Scribd
Upload
5 views3 pages

Uniform Circular Motion Explained

The document discusses uniform circular motion, detailing the relationships between velocity, angular velocity, and acceleration of a particle moving in a circular path with constant radius and speed. It explains the components of velocity and acceleration, highlighting that centripetal acceleration is directed towards the center of the circle. Additionally, it includes problems related to particle motion and rigid body rotation, providing solutions for velocity and acceleration calculations.

Uploaded by

rgnaveen0202
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
5 views3 pages

Uniform Circular Motion Explained

The document discusses uniform circular motion, detailing the relationships between velocity, angular velocity, and acceleration of a particle moving in a circular path with constant radius and speed. It explains the components of velocity and acceleration, highlighting that centripetal acceleration is directed towards the center of the circle. Additionally, it includes problems related to particle motion and rigid body rotation, providing solutions for velocity and acceleration calculations.

Uploaded by

rgnaveen0202
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐜𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:

Consider a particle ’𝑝’ moving with a velocity ‘𝑣’ which describes a circular motion with
constant radius ‘𝑟’. Let ‘𝜔’ be the angular velocity of the particle. As the particle
describes a circular path with uniform speed and radius, then 𝑟 = constant and 𝑣 =
constant.
The radial component of the velocity is given by
⃗
𝒅𝒓
𝒗𝒓 = = 0,
𝒅𝒕

this shows that the velocity is entirely due to transverse component 𝑣⊥ = 𝑟𝜃̇ . For a
given circle, the transverse direction is also tangential direction. Thus the direction of
velocity of the particle is along the tangent to the circle.
∴ The transverse or tangential component of velocity is
𝑑𝜃
𝑣⊥ (𝑜𝑟) 𝑣⊥ = 𝑟 𝑑𝑡 or 𝑟𝜃̇

∴ 𝑣 = 𝑟̇ 𝑟̂ + 𝑟𝜃̇𝑟̂⊥ = 0 + 𝑟𝜃̇𝑇̂ or ⃗ = 𝒓𝜽̇𝑻


𝒗 ̂

𝑇̂ = unit vector along tangential direction.


Since 𝑟 = constant and 𝑣 = constant, θ is also constant, where θ is the rate at which
the position vector of the particle covers an angle θ and is known as angular velocity,𝜔
of the particle.
∴ 𝑣 = 𝑟𝜔 𝑟 = |𝑟|𝜔𝑟̂⊥ = 𝑟𝜔𝑇̂ .
The transverse component of the acceleration is given by
1 𝑑 𝑑𝜃 1 𝑑
𝑎⊥ = 𝑟 𝑑𝑡 (𝑟 2 𝑑𝑡 ) = (𝑟 2 𝜔) =0 as ω is constant.
𝑟 𝑑𝑡

Thus the acceleration has no transverse component.


Radial component of acceleration is given by
𝑑2 𝑟 𝑑𝜃 2
𝑎𝑟 = − 𝑟 ( 𝑑𝑡 ) .
𝑑𝑡 2
𝑑2 𝑟
Since 𝑟 = constant 𝑑𝑡 2 = 0.
𝑑𝜃 2
∴ 𝑎𝑟 = −𝑟 ( 𝑑𝑡 ) = −𝑟𝜔2 ,

negative sign indicates that the direction of 𝑎𝑟 is opposite to that of 𝑟̂

∴ 𝑎𝑟 = −𝑟𝜔2 𝑟̂
The acceleration is directed towards the centre of the circle and the acceleration is
⃗ 𝒓 | = 𝒓𝝎𝟐
known as centripetal acceleration. It is entirely radial component. 𝒂 = |𝒂
.
𝑣2 𝑣2 𝑣2
Since 𝑣 = 𝑟𝜔 , 𝑎 = 𝑟𝜔 2 = 𝑟 = . ∴ 𝑎= 𝑟.
𝑟2 𝑟
𝑚𝑣2
In an inertial frame of reference, 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎. ∴ Magnitude of the force is given by 𝐹 = 𝑟
𝟐
∴ ⃗⃗𝑭 = 𝒎𝒗 → Expression for centripetal force
𝒓

Problems:
1. A particle is moving along the x-axis. Its displacement is given by
x= 𝑡 3 -3𝑡 2 +6t+5 . Find the velocity and acceleration of the particle at time t. At
what time its acceleration is zero? What is the velocity at this instant?
Solution: Given x= 𝑡 3 -3𝑡 2 +6t+5
Differentiating, v = dx/dt = 3 𝑡 2 − 6𝑡 + 6
Differentiating again, a = dv/dt
=6t – 6 = 6(t-1)
If acceleration is zero, 6(t-1) = 0
t=1 sec
At t=1 sec, v = 3 units.

2. A Rigid body is spinning with an angular velocity of 4 radians/sec about an


axis parallel to 3j-k passing through the point i+3j-k. Find the velocity of the
particle at the point 4i-2j+k.

Solution. Let 𝑛̂ be the unit vector in the direction of 3j-k , then


3𝑗−𝑘 3𝑗−𝑘
𝑛̂ = = ,
√9+1 √10
4(3𝑗−𝑘)
Angular velocity of the particle P, say ω = ω𝑛̂ = .
√10
The position vector of P with reference to point i+3j-k, i.e
r = (4i-2j+k)-( i+3j-k) = 3i-5j+2k.
4(3𝑗−𝑘)
Hence the velocity(linear) of the particle v = r×ω= (3i-5j+2k)×
√10

References:
College Physics, [Link], George Thomas and Syed Azee
Mechanics by [Link]

You might also like