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Learning Outcomes

1. The document discusses key concepts of motion in a circle including: defining the radian, angular speed, centripetal acceleration, and centripetal force. It explains the relationships between angular speed (w), linear speed (v), radius (r), and centripetal acceleration (a). 2. Formulas for centripetal acceleration are derived as a = rw^2 and a = v^2/r. Formulas for centripetal force are also derived as F = mrω^2 and F = mv^2/r. 3. Examples are given of centripetal force including a car turning and an object moving in a vertical circle, explaining how the normal force and
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
12 views10 pages

Learning Outcomes

1. The document discusses key concepts of motion in a circle including: defining the radian, angular speed, centripetal acceleration, and centripetal force. It explains the relationships between angular speed (w), linear speed (v), radius (r), and centripetal acceleration (a). 2. Formulas for centripetal acceleration are derived as a = rw^2 and a = v^2/r. Formulas for centripetal force are also derived as F = mrω^2 and F = mv^2/r. 3. Examples are given of centripetal force including a car turning and an object moving in a vertical circle, explaining how the normal force and
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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https://www.studocu.

com/en-gb/document/the-chancellor-masters-and-scholars-of-the-university-
of-cambridge/physics-a-level/motion-in-a-circle/33165704

Learning Outcomes

1. Kinematics of uniform circular motion

a. Define the radian and express angular displacement in radians

Radian: 1 Rad is the angle subtended at the center of a circle by an arc of equal length to the radius
of the circle.

Converting degrees to radians;

1o = (pi/180) rad

Angular displacement : Is the change in angle (measured in radians) of a body as it rotates around a
circle.

b. Understand and use the concept of angular speed to solve problems

Angular speed = is the change in angular displacement per limit time.

w = delta theta/ delta t

w = theta/ t2-t1

θ
ω=
t 2−t 1

c. Recall and use v = rw to solve problems

Period and frequency;


Angular speed

w = delta theta/ delta t

when it's a circle

w = 2pi/T


ω=
T
2pi = Full circle

T = Time Period

Frequency, f = 1/T

T=T

2pi/w = 1/f

2π 1
=
ω f
2pi f = 1 w

w = 2pi f

Linking linear velocity (v = s/ t)and angular velocity, (v = wr)

Linear Speed;

speed = distance/ time

In the case of a circle;

v = d/t = (2pi r)/ T

T = (2pi r)/ v
2 πr
T=
v

2pi r = perimeter of a circle

T = Time period

v = linear speed

Angular speed (ω );

w = delta theta/ delta t

In the case of a circle;

w = delta theta/ delta t = 2pi/T

∆θ
ω=
∆t
2pi = angle in a full circle

T = Time period

T=T

2pi r/v = 2pi/ w

2pi r w = 2pi v

2pi r w/ 2pi = v

v=rw

2. Centripetal acceleration and centripetal force

a. Describe qualitatively motion in a curved path due to a perpendicular force, and understand the
centripetal acceleration (in the case of uniform motion in a circle)
-- An object in uniform circular motion is continuosly changing direction, and therefore is constantly
changing velocity

The object must therefore be accelerating

-- This is called centripetal acceleration and is perpendicular to the direction of the linear speed

Centripetal means it acts towards the center of the circular path

-- The centripetal acceleration is caused by a centripetal force by a centripetal force of constant


magnitude that also acts perpendicular to the direction of motion

-- Therefore, the centripetal acceleration and force are in the same direction

-- Centripetal acceleration

The acceleration of an object towards the center of a circle when an object is in motion (rotating)
around a circle at a constant speed

a = delta v/ delta t

∆v
a=
∆t
Similar triangles;

base 1/ base 2 = side 1/ side 2

delta v/ v = delta r/ r = delta spatium/ r

delta v = (delta r/ r) v

delta v = delta r (v/ r)

delta v = delta r w

∆ v=∆ r ω
delta v/ v = delta s/ r

delta v = (delta s/ r) v

delta v = delta s (v/ r)


∆ v=∆ s () v
r

a = delta v/ delta t

a = delta s (v/ r) 1/ delta t

a=∆ s ( vr ) ∆1t
a = delta s/ delta t (v/ r)

a=
∆s v
∆t r()
a = v (v/ r)

a = v^2/ r

a=vw

b. Recall and use centripetal acceleration equations a = rw^2 and a = (v^2)/r

We know,

a = v^2/ r ........ (1)

v = r w ........ (2)

Subtituting (2) in (1);

a = v^2/ r

a = (r w)^2/ r

a = r^2 w^2/ r

a = r w^2
2
a=r ω
From (2);
v=rw

v/ w = r ....... (3)

Subtituting (3) in (1)

a = v^2/ r

a = v^2/ (v/w)

(v/ w) a = v^2

a v = v^2 w

a = v^2 w/ v

a=vw

a=vω

c. Recall and use centripetal force equations F = mr(w^2) and F = m(v^2)/r

-- Centripetal Force

An object moving in a circle is not in equilibrium, it has a resultant force acting upon it. This is known
as the centripetal force and is what keep the object moving in a circle.

Centripetal force is defined as;

The resultant perpendicular force towards the center of the circle required to keep a body in a
uniform circular motion

F = m a (Newton seconds law)

Fc = m r w^2

F=ma

F=ma
2
v
a=
r
Fc = m (v^2/r)

Fc = m v^2/ r

Fc = m v (v/r)

Fc = m v w

-- Car moving in a circle

Fc = m v^2/ r or m r w^2

Centripetal Force is nothing by itself, but it due to some othe force.

Ff = Fc

myu w = m v^2/ r

Question: Why is the car turning left? What is causing it to turn left?

=> Frictional force is providing the centripetal force.

Ff = myu N or F = myu W

F f =μ N

F=μ W

Ff = Frictional Force

myu = Coefficiant of friction

N = Normal contact force

W = Weight

Question: What happens if there is no friction?

Ex: Road covered in hail/ black ice/ rain


=> The car starts to skid outwards

Question: Why does the car skid?

=> To get more friction

Question: Why does the car need more friction?

=> To get the centripetal force which allows it to keep traveling in a circle/ to make a circle

F = m v^2/ r hence, Fc propotional to m

It would take a greater centripetal force to keep a car of heavier mass traveling in a circle

To take a turn at a greater speed you need greater friction which provides the centripetal force
necessary to take the turn

Question: How to make a high speed turn without the car flipping over?

Ex: F1 races (because we can't always depend on friction)

=>

180 = 90 - theta + 90 + nyu

180 = 180 - theta + nyu

Turning car

N sin theta = Fc

_________________

N cos theta = m g
tan theta = (m (v^2)/ r)/ m g

tan theta = v^2/r 1/ g

tan theta = v^2/ r g

Tan theta = v^2/ r g

-- Verticle Circle

Question: What gives us the centripetal force at B?

Fc = Tb + m g

Tb = m v^2/ r - m g

Centripetal Force = Resultant Force

At point C, if the resultant force is bigger

Tc > m g

Fc = Tc - m g

Tc = M v^2/ r + m g

Tc > Tb

Highest chance of breakage at point C

Question: for the circle to spin, there HAS to be some speed


Minimum speed at the highest point, so that the rope does not slack.

Highest point;

Tb > 0

Tb = m v^2/ r - m g > 0

m v^2/ r > m g

v^2 > r g

v min > suare root r g

Minimum velocity does not depend on the mass of the object

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