Motion in a circle

2 A large bowl is made from part of a hollow sphere.

A small spherical ball is placed inside the bowl and is given a horizontal speed. The ball follows a
horizontal circular path of constant radius, as shown in Fig. 2.1.

ball

14 cm

Fig. 2.1

The forces acting on the ball are its weight W and the normal reaction force R of the bowl on the
ball, as shown in Fig. 2.2.

wall of R
ball
bowl

Fig. 2.2

The normal reaction force R is at an angle θ to the horizontal.

(a) (i) By resolving the reaction force R into two perpendicular components, show that the
resultant force F acting on the ball is given by the expression

W = F tan θ.

[2]
© UCLES 2014 9702/42/O/N/14
 7

(ii) State the significance of the force F for the motion of the ball in the bowl.

...........................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) The ball moves in a circular path of radius 14 cm. For this radius, the angle θ is 28°.

Calculate the speed of the ball.

speed = ............................................... m s−1 [3]

© UCLES 2014 9702/42/O/N/14 [Turn over

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Section A For
Examiner’s
Answer all the questions in the spaces provided. Use

1 (a) Define the radian.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) A stone of weight 3.0 N is fixed, using glue, to one end P of a rigid rod CP, as shown
in Fig. 1.1.

glue

85 cm P

stone,
C weight 3.0 N

Fig. 1.1

The rod is rotated about end C so that the stone moves in a vertical circle of
radius 85 cm.
The angular speed ω of the rod and stone is gradually increased from zero until the glue
snaps. The glue fixing the stone snaps when the tension in it is 18 N.

For the position of the stone at which the glue snaps,

(i) on the dotted circle of Fig. 1.1, mark with the letter S the position of the stone, [1]

(ii) calculate the angular speed ω of the stone.

angular speed = ................................... rad s–1 [4]

© UCLES 2010 9702/41/M/J/10
 Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)
CIRCULAR MOTION M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.
MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)
[email protected]

Q.1 What is the tangential velocity of a point on the equator of Mercury which has a rotation period of 59 days
and an equatorial radius of 2500 km?

Q. 2 The Earth rotates once in about 24 h. Calculate its rotation frequency and its angular frequency.

Q. 3 (a)What is the centripetal acceleration of a 40 kg child sitting 2m from the centre of a roundabout which
turns once in 5.0 s?

(b) What is the resultant horizontal force acting on the child?

(c) What is the origin of this force?

...…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Q. 4 A boy stands at the equator of the Earth having a radius of 6.4 × 106 m. Find its
(a) Angular velocity (b) Linear velocity

Q. 5 The spindle motor of CD rotates it at 33.3 revolutions / minute.

(a) What is the angular velocity of the record in rad s-1?
 Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)
M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.
(b) What is the speed of a point on CD at a distance of 3.0 cm from its centre? MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)
[email protected]

Q. 6 A pulley wheel rotates at 300 rev min-1. Calculate

(a) its angular velocity in rad s-1,

(b) the linear speed of a point on the rim if the pulley has a radius of 150 mm,

(c) the time for one revolution.

Q.7 A car moves round a circular track of radius 1.0 km at a constant speed of 129 kmh-1. Calculate its angular velocity
in rad s-1.

Q.8 A child is sitting on a fairground ride, as shown in fig. 8. The ride turns through
one complete revolution every four seconds. If the combined mass of the child and
the seat is 40 kg, and the radius of the circular path is 6.0 m, calculate the tension, T,
in the support.

Fig. 8

Q. 9 An object of mass 4.0 kg is whirled round in a vertical circle of radius 2.0 m with a speed of 5.0 m s-1. Calculate the
maximum and minimum tension in the string connecting the object to the centre of the circle. Assume acceleration
due to gravity g = 10 ms-2.

Q. 10 An aircraft is banking as it turns, as shown in fig 10. What is the radius of curvature of the turn if the aircraft’s
velocity is 200 ms-1 and it is banked at 35°?

Fig.10
 Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)
M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.
Q. 11 A pilot flies an aeroplane at a constant angular velocity ω in a circle in a vertical MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)
[email protected]
plane. The radius of the circle is r.
What is the difference in the forces experienced by the pilot at the bottom and at the top of the circular loop?

Q.12 A car of mass m moves with the same speed v over each of the 4 bridges shown in the table. Write down the force
equation of the car at each bridge if the normal reaction is R.
In which of the bridges is the force which the car exerts on the bridge the smallest?
S.# Bridge Equation

1. bridge

2. bridge

3. bridge

4.
bridge

Lesser force bridge =

Q. 13 In a fairground ride called a ‘rotor’, a person of mass 60 kg stands against a wall, as shown in fig 13.1, and the
wall is rotated. When it is spinning at a suitable speed the floor is dropped so that the person is left ‘struck to the
wall’.

Fig. 13.1 Fig. 13.2

Fig. 13.2 shows the variation in frictional force, F, with normal reaction, R, between the person and the wall.
 Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)
M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.
MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)
[email protected]
Determine;
(a) the normal reaction when the frictional force is equal to the weight of a person of mass 60 kg;

(b) the minimum angular speed, in rad s-1, at which such a person must be rotated to remain in position when the
floor is dropped.

Q. 14 In a ride at an entertainment park, two people, each of mass 80 kg, sit in cages which travel at constant speed in a
vertical circle of radius 8.0 m as shown in fig 14. Each revolution takes 4.2s.
(a) When a cage is at the top of the circle (position A) the person in it is upside
down. For the person in cage A calculate the magnitudes of
(i) the angular velocity

(ii) the linear velocity

(iii) the centripetal acceleration

Fig. 14
(b) (i) Draw a vector diagram to show the directions of the following forces acting on the person in cage A in fig 14
1. the weight W of the person,
2. the force F exerted by the cage on the person.
(ii) Draw the corresponding diagram for the person at the bottom of the circle (position B).

(iii) What must be the value of the resultant of these two forces at both A and B?

(iv) Explain why the person remains on the floor of the cage at the top of the circle.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
 Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)
M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.
(v) State the position of the cage at which the force it exerts on the person has its MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)
[email protected]
maximum value. Calculate the magnitude of this force

1. A body moving in a circular path of radius r has Centre.

tangential acceleration at and centripetal acceleration
ac. If the body is moving at constant speed v, what
are the magnitudes of at and ac?
Tangential Centripetal
acceleration at acceleration ac
A r v2 0
B v2 / r 0
C 0 r v2
D 0 v2 / r

2. An object travels at constant speed around a circle of

radius 1.0 m in 1.0 s. What is the magnitude of its
acceleration? The angular velocity of the spool
A zero B 1.0 m s-2 C 2π m s-2 B 4 π2 m s- A is proportional to 1/r2 B is proportional to 1/r
2 C is proportional to r D does not depend on r
3.
In a tape cassette, the tape leaves one spool at a
constant speed v and at a variable distance r from the

CIE PAST PAPER QUESTIONS CAIE

Q. 1. An aircraft flies with its wings tilted as shown in fig. 1.1 in order to fly in a horizontal circle of radius r. The
aircraft has mass 4.00 × 104 kg and has a constant speed of 250 ms-1.

fig. 1.1

With the aircraft flying in this way, two forces acting on the aircraft in the vertical plane are the forces P acting at an
angle of 35° to the vertical and the weight W.
(a) State the vertical component of P for the horizontal flight.

vertical component of P = …………………………………………..[1]

 Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)
M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.
(b) Calculate P. MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)
[email protected]

P = …………………………… N [2]
(c) Calculate the horizontal component of P.

horizontal component of P = …………………………….N [1]

(d) Use Newton’s second law to determine the acceleration of the aircraft towards the centre of the circle.

acceleration = ……………………………. ms-2 [2]

(e) Calculate the radius r of the path of the aircraft’s flight.

r = ……………………………. m [2]
{Q.3/June 2000/9243-2}

Q. 2. (a) An object traveling at a constant speed in a circular path is said to have a centripetal acceleration. Explain,
using a diagram,
(i) why there is an acceleration even though the speed is constant,
(ii) the direction of the acceleration. [4]

……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
(b) A motorway designer plans to have motorists leaving one motorway and joining another by constructing a
circular link road, as shown in fig. 2.1.

fig. 2.1
In order to use as small an area of land as possible, the designer proposes a speed limit of 25 ms-1 for cars on the
circular link road.
 Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)
M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.
(i) Calculate the minimum radius for the circular link road, given that the maximum MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)
[email protected]
sideways force between a car and the road is 0.80IW, where W is the weight of a car.

radius = ……………………… m [3]

(ii) Suggest why lorries may have to go at a slower speed than the 25 m s-1 limit for cars.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
....................................................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................................................[2]
{Q.3/June 2001/9243-2}

Q.3. A particle is following a circular path and is observed to have an angular displacement of 10.3°.
(a)Express this angle in radians (rad). Show your working and give your answer to three significant figures.

angle = ...............................................rad [2]

(b)(i) Determine tan10.3° to three significant figures.

tan10.3°= ..........................................................
(ii) Hence calculate the percentage error that is made when the angle 10.3°, as measured in radians, is assumed to
be equal to tan10.3°.

percentage error = ..........................................................[3]

{Q.1/Nov 2004/9702-4}

Q. 4. The orbit of the Earth, mass 6.0×1024 kg, may be assumed to be a circle of radius1.5×1011m with the Sun at its
centre, as illustrated in Fig.4.1.

Fig. 4.1

The time taken for one orbit is 3.2 ×107s.

 Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)
M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.
(a) Calculate MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)
[email protected]
(i) the magnitude of the angular velocity of the Earth about the Sun,

angular velocity = ...............................rads–1[2]

(ii) the magnitude of the centripetal force acting on the Earth.

force = .......................................N [2]

(b)(i) State the origin of the centripetal force calculated in (a)(ii)
.................................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................[1]
(ii) Determine the mass of the Sun.

mass = .....................................kg [3]

{Q.1/June 2005/9702-4}
Q. 5. (a) Explain
(i) what is meant by a radian,

…………………………………………………………………................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................................. [2]
(ii) why one complete revolution is equivalent to an angular displacement of 2π rad.
....................................................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) An elastic cord has an unextended length of 13.0 cm. One end of the cord is attached to a fixed point C. A small
mass of weight 5.0 N is hung from the free end of the cord. The cord extends to a length of 14.8 cm, as shown in
Fig. 5.1.

Fig. 5.1

The cord and mass are now made to rotate at constant angular speed ω in a vertical plane about point C. When
the cord is vertical and above C, its length is the unextended length of 13.0 cm, as shown in Fig. 5.2.
 Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)
M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.
MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)
[email protected]

Fig. 5.2 Fig. 5.3

(i) Show that the angular speed ω of the cord and mass is 8.7 rad s–1.

[2]
(ii) The cord and mass rotate so that the cord is vertically below C, as shown in Fig. 5.3.
Calculate the length L of the cord, assuming it obeys Hooke’s law.

L = ............................................cm [4]
{Q.1/Nov.2007/9702-4}
Q. 6.(a) (i) Define the radian.
....................................................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................................................[2]
(ii) A small mass is attached to a string. The mass is rotating about a fixed point P at constant speed, as shown in
Fig. 6.1.

Fig. 6.1
Explain what is meant by the angular speed about point P of the mass.
..............................................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................[2]
 Akhtar Mahmood (0333-4281759)
M.Sc.(Physics), MCS, MBA-IT, B.Ed.
(b) A horizontal flat plate is free to rotate about a vertical axis through its centre, MIS, DCE, D AS/400e(IBM), OCP(PITB)
[email protected]
as shown in Fig. 6.2.

Fig.6.2
A small mass M is placed on the plate, a distance d from the axis of rotation. The speed of rotation of the plate
is gradually increased from zero until the mass is seen to slide off the plate.
The maximum frictional force F between the plate and the mass is given by the expression

F = 0.72W,

where W is the weight of the mass M. The distance d is 35 cm.

Determine the maximum number of revolutions of the plate per minute for the mass M to remain on the plate.
Explain your working.

number = ........................................... [5]

(c) The plate in (b) is covered, when stationary, with mud. Suggest and explain whether mud near the edge of
the plate or near the centre will first leave the plate as the angular speed of the plate is slowly increased.

..............................................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................[2]
{Q.1/June 2007/9702-4}

Q. 7.
 4

Answer all the questions in the spaces provided.

1 (a) With reference to velocity and acceleration, describe uniform circular motion.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(b) Two cars are moving around a horizontal circular track. One car follows path X and the other
follows path Y, as shown in Fig. 1.1.

start and finish line

track

path X

27 m 318 m

path Y

Fig. 1.1 (not to scale)

The radius of path X is 318 m. Path Y is parallel to, and 27 m outside, path X. Both cars have
mass 790 kg. The maximum lateral (sideways) friction force F that the cars can experience
without sliding is the same for both cars.

(i) The maximum speed at which the car on path X can move around the track without
sliding is 94 m s–1.

Calculate F.

F = ..................................................... N [2]

© UCLES 2021 9702/41/O/N/21

 5

(ii) Both cars move around the track. Each car has the maximum speed at which it can
move without sliding.

Complete Table 1.1, by placing one tick in each row, to indicate how the quantities
indicated for the car on path Y compare with the car on path X.

Table 1.1

Y less than X Y same as X Y greater than X

centripetal
acceleration

maximum speed

time taken for one lap

of the track

[3]

[Total: 7]

© UCLES 2021 9702/41/O/N/21 [Turn over

 4

Answer all the questions in the spaces provided.

1 (a) State what is meant by centripetal acceleration.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) An unpowered toy car moves freely along a smooth track that is initially horizontal. The track
contains a vertical circular loop around which the car travels, as shown in Fig. 1.1.

62 cm

loop

toy car
mass 230 g

track

Fig. 1.1

The mass of the car is 230 g and the diameter of the loop is 62 cm. Assume that the resistive
forces acting on the car are negligible.

(i) State what happens to the magnitude of the centripetal acceleration of the car as it
moves around the loop from X to Y.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Explain, if the car remains in contact with the track, why the centripetal acceleration of
the car at point Y must be greater than 9.8 m s–2.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

© UCLES 2021 9702/42/O/N/21

 5

(c) The initial speed at which the car in (b) moves along the track is 3.8 m s–1.

Determine whether the car is in contact with the track at point Y. Show your working.

[3]

(d) Suggest, with a reason but without calculation, whether your conclusion in (c) would be
different for a car of mass 460 g moving with the same initial speed.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

[Total: 8]

© UCLES 2021 9702/42/O/N/21 [Turn over

 4

1 (a) Define the radian.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) The minute hand of a clock revolves at constant angular speed around the face of the clock,
completing one revolution every hour. A small piece of modelling clay is attached to the hand
with its centre of gravity at a distance L from the fixed end of the hand, as shown in Fig. 1.1.

direction of revolution of minute hand

modelling clay
free end

L minute hand

fixed end

face of clock

Fig. 1.1

Calculate the angular speed ω of the minute hand.

ω = .............................................. rad s–1 [2]

(c) During a time interval of 1400 s, the centre of gravity of the piece of modelling clay in Fig. 1.1
moves through a total distance of 0.44 m.

(i) Calculate the angle through which the minute hand moves in this time interval.

angle = ................................................... rad [1]

© UCLES 2023 9702/42/O/N/23

 5

(ii) Determine distance L.

L = ...................................................... m [2]

(iii) Calculate the magnitude of the centripetal acceleration of the piece of modelling clay.

centripetal acceleration = ................................................ m s–2 [2]

(d) Use your answer in (c)(iii) to explain why the variation with time of the magnitude of the force
exerted by the minute hand on the piece of modelling clay is negligible as the minute hand
undergoes one full revolution.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

[Total: 10]

© UCLES 2023 9702/42/O/N/23 [Turn over

 * 0019655342204 *

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4

1 (a) Define the radian.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) A circular metal disc spins horizontally about a vertical axis, as shown in Fig. 1.1.

rotation
axis metal disc

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9.3 cm modelling clay

1.2 cm

DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

Fig. 1.1 (not to scale)

A piece of modelling clay is attached to the disc.

For the instant when the piece of modelling clay is in the position shown, draw on Fig. 1.1:

(i) an arrow, labelled V, showing the direction of the velocity of the modelling clay [1]

(ii) an arrow, labelled A, showing the direction of the acceleration of the modelling clay. [1]

(c) The metal disc in Fig. 1.1 has a radius of 9.3 cm.
The centre of gravity of the modelling clay is 1.2 cm from the rim of the disc and moves with a
speed of 0.68 m s–1.

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(i) Calculate the angular speed ω of the disc.

ω = .............................................. rad s–1 [2]

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© UCLES 2024 9702/42/M/J/24

 * 0019655342205 *
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(ii) Calculate the acceleration a of the centre of gravity of the modelling clay.

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

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(d) A second piece of modelling clay is attached to the disc in the position shown in Fig. 1.2.

second piece of
modelling clay

first piece of
modelling clay
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Fig. 1.2

The second piece of modelling clay has a larger mass than the first piece.

By placing one tick (3) in each row, complete Table 1.1 to show how the quantities indicated
compare for the two pieces of modelling clay.

Table 1.1
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less for second piece greater for second piece

quantity same for both pieces
than first piece than first piece

angular speed

linear speed

acceleration
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[3]

[Total: 10]

© UCLES 2024 9702/42/M/J/24 [Turn over