Year 5 H2 Physics 2020 Remedial Worksheet

Chapter 6: Circular Motion

Detailed Solutions

Question 1 2 3 4 5
Answer D B D C B

1 A If resultant force zero, astronaut will move off at a tangent in a straight line (N1L).

B The seat exerts zero normal force on the astronaut as both the seat and astronaut are
‘falling’ with the same acceleration.
C Ditto.

D The gravitational force on the astronaut provides the centripetal force for him to move
in a circular path. (Answer)

2 B Resultant acceleration must have a component opposite to linear velocity for it to slow
down. Hence the resultant acceleration is the vector sum of centripetal acceleration and
a component towards the left.

3 D Since gravitational force provides centripetal force, hence

Mm mv 2 M 1
G 2 = → ∴v 2 = G → ∴v 2 ∝
r r r r

Note: Students tend to apply v = rω wrongly and choose B as the answer.

4 C At the bottom: At the top:

mv 2 mv 2
Tmax − mg = Tmin + mg =
r r
mv 2 mv 2
10 − 2.5 = -------(1) 10 + 2.5 = -------(2)
r r
Solving: Tmin = 7.5 − 2.5 = 5.0 N

5 B Inner and outer rings experience the same ω. Since normal force (which provides the
sense of artificial weight mg) on the objects provides their centripetal forces,

mg = mrω2 ⇒ g α r

Hence,
r1 g1 r1 3.72
= ⇒ =
r0 g 2150 9.81
∴ r=
1 815 ≈ 800 m

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 Year 5 H2 Physics 2020 Remedial Worksheet

6 (a) T = tension on the mass due to string

W = weight of mass

(b) (i) Taking upwards as positive,

T cos θ − W = may = 0 N
(because body not moving in the vertical direction)

(ii) Taking leftwards as positive,

mv 2
T sin
= θ ma= x
r

(c) (b )(ii ) v2
: tan θ =
(b )(i ) rg

v 2 = rg tan θ
= (0.50)(9.81)(tan 30°)
v = 1.68 m s−1

7 (a) The aircraft must be tilted so that the horizontal component of the lift force may provide
the required centripetal force to keep it moving in a horizontal circle.

(b)
θ L = Lift on airplane

W = weight of plane

(c) Taking upwards as positive, and since the airplane is in vertical equilibrium:

L cos θ − mg = 0N ⇒ L cos θ = mg

Taking rightwards as positive,

mv 2
L sin θ =
r
2
v 1002
tan=θ =
rg (200)(9.81)
= θ 78.9°

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Year 5 H2 Physics 2020 Remedial Worksheet

8 Consider the forces acting on the pilot both at the bottom and at the top of the loop:

Ntop
mg

Nbottom

mg
(a) At the bottom, we have:
mv 2
Nbot − mg =
r
mv 2
 60.02 
∴ Nbot = + mg = 60.0  + 9.81 = 4910 N
r  50.0 

(b) To calculate the speed at the top, we apply energy conservation:

1 2 1
=
mu mgh + mv 2
2 2
∴ v = u − 2gh = u 2 − 2g (2r ) = 60.02 − (4)(9.81)(50.0)
2 2

∴v =40.5 m s−1

(c) To calculate the force acting on the pilot at the top of the loop:

mv 2
Ntop + mg =
r
2
mv (60.0)(40.47)2
∴ Ntop = − mg = − (60.0)(9.81) = 1380 N
r 50.0

(d) The normal force on the pilot decreases as the glider moves from the bottom to the top
of the loop. In order for the pilot not to lost contact, the minimum possible speed required
will result in the normal contact force ≈ 0 at the top of the loop. This also means that the
pilot will not lose contact with the glider with any other points along the circular path.

At the point of losing contact, Ntop just goes to 0, therefore

mv 2
Ntop + mg =+ 0 mg =
r
2
∴v = rg

By the principle of conservation of energy,

1 2 1
=
mu mgh + mv 2
2 2
2 2
∴ u = v + 2gh = rg + 2g (2r ) = 5rg = (5)(50.0)(9.81)
∴u =49.5 m s−1