PHYSICS

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 6:
Circular motion
(4 Hours)

PHYSICS
CHAPTER 6
Learning Outcome:
6.1 Uniform circular motion and centripetal
acceleration (3 hours)
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:

Show uniform circular motion in terms of the change in

direction of velocity.

Define and use centripetal acceleration,

2

v
ac
r

Define and solve problems on centripetal force

2

v
Fc m
r

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CHAPTER 6

6.1 Uniform circular motion

is defined as a motion in a circle (circular arc) at a constant

speed.
Consider an object moving with uniform circular motion as
shown in Figure 6.1.

r
O

Figure 6.1
3

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6.1.1

CHAPTER 6

Linear (tangential) velocity , v

Its direction
Is always perpendicular to the radius of circular path.
Is always tangential to the circular path
as shown in Figure 6.2.

v
r

r
O
r
Figure 6.2

the magnitude of v of an object is constant.

The SI unit is m s1.
4

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CHAPTER 6

6.1.2 Angular quantities related to circular motion

Period, T
is defined as the time taken for one complete revolution
(cycle/rotation).
(cycle/rotation)
The SI unit is second (s).
(s)

Frequency, f
is defined as the number of revolutions (cycles/rotations)
completed in one second.
second
The SI unit is hertz (Hz) or s 1.
Equation :
1

For one complete revolution,

the distance travelled is

2r
,

the time interval is one period, T.

PHYSICS
6.1.3

CHAPTER 6

Centripetal (radial) acceleration, ac or ar

Centripetal acceleration is the acceleration of an object

moving in circular path with the magnitude equal to the
square of the speed divided by the radius.
Its direction is always towards the centre of the circular
path.
path
speed

v2
ac
r
Centripetal
acceleration

Radius of
circular path

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CHAPTER 6

The direction of centripetal (radial) acceleration is also

perpendicular to the linear (tangential) velocity as shown in
Figure 6.5.

ac
ac

ac

ac

ac

ac

Figure 6.5

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CHAPTER 6

Example 1 :
A motorbike moving at a constant speed 20.0 m s1 in a circular
track of radius 25.0 m. Calculate
a. the centripetal acceleration of the motorbike,
b. the time taken for the motorbike to complete one revolution.
1
Solution : v 20.0 m s ; r 25.0 m
a. From the definition of the centripetal acceleration, thus
2

v
ac
r

ac

20.0

25.0
ac 16.0 m s 2 (towards the centre of the

circular track)
b. From the alternate formula of the centripetal acceleration, hence

4 2 r
ac 2
T

4 2 25.0
16.0
T2
T 7.85 s

2r
OR v
T

T 7.85 s
8

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CHAPTER 6

Example 2 :

Figure 6.6

A car initially travelling eastward turns north by travelling in a

circular path at uniform speed as shown in Figure 6.6. The length
of the arc ABC is 235 m and the car completes the turn in 36.0 s.
Determine
a. the acceleration when the car is at B located at an angle of
35.0,
b. the cars speed,
c. its average acceleration during the 36.0 s interval.
9

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CHAPTER 6

Solution : s ABC 235 m, t 36.0 s

a. The period of the car is given by

T 4t 4 36.0
T 144 s

The radius of the circular path is

s ABC r

235 r
2
r 150 m

Therefore the magnitude of the centripetal acceleration is

4 2 r
ac 2
T

4 2 150
ac
2
144
ac 0.286 m s 2

(towards point O)
10

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CHAPTER 6

Solution : s ABC 235 m, t 36.0 s

b. From the definition of the speed, thus

s s ABC
v

t
t
235
v 6.53 m s 1
v
36.0

c. 1st method :
By using the triangle method for vector addition, thus the change
in the velocity isgiven by

vA

v vC v A

vC

vC 2 v A 2
2
2
6.53 6.53

v 9.24 m s 1
11

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CHAPTER 6

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
1 vC

and its direction : tan

vA
1 6.53
tan

6.53
45

OR
135 from +x-axis anticlockwise
12

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CHAPTER 6

Solution : s ABC 235 m, t 36.0 s

c. 2nd method :
v x vCx

x-component : aav x

v Ax
t

0 6.53
aav x
36.0
aav x 0.181 m s 2

y-component :

aav y
aav y

v y

vCy v Ay

t
t

6.53 0

36.0

aav y 0.181 m s 2
13

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CHAPTER 6

Solution : s ABC 235 m, t 36.0 s

Therefore the magnitude of the average acceleration is

and

aav

aav 2x aav 2y

aav

0.181 2 0.181 2

aav 0.256 m s 2
aav y
1

tan

a
av
x

1 0.181
tan

0.181
45
Its direction is 135 from +x-axis anticlockwise
14

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CHAPTER 6

Example 3 :
A boy whirls a marble in a horizontal circle of radius 2.00 m and at
height 1.65 m above the ground. The string breaks and the marble
flies off horizontally and strikes the ground after traveling a
horizontal distance of 13.0 m. Calculate
a. the speed of the marble in the circular path,
b. the centripetal acceleration of the marble while in the circular
motion.
(Given g = 9.81 m s-2)
Solution :

r =2.00 m

u
1.65 m

1.65 m
Before

13.0 m
After
15

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CHAPTER 6

Solution :
a. From the diagram :

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 2
s y u y t gt
2
1
1.65 0 9.81 t 2
2
t 0.580 s

The initial speed of the marble after the string breaks is equal to
the tangential speed sof the
marble in the horizontal circle.
x u xt
Therefore
13.0 u 0.580

u 22.4 m s 1

16

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CHAPTER 6

Solution :
b. From the definition of the centripetal acceleration, thus

v2 u 2
ac

r
r
2

22.4
ac
2.00

ac 251 m s 2
(towards the centre of the horizontal circle)

17

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CHAPTER 6

Exercise 6.1 :
1.

11.0 m s 1

5.0 m
A

5.0 m
centre

11.0 m s 1

Figure 6.7

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
a. the time taken to travel from A to B,
b. the average velocity,
c. the average acceleration.
ANS. : 1.43 s; 6.99 m s1 (to the right); 15.4 m s2 (downward)
18

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CHAPTER 6

Exercise 6.1 :
2. 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
3. The radius of the mercurys circular orbit around the sun is 5.79
107 km and the mercury travels around this orbit in 88.0 days.
Calculate
a. the linear speed of the mercury,
b. the radial acceleration of the mercury.
ANS. : 4.79 104 m s1; 3.96 102 m s2 (towards the sun)
19

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CHAPTER 6

6.1.4 Equation of centripetal force

The force that is associated with the centripetal acceleration,

acceleration
is known as the centripetal force.
It is given by

Fc mac

and

mv
Fc
r
where

Fc : centripetal force
20

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 6

Centripetal force using angular quantities; , T, f

Since v = r

v2
ac
r2 v
r
2

mv
2
Fc
mr
r

21

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 6

The centripetal force is a force acting on a body moving in a

circular path of magnitude

mv 2
Fc
r

and its direction is always pointed towards the centre of

the circular path.
The centripetal force and centripetal acceleration have the
same direction as shown in Figure 6.8.

Fc

ac

Fc

Figure 6.8

ac

Fc

ac

v
22

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CHAPTER 6

When the centripetal force is removed,

removed
the body moves in a straight line with
the constant tangential (linear) speed
as shown in Figure 6.9.

Figure 6.9

Fc

ac

v
ac

Fc

a
c
Fc

Simulation 6.1

F
c 0
ac 0

F
c 0

ac 0

Note :
The net force on the body in circular motion
is centripetal force.
force
23

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 6

6.1.3 Problems on centripetal force

Forces acting on a body moving in horizontal circular motion is shown in Figure 1.

Tension is directed along the string.

mg
Figure 1

24

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 6

The earths gravitational force on the satellite provides the

centripetal force that keeps it in orbit.

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 6

As a car makes a turn, the force of friction acting upon

the turned wheels of the car provide the centripetal
force that required for circular motion.

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 6
T

As when a airplane on a guideline flies in a horizontal

circle, tension in the line directed toward the center of
the circle provides the centripetal force.

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 6

Components of forces acting on object moving in

circular path is shown in Figure 2.
R

m1g

30

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CHAPTER 6

Motion in a horizontal circle

Example 8 :
A ball of mass 150 g is attached to one end of a string 1.10 m long.
The ball makes 2.00 revolution per second in a horizontal circle.
a. Sketch the free body diagram for the ball.
b. Determine
i. the centripetal acceleration of the ball,
ii. the magnitude of the tension in the string.
Solution :
m 0.150 kg; l r 1.10 m; f 2.00 Hz
a. The free body diagram for the ball :

ac

mg
31

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CHAPTER 6

Solution : m 0.150 kg; l r 1.10 m;

b. i. The linear speed of the ball is given by

2r
v
2rf
T
v 21.10 2.00

f 2.00 Hz

v 13.8 m s 1

Therefore the centripetal acceleration is

2

v
ac
r

ac

13.8

1.10

ac 173 m s 2

(towards the centre of the horizontal

circle)
ii. From the diagram
in (a), the centripetal force enables the ball

to move in a circle
by the tension in the string.
Fx isFprovided
c mac
Hence
T ma
T 0.150 173
c

T 26.0 N

32

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 6

Solution : m 80.0 kg; l 10.0 m;

a. The free body diagram of the bob :

5.00

T T cos

ac
T sin

mg
b. i. From the diagram,

T cos mg
T cos 5.00 80.0 9.81

T 788 N
33

PHYSICS
Solution :
b. ii.

CHAPTER 6
m 80.0 kg; l 10.0 m; 5.00
The centripetal force is contributed
by the horizontal component of the
tension.
Fx Fc

r
sin
l

r l sin
r

mv 2
T sin
r2
mv
T sin
l sin
Tl sin 2
v
m

78810.0 sin 5.00

80.0

v 0.865 m s 1
34

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 6

Solution : m 80.0 kg; l 10.0 m; 5.00

b. ii. and the period of the bob is given by

2r
v
T
2 l sin
v
T

2 10.0 sin 5.00

0.865
T

T 6.33 s

iii. From the definition of the radial acceleration, hence

v2
ar
r

v2
ar
l sin
2

0.865
ar
10.0 sin 5.00

ar 0.859 m s 2
(towards the centre of the horizontal
circle)

35

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 6

An object P of mass 0.10 kg, placed on the inner

surface of an inverted cone, rotates together with the
cone, remaining at rest relative to the cone surface
as shown in figure below.

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 6

The cone rotates about a vertical axis at such a

speed that P neither tends to slide up nor down the
surface.
(a) Draw a free body diagram to show all
external forces which act on P.
(b) State where the centripetal force acting on
P comes from.
(c) Determine the magnitude of the centripetal
force acting on P.
(d) Determine the magnitude of the angular
velocity of P.

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 6

Solution

(a) Free body diagram:

N sin

N cos

60

60

PHYSICS
(b)

CHAPTER 6

N cos

(c)

N cos Fc (1)

N sin mg
mg
N
sin

(2)

(1) into (2) :

mg
cos Fc
sin
mg
0.1(9.81)
Fc
0.5664 N

tan 60
tan

PHYSICS
(d)

CHAPTER 6

Fc mr

From :

Knowing that:

r 0.5 sin 60
Thus:

Fc
mr

0.5664
(0.1)(0.5 sin 60)

3.62 rad s 1

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 6

Motion rounds a curve on a flat (unbanked) track (for car,

motorcycle, bicycle, etc)
Picture 6.1

Example 5 :

A car of mass 2000 kg rounds a circular turn of radius 20 m. The

road is flat and the coefficient of friction between tires and the road
is 0.70.
a. Sketch a free body diagram of the car.
b. Determine the maximum cars speed without skidding.
(Given g = 9.81 m s-2)
Solution : m 2000 kg; r 20 m; 0.70

a. The free body diagram of the car :

N

ac

Centre of
circle

mg
41

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 6

Solution : m 2000 kg; r

b. From the diagram in (a),
Fy 0
y-component :

20 m; 0.70
N mg

x-component : The centripetal force is provided by the frictional

force between the wheel (4 tyres) and the road.
Therefore
mv 2

r2
mv
f
r2
mv
mg
r
v rg
v

0.70 20 9.81

v 11.7 m s 1
42

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CHAPTER 6

Motion rounds a curve on a frictionless banked track (for car,

motorcycle, bicycle, etc)
Picture 6.2

Example 6 :

Picture 6.3
Centre of
the curve

15

Picture 6.4

Figure 6.11 : back view of car

A car rounding a curve smooth road of radius 60 m and is banked at

an angle 15 to the horizontal as shown in Figure 6.11.
a. Sketch a free body diagram of the car.
b. Calculate the cars speed when it is travelled round the curve
without skidding.
c. What will happen to the car while rounding the curve if its speed
is less than the value in (b).
(Given g = 9.81 m s-2)
43

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 6

Solution : r 60 m
a. The free body diagram of the car :

Picture 6.5

y
N 15 N cos15

ac

Centre of
the curve

N sin 15

15

mg

b. From the diagram in (a),

x-component : The centripetal force is contributed by the
horizontal component of the normal force. Thus

mv 2
Fx
r2
mv

N sin 15
r

(1)
44

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 6

Solution : r 60 m
b. y-component : No vertical motion, thus

N cos15 mg

(2)

By dividing eq. (1) to the eq. (2), therefore

2
v
tan 15
rg

v rg tan 15
v 60 9.81 tan 15
v 12.6 m s 1
c. The car will slide downwards.
45

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 6

Motion rounds a curve on a rough banked track (for car,

motorcycle, bicycle, etc)

Example 7 :
A car of mass 1500 kg rounds a curve on a road banked at an
angle, to the horizontal with maximum speed 70 km h-1. If the
radius of the curve is 70 m and the coefficient of kinetic friction
between the tyres and the road is 0.45, determine the angle, at
which the car can travel without skidding. (Given g = 9.81 m s2)
Solution : m 1500 kg; r 70 m; k 0.45
y
The free body diagram of the car :

ac

Centre of
the curve

f k cos

fk

N cos

x
N sin

mg

f k sin

46

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 6

Solution : m 1500 kg; r 70 m; k 0.45

The maximum speed of the car in m s1 is

70 km
v

1h

103 m

1 km

1h
1

19.4 m s
3600 s

From the free body diagram,

x-component : The centripetal force is contributed by both the
horizontal component of the normal force and
frictional force. Thus
2

mv
Fx
r2
mv
N sin f k cos
r 2

mv
N sin k cos
r

(1)

47

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CHAPTER 6

Solution : m 1500 kg; r 70 m; k

y-component : No vertical motion, thus

0.45

N cos f k sin mg
N cos k sin mg

(2)

By dividing eq. (1) to the eq. (2), therefore

sin k cos v 2

cos k sin rg

sin 0.45 cos

19.4

cos 0.45 sin 70 9.81

2

4.49
48

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CHAPTER 6

Motion in a horizontal circle

Example 8 :
A ball of mass 150 g is attached to one end of a string 1.10 m long.
The ball makes 2.00 revolution per second in a horizontal circle.
a. Sketch the free body diagram for the ball.
b. Determine
i. the centripetal acceleration of the ball,
ii. the magnitude of the tension in the string.
Solution :
m 0.150 kg; l r 1.10 m; f 2.00 Hz
a. The free body diagram for the ball :

ac

mg
49

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CHAPTER 6

Solution : m 0.150 kg; l r 1.10 m;

b. i. The linear speed of the ball is given by

2r
v
2rf
T
v 21.10 2.00

f 2.00 Hz

v 13.8 m s 1

Therefore the centripetal acceleration is

2

v
ac
r

ac

13.8

1.10

ac 173 m s 2

(towards the centre of the horizontal

circle)
ii. From the diagram
in (a), the centripetal force enables the ball

to move in a circle
by the tension in the string.
Fx isFprovided
c mac
Hence
T ma
T 0.150 173
c

T 26.0 N

50

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CHAPTER 6

Example 10 :

Figure 6.13

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)

51

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CHAPTER 6

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

2r
v
T

2 8
v
10
v 5.03 m s 1

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

Nt

ac

mg

mv 2
F
r
mv 2
mg N t
r
2

60 5.03
60 9.81 N t
8
N t 399 N

52

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CHAPTER 6

Solution : m 60 kg; r 8 m; T 10 s
b. The free body diagram of the rider at the bottom of the circle :

mv 2
F
r
mv 2
N b mg
r
2

60 5.03
N b 60 9.81
8
N b 778 N

ac

Nb

mg

53

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CHAPTER 6

Exercise 6.2 :
Use gravitational acceleration, g = 9.81 m s2
1. A cyclist goes around a curve of 50 m radius at a speed of
15 m s1. The road is banked at an angle to the horizontal and
the cyclist travels at the right angle with the surface of the road.
The mass of the bicycle and the cyclist together equals 95 kg.
Calculate
a. the magnitude of the centripetal acceleration of the cyclist,
b. the magnitude of the normal force which the road exerts on
the bicycle and the cyclist,
c. the angle .
ANS. : 4.5 m s2; 1.02 kN; 24.6

54