SFAS_KML SP015 CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5: CIRCULAR MOTION
5.1 Parameters in Circular Motion
LO 5.1 a) Define and use
i) Angular displacement, θ
ii) Period, T
iii) Frequency, f
iv) Angular velocity, 𝝎
Definitions and equations
1) Angular displacement, θ To describe circular motion, we use angles
Is the angle undergone by an object instead of distances. The angles are measured
from a fixed reference point. in radian (rad)
The relationship between the length of a
circular arc, s and angular displacement, θ is
given by:
𝑠 = 𝑟𝜃
r: radius of the circular path
2) Angular velocity, 𝝎 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦
The angular velocity, ω (omega) of 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
=
the particle is defined as the rate of 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
change of angular displacement.
∆𝜃
𝜔=
∆𝑡
Unit: rad s-1
3) Period, T Time taken to complete one revolution
The period, T of the circular motion 𝜃 2𝜋
𝜔= =
is the time taken for the particle to 𝑡 𝑇
move round a complete circle OR
time taken to complete one revolution. 2𝜋
𝑇=
𝜔
Unit: s
4) Frequency, f Number of revolutions per second
The frequency, f of the circular 1
motion is the number of revolutions 𝑓=
per second. 𝑇
Unit: s-1 or Hz
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SFAS_KML SP015 CHAPTER 5
5) Linear velocity (tangential velocity),
v
It is directed tangentially to the circular
path and always perpendicular to the
radius of circular path as shown in
figure.
The magnitude of linear velocity
(speed) of an object in circular motion
is constant but the direction is
continually changing. 𝑣 = 𝑟𝜔
Relationship between linear velocity, v
and angular velocity, 𝜔 Unit: ms-1
Example 1
Earth is rotating about its axis. What is its angular speed in rad s-1? (ANSWER: 7.27x 10-5rads-1)
Example 2
The length of the second arm of a clock is 1.5cm. What is
a) the angular velocity (ANSWER: 0.105 rads-1)
b) the speed of the tip (ANSWER: 1.575 x 10-3 ms-1)
of the arm?
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SFAS_KML SP015 CHAPTER 5
5.2 Uniform Circular Motion
LO 5.2 a) Describe uniform circular motion
LO 5.2 b) Convert units between degrees, radian and revolution or rotation
a) Circular motion is known as object moving in a circle, such as
i) a ball at the end of a string revolving around one’s head, or
ii) The circular motion of the moon about the earth.
iii) Car travelling around a turn
iv) Parts of the motion of a roller coaster
b) Uniform circular motion is defined as a motion in a circle at constant speed v.
i) The magnitude of the velocity remains constant (speed is constant).
ii) The direction of the velocity continuously changes as the object moves around the
circle. A
𝑣Ԧ1
r
B
𝑣Ԧ2
c) Figure above shows a particle moving in a circle of radius r at a constant speed v.
i. Initially, at time t = 0, the particle is at A.
ii. After a short time interval ∆𝑡, the particle is at B.
iii. The magnitude of the velocities at A and B are equal, but the direction of velocity
changes as the particle moves.
d) Acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity. In the case of circular motion,
the velocity is not constant because its direction is constantly changing. The velocity is
always tangent to the circle.
e) Therefore, an object in a circular motion is continuously accelerating, even when the
speed remains constant (𝑣1 = 𝑣2 = 𝑣). (UPS 1 2015/2016)
Unit Conversion
As we know, the angular displacement, 𝜽 is measured in radian (rad).
360° = 1 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 2𝜋 𝑟𝑎𝑑
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SFAS_KML SP015 CHAPTER 5
Angular velocity,𝝎 can also be stated in revolutions per second (rps) or revolution per
minute(rpm):
1 revolution per second = 2π radian per second
2𝜋
1 revolution per minute = radian per second
60
Example 3
A car travel around circular path of circle of radius 5 m at a rate of 60 rpm. Find
a) Its angular speed in rad s-1. (ANSWER: 6.28 rads-1)
b) Its linear speed around the circle. (ANSWER: 31.40 ms-1)
Example 4
An object undergoes circular motion with uniform angular speed of 100 rpm. Calculate
a) the period (ANSWER: 0.6 s)
b) the frequency (ANSWER: 1.67 s-1)
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SFAS_KML SP015 CHAPTER 5
5.3 Centripetal Force
LO 5.3 a) Define centripetal acceleration
LO 5.3 b) Solve problems related to centripetal force for uniform circular motion cases:
Horizontal circular motion, vertical circular motion and conical pendulum
(exclude banked curved)
Although the speed of a particle in uniform circular motion is constant, the particle is accelerated.
This is because the direction of its velocity is constantly changing. This change in the velocity
produces centripetal acceleration.
𝑣
𝑎𝑐
𝑎𝑐
a) Centripetal acceleration 𝒂𝒄 is the acceleration of an object moving in circular path
whose direction is towards the centre of the circular path and whose magnitude is
equal to the square of the speed divided by the radius.
𝑣2
𝑎𝑐 =
𝑟
b) Direction:
- Points toward the centre of the circle.
(Centripetal means “centre-seeking”)
- Perpendicular to linear velocity.
Example 5
A ball of mass 0.60 kg attached to the end of a string and swings horizontally over a circle of
radius 0.60 m. The ball swings at constant speed of 3.3 ms-1. Determine the centripetal
acceleration. (ANSWER: 18.15 ms-2)
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SFAS_KML SP015 CHAPTER 5
Example 6
A body moves at a constant speed around a circle of radius 2.0 m in 0.50 s. What is its
acceleration? (ANSWER: 316.00 ms-2)
Example 7
What is the centripetal acceleration of a particle at a constant speed of 2.5 ms-1 which rotates at
3000 revolutions per minute? (ANSWER: 785.40 ms-2)
Example 8
Acceleration of a revolving ball. A 150 g ball at the end of a string is revolving uniformly in a
horizontal circle of radius 0.60 m. The ball makes 2.00 revolutions in a second. What is its
centripetal acceleration? (ANSWER: 94.75 ms-2)
Example 9
Moon’s centripetal acceleration. The Moon’s nearly circular orbit about the Earth has a radius
of about 384,000 km and a period T of 27.3 days. Determine the centripetal acceleration of the
Moon toward the Earth. (ANSWER: 2.72 x 10-3ms-2)
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SFAS_KML SP015 CHAPTER 5
Centripetal Force
a) According to Newton’s second law, an object that is accelerating must have net force
acting on it.
∑ 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎
b) Therefore, an object moving in a circle must have a force applied to it to keep it moving
in that circle. That is, a net force is necessary to give it centripetal acceleration 𝑎𝑐 .
c) Newton’s second law can be applied to circular motion:
∑ 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎
𝑣2
∑ 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎𝑐 = 𝑚
𝑟
𝑣2
𝐹𝑐 = 𝑚
𝑟
d) Therefore, centripetal force is defined as net force acting on a body of mass m,
causing it to move in circular path of radius r with constant speed v, in which the
direction of the centripetal force is towards the centre of circular path.
e) The centripetal force is not a new kind of force. The term (centripetal) merely describes
the direction of the net force is directed towards the centre of circular path.
f) Any force or components act along the radius, towards or away from the centre of a circle
can be centripetal force. The centripetal force can be supplied by a variety of forces:
i) Friction (example car moving in circular path)
ii) Tension (example swinging a ball at the end of a string)
iii) Gravitational force (planets and moon)
iv) Normal Force
Problem Solving: Uniform Circular Motion
1) Draw a free-body diagram (chapter 3), showing all the forces acting on the object. Be
sure you can identify the agent of each force. (Tension in a string, earth gravity, friction,
normal force). Do not put something that doesn’t belong (like net force/centripetal force).
2) Determine which of the forces, or which of their components, act to provide centripetal
acceleration. (All the forces or components that act along the radius, towards or away from
the centre of circular path).
3) Choose coordinate system. Selecting a coordinate system that assigns the positive
direction toward the centre of the circle is often convenient.
4) Apply Newton’s Second Law.
𝑚𝑣 2
𝐹𝑐 =
𝑟
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SFAS_KML SP015 CHAPTER 5
Case 1: Object Resolving in a
horizontal circle with constant
speed
Case 2: Motion of car round a
Horizontal Circular Motion
flat curve
Uniform Circular Motion
Case 3: Conical Pendulum
Case 1: Object revolving in
vertical circle
Case 2: Roller Coaster/ go
Vertical Circular Motion
around loop to loop
Case 3: Ferris Wheel
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SFAS_KML SP015 CHAPTER 5
Example 10
Horizontal circular motion. A ball of mass 0.150 kg is attached to one end of a string 0.6 m
long. The ball makes 2.00 revolutions per second in a horizontal circle. Calculate
a) The centripetal acceleration of the ball
b) The magnitude of the tension in the string.
(ANSWER: 94.75 ms-2, 14.21 N)
Example 11
Vertical circular motion. A sphere of mass 5.0 kg is tied
to a string. It moves in a vertical circle of radius 0.55 m at
a constant speed of 3.0 m s-1 as shown in the figure.
Determine the tension of the string at points A, D and E.
(ANSWER: 32.75 N; 81.82 N; 130.85 N)
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SFAS_KML SP015 CHAPTER 5
Example 12
Conical Pendulum. Figure shows a conical pendulum with a bob of mass
80.0 kg on a 10.0 m long string making an angle of 5° to the vertical.
Calculate
θ a) The tension in the string (ANSWER: 787.80 N)
b) The speed of the bob (ANSWER: 0.86 m s-1)
c) The period of the bob (ANSWER: 6.35 s)
d) The centripetal acceleration of the bob. (ANSWER: 0.85 m s-2)
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SFAS_KML SP015 CHAPTER 5
Example 13
Vehicle going around a curved track. A car of mass 2000 kg rounds a
circular turn of radius 20 m. The road is flat and the coefficient of static
friction between tires and the road is 0.70.
a) Sketch a free body diagram of the car.
b) Determine the maximum car’s speed without skidding
(ANSWER: 11.72 ms-1)
Example 14
A rider of mass 60 kg rides on a Ferris wheel as shown in the figure. The rider
moves in a vertical circle of radius 10 m at constant speed of 3.00 m s-1. Calculate
the normal force exerted on the rider
a) At the bottom of the ride. (ANSWER: 642.6 N)
b) At the top of the ride. (ANSWER: 534.6 N)
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SFAS_KML SP015 CHAPTER 5
Example 15
In a loop-the-loop ride a car goes around a vertical, circular loop at a constant speed. The car has
a mass m = 500 kg and moves with speed v = 20 m s-1. The loop-the-loop has a radius of r
= 20 m.
a) What is the magnitude of the normal force on the car when it is at the bottom of the
circle? (ANSWER: 14905 N)
b) What is the magnitude of the normal force on the car when it is at the side of the
circle? (ANSWER: 10000 N)
c) What is the magnitude of the normal force on the car when it is at the top of the
circle? (ANSWER: 5095 N)
d) What is the minimum speed of the car so that it stays in contact with the track at the top
of the loop? (ANSWER: 14.01 m s-1)
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