 kg ; r  20 m; µ  0.70

b. ii. The centripetal force is contributed b. From the diagram in (a),
by the horizontal component of the y-component : 
Fy  0 N  mg
tension.
 F F
x
mv
c 2 x-component : The centripetal force is provided by the frictional
r
sin θ  T sin θ  force between the wheel (4 tyres) and the road.
l r Therefore mv 2
l mv 2 F x 
r  l sin θ T sin θ  r
l sin θ mv 2
f 
Tl sin 2 θ r
r v mv 2
m µmg 
r
788 10.0 sin 5.00  
2
v  µrg
v
80.0 v 0.70 20 9.81
v  0.865 m s 1 v  11.7 m s 1
31 34

PHYSICS Chapter 06 PHYSICS Chapter 06

 Motion in a horizontal circle
Solution : m  80.0 kg ; l  10.0 m; θ  5.00
b. ii. and the period of the bob is given by Example 6.2.6 :
2r A ball of mass 150 g is attached to one end of a string 1.10 m long.
v
T The ball makes 2.00 revolution per second in a horizontal circle.

v
2l sin θ 
0.865 

2 10.0 sin 5.00 
 a. Sketch the free body diagram for the ball.
T T b. Determine
T  6.33 s i. the centripetal acceleration of the ball,
iii. From the definition of the radial acceleration, hence ii. the magnitude of the tension in the string.
v2 v2 Solution : m  0.150 kg; l  r  1.10 m; f  2.00 Hz
ar  ar  a. The free body diagram for the ball :
r l sin θ 
0.865 2 ac 
ar  T
10.0 sin 5.00  r
ar  0.859 m s 2 
mg
(towards the centre of the horizontal circle)
32 35

PHYSICS Chapter 06 PHYSICS Chapter 06

Motion rounds a curve on a flat (unbanked) track (for car, Solution : m  0.150 kg; l  r  1.10 m; f  2.00 Hz
motorcycle, bicycle, etc…) b. i. The linear speed of the ball is given by
Picture 6.1
Example 6.2.5 : 2r
v  2rf
A car of mass 2000 kg rounds a circular turn of radius 20 m. The T
road is flat and the coefficient of friction between tires and the road v  21.10 2.00  v  13.8 m s 1
is 0.70.
Therefore the centripetal acceleration is
a. Sketch a free body diagram of the car.
v2
ac 
13.8 2
b. Determine the maximum car’s speed without skidding. ac 
(Given g = 9.81 m s-2) r 1.10
 ac  173 m s 2
Solution : m  2000 kg ; r  20 m; µ  0.70
 N (towards the centre of the horizontal circle)
a. The free body diagram of the car : a c 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.

f Hence  Fx  Fc  ma c
Centre of
 T  ma c T  0.150 173 
circle
mg T  26.0 N
33 36

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 PHYSICS Chapter 06 PHYSICS Chapter 06

Motion in a vertical circle B Example 6.2.8 :

v
Example 6.2.7 : 
v
3.00 m


v
Figure 6.11
v
A Figure 6.12
A small remote control car with mass 1.20 kg moves at a constant A rider on a Ferris wheel moves in a vertical circle of radius,
speed of v = 15.0 m s1 in a vertical circle track of radius 3.00 m as r = 8 m at constant speed, v as shown in Figure 6.12. If the time
shown in Figure 6.11. Determine the magnitude of the reaction taken to makes one rotation is 10 s and the mass of the rider is
force exerted on the car by the track at 60 kg, Calculate the normal force exerted on the rider
a. point A, a. at the top of the circle,
b. point B. b. at the bottom of the circle.
(Given g = 9.81 m s2) (Given g = 9.81 m s-2)
37 40

PHYSICS Chapter 06 PHYSICS Chapter 06

1
Solution : m  1.20 kg; r  3.00 m; v  15.0 m s Solution : m  60 kg; r  8 m; T  10 s
a. The free body diagram of the car at point A : a. The constant speed of the rider is
2r 2π 8 
v v
 T 10
 NA v  5.03 m s 1
ac
The free body diagram of the rider at the top of the circle :

Nt mv 2
 
F  r
mg ac  mv 2
mv 2
mv 2 mg mg  N t 
 F
r
N A  mg 
r
r
60 9.81  N t  60 5.032
N A  1.20 9.81 
1.20 15.0 2
8
3.00
N t  399 N
N A  102 N
38 41

PHYSICS Chapter 06 PHYSICS Chapter 06

Solution : m  1.20 kg; r  3.00 m; v  15.0 m s 1 Solution : m  60 kg; r  8 m; T  10 s

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

 mv 2

NB 
mg
F  r
ac mv 2
N b  mg 
r
  60 5.03 
2
ac Nb N b  60 9.81 
mv 2 mv 2 8
 F
r
N B  mg 
r N b  778 N
1.20 15.0 2 
N B  1.20 9.81  mg
3.00
N B  78.2 N

39 42

7
 PHYSICS Chapter 06 PHYSICS Chapter 06

Example 6.2.9 : Exercise 6.2 :

3.0 m s1 A
1. 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
3.0 m s1
exceeds 80 N, determine
D a. the maximum speed of the ball,
b. the minimum period of the ball.
ANS. : 15.1 m s1; 0.416 s
2. A small mass, m is set on the surface m
Figure 6.13 E 3.0 m s1 of a sphere as shown in Figure 6.14.
If the coefficient of static friction is s θ
A sphere of mass 5.0 kg is tied to an inelastic string. It moves in a
= 0.60, calculate the angle  would
vertical circle of radius 55 cm at a constant speed of 3.0 m s1 as
the mass start sliding. O
shown in Figure 6.13. By the aid of the free body diagram,
determine the tension in the string at points A, D and E. ANS. : 31
(Given g = 9.81 m s-2)
Figure 6.14
43 46

PHYSICS Chapter 06 PHYSICS Chapter 06

1
Solution : m  5.0 kg; r  0.55 m; v  3.0 m s
The free body diagram of the sphere at : 3. A ball of mass 1.34 kg is connected
Point A, by means of two massless string to
A mv 2 mv 2 a vertical rotating rod as shown in
 F  r
TA  mg 
r
Figure 6.15. The strings are tied to
TA  the rod and are taut. The tension in
 mg 5.0 3.0 2 the upper string is 35 N.
ac TA  5.0 9.81  a. Sketch a free body diagram for
0.55 the ball.
TA  32.8 N b. Calculate
Point D, 2 i. the magnitude of the tension
 mv in the lower string,
ac  TD 
TD r ii. the nett force on the ball,
D
T 
5.0 3.0 2
TD  81.8 N
iii. the speed of the ball. Figure 6.15
 D ANS. : 8.74 N; 37.9 N (radially
mg 0.55 inward); 6.45 m s 1

44 47

PHYSICS Chapter 06

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, 2
mv
 TE  mg 
ac  r
TE 5.0 3.0 
2
TE  5.0 9.81 
E
0.55
 TE  131 N
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.
45