1

CIRCULAR MOTION
1. Motion in a circle
- a body which travels equal distances in equal times along a circular path has constant
speed but not constant velocity.
- since the direction of the velocity is changed from time to time, the body has an
acceleration.
2. Angles in radians
Consider a body moves in a circular path with centre 0.
s = r
s = distance travelled
r = radius of the circle

= angular displacement
3. Angular velocity w
- it is the angle swept out in unit time by the radius joining the body to
the centre of the circle. (Unit : rad s-1 )
- Consider a body moving uniformly from A to B in time t

=
=
v =

s rt
v r

( v = constant speed of the body )

rw

2 r / v

2
w

(T = period of the circular motion )

4. Centripetal acceleration in a circular motion

- consider a body moving with constant speed v in a circle of radius r and centre .
travels from A to B in a short interval of time t .

It

magnitude of v A and v B = v
-

If t is very small, will also be small and CD will have almost the same length as
arc CD.

CIRCULAR MOTION | Gayan SK Perera

v v
v

a
v
vw
t
t

a = v2 /r = rw2
The direction of the acceleration is towards centre O of the circle as can be seen if t is
made so small that A and B all but coincide; vector CD is then perpendicular to VA (or
V
B)
i.e. along AO (or BO). We say the body has centripetal acceleration.
This centripetal acceleration is not constant since its direction is varied from time to
time.

5. Centripetal force
-

We know from Newtons second law that whenever a body is accelerating, there must be
a resultant force. If a body of mass m follows a circular path of radius r with speed v,
its acceleration is v2/r and it must be subject to a centripetal force.
mv 2
mrw 2
r
The acceleration is directed towards the centre of circle so the force, too, must act in this
F

direction. For this reasons the force is called a centripetal force.

e.g.1 A ball of mass m attached to a string is swung round in a HORIZONTAL CIRCLE
with radius r and uniform speed v.

mv
r

tension of the string T provides the necessary centripetal force so that the ball can be
maintained in a circular path.

e.g.2 A mass is swung in a VERTICAL CIRCLE with uniform speed v and radius r.
i. .

0<<90
T mg cos

mv 2
r

CIRCULAR MOTION | Gayan SK Perera

T mg cos

(II)

mv 2
r

90<<180
T mg cos(180 )

mv 2
r

mv 2
r
mv 2
T mg cos
r
2
mv
T
mg cos
r
T mg cos

** N.B. (1) For 90 < < 180

T = 0 when - mg cos

mv 2
r

i.e. v2 = - gr cos
(2) maximum tension T mg
minimum tension T

e.g.3

mv
,
r

mv
mg ,
r

when = 0
when = 180

i.e. at B
i.e. at A

Overturning of a car

R1 + R2 = mg ..(1)
take moment about c.g.,
(R2 R1) a = f h ..(2)

CIRCULAR MOTION | Gayan SK Perera

from (1), (2)

R2 =

1
fh
(mg )
2
a

R1 =

1
fh
(mg )
2
a

** Overturning just begin when R1 = 0,

R1 = 0 i.e. mg
since

fh
(3)
a

mv 2
f (4)
r

sub. (4) into (3),

mg

mv 2 h
r a

v2

gar
(condition for overturning just begin)
h

Hence, the general condition for overturning is

v2

Question:

gar
h

How can we design a car so that it can have a large velocity but without
overturning?

6. Other applications with centripetal forces

a) The conical pendulum The figure below shows a conical pendulum in which a mass m,
supported by a string of length , follows a horizontal circular
path of radius r with constant speed v.

T cos = mg(1)
T sin =
( 2)
(1)

mv 2
.(2)
r

v2
tan
rg

CIRCULAR MOTION | Gayan SK Perera

** N.B. (I)

the horizontal component of the tension in string provides the required

centripetal force.
(II) tan = v2 / rg i.e. at a fixed angle , v2 is directly proprotional to the
radius of the circle r.

b) Rounding a bend
(i) without banking
- A car is travelling round a circular bend with uniform speed on a horizontal
road.
- Air resistance is always against the instantaneous motion of the car. The
other and more important horizontal force is the frictional force exerted
inwards by the ground on the tyres of the car.

The centripetal force, this case is due to the resultant interaction of the car
with air and the ground.

*N.B. (i) the circular motion can be maintained only if the frictional force can
provided the required centripetal force - otherwise skidding occurs,
radius of the circular motion will then to increased.
(ii) safe cornering that does not role on friction is achieved by banking the
road.

(ii)

With banking
a car is moving round a banked track in a circular path of horizontal radius r.
If the only forces at the wheels are the normal reaction N (no frictional
force are introduced), then

CIRCULAR MOTION | Gayan SK Perera

N cos mg....................(1)
N sin
( 2)
(1)

mv 2
....................( 2)
r

v2
tan
gr

**N.B. (i)

the centripetal force is only due to the horizontal component of the normal
reaction on the wheels by the road.

(ii)

In this case, a car can have speed v without skidding if the banked angle of
the road is
s.t. tan = v2/rg.

Question: What happens when (1) tan > v2/rg , and

(2) tan < v2/rg ?
c. Aircraft turning in flight
- An aricraft in straight, level flight experiences a lifting force at right angles to the
surface of its wings which balances its weight.

To turn, the aircraft is banked and

(i) the horizontal component of the lifting force supplies the necessary centripetal
force.
(ii) Now only the vertical component of the lifting force support the aircrafts weight
and height will be lost unless the lifting force if increased by, for example,
increasing the speed.

CIRCULAR MOTION | Gayan SK Perera

d. Looping the loop

-

A bucket of water can be swung round in a vertical circle without spilling.

(i) at position A,
mv 2
mg N
r

** if mg is greater than
Hence,

mg

mv 2
at A, the water will not stays in the bucket.
r

mv 2
is required in this case.
r

(ii) at position B,
mv 2
N
r
(iii) at position C,
mv 2
N mg
r
(iv) at position D,

mv 2
N
r

Question:

For a fixed speed v and fixed radius r,

Which position will have (1) greatest N, and
(2) smallest N

e. Centrifuges
(i) Introduction they are used to separate solids suspended in liquids of different
densities.
- when the mixture in a tube is rotated at high speed in a horizontal

CIRCULAR MOTION | Gayan SK Perera

circle, the loss dense matter moves towards the centre of rotation.

(ii) Explanation P1>P2 its that its difference can provide the necessary centripetal
force acting radially inwards.
- Thus PB>PA and there is a pressure gradient along the tube. And
hence any part of the liquid experiences an inward force.
Consider two particles X,Y in the liquid so that Mx < My.
For a constant centripetal force and rotating speed.
we have
F
F

Mx v2
........................(1)
rx
M yv2
ry

........................(2)

since (1) = (2),

-

Mx My
(i.e. M r close to the centre of rotation)

rx
ry

Hence, suspended matter of smaller density will move inwards because

such inward force is too large to it comparatively.

f. Rotor
(i)

Introduction it consists of an upright drum. The drum is spun at increasing

speed about its central vertical axis and at a certain speed the
floor is pulled downwards. The occupants do not fall but
remain pinned against the wall of the rotor.

N = normal reaction on the occupant

by the wall
f = frictional force acting on the
occupant by the wall
(ii) Explanation

if the frictional force acting on the man by the will can

CIRCULAR MOTION | Gayan SK Perera

balance his
weight, then he will not fall down.
mv 2
...............(1)
r
f mg

N mg...............(2)
( 2)
(1)

gr
v2

**N.B. (1) sufficient frictional force can be obtained if

gr v

i.e. min gr v 2.

(2) the mans weight has no effect to his result.

g. Motion of bicycle rider round circular track

(i) When a person on a bicycle rides round a circular racing racing track with radius r.,
the frictional force (provides the centripetal force) f has a moment about the c.g.
which tends to turn the rider outwards.

(ii) When the rider leans inwards, moment of f is counter-balanced by the moment of N
about c.g.
M = mass of bicycle and rider
f = frictional force acting on the wheel
by the ground
N = normal reaction on the wheel by
the ground
v = speed of the bicycle
take moment about c.g.,
f h = N a .(1)

CIRCULAR MOTION | Gayan SK Perera

10

mv 2
..................(2)
r
N mg..................(3)

resolve horizontally,
resolve vertically,
mv 2
h mg a
r

sub. (2), (3) into (1),

a v2

h rg
v2
tan
rg

**N.B. (i)

= angle of inclination to the vertical

at a circular track of fixed r,

tan v 2
(ii) to avoid skidding,
mv 2
f
r
mv 2
mg
r
2
v

gr

tan

condition to avoid skidding.

Problems
1. An object of mass 4 kg moves round a circle of radius 6 m with a constant speed of 12 m s_1
Calculate
(i)
the angular velocity,
(ii)
the force towards the centre.
2. An object of mass 10 kg is whirled round a horizontal circle of radius 4 m by a revolving
string inclined to the vertical. If the uniform speed of the object is 5 m s-1, calculate
(i)
the tension in the string in N,
3.

4.
5.

(ii)
the angle of inclination of the string to the vertical. X
A racing-car of 1000 kg moves round a banked track at a constant speed of 108 km h~ l .
Assuming the total reaction at the wheels is normal to the track, and the horizontal radius
of the track is 100 m, calculate the angle of inclination of the track to the horizontal and
the reaction at the wheels.
An object of mass 80 kg is whirled round in a vertical circle of radius 2m with a constant
velocity of 6 ms_1 Calculate the maximum and minimum tensions in the string.
Define the terms

CIRCULAR MOTION | Gayan SK Perera

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(a) acceleration, and

(b) force. Show that the acceleration of a body moving in a circular path of
radius r with uniform speed v is v2/r, and draw a diagram to show the
direction of the acceleration.
6.

A small body of mass m is attached to one end of a light inelastic string of length /. The other
end of the string is fixed. The string is initially held taut and horizontal, and the body is
then released. Find the values of the following quantities when the string reaches the
vertical position :
(a)
the kinetic energy of the body,
(b)
the velocity of the body,
(c)
the acceleration of the body, and
(d)
the tension in the string.

7.
8.

Explain what is meant by angular velocity.

Derive an expression for the force required to make a particle of mass m move in a circle of

9.

radius r with uniform angular velocity w.

A stone of mass 500 g is attached to a string of length 50 cm which will break if the tension in
it exceeds 20 N. The stone is whirled in a vertical circle, the axis of rotation being at a
height of 100 cm above the ground. The angular speed is very slowly increased until the
string breaks. In what position is this break most likely to occur, and at what angular
speed? Where will the stone hit the ground?

10. A 2 kg ball on a string is rotated about a circle of radius 10 m. The maximum tension allowed
in the string is 50 N. What is the maximum speed of the ball?
11. During the course of a turn, an automobile doubles its speed. How much additional frictional
force must the tires provide if the car safely makes around the curve?
12. A satellite is said to be in geosynchronous orbit if it rotates around the earth once every day.
For the earth, all satellites in geosynchronous orbit must rotate at a distance of 4.23107
meters from the earth's center. What is the magnitude of the acceleration felt by a
geosynchronous satellite?
13. A popular daredevil trick is to complete a vertical loop on a motorcycle. This trick is
dangerous, however, because if the motorcycle does not travel with enough speed, the rider
falls off the track before reaching the top of the loop. What is the minimum speed
necessary for a rider to successfully go around a vertical loop of 10 meters?
14. During their physics field trip to the amusement park, Tyler and Maria took a rider on the
Whirligig. The Whirligig ride consists of long swings which spin in a circle at relatively
high speeds. As part of their lab, Tyler and Maria estimate that the riders travel through a
circle with a radius of 6.5 m and make one turn every 5.8 seconds. Determine the speed of
the riders on the Whirligig.

CIRCULAR MOTION | Gayan SK Perera

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15. The tallest Ferris wheel in the world is located in Singapore. Standing 42 stories high and
holding as many as 780 passengers, the Ferris wheel has a diameter of 150 meters and
takes approximately 30 minutes to make a full circle. Determine the speed of riders (in m/s
and mi/hr) on the Singapore Flyer. (GIVEN: 1.00 m/s= 2.24 mi/hr)
16. During the spin cycle of a washing machine, the clothes stick to the outer wall of the barrel as
it spins at a rate as high as 1800 revolutions per minute. The radius of the barrel is 26 cm.
a. Determine the speed of the clothes (in m/s) which are located on the wall of the
spin barrel.
b. Determine the acceleration of the clothes.
17. Elmira, New York boasts of having the fastest carousel ride in the world. The
merry-go-round at Eldridge Park takes riders on a spin at 18 mi/hr (8.0 m/s). The radius of
the circle about which the outside riders move is approximately 7.4 m.
(a) Determine the time for outside riders to make one complete circle
(b) Determine the acceleration of the riders.
18. A manufacturer of CD-ROM drives claims that the player can spin the disc as frequently
as 1200 revolutions per minute.
a. If spinning at this rate, what is the speed of the outer row of data on the disc; this
row is located 5.6 cm from the center of the disc?
b. What is the acceleration of the outer row of data?
19. In the display window of the toy store at the local mall, a battery-powered plane is
suspended from a string and flying in a horizontal circle. The 631-gram plane makes a
complete circle every 2.15 seconds. The radius of the circle is 0.950 m. Determine the
velocity of, acceleration of, and net force acting upon the plane.
20. Dominic is the star discus thrower on South's varsity track and field team. In last year's
regional competition, Dominic whirled the 1.6 kg discus in a circle with a radius of 1.1 m,
ultimately reaching a speed of 52 m/s before launch. Determine the net force acting upon
the discus in the moments before launch.
21. Landon and Jocelyn are partners in pair figure skating. Last weekend, they perfected the
death spiral element for inclusion in their upcoming competition. During this maneuver,
Landon holds Jocelyn by the hand and swings her in a circle while she maintains her
blades on the ice, stretched out in a nearly horizontal orientation. Determine the net force
which must be applied to Jocelyn (m=51 kg) if her center of mass rotates in a circle with a
radius of 61 cm once every 1.9 seconds.

CIRCULAR MOTION | Gayan SK Perera

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22. In an effort to rev up his class, Mr. H does a demonstration with a bucket of water tied to a
1.3-meter long string. The bucket and water have a mass of 1.8 kg. Mr. H whirls the bucket
in a vertical circle such that it has a speed of 3.9 m/s at the top of the loop and 6.4 m/s at
the bottom of the loop.
a. Determine the acceleration of the bucket at each location.
b. Determine the net force experienced by the bucket at each location.
c. Draw a free body diagram for the bucket for each location and determine
the tension force in the string for the two locations.
23. Alexis is in her Toyota Camry and trying to make a turn off an expressway at 19.0 m/s.
The turning radius of the level curve is 35.0 m. Her car has a mass of 1240 kg. Determine
the acceleration, net force and minimum value of the coefficient of friction which is
required to keep the car on the road.
24. Sheila (m=62 kg) is riding the Demon roller coaster ride. The turning radius of the top of
the loop is 12 m. Sheila is upside down at the top of the loop and experiencing a normal
force which is one-half of her weight. Draw a free body diagram and determine Sheila's
speed.
25. In 2002, professional skateboarder Bob Burnquist became the first to successfully navigate
a 360 full pipe turn. Determine the minimum speed which would be required at the top of
the circular loop to make it through the 1.8-m radius pipe.
26. Justin is driving his 1500-kg Camaro through a horizontal curve on a level roadway at a
speed of 23 m/s. The turning radius of the curve is 65 m. Determine the minimum value of
the coefficient of friction which would be required to keep Justin's car on the curve.
27. A loop de loop track is built for a 938-kg car. It is a completely circular loop - 14.2 m tall
at its highest point. The driver successfully completes the loop with an entry speed (at the
bottom) of 22.1 m/s.
a. Using energy conservation, determine the speed of the car at the top of the loop.
b. Determine the acceleration of the car at the top of the loop.
c. Determine the normal force acting upon the car at the top of the loop.
28. Tyrone and Mia have masses of 84 kg and 59 kg respectively. They sit 1.0 m apart in the
front center of Mr. H's Physics class. For some time, they each have been sensing a sort of
electricity in their growing relationship. And now, six units into their Physics course, they
have learned that they are gravitationally attracted to each other. Determine the magnitude
of this force of gravitational attraction.
29. Determine the force of gravitational attraction between the Earth and the moon. Their
masses are 5.98 x 1024 kg and 7.26 x 1022 kg, respectively. The average distance separating

CIRCULAR MOTION | Gayan SK Perera

14

the Earth and the moon is 3.84 x 108 m. Determine the force of gravitational attraction
between the Earth and the moon.
30. Determine the force of gravitational attraction between the Earth and the sun. Their masses
are 5.98 x 1024 kg and 1.99 x 1030 kg, respectively. The average distance separating the
Earth and the sun is 1.50 x 1011 m. Determine the force of gravitational attraction between
the Earth and the sun.
31. Determine the acceleration of the moon about the Earth. (GIVEN: MEarth = 5.98 x 1024 kg
and Earth-moon distance = 3.84 x 108 m)
32. Determine the acceleration of the Earth about the sun. (GIVEN: Msun = 1.99 x 1030 kg and
Earth-sun distance = 1.50 x 1011 m)
33. Use Newton's law of gravitation to determine the acceleration of an 85-kg astronaut on the
International Space Station (ISS) when the ISS is at a height of 350 km above Earth's
surface. The radius of the Earth is 6.37 x 106 m. (GIVEN: MEarth = 5.98 x 1024 kg)
34. Determine the orbital speed of the International Space Station - orbiting at 350 km above
the surface of the Earth. The radius of the Earth is 6.37 x 106 m. (GIVEN: MEarth = 5.98 x
1024 kg)
35. Determine the orbital speed of the Earth as it orbits about the Sun. (GIVEN: Msun = 1.99 x
1030 kg and Earth-sun distance = 1.50 x 1011 m)
36. Hercules is hoping to put a baseball in orbit by throwing it horizontally (tangent to the
Earth) from the top of Mount Newton - 97 km above Earth's surface. With what speed
must he throw the ball in order to put it into orbit? (GIVEN: MEarth = 5.98 x 1024 kg; REarth
= 6.37 x 106 m)
37. Scientists determine the masses of planets by observing the effect of the gravitational field
of those planets on nearby objects - mainly upon their moons. By measuring the orbital
period and orbital radius of a moon about a planet, Newton's laws of motion can be used to
determine the mass of the planet. Phobos, a moon of the planet Mars, was discovered in
1877. It's orbital radius is 9380 km and its orbital period is 0.319 days (2.77 x 104
seconds). Determine the mass of Mars based on this data.
38. Geostationary satellites are satellites which are orbiting the Earth above the equator and
make one complete orbit every 24 hours. Because their orbital period is synchronized with
the Earth's rotational period, a geostationary satellite can always be found in the same
position in the sky relative to an observer on Earth. (GIVEN: MEarth = 5.98 x 1024 kg)
a. Determine the orbital radius of a geostationary satellite.
b. Determine the orbital speed of a geostationary satellite.
c. Determine the acceleration of a geostationary satellite.

CIRCULAR MOTION | Gayan SK Perera

15

39. In 2009, NASA's Messenger spacecraft became the second spacecraft to orbit the planet
Mercury. The spacecraft orbited at a height of 125 miles above Mercury's surface.
Determine the orbital speed and orbital period of Messenger. (GIVEN: RMercury = 2.44 x
106 m; MMercury = 3.30 x 1023 kg; 1 mi = 1609 m)
40.

CIRCULAR MOTION | Gayan SK Perera