06

CIRCULAR MOTION
CIRCULAR MOTION 1

Chapter 06

Circular Motion
(b) Particle moving in a straight line

1. Characteristics of Circular
Motion
1.1 Circular motion
It is the movement of particles along the circumference of Fig. 6.3
the circle. (c) Particle moving in circular path
i) Angular displacement is a vector quantity.
ii) Its direction is perpendicular to the plane of
2. Various Parameters in rotation and is given by right hand screw rule.
NOTE:
Circular Motion Clockwise angular displacement is taken as negative and
anticlockwise displacement as positive.
2.1 Radius Vector angle 
arc

linear displacement
The vector joining the centre of the circle and centre of the radius radius
particle performing circular motion is called radius vector.
It has constant magnitude and variable directions. iii) For circular motion ΔS = r × Δθ
iv) Its unit is radian (in M.K.S)
2.2 Angular Displacement NOTE:
Introduction: Angle subtended by position vectors of a Always change degree into radian, if it occurs in
particle moving along any arbitrary path w.r.t. some fixed numerical problems.
point is called angular displacement.
v) It is a dimensionless quantity, i.e. dimension is
[M0L0T0]

2.3 Angular Velocity

It is defined as the rate of change of angular displacement
of a body or particle moving in a circular path.
i) It is a vector quantity.
Fixed point ii) Its direction is the same as that of angular displacement
i.e. perpendicular to the plane of rotation.
Fig. 6.1
(a) Particle moving in an arbitrary path
NOTE:
If the particle is revolving in the clockwise, direction then
the direction of angular velocity is perpendicular to the
revolutionary plane downwards. Whereas in case of
anticlockwise direction the direction will be upwards.

iii) Its unit is Radian/sec.

iv) Its dimension is [M0L0T–1].

Fig. 6.2

Circular Motion
48 CIRCULAR MOTION

Types of Angular Velocity iv) Dimension : M0L0T–2

3.1 Relation Between Angular
Average Angular Velocity
Acceleration And Linear
 Total angular displacement
av  Acceleration
Total time taken
Linear acceleration = Rate of change of linear
velocity
Instantaneous Angular Velocity
dv
The instantaneous angular velocity is defined as the angular a  ...  i 
velocity at some particular instant of time. dt
 Instantaneous angular velocity Angular acceleration = Rate of change of angular velocity
 d d
  lim   ... ii 
t 0 t dt dt
NOTE: From (i) & (ii)
Instantaneous angular velocity can also be called simply a dv d  r  d
   r  r is constant   r
angular velocity.  d d d
 a  r
  
In vector form, a   r
2.4 Relation Between Linear Velocity
And Angular Velocity
d d ds 1 4. Radial and Tangential
We have      v
Acceleration
dt ds dt r
 ds arc ds 
d  dr , angle  radius and v  dt  linear velocity  a) Radial Acceleration is the change in direction of linear
 
   velocity and acts along the radius towards the centre of
In vector form, v   r
circle. It is given by
NOTE:
v2
i) When a particle moves along a curved path, its linear r   2 r
r
velocity at a point is along the tangent drawn at that
It is also called centripetal acceleration.
point.
ii) When a particle moves along a curved path, its
b) Tangential acceleration is the change in magnitude of
velocity has two components. One along the radius,
linear velocity, that act along the tangent to the circular
which increases or decreases the radius and another
path. It is given by:
one perpendicular to the radius, which makes the
   r
particle revolve about the point of observation.
 vsin 
iii)   
t r 5. Uniform & Non-Uniform

3. Angular Acceleration Circular Motion

 The uniform circular motion is that in which the
 The rate of change of angular velocity is defined as
particle is moving at a constant speed on circular path.
angular acceleration.
 The non-uniform circular motion is that in which the
 If Δω be change in angular velocity in time Δt, then
particles move with variable speed on its circular path.
angular acceleration:
 
 d
  lim
t 0 t

dt 6. Kinematics of Circular
i) It is a vector quantity
ii) Its direction is that of change in angular velocity Motion
iii) Unit : rad/sec2 If,

Centre of mass, Momentum & Collision

CIRCULAR MOTION 49

m = mass of body,
r = radius of circular orbit,
v = magnitude of velocity
ac = centripetal acceleration,
at = tangential acceleration
Fig. 6.6
iv) Total acceleration
In uniform circular motion :
v2
  a 2t   (towards the centre)
   c c
r
i) v1  v 2  v 3  constant i.e., speed is constant
NOTE:
 Because Fc is always perpendicular to velocity or
displacement, hence the work done by this force will
always be zero.
 Circular motion in a horizontal plane is usually
uniform circular motion.
 There is an important difference between projectile
Fig 6.4 motion and circular motion:

ii) As v is constant, so tangential acceleration at = 0 In projectile motion, both the magnitude and the
direction of acceleration (g) remain constant, while
in circular motion the magnitude remains constant
but the direction continuously changes.
Hence, equations of motion are not applicable for
circular motion.
Fig. 6.5  Remember that equations of motion remain valid
iii) Tangential, force Ft = 0 only when both the magnitude & direction of
acceleration are constant.

6.1 Equation of Linear Motion and Rotational Motion

[Link] Condition Linear Motion Rotational Motion

a = 0, s = ut α = 0 , θ = ωt
(i) Average velocity (i) Average angular velocity
With constant
i. vu   2
velocity vav = ωav = 1
2 2

(ii) Average acceleration (ii) Average angular acceleration

vu   1
aav = aav = 2
t t
(iii) s = vav t (iii) θ = ωav. t
vu   2
 t  1 t
2 2
With constant (iv) v = u + at (iv) 2  1  t
ii.
acceleration
1 1 2
(v) s = ut + at 2 (v) θ = ω1t + t
2 2
1 1
(vi) s = vt – at 2 (vi) θ = ω2t – t 2
2 2
(vii) v2 = u2 + 2as (vii)  22  12  2
(viii) displacement in nth sec (viii) Angular displacement in nth sec

Circular Motion
50 CIRCULAR MOTION

1 1
Sn  u   2n  1 a n  1   2n  1 
2 2

ds
(i) v  (i)   d / dt
dt
(ii)  ds   v dt (ii)  d    dt
With variable dv dv d d
iii. (iii) a  v (iii)   
acceleration
dt ds dt d
(iv)  dv   a dt (iv)  d    dt

(v)  v dv   a ds (v)   d    d
7. Non-Uniform Circular
Motion
i) In non-uniform circular motion :

v  constant,   constant
i.e. speed is not constant
& angular velocity is not constant
ii) If at any instant,
v = magnitude of velocity of particle, Fig. 6.7
r = radius of circular path,
ω = angular velocity of particle, vii) Net acceleration towards the centre = centripetal
then v  r acceleration
iii) Tangential acceleration: v2 F
 ac   2 r  c
dv r m
at 
dt Fnet
viii) Net Acceleration a  a c2  a 2t 
ds m
where, v  and s = arc (length) a t Ft
dt The angle made by 'a' with ac, tan   
iv) Tangential Force: a c Fc
Ft = mat
v) Centripetal Force:
mv2
Fc   m2 r
r a
vi) Net Force on the particle
  
F  Fc  Ft

 F  Fc2  Ft2 Fig. 6.8

If θ is the angle made by [Note: angle between Fc and Ft
is 90º] F with Fc, then
F
tan   t
Fc NOTE:
F   In both uniform & non-uniform circular motion, Fc is
   tan 1  t  perpendicular to velocity ; so work done by
 Fc 
centripetal force will be zero in both the cases.
Angle between F & Ft is (90º – θ)
 In uniform circular motion, Ft = 0, as at = 0, so work

Centre of mass, Momentum & Collision

CIRCULAR MOTION 51

done will be zero by tangential force. s AB  

   v1  v 2  v 
 But in non-uniform circular motion Ft ≠ 0, thus there r AQ
will be work done by tangential force in this case. v
 Rate of work done by net force in non-uniform  v  s
r
circular motion = Rate of work done by tangential
v v s
force  
 t r t
dW    dx
P  Ft  v  Ft  v v  s 
dt dt  lim  lim  
t  0 t r t  0
 t 
v2
8. Centripetal & Centrifugal
v
 ac  v  r2
r r

Force a c  r 2
This is the magnitude of centripetal acceleration of particle
8.1 Centripetal
  
i) A body or particle moving in a curved path always i) It is a vector quantity. In vector form a c   v
moves effectively in a circle at any instant.  
ii) The direction of a c would be the same as that of v .
ii) The velocity of the particle changes moving on the
iii) Because the velocity vector at any point is tangential to
curved path, this change in velocity is brought by a
the circular path at that point, the acceleration vector
force, known as centripetal force and the acceleration
acts along the radius of the circle at that point and is
produced in the body, is known as centripetal
directed towards the centre. This is the reason that it is
acceleration.
called centripetal acceleration.
iii) The direction of centripetal force or acceleration is
always towards the centre of the circular path.
8.3 Expression for Centripetal Force
8.2 Expression for Centripetal
Acceleration

Fig. 6.9
(a) Particle moving in circular path of radius r
Q

A
Fig. 6.10
(b) Vector diagram of velocities
The triangle OP1P2 and the velocity triangle are similar Fig. 6.11
PP AB If v = velocity of particle,
 1 2 
P1O AQ r = radius of path
Then necessary centripetal force
Fc = mass × acceleration

Circular Motion
52 CIRCULAR MOTION

v2 Both centripetal and centrifugal forces, being the forces

Fc  m of action and reaction, act always on different bodies. For
r
This is the expression for centripetal force example, when a piece of stone tied to one end of a string
is rotated in a circle, centripetal force F1 is applied on the
i) It is a vector quantity stone by the hand. In turn, the hand is pulled outwards by
ii) In vector form centrifugal force F2 acting on it, due to the tendency of
the stone to regain its natural straight line path. The
 mv2
Fc   centripetal and centrifugal forces are shown in Fig.
r
 mv 2 
Fc   2 r
r

Fc   m  2 r
  
Fc   m  v   
Negative sign indicates direction only.
  
Fc  m  v  
Fig. 6.12
iii) For circular motion:

Fc  m  v sin 90   mv

9. Applications of Circular
NOTE:
 Centripetal force is not a real force. It is only the Motion
requirement for circular motion.
 It is not a new kind of force. Any of the forces found 9.1 Hint to solve numerical problem
in nature such as gravitational force, electric friction  Write down the required centripetal force.
force, tension in string, reaction force may act as  Draw the free body diagram of each component of the
centripetal force. system.
 Resolve the forces acting on the rotating particle along
8.4 Centrifugal Force radius and perpendicular to radius.
 Calculate net radial force acting towards the centre of
The natural tendency of a body is to move uniformly along a
the circular path.
straight line. When we apply centripetal force on the body, it
is forced to move along a circle. While moving actually  Make it equal to required centripetal force.
along a circle, the body has a constant tendency to regain its  For remaining components see according to the
natural straight line path. This tendency gives rise to a force question.
called centrifugal force.
Hence, Centrifugal force is a force that arises when a NOTE:
body is moving actually along a circular path, by virtue When a system of particles rotates about an axis, the
of the tendency of the body to regain its natural straight angular velocity of all the particles will be the same, but
line path. their linear velocity will be different, because of different
 Centrifugal forces can be regarded as the reaction of distances from the axis of rotation i.e. v = rω.
centripetal force. As forces of action and reaction are
always equal and opposite, therefore, magnitude of 9.2 Motion in Horizontal Circle :
centrifugal force = m v2/r, which is same as that of
centripetal force.
Conical pendulum
 However, the direction of centrifugal force is opposite This is the best example of uniform circular motion. A
to the direction of centripetal force i.e. centrifugal conical pendulum consists of a body attached to a string of
force acts along the radius and away from the centre length  , such that it can revolve in a horizontal circle with
of the circle. uniform speed. The string traces out a cone in space.
NOTE:
i) The force acting on the bob are

Centre of mass, Momentum & Collision

CIRCULAR MOTION 53

(a) Tension F (b) weight mg therefore, acts, towards the centre of the circular track
and provides the necessary centripetal force.
 Three forces are acting on the car, fig.

Fig. 6.14
i) The weight of the car, mg, acting vertically downwards,
ii) Normal reaction R of the road on the car, acting
vertically upwards,
iii) Frictional Force F, along the surface of the road,
Fig. 6.13
towards the centre of the turn.
ii) The horizontal component F sin θ of the tension F
 As there is no acceleration in the vertical direction,
provides the centripetal force and the vertical
R–mg=0 or R=mg ...(1)
component F cos θ balances the weight of bob
The centripetal force required for circular motion is
mv2 along the surface of the road, towards the centre of the
 Fsin   and Fcos   mg
r turn.
From these equations As, it is the static friction that provides the necessary
centripetal force. Clearly,
v4
F  mg 1  .....  i  mv2
r2g2 F …(2)
r
v2 where v is the velocity of the car while turning and r is
and tan   .... ii 
rg the radius of a circular track.
Also if h = height of conical pendulum As F = μsR = μs mg, [using (1)]
OP r where μs is the coefficient of static friction between the
tan    .... iii  tyres and the road. Therefore, from (2),
OS h
From (ii) & (iii) mv2
 s mg
v2 g r
2   or v  s rg
r2 h
The time period of revolution
 vmax  s rg ….(3)
2
As, T 
 Hence the maximum velocity with which a vehicle can
go round a level curve, without skidding is
h  cos 
T  2  2  where OS =   v  s rg
g g
 The value depends on the radius r of the curve and on
9.3 Rounding a Level Curved Road the coefficient of static friction (μs) between the tyres
 When a vehicle goes round a curved road, it requires and the road. Clearly, v is independent of the mass of
some centripetal force. While rounding the curve, the the car.
wheels of the vehicle have a tendency to leave the
curved path and regain the straight line path. Force of
friction between the wheels and the road opposes this
tendency of the wheels. This force (of friction)

Circular Motion
54 CIRCULAR MOTION

9.4 Banking of Roads  R sin θ, along the horizontal, towards the centre of the
curved road.
 The maximum permissible velocity with which a
vehicle can go around a level curved road without
F can also be resolved into two rectangular components :
skidding depends on μ, the coefficient of friction
between the tyres and the road. The value of μ  F cos θ, along the horizontal, towards the centre of
decreases when the road is smooth or tyres of the curved road.
vehicle are worn out or the road is wet. Thus, the force  F sin θ, along vertically downward direction.
of friction is not a reliable source for providing the
required centripetal force to the vehicle. As there is no acceleration along the vertical direction, the
 A safer course of action would be to raise the outer net force along this direction must be zero. Therefore,
edge of the curved road above the inner edge. By doing Rcosθ =mg+ F sin θ ...(1)
so, a component of normal reaction of the road shall be
spared to provide the centripetal force. The If v is the velocity of the vehicle over the banked circular
phenomenon of raising the outer edge of the curved road of radius r, then centripetal force required = mv2/r. This
road above the inner edge is called banking of roads. is provided by the horizontal components of R and F as
shown in Fig.
 We can calculate the angle of banking θ, as detailed
below: mv2
 R sin   Fcos   ...  2 
In Fig., OX is a horizontal line. OA is the level of r
banked curved road whose outer edge has been raised. But F < μs R, where μs is coefficient of static friction
∠XOA = θ = angle of banking. between the banked road and the tyres.

To obtain vmax, we put F = μs R in (1) and (2).

Rcosθ = mg + μs Rsinθ ...(3)
mv 2
and R sin    s R cos   ....  4 
r
From (3), R (cos θ – μs sin θ) = mg
mg
R ....  5 
cos    s sin 

Fig. 6.15 mv2

From (4), R  sin   s cos  
r
mg  sin    s cos   mv 2
Using (5), 
 cos   s sin   r
rg  sin    s cos   rg cos   tan    s 
 v2  
 cos   s sin   cos  1   s tan  
1/ 2
 rg   s  tan   
v  ....  6 
 1   s tan   

Fig. 6.16 This is the max. velocity of vehicle on a banked road.

Three forces are acting on the vehicle as shown in Fig. Special Case:
 Weight mg of the vehicle acting vertically downwards. If μs = 0, i.e., if banked road is perfectly smooth, then,
1/ 2
 Normal reaction R of the banked road acting upwards in v0   rg tan  .... 7 
a direction perpendicular to OA.
This is the speed at which a banked road can be rounded
 Force of friction F between the banked road and the
even when there is no friction. Driving at this speed on a
tyres, acting along AO.
banked road will cause almost no wear and tear of the tyres.
R can be resolved into two rectangular components :- From (7), v 20  rg tan 
 R cos θ, along vertically upward direction.

Centre of mass, Momentum & Collision

CIRCULAR MOTION 55

or tan   v02 / rg .... 8

 If the speed of the vehicle is less than v0, frictional force

will be up the slope. Therefore, the vehicle can be
parked only if tan θ < μs.
 Roads are usually banked for the average speed of
vehicles passing over them. However, if the speed of a
vehicle is somewhat less or more than this, the self
adjusting static friction will operate between the tyres
and the road, and the vehicle will not skid. Fig. 6.17
 The speed limit at which the curve can be negotiated R can be resolved into two rectangular components:
safely is clearly indicated on the sign boards erected  R cos θ, along the vertical upward direction,
along the curved roads.  R sin θ, along the horizontal, towards the centre of the
NOTE: circular track.
The curved railway tracks are also banked for the same
In equilibrium, R cos θ balances the weight of the cyclist i.e.
reason. The level of outer rail is raised a little above the
R cos θ = mg ...(1)
level of inner rail, while laying a curved railway track.
and R sin θ provides the necessary centripetal force (m v2/r)
mv2
9.5 Bending of a Cyclist  R sin   ....  2 
r
 When a cyclist takes a turn, he also requires some
Dividing (2) by (1), we get
centripetal force. If he keeps himself vertical while
turning, his weight is balanced by the normal reaction R sin  mv 2

of the ground. R cos  r mg
 In that event, he has to depend upon force of friction v2
between the tyres and the road for obtaining the tan  
rg
necessary centripetal force. As the force of friction is
small and uncertain, dependence on it is not safe. Clearly, θ would depend on v and r.
 To avoid dependence on force of friction for obtaining
centripetal force, the cyclist has to bend a little inwards  For a safe turn, θ should be small, for which v should be
from his vertical position, while turning. By doing so, a small and r should be large i.e. turning should be at a
component of normal reaction in the horizontal slow speed and along a track of larger radius. This
direction provides the necessary centripetal force. To means, a safe turn should neither be fast nor sharp.
calculate the angle of bending with vertical,
Let,
m = mass of the cyclist,
10. Motion in Vertical Circle
v = velocity of the cyclist while turning, Motion of a body suspended by string: This is the best
r = radius of the circular path, example of non-uniform circular motion.
θ = angle of bending with vertical. When the body rises from the bottom to the height h, a part
of its kinetic energy converts into potential energy
In Fig., we have shown weight of the cyclist (mg) acting
vertically downwards at the centre of gravity C. R is force of Total mechanical energy remains conserved
reaction of the ground on the cyclist. It acts at an angle θ Total (P.E. + K.E.) at A = Total (P.E. + K.E.) at P
with the vertical. 1 1
 0  mu 2  mgh  mv2
2 2
v u 2  2gh
as h     cos 
  1  cos  

Circular Motion
56 CIRCULAR MOTION

a) Tension at the lowest point A :

 v  u 2  2g 1  cos 
mv2A
TA   mg

Here   0
mu 2
TA   mg

b) Tension at point B :
mv2B
TB   mg

Fig. 6.18
mu 2
[Where  is length of the string] TB   5mg    180

c) Tension at point C :
10.1 Tension at a point P mvC2
mv2 TC 
i) At point P, required centripetal force  

mu 2
a) Net force towards the centre : TC   2mg  Here   90

T – mg cos θ, which provides required centripetal
Thus, we conclude that
force.
T A > T C > TB
and also
TA – TB = 6 mg
TA – TC = 3 mg
TC – TB = 3 mg

iii) Cases:
a) If u  5g
In this case tension in the string will not be zero at
Fig. 6.19 any of the points, which implies that the particle
will continue the circular motion.
b) If u  5g
mv2
 T  mg cos   In this case the tension at the top most point (B)

will be zero, which implies that the particle will
 v2  just complete the circular motion.
T  m  g cos   
   c) Critical Velocity: The minimum velocity at which
m 2 the circular motion is possible.
  u  g  2  3cos   
  The critical velocity at A  5g
b) Tangential force for the motion The critical velocity at B  g 
Ft = mg sin θ
The critical velocity at C  3g 
This force retards the motion
ii) Results: Also, TA = 6 mg, TB = 0, TC = 3 mg
d) If 2g   u  5g 
In this case particles will not follow circular
motion. Tension in string becomes zero somewhere
between points C & B whereas velocity remains
positive. Particle leaves circular path and follow
parabolic trajectory

Fig 6.20

Centre of mass, Momentum & Collision

CIRCULAR MOTION 57

maximum angular velocity of the platform,

  g / h  , where  is the coefficient of friction
between the object and the platform.
10) If an inclined plane ends into a circular loop of radius r,
then the height from which a body should slide from the
inclined plane in the order to complete the motion in a
circular track is h = 5r/2.
11) Minimum velocity that should be imparted to a
Fig. 6.21
pendulum to complete the vertical circle is  5g
e) If u  2g  where  is the length of the pendulum.
In this case both velocity and tension in the string 12) While describing a vertical circle when the stone is in
becomes zero between A and C and the particle its lowest position, the tension in the string is six times
will oscillate along a semi-circular path. the weight of the stone.
13) The total energy of the stone while revolving in a
f) If u  2g 
vertical circle is (5/2) mg  .
The velocity of the particle remains zero between A 14) When the stone is in horizontal position then the tension
and C but tension will not be zero and the particle in the string is 3mg and the velocity of the stone is
will oscillate about the point A.
 3g .
15) If the velocity of the stone at the highest point is X mg,

11. Tips & Tricks then the tension at the lowest point will be (X + 6)mg.
16) If a body of mass m is tied to a string of length  and is
1) Centripetal force does not increase the kinetic energy of projected with a horizontal velocity u such that it does
the particle moving in a circular path, hence the work not complete the motion in the vertical circle, then
done by the force is zero. u2
2) Centrifuges are the apparatuses used to separate small (a) the height at which the velocity vanishes is h 
2g
and big particles from a liquid.
(b) the height at which the tension vanishes is
3) The physical quantities which remain constant for a
particle moving in a circular path are speed, kinetic u 2  g
h .
energy and angular momentum. 3g
4) If a body is moving on a curved road with speed greater 17) The K.E. of a body moving in a horizontal circle is the
than the speed limit, the reaction at the inner wheel same throughout the path but the K.E. of the body
disappears and it will leave the ground first. moving in a vertical circle is different at different
5) On unbanked curved roads the minimum radius of places.
curvature of the curve for safe driving is r = v2/mg,
where v is the speed of the vehicle and m is small.
6) If r is the radius of curvature of the speed breaker, then
the maximum speed with which the vehicle can run on
it without leaving contact with the ground is v   gr 
7) While taking a turn on the level road sometimes
vehicles overturned due to centrifugal force.
8) If h is the height of centre of gravity above the road, a is
half the wheel base distance, then for road safety
mv2
 h  mg  a,
r
Minimum safe speed for no overturning is v  gar / h .
9) On a rotating platform, to avoid the skidding of an
object placed at a distance r from axis of rotation, the

Circular Motion
58 CIRCULAR MOTION

NCERT Corner
Relation between angular acceleration    and
linear velocity (v)

Important Points to Remember v2


r
1. Circular Motion
 It is the movement of particles along the circumference
3. Centripetal and Centrifugal Force
of a circle.  Centripetal force: In uniform circular motion the force
acting on the particle along the radius and towards the
 The uniform circular motion is that in which the
centre keeps the body moving along the circular path.
particle is moving at a constant speed on circular path.
This force is called centripetal force.
 The non-uniform circular motion is that in which the
 Centrifugal force: The pseudo force experienced by a
particles move with variable speed on its circular path.
particle performing uniform circular motion due to
accelerated frame of reference which is along the radius
2. Variables in Circular Motion and directed way from the centre is called centrifugal
 Angular Displacement: It is the angle subtended by force.
the position vector at the centre of the circular path.
NOTE:
Angular displacement,   s / r where, s is the arc
 Pseudo force acts in non inertial frame i.e. accelerated
length and r is the radius
frame of reference in which Neutron’s law’s of motion
 Angular Velocity: The time rate of change of angular
do not hold good.
displacement    is called angular velocity.
 When a car moving along a horizontal curve takes a
Angular velocity,    / t turn, the person in the car experiences a push in the
Angular velocity is a vector quantity outward direction.
 The coin placed slightly away from the centre of a
Relation between linear velocity (v) and and angular rotating gramophone disc slips towards the edge of the
velocity    is given by disc.
 A cyclist moving fast along a curved road has to lean
v  r
inwards to keep his balance
 Angular Acceleration: The rate of change of angular
velocity is called angular acceleration.
Angular acceleration, 4. Difference Between Centripetal Force and
 d d 2  Centrifugal Force
  lim   Its SI unit is rad/s2 and
t  0 t dt dt 2 Centripetal Force Centrifugal Force
dimensional formula is [T-2]  Centripetal force is  Centrifugal force is
Acceleration in a circular motion has two components directed along the directed along the
as given below: radius. Towards the radius, away from the
(a) Tangential acceleration is the change in magnitude centre of the circle. centre of the circle.
of linear velocity and act along tangent to the circular  It is a real force.  It is a pseudo force.
path. It is given by:  It arises only in non-
 It arises in both
 T  r inertial and non- inertial frame of
(b) Radial Acceleration is the change in direction of inertial frame of reference or in rotating
linear velocity and acts along the radius towards the reference. frame reference
 Eg. when a satellite is  Eg. along a curved road
v2
centre of circle. It is given by  r   2 r revolving in circular the passenger in the
r orbit around the earth, vehicle has a feeling of
It is also called centripetal acceleration. the centripetal force is push in the outward
due to gravitational direction The push is
Relation between linear acceleration (a) and angular force of attraction. due to centrifugal force.
acceleration   
a  r , where r = radius

Centre of mass, Momentum & Collision

CIRCULAR MOTION 59

5. Equations of Motions: For completing the circular motion minimum speed at

For constant angular acceleration- the bottom v B  5gr
(i)   0  t Tension TB  6mg
1 2
(ii)   0 t  t
2 10. Conical Pendulum (Motion in a horizontal
(iii)  2  20  2 circle)
mg
Tension in string 
6. Motion of a car on a plane circular road- 1/ 2

For motion without skidding

 2
 r2 

Mv2max g
 Mg Angular velocity 
r  cos 

 v max rg  cos  r

Periodic time  2  2
g g tan 

7. Motion on a banked road

Angle of banking  
h
tan  
b
Maximum safe speed at the bend
1/2
 rg    tan   
vmax   
 1    tan   
If friction is negligible
rhg v2
v max  rg tan   and tan   max
b rg

8. Motion of cyclist on a curve

v2
In equilibrium angle with vertical is  , then tan  
rg
Maximum safe speed  v max   rg

9. Motion in a vertical circle (particle tied to

string)
 v2 
At the top position – Tension TA  m  A  g 
 r 
For TA  0, critical speed  gr
 v2 
At the bottom – Tension TB  m  B  g 
 r 

Circular Motion
60 CIRCULAR MOTION

Solved Examples
dv
but  2 thus a t  2m / s 2
dt
Example 1 2 2 2
and a  a t  a r  2m / s
A particle is moving in a circle of radius r centered at
(b) At t = 3 sec, v = 6 m/s
O with constant speed v. What is the change in the 2
velocity in moving from A to B? Given AOB  40 v2  6 dv
so a r    6m / s 2 and a t   2m / s2 .
 r 6 dt
Sol.  v  2v sin  40  / 2   2v sin 20
Therfore, a  2 2  6 2  40m / s 2
Example 2
A road makes a 90 bend with a radius of 190 m. A car Example 4
enters the bend moving at 20 m/s. Finding this too fast, The kinetic energy of a particle moving along a circle
the driver decelerates at 0.92 m/s2. Determine the of radius r depends on distance covered as K = As2
acceleration of the car when its speed rounding the where A is a constant. Find the force acting on the
bend has dropped to 15 m/s. particle as a function of s.
Sol. Since it is rounding a curve, the car has a radial Sol. According to given problem
acceleration associated with its changing direction, in 1 2A
mv 2  As 2 or v  s …..(1)
addition to the tangential deceleration that changes its 2 m
speed. We are given that at = 0.92 m/s2; since the car is
v2 2As2
slowing down, the tangential acceleration is directed So, a r   …..(2)
r mr
opposite the velocity.
Further, more as
dv dv ds dv
at    v ….(3)
dt ds dt ds
From Eqn. (1),
dv 2A
vs  2A / m    …..(4)
ds m
The radial acceleration is a Substitute values from Eqn. (1) & Eqn. (4) in Eqn. (3)
v 2 15m / s 
2
 2A   2A  2As
ar    1.2 m / s 2 a t  s  
r 190m  m  m  m
Magnitude of net acceleration, 2 2
1/2  2As 2   2As 
2 2
a  a  a  1.2    0.92  
2 2 So, a  a 2r  a 2t     
r 
t   mr   m 
 1.5m / s2 2As 2
i.e. a  1  s / r 
and points at an angle m
a   1.2  So, F  ma  2As 1  s / r 
2
  tan 1  r   tan 1    53 relative to the
a
 t  0.92 
tangent to the circle. Example 5
A particle of mass m is moving in a circular path of
Example 3 constant radius r such that its centripetal acceleration
A particle is constrained to move in a circular path of is varying with time t as a c  k 2 rt 2 , where k is a
radius r = 6m. Its velocity varies with time according
constant. Determine the power delivered to particle by
to the relation v = 2t (m/s). Determine its
the forces acting on it.
(i) Centripetal acceleration
Sol. If v is instantaneous velocity, centripetal acceleration
(ii) tangential acceleration
(iii) instantaneous acceleration at: v2 v2
ac    k 2 rt 2  v  krt .
(a) t = 0 sec. and r r
(b) t = 3 sec. In circular motion work done by centripetal force is
Sol. (a) At = 0, v = 0 Thus ar = 0 always zero & work is done only by tangential force.
CIRCULAR MOTION 61

dv d  g 
Tangent acceleration a t    krt   kr or   cos 1  2 
dt dt  
 Tangential force F1  ma1  mkr
Power P  Ft v   mkr  krt   mk 2 r 2 t Example 9
Two balls of equal masses are attached to a string at
distance 1 m and 2 m from one end as shown in fig.
Example 6
The string with masses is then moved in a horizontal
Stone of mass 1 kg is whirled in a circular path of
circle with constant speed. Find the ratio of the tension
radius 1 m. Find out the tension in the string if the
T1 and T2?
linear velocity is 10 m/s?
2
Sol. Let the radius of the balls of the two circles are r1 and
mv2 1 10  r2. The linear speed of the two masses are
Sol. Tension   100N
R 1 v1  r1 & v 2  r2 , where  is the angular speed of
the circular motion. The tension in the strings are such
Example 7 that
A satellite of mass 107 kg is revolving around the earth
with a time period of 30 days at a height of 1600 km.
Find out the force of attraction on satellite by earth?
2 2  3.14 6.28
Sol. Force  m2 R and  
T 30  86400 2.59  106
Force  m2 r
2
 6.28 
 6 
 107   6400  1600  103
 2.59 10  m22
6 T2   m2 r2
 2.34 10 N r2
mv12
Example 8 T1  T2   m2 r1
r1
A vertical rod is rotating about its axis with a uniform
angular speed  . A simple pendulum of length  is
attached to its upper end. What is its inclination with
the rod?
Sol. Let the radius of the circle in which the bob is rotating
is the tension in the string is T, weight of the bob mg,
and inclination of the string  . Then T cos balances
the weight mg and Tsin  provides the centripetal
force necessary for circular motion. That is
 T1  m  2 r1  T2  m  2  r1  r2 
T1 r1  r2 1  2 3
   
T2 r2 2 2

Example 10
A circular loop has a small bead which can slide on it
without friction. The radius of the loop is r. Keeping
T cos   mg and T sin   m2 x the loop vertically it is rotated about a vertical
but x   sin  diameter at a constant angular speed  . What is the
 T  m2  value of angle  , when the bead is in dynamic
equilibrium?
mg mg
and cos    Sol. Centripetal force is provided by the horizontal
T m2  component of the normal reaction N. The vertical
component balances the weight. Thus,
62 CIRCULAR MOTION

Sol. Apparent weight of car = N (normal reaction)

(i) Convex bridge
The motion of the motor car over a convex bridge is
the motion along the segment of a circle. The
centripetal force is provided by the difference of
weight mg of the car and the normal reaction N of the
bridge.
mv2
 mg  N 
r
mv2
N sin   m2 x and N cos   mg or N  mg 
r
Also x  r sin   N  m2 r Clearly N < mg, i.e., the apparent weight of the
g  g  moving car is less than the weight of the stationary car.
cos   2
or cos 1  2 
r  r  mv2
(ii) Concave bridge: N  mg 
r
Example 11
mv2
A particle of mass m slides down from the vertex of Apparent weight: N  mg 
semi-hemisphere, without any initial velocity. At what
r
height from horizontal will the particle leave the
sphere.
Sol. Let the particle leave the sphere at height h,
mv2
 mg cos   N
R
When the particle leaves the sphere N = 0.
mv2
 mg cos   v2 gR cos  …(1)
R
According to law of conservation of energy
 K.E.  P.E. at A   K.E.  P.E. at B
1
 0  mgR  mv2  mgh
2
 v 2  2g  R  h  …(2)
2R
From (1) & (2) h  ,
3
Also cos   2 / 3
Example 13
A ball is released from height h as shown in fig. Find
the condition for the particle to complete the circular
path.

Example 12
Prove that as motor car moving over a (i) Convex
bridge is lighter than the same car resting on the same
Sol. According to law of conservation of energy
bridge. (ii) Concave bridge is heavier than the same
(K.E. + P.E.) at A = (K.E. + P.E.) at B
car resting on the same bridge.
CIRCULAR MOTION 63

1 mv 2
 0  mgh  mv 2  0 or T  mg cos  
2 r
 v 2gh Substituting the given values, we get
2
But velocity at the lowest point of circle, 0.1   2   3
T  0.1  9.8  cos 30   0.98     0.4
5R 1  2 
v  5gR  2gh  5gR  h 
2  0.85  0.4  1.25N

Example 14
A body weighing 0.4 kg is whirled in a vertical circle
making 2 revolutions per second. If the radius of the
circle is 1.2 m, find the tension in the string, when the
body is (a) at the top of the circle (b) at the bottom of
the circle. Given : g = 9.8 ms-2 and   1.2m .
1
Sol. Mass m = 0.4 kg and time period  second and
2 Example 17
radius, r = 1.2 m A car is travelling at 30 km/h in a circle of radius 60
2 m. What is the minimum value of  s for the car to
Angular velocity,    4 rads1  12.56rad s1
1/ 2 make the turn without skidding?
(a) At the top of the circle, Sol. The minimum  s should be that
mv2 mv 2 v2
T  mg  mr2  mg  m  r2  g  s mg  or s 
r r rg
 0.4 1.2  12.56  12.56  9.8  N  71.8N
km 30 1000 25
Here, v  30   m/s
 
(b) At the lowest point, T  m r2  g  79.64m h 3600 3
25 25 1
 s     0.115
Example 15 3 3 60 10
A 4 kg ball is swung in a vertical circle at the end of a For all values of  s greater than or equal to the above
cord 1 m long. What is the maximum speed with
value, the car can make the turn without skidding. If
which it can swing if the cord can sustain maximum
tension of 163.6 N? the speed of the car is high so that minimum  s is
greater than the standard value (rubber tyre on
mv2
Sol. Maximum tension  T   mg (at lowest point) concrete s  1 and on wet concrete  s  0.7 ), then
r
the car will skid.
mv2
  T  mg
r
Example 18
4v2 At what angle should a highway be banked for cars
or  163.6  4  9.8
1 travelling at a speed of 100 km/h if the radius of the
After, solving we get v = 6 m/sec. road is 400 m and no frictional forces are involved?
Sol. The banking should be done at an angle  such that
Example 16 250 250

A small body of mass m = 0.1 kg swings in a vertical v2 9 or tan   652  0.19
tan    9
circle at the end of a cord of length 1m. Its speed is 2 rg 400  10 81  40
m/s when the cord makes an angle   30 with the
or   tan 1 0.19  0.19 radian
vertical. Find the tension in the hord.
Sol. The equation of motion is  0.19  57.3
mv2  11 
T  mg cos  
r
64 CIRCULAR MOTION

Example 19 Time period of hour hand is 12 h in which it traced

An aircraft executes a horizontal loop at a speed of 720 2 angle, so
km h-1 with its wing banked at 15o. Calculate the 2
radius of the loop.  rad h 1
12
1 720 1000 1 2
Sol. Speed, v  720kmh  ms  200ms1  rad s1
3600 12  60  60
and tan   tan15  0.2679

v2  rad s 1
tan   21600
rg
v2 200  200 Example 22
or r   m
g tan  9.8  0.2679 A stone tied to one end of spring 80 cm long is whirled
in a horizontal circle with a constant speed. If stone
 1523.7m  15.24km
makes 14 revolutions in 25 s, the magnitude of
acceleration of stone is
Example 20
(a) 850 cms-2
What determines the nature of path followed by the
(b) 992 cms-2
particle?
(c) 720 cms-2
(a) speed
(d) 650 cms-2
(b) Velocity
Ans. (b)
(c) Acceleration
Sol. Given, radius of the horizontal circle
(d) Both (b) and (c)
r = 80 cm = 0.80 m, n = 14 and t = 25s
Ans. (d)
Angular speed of revolution of the stone,
Sol. The nature of path is decided by velocity and
acceleration. Velocity is ratio of displacement to time. 2n n
  2  
It is a vector quantity possessing both magnitude and t t
direction. When velocity of a particle changes, the 22  14  88
  2     rads 1
particle is said to undergo an acceleration. 7  25  25
The instantaneous acceleration is the derivative of the 2
 Magnitude of centripetal acceleration  r
velocity with respect to time. Acceleration is also a 2
vector quantity possessing both magnitude and  88 
 80     992cms 2
direction. Depending on variation of velocity and  25 
acceleration, the path could be a straight line, circle or
a parabola. Example 23
A stone tied to the end of a string 80 cm long in
Example 21 whirled in a horizontal circle with a constant speed. If
Angular velocity of hour hand of a watch is the stone makes 14 revolutions in 25 s, what is the
 magnitude and direction of acceleration of the stone?
(a) rads 1 (NCERT)
43200
Sol. r = 80 cm = 0.8 m;

(b) rads1 14
30 v rev / s
25

(c) rads 1 22 14 88
21600   2v  2   rad / s  rads1
7 25 25

(d) rads1 The centripetal acceleration
1800 2
 88 
Ans. (c) a  2 r     0.80  9.90ms 2
 25 
angled traced
Sol. As, angular velocity  by hour hand. The direction of centripetal acceleration is along the
time taken
string directed towards the centre of circular path.
CIRCULAR MOTION 65

Example 24
An aircraft executes a horizontal loop of radius 1.00
km with a steady speed of 900 km/h. Compare its
centripetal acceleration with the acceleration due to
gravity. (NCERT)
3 1 5
Sol. r  1km  10 m, v  900km h  900   250ms1
18
Centripetal acceleration
2
v 2  250 
 ac    62.5ms 2
r 103
a c 62.5
Now,   6.38.
g 9.8

Example 25
Read each statement below carefully and state, with
reasons, if it is true or false:
(a) The net acceleration of a particle in circular
motion is always along the radius of the circle
towards the centre.
(b) The velocity vector of a particle at a point is
always along the tangent to the path of the particle
at that point.
(c) The acceleration vector of a particle in uniform
circular motion averaged over one cycle is a null
vector. (NCERT)
Sol.
(a) False, the net acceleration of a particle in circular
motion is along the radius of the circle towards the
centre only in uniform circular motion.
(b) True, because while leaving the circular path, the
particle moves tangentially to the circular path.
(c) True, the direction of acceleration vector in a
uniform circular motion is directed towards the
centre of circular path. It is constantly changing
with time. The resultant of all these vectors will
be a zero vector.