Unit 6, Circular Motion and Gravitation Name_______________________________

Worksheet 3, Circular Motion Problems Date__________________Period________

!
ΣF ! !
When we learned about Newton's 2nd law, we established: a = or ΣF = ma
m
In this unit we have determined that in order to travel in a circular path requires a net force toward the center of
m v2
the circular path, which we will call the net radial force. The magnitude of this is described by ΣFR =
r
Note that we will avoid the term “centripetal force”, which is another term sometimes used to describe the
net radial force. This force is not a kind of interaction (like gravity or normal forces) but is rather
determined by adding each of the force vector components that are radial. It is not drawn on force diagrams
since we never draw net force on force diagrams. Rather than breaking forces into x, y, and z components,
we will break them into radial (R), tangential (T), and z (perpendicular to the plane defined by radial and
tangential) components. Use your force diagram to determine the value of the net radial, net tangential, and
net z force.The example below illustrates the problem solving process that you should use for each of the
problems that follow.
A 2.50 gram penny rides on a phonograph record that is rotating at 33.3 revolutions per minute. If the penny
is 10.0 cm from the center of the record.

a. What is the speed of the penny?

b. Determine the magnitude and
direction of the frictional force
required for the penny to stay on
the record?
c. Determine the magnitude and
direction of the acceleration of the
penny?

©Modeling Instruction, Clayton High School 2017 1 Unit 6, WS 3, Circular Motion and Gravitation, v3.17
Solve the following problems on your own paper. A carefully drawn physical diagram is required for each
problem with the system to be analyzed clearly identified. Make sure that each problem solution includes a
force diagram drawn from a perspective that allows you to identify each relevant force. Rotate your axes so
that they are radial, tangential, and perpendicular to the plane defined by the radial and tangential axes.
Where forces are not entirely along one of those axes, break them into components that are. All components
should be clearly labeled and drawn in red.
1. In aviation, a "standard turn" for a level (horizontal) flight of a propeller-type plane is one in which the
plane makes a complete circular turn in 2.00 minutes. If the speed of the plane is 170 m/s,
a. What is the radius of the circle?
b. What is the acceleration of the plane?
c. What is the “source” of the net force required for this maneuver?
d. If the mass of the plane is 1000 kg, what is the magnitude of this net force?
2. A fly of mass 2.00 g is sunning itself on a phonograph turntable at a location that is 4.00 cm from the
center. The turntable is turned on and rotates at 33.0 rev/min.
a. What prevents the fly from flying off of the turntable?
b. What is the tangential speed of the fly?
c. Calculate the net force required to keep the fly from slipping?
d. How would the magnitude of this force change if the turntable were turned up to 45.0 rev/min?
3. The radius of the earth is 6.37 × 106 m. (These questions should be answered with the center of the earth
as the frame of reference)
a. How fast, in m/s, is a tree at the equator moving because of the earth's rotation?
b. What is the acceleration of the tree?
c. How fast is a polar bear moving at the north pole?
d. What is the acceleration of the polar bear
4. The moon orbits the earth in about 27.3 days. The average distance from the center of earth to the moon
is 3.84 × 108 m.
a. What is the tangential speed, in m/s, of the moon in its orbit about the earth?
b. What keeps the moon in orbit about the earth?
c. What is the acceleration of the moon, assuming its path about the earth is circular?
d. If the mass of the moon is 7.34 × 1022 kg, how large is the gravitational force on the moon by the
earth?
5. The earth orbits the sun in 365 days. The average distance from the earth to the sun is 1.50 × 1011 m.
a. What is the tangential speed, in m/s, of the earth in orbit?
b. What keeps the earth in orbit about the sun?
c. What is the acceleration of the earth, assuming its path about the sun is circular?
d. If the mass of the earth is 5.98 × 1024 kg, how large is the gravitational force on the earth by the sun?
6. A car of mass 1200 kg drives around a curve with a radius of 25.0 m. If the driver maintains a speed of
20.0 km/hr, what is the force of friction between the tires and the road?
7. An athlete twirls a 8.0 kg hammer around her center in a horizontal circle
at a rate of 2.00 rev/s. If her arms are horizontal and the distance from her
center to the hammer is 1.50 m, with what force must he pull inward on
the hammer?

©Modeling Instruction, Clayton High School 2017 2 Unit 6, WS 3, Circular Motion and Gravitation, v3.17