Circular Motion - A2

PHYSICS [A2] : 1 : CIRCULAR MOTION : NOTES
Topics Learning Outcomes : Candidate should be able to …….

[1.1] Kinematics of (a) Define the radian and express angular displacement in radians.
uniform (b) Understand and use the concept of angular speed to solve problems
circular
(c) Recall and use v = rω to solve problems
motion
[1.2] Centripetal (a) Describe qualitatively motion in a curved path due to a perpendicular force, and understand the
acceleration centripetal acceleration in the case of uniform motion in a circle.
and (b) Recall and use centripetal acceleration equations a = rω2 and a = v2/r.
centripetal force (c) Recall and use centripetal force equations F = mrω2 and F = mv 2/r
 ANGULAR DISPLACEMENT :
 The angle  through which the object has moved, on a circle, is known as angular displacement.
 It is measured in radian.
 As shown, an object moves from a point P to P’, on a circle of radius r by
tracing an arc of length s and an angle .
length of arc s
 θ= = =angular displacement
radius r
 RELATION BETWEEN RADIAN AND DEGREE :

 If an object moves all the way round the circumference of the circle, it moves a distance of 2r.
2 πr
 So the angular displacement : θ= =2 π
r
 Hence a complete circle contains ‘2’ radian and further, in terms of degree, a complete circle means
360o.
 2 π radian=360°
2π
 1 °=
360°
 DEFINING THE RADIAN :

 One radian is the angle subtended at the centre of the circle by an arc of length equal to the
radius of the circle.
360
 1 radian= ≈ 57.3 °
2π
2π
 To convert degrees to radian, multiply by
360°
360°
 To convert radians to degree, multiply by
2π
 ANGULAR VELOCITY :
 Angular velocity is the rate at which an object moves around a circular path.
 It is defined as the rate of change of angular displacement.
 Its unit is rad/s or rad s-1.
 It is represented by symbol:  (Greek latter omega)
∆θ θ
 ω= ∨ω=
∆t t
 Angular displacement,  = t So for 1 complete rotation, Angular

displacement  = 2 and Time = T
2
ω=
T
 Past Paper Question M/J/2005
 FREQUENCY: [f]
 Number of rotations per second (in 1 s).
2π 2π ω
ω ω= =, =2 πf , f =
 f¿ [Angular frequency for one rotation = T 1 2π ]
2π
f
ω
 for given time, t, f ¿ ×t
2π
 Unit of frequency is Hertz (Hz) OR s-1
 Practice Question:
 RELATION BETWEEN VELOCITY [v] AND ANGULAR

VELOCITY [ω ¿ :
 Velocity = distance/time = s/t
 But, t = s/r, So, distance, s = tr
 v = tr/t = r
 v = r
 CENTRIPETAL ACCELERATION :
 Consider a particle is moving in on a circular path.
 Its velocities at point A and B are VA and VB respectively.
 Even though, its speed is same but the direction of velocity is changing continuously.
 Means, it has been accelerating.
 Note that the direction of change in velocity is towards the centre of the circular path, means the
particle has an acceleration towards the centre.
 This acceleration is known as centripetal acceleration.
 a = v/t , From fig.  = v/v, so v = v 
 a = v /t, but  = t
 a = v, a = 2 r (v = r), a = v2 / r , (v = r),
 CENTRIPETAL FORCE :
 To produce a centripetal acceleration, a centripetal force is needed, which is necessary to keep an
object to move on a circular path.
 This force always acts towards the centre of the circle (centre seeking).
 F=ma
 F=mv
 F = m 2 r
 F = m v2 / r
 CALCULATING ORBITAL SPEED :

 FORCE equation is used to calculate the speed that an object must have to orbit the Earth under
gravity.
 The necessary centripetal force m v2/r is provided by the Earth’s gravitational pull mg.
 Hence : mg = m v2/r
 v2 = gr
 v=√ gr , where r = radius f the orbit = Earth’s orbit  6400 km and g = 9.81 ms-2.
 v = 7.92 ms-1
 Thus if a ball is thrown at almost 8 km-1, it would go into orbit around the Earth.
 THE ORIGIN OF CENTRIPETAL FORCE :

1. A car cornering on a level road:
 Road provides two forces: the normal contact force N which is balanced by the weight mg of the
car – so the car has no acceleration in the vertical direction.
The second force is the force of friction F between the tyres and the road surface. This is the
unbalanced force which provides the centripetal force.
 If the road do not provides enough friction, the car will not go round the bend along the desire
path. This frictional between the road and tyres of the car provides the necessary centripetal force
for the car’s circular motion. Fig. A.
2. A car cornering around the banked road:

 Here the normal force N provided by the road has two components: the vertical component
Ncos = mg – balanced by the weight mg of the car. And the horizontal component
Nsin  = m v2 / r – provides the necessary centripetal force. Where r = radius of the circular
corner and v = velocity of the car.
 If a car travels around the bend corner too slowly, it will tend to slid down the slop and friction
will act up the slop to keep it on its desired path Fig. B.
 If it travels too fast, it will slid up the slope. If the friction is insufficient, it will skid off the road
at tangent to the curved path. Fig. C.
3. An aircraft banking:
 In an aircraft, to change the direction, the pilot tips the aircraft’s wings.
 The vertical component of the lift force L on the wings is balanced by
the weight of the aircraft.
 The horizontal component of the lift force L provides the necessary
centripetal force to the aircraft.
4. Conical pendulum:
 A stone being whirled in a horizontal circle, the vertical component of the tension
T is balanced by the weight of the stone.
 The horizontal component of T provides the necessary centripetal force for the
circular motion.
5. At the fairground:
 As the cylinder spins, the floor drops away.
 Our weight is balanced by the friction.
 The normal contact force N provides the necessary centripetal force.
 You feel as though you are being pushed back against the wall; what you
are filling is the push of the wall on your back.

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PHYSICS [A2] : 1 : CIRCULAR MOTION : NOTES

Topics Learning Outcomes : Candidate should be able to …….

 RELATION BETWEEN RADIAN AND DEGREE :

 DEFINING THE RADIAN :

 Angular displacement,  = t So for 1 complete rotation, Angular

 Past Paper Question M/J/2005

 Unit of frequency is Hertz (Hz) OR s-1

 RELATION BETWEEN VELOCITY [v] AND ANGULAR

 CALCULATING ORBITAL SPEED :

 THE ORIGIN OF CENTRIPETAL FORCE :

2. A car cornering around the banked road:

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