Year 12 Physics

Advanced Mechanics 02
Circular Motion

Name: ________
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F1 Describing uniform circular motion

2.3 solve problems, model and make quantitative predictions about objects executing uniform circular motion in
a variety of situations, using the following relationships:

⃗⃗|2
|𝑣
- 𝑎⃗ = 𝑟⃗

⃗⃗|2
𝑚|𝑣
- 𝛴𝐹⃗ = 𝑟⃗

𝛥𝜃
-𝜔 =
𝑡

F2 Practical: forces in uniform circular motion

2.1 conduct investigations to explain and evaluate, for objects executing uniform circular motion, the
relationships that exist between:

- centripetal force

- mass

- speed

- radius

F3 Analysing forces for circular motion

2.2 analyse the forces acting on an object executing uniform circular motion in a variety of situations, for
example:

- cars moving around horizontal circular bends

- a mass on a string

- objects on banked tracks

F1 Describing uniform circular motion

Uniform circular motion:

An object travelling in a circular path at a constant speed

Note: NOT constant velocity (why?)

Tangential speed and angular speed

Discussion

Consider the following object under uniform circular motion.

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How does one measure speed if an object is travelling in a circular path?

Perhaps one way is to look at how much distance the object covers over one second (i.e. the length of the arc the
object traces over one second), so that we can measure the speed in the standard unit of 𝑚 𝑠 −1.

This number is known as the ‘tangential speed’ or sometimes ‘linear speed’ of the uniform circular motion.

Pictures:

An alternative to way to measure its ‘speed’ is to look at the angle the object covers over one second!

This number is known as the ‘angular velocity’.

Pictures:

(1)
a) An object undergoes a uniform circular motion of radius 3 𝑚. Every 2 seconds, its path traces an arc 6 𝑚.
Calculate its tangential speed.

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b) An object undergoes a uniform circular motion of radius 2 𝑚. Every 3 seconds, its path traces half of the
circle. Calculate its tangential speed.

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c) An object undergoes a uniform circular motion of radius 1.5 𝑚. Its tangential speed is 2 𝑚 𝑠 −1. Calculate the
portion of the circle it traces over 2 𝑠.

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(2)
a) An object undergoes a uniform circular motion of radius 3 𝑚. Every 2 seconds, its path sweeps out and angle
𝜋
of 4 𝑟𝑎𝑑. Calculate its angular speed (in radians per second).

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

b) An object undergoes a uniform circular motion of radius 6 𝑚. Every 2 seconds, its path sweeps out and angle
𝜋
of 4 𝑟𝑎𝑑. Calculate its angular speed (in radians per second).

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c) An object undergoes a uniform circular motion. Every 3 seconds, its path sweeps out and angle of 𝜋 𝑟𝑎𝑑.
Calculate its angular speed (in radians per second).

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(3) An object undergoes a uniform circular motion of radius 3 𝑚. Its angular speed is 2 𝑟𝑎𝑑 𝑠 −1. Can you work out its
tangential speed?

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Changing between angular velocity and linear velocity

𝑣 = 𝑟𝜔

In summary, we can describe the speed of a uniform circular motion in two ways

𝑣 = tangential speed (𝑚 𝑠 −1), the ratio of the length of arc travelled to the elapsed time

𝜔 = angular speed (𝑟𝑎𝑑 𝑠 −1), the ratio of angle traced out to the elapsed time

Period and frequency of a uniform circular motion

Period (𝑇): time for 1 cycle (𝑠)

Frequency (𝑓): number of cycles every unit of time (𝐻𝑧 or 𝑐𝑦𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑠 −1)

2𝜋 2𝜋𝑟
𝑇= =
𝜔 𝑣
1
𝑓=
𝑇

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(4)
a) Calculate the angular speed and the tangential speed of an object under uniform circular motion with radius
2 𝑚 if its frequency is 2 𝐻𝑧.

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b) Calculate the angular speed and the tangential speed of an object under uniform circular motion with radius
3 𝑚 if its period is 0.3 𝑠.

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c) Calculate the angular speed and the tangential speed of an object under uniform circular motion with radius
10 𝑐𝑚 if its frequency is 100 𝑟𝑝𝑚 (revolutions per minute).

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𝜋
(5) Calculate the frequency of an object under uniform circular motion with an angular speed of 6 𝑟𝑎𝑑 𝑠 −1.

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Force in uniform circular motion

Suppose a body of mass 𝑚 is travelling at a speed 𝑣, and we want it to undergo a uniform circular motion with radius
𝑟, then we need to apply a net force with

𝑚𝑣 2
1. constant magnitude 𝐹𝑐 = 𝑚𝑟𝜔2 =
𝑟

2. a direction that is always towards a point (we call it ‘centre’), and is always perpendicular to the velocity
Of course one can phrase this concept in some other equivalent, but perhaps psychologically different, ways. For
example one may say,

‘If we apply a force 𝐹 such that it is always perpendicular to an object’s velocity, and is always towards a point, then
𝑚𝑣 2
the object will undergo a circular motion about that point with radius given by 𝑟 = ’
𝐹

This constant net force results in a constant acceleration towards the centre, called the centripetal acceleration:

𝑣2
𝑎𝑐 = 𝑟𝜔2 =
𝑟

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We call this net force the centre centripetal force. This net force can come from different sources.

(6) Consider a big frictionless table with one end of a 2.5 𝑚 string tied firmly at the centre of the table. The other end
of the string is firmly tied to a 200 𝑔 mass.

a) Suppose the object is given a push so that it travels in a uniform circular motion with an angular speed of
𝜋
𝑟𝑎𝑑 𝑠 −1. Calculate the centripetal force (net force) acting on the object.
3

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b) Suppose the object is given a push so that it travels in a uniform circular motion with a tangential speed of
2 𝑚 𝑠 −1. Calculate the centripetal force (net force) acting on the object.

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c) In each of the above, what is the source of the net forces?

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d) Suppose the string can only take a maximum tension of 400 𝑁, what is the maximum speed with which you
can rotate this object?

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e) Can you describe the motion of the object if string break during the course of the uniform circular motion?
(For example, you decide to cut it whilst it is moving.)

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You are given that when a charged particle moves into a uniform magnetic field, then it experiences a force with

1. Constant magnitude
2. A direction that is always perpendicular to the velocity vector and
always points towards the same point

That is, a moving charged particle in a uniform magnetic field undergoes a

circular motion. Roughly speaking, this force is a result of the interaction of
the electric field around the particle and the magnetic field.

(7) Consider a charged particle with a mass of 9.109 × 10−31 𝑘𝑔 travelling

at a velocity of 2.00 × 107 𝑚 𝑠 −1 in a uniform magnetic field. Suppose
the interaction between its charge and the magnetic field results in a
force of 3.50 × 10−27 𝑁, calculate the radius of the circular path.

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(8) The Earth is roughly in a uniform circular motion about the Sun with mean radius of 1.496 × 1011 𝑚.

a) By considering that the Period of the Earth about the Sun is ‘one year’, and note that the mass of the Earth
can be found on the datasheet, estimate the net force acting on the Earth.

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b) What is the source of this force?

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(9) A body of mass 2kg is revolving at the end of a light string 3m long, on a smooth horizontal table with uniform
angular speed of 1 revolution per second

a) Find the tension in the string

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b) If the string would break under a tension of equal to the weight of 20kg, find the greatest possible speed of the
mass.

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(10) ** The adjacent system of 1 kilogram masses can rotate about A at 20 radians per second before the string
breaks. If the three masses at B, C and D were taken away and replaced by a 3 kilogram mass at point D, at what
speed (in radians per second) could the system withstand?

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F2 Analysing forces for circular motion
Conical Pendulum: Horizontal circular motion between the mass and string
(11) During a game of Totem Tennis, the ball of mass 200 𝑔 is swinging freely in a horizontal circular path. The
chord is 2.00 𝑚 long and is at an angle of 50.0° to the vertical, as shown I the diagram.

a) Determine the speed of the tennis ball

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b) Determine the net force that is acting on the ball at this time.

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(12) A 15-gram metal ball bearing on a string is swung around a pole in a circle of radius 0.8m. The
plane of the circular path is horizontal. The string is 1m. Calculate the angular speed of the motion.

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Banked circular track

On a banked circular track, a car may be able to turn without engaging in any friction sideway. This is because the
normal reaction force has a component towards the centre of the motion.
On a banked circular track, for a given radius, the velocity that maintains this circular motion without engaging in
friction i.e. with no tendency to skid is called the design speed of the track:
𝑣 = √𝑟𝑔 tan 𝜃

(13) Consider a the following car turning smoothly along the banked track i.e. travelling at the design speed for
the current radius. Prove that its velocity must be given by the expression 𝑣 = √𝑟𝑔 tan 𝜃.

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(14) A curved section of track on an Olympic velodrome has a radius of 50 𝑚 and is banked at an angle of 42° to
the horizontal. A cyclist of mass 75 𝑘𝑔 is riding on this section of track at the design speed.

a) Calculate the design speed for this section of the track

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b) Calculate the net force acting on the cyclist at this instant if they are riding at the design speed.

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(15) A curve of radius 70m is banked at a 15°angle. At

what speed can a car take this curve without
assistance from friction? [14 m/s]

F2 Practical: forces in uniform circular motion

𝑚𝑣 2
Aim: To verify 𝐹𝑐 = 𝑟
by examining the relation between 𝐹𝑐 and 𝑣 2

Method:

1. Consider the set-up shown in the diagram

2. The robber bob is rotated so that the sticky tape marker touches the bottom of the glass tube

3. The average time for twenty revolutions is recorded

4. The steps are repeated for different mass at the bottom

𝑚𝑣 2
5. The graph for 𝐹𝑐 against 𝑣 2 is used to verify that 𝐹𝑐 = 𝑟

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Results

The radius of rotation is 𝑟 = 0.42 𝑚

(to the centre of the bob)

and the mass of the rubber bob is 𝑚 = 0.12 kg

Total mass at Net force (𝑁) Average time for Period (𝑠) 𝑣 (𝑚 𝑠 −1) 𝑣 2 (𝑚2 𝑠 −2)
the bottom (𝑘𝑔) 20 revolutions
(𝑠)
0.05 40.302

0.1 28.498

0.15 23.268

0.2 20.151

0.25 18.024

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Homework
(16) *

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(17) *

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(18)

(19)

(20)

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(21)

(22)

(23)

(24)

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(25) Fiona and Mark are flying their remote-controlled model plane. It has a mass of 1.4 kg
and travels in a horizontal circular path of radius 62.3 m with a speed of 43.3 km h−1 .
(a) Calculate the period of the model plane.
Ans: 32.5 s

(b) Determine the magnitude of the centripetal force that is acting on the plane.
Ans: 3.2 N

(26) A tip of a propeller on an airplane has a radius of 0.58 m and experiences a centripetal acceleration of 79
058.95 m s−2 . What is the frequency of rotation of the propeller?

Ans: 58.71 H z

(27) A cycling track has a turn that is banked at 48.85◦ to the horizontal. The radius of the track is 12.2 m.
Determine the speed at which a cyclist of mass 72.4 kg would experience no sideways force on their bike as they
rode this section of track.

Ans: 11.7 m s−1

(28) A radio-controlled car is travelling in a circular path of radius 16.0 m at a constant speed of 5.9 m s−1 .
(a) What is the acceleration of the toy car?

Ans: 2.2 m s−2

(b) What force is creating the circular motion of the car?

Ans: Friction

(29) A tip of a propeller on an airplane has a radius of 0.84 m and experiences a centripetal acceleration of 71
317.10 m s−2 . What is the frequency of rotation of the propeller?

Ans: 46.46 H z

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(30) The bobsled track contains turns
with radii of 33 m and 24 m.
Find the centripetal acceleration
at each turn for a speed of
34 m/s. [ans:larger circle = 35 m/s2, smaller circle = 48 m/s2]

(31) The model airplane has a mass of 0.90 kg and moves at constant speed on a circle that is parallel to the
ground.
The path of the airplane and the guideline lie in the same horizontal plane because the weight of the plane is
balanced by the lift generated by its wings. Find the tension in the 17 m
string for a speed of 19 m/s. [ans =19N]

(32) The wheel of a car has a radius of 0.29m and it being rotated at 830 revolutions per minute on a road.
Determine the speed at which the outer edge of the wheel is moving? [ans: 25m/s]

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Answers
(1) a)3m/s b)4.2m/s c)0.42
(2) a)1.2m/s b)2.4m/s c)pi/3 rad/s
(3) 6 rad/s
(4) a)25m/s b)63m/s c)1.0m/s
(5) 0.08Hz
(6) a)0.55N b)0.32N c)tension d)71m/s
(7) 1e11 m
(8) a)3.6e22 N b)Gravitational force
(9) a)236.9N b)17.1m/s
(10) 17.9rad/s
(11) a)4.2m/s b)2.3N
(12) 3.1 rad/s
(13) Ask tutor to check
(14) a)21m/s b)662N
(15) 14m/s

(16) Although the car remains a constant speed, there is a constant change in direction i.e. there is a change in
velocity. When there is a change in velocity there is acceleration which implies there must be an external force
(Newton’s Laws of Motion). There is in fact a net centripetal force which makes the vehicle to travel in a
mv2
uniform circular motion. Fc = r = 2812.5 N. Therefore, the phrase “there is no net force” is incorrect.

The phrase “the friction between the tyres and the road balances the centripetal forces” is also incorrect. The friction
is in fact providing the necessary centripetal force for the car to maintain a circular motion. It is not “balanced” by
the centripetal force.

(17) (a)
m = 30 a = 9.8

F = ma = 30 × 9.8 = 294 N downward

(b)

uy = 0 sub y = −25
25
ux = 20 t 2 = 4.9
(x, −25) t=? t = 2.26 s
1 2
y = uy t − 2 at

y = −4.9t 2
(c) On object A, the only vertical force acting is the weight force which is 294 N down. On object, there are two
vertical forces:

⚫ The weight force (294 N down)

⚫ The tension force due to the arm directed towards the pivot
mv2
B is a uniform circular motion. The net force is given by Fc = r
= 480 N. Thus the net force on B (480 N) is larger
than the force on A (294 N).

(18) A
(19) C
(20) C
(21) A
(22) B
(23) D (24)D

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