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ch4 CircularMotion

Chapter 4 discusses circular and curvilinear motions, focusing on uniform circular motion and the associated centripetal acceleration directed towards the center of the circle. It also covers examples such as conical pendulums, banked roadways, and the rotor, illustrating the forces and equations governing these motions. Additionally, the chapter introduces fictitious forces like centrifugal and Coriolis forces that arise in non-inertial frames of reference.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
24 views24 pages

ch4 CircularMotion

Chapter 4 discusses circular and curvilinear motions, focusing on uniform circular motion and the associated centripetal acceleration directed towards the center of the circle. It also covers examples such as conical pendulums, banked roadways, and the rotor, illustrating the forces and equations governing these motions. Additionally, the chapter introduces fictitious forces like centrifugal and Coriolis forces that arise in non-inertial frames of reference.

Uploaded by

ryantwy99
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chapter 4

Circular and Curvilinear Motions


Here we consider particles moving not along a straight line –
the curvilinear motion. We first study the circular motion, a
special case of curvilinear motion. Examples we have already
studied earlier are the projectile and satellite orbiting around
the Earth.

4.1 Circular Motion


 Uniform Circular Motion Revisited
 It is a motion with acceleration – direction of the velocity changes;
 The acceleration is always perpendicular to the path of the motion.
 The acceleration always points toward the center of the circle of
motion.
 This acceleration is called the centripetal acceleration.
1
The magnitude of the centripetal
acceleration is given by
ac = v / r
2

 Newton’s second law dictates that


mv 2
∑ F = mac = r In Fig. c, 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 ∆𝜃𝜃 → 0,
∆𝑣𝑣⃗ (∆𝑟𝑟⃗) is perpendicular
to 𝑣𝑣⃗ (𝑟𝑟⃗) . In other
The Period, T, is the time required
words 𝑎𝑎⃗𝑐𝑐 (𝑣𝑣⃗) is
for one complete revolution.
perpendicular to 𝑣𝑣⃗ (𝑟𝑟⃗).
T = 2πr / v
2
Uniform Circular Motion,
Force

A force, Fr , is
associated with the
centripetal acceleration.
The force is also
directed toward the
center of the circle.
Applying Newton’s
Second Law along the
radial direction gives
v2
∑= =
F mac m
r
3
Uniform Circular Motion,
cont.
A force causing a centripetal
acceleration acts toward the
center of the circle.
It causes a change in the
direction of the velocity vector.
If the force vanishes, the
object would move in a
straight-line path tangent to
the circle.
 See various release
points in the active figure

4
Example 1. Conical Pendulum**
Find an expression for v and the
period τ.

Answer:
Equilibrium in vertical (z-axis)
direction:
T cos θ − mg = 0

Uniform circular motion in horizontal


(x-y)plane: v2 mv 2
= =
F T sin θ m=
r L sin θ
Does this answer make
Combine the above two eqns. v = Lg sin θ tan θ sense as 𝜃𝜃 → 90𝑜𝑜 ?

2πr 2πL sin θ L cos θ


and the period τ= = = 2π
v Lg sin θ tan θ g 5
Example 2. Banked Roadway
A car of mass m travels at constant speed v
round a bend of radius r on a road banked at
an angle θ. The coefficient of friction between
the car’s tyres and the road surface is tanλ,
where λ < θ. Show that:
(a)If the car travels with no tendency to slip
v 2 = rg tan θ

(b)If the car is about to slip outwards,


v 2 = rg tan (θ + λ )

(c)If the car is about to slip inwards


v 2 = rg tan (θ − λ ) 6
Q(a) If the car travels with no tendency to slip, what is its
velocity?

Answer:

(a)Since the car has no tendency to move up


or down along the inclined plane, in this case
there is no frictional force acting (F=0). The R

equation of motion is*


mv 2
0 and R sin θ =
R cos θ − mg = v 2/r
r
v = rg tan θ
2 F
F=0
So mg

*The gravitational force is perpendicular to the direction


of ac. Therefore it is the normal force (R>mg)** which
provides the force for the centripetal acc.
7
Q(b) If the car is about to slip outwards, what is its velocity?

Ans**:
(b) The frictional force acts down the slope
and takes its limiting value, i.e. F = µR R
The equations of motion are
mv 2
In x-dir: R sin θ + µ R cos θ = , and v 2/r

r F
In y-dir: R cos θ − µ R sin θ − mg = 0 θ
mg

rR mg
=
Hence v2 (sin θ + µ cos θ ) and R =
m cos θ − µ sin θ Here we have used
so the trigonometric
rg (sin θ + µ cos θ )
v2 = relation
cos θ − µ sin θ
tan θ ± tan λ
rg (tan θ + µ ) rg (tan θ + tan λ ) tan (θ ± λ ) =
= = = rg tan (θ + λ ). 1  tan θ tan λ
1 − µ tan θ 1 − tan θ tan λ
8
Q(c) If the car is about to slip inwards, what is its velocity?

(c) The frictional force acts up the slope R


and takes its limiting value µR. The
F
equations of motion are v 2/r

mv 2
R sin θ − µR cos θ = , and θ
mg
r
R cos θ + µR sin θ − mg = 0
gives
rg (sin θ − µ cos θ ) rg (tan θ − tan λ )
v =
2
= = rg tan (θ − λ ).
cos θ + µ sin θ 1 + tan θ tan λ
We can see if 𝜃𝜃 = λ → v=0, which means the gravitational force
along the incline surface equals the frictional force. On the other
hand if 𝜃𝜃 < λ → 𝑣𝑣 2 < 0, which is unphysical, it means that it is
impossible to make the car to slip inward. 9
Remarks on example 2
In comparing the example of a block moving along the
wedge in which we choose the coordinate whose x-
axis is along the incline plane, the motion of the block
is clearly only along this new x-axis and there is no
motion in the y-axis in this coordinate. Therefore we
conclude that the sum of y-dir forces must be ZERO,
i.e.
R − mg cos θ =
0
On the other hand in previous example the car is
moving in three dimension and is actually moving into
the x-y plane. We cannot define the coordinate similar
to that in the block moving down the plane to describe
the motion of the car. One thing for sure we know that
the vertical distance “y” from the car to the horizontal
R
surface is fixed. Therefore the net forces in the y-dir
must be ZERO, so we conclude
v 2/r
=
R cos θ − mg 0 instead of R −=
mg cos θ 0 F
y mg
We should note that the normal force is not just θ

react to the gravity, it also provides the force to ac 10


11
Example 3. The Rotor
ω
Rotor is quite often found in The rotor’s wall
amusement park. It is a hollow
f
cylindrical room that can be s

N
set to rotate about the central Along diameter
mg
vertical axis. A person enters R

the rotor and stand against the


wall. The rotor gradually
increases its rotating speed up to a preset one and the floor
below the person is opened downward. People with different
weights do not fall down but remains rotating with the rotor,
why? Determine the minimum speed at which the bottom
floor can be opened and yet the man is safe, given the static
frictional coefficient µ. 12
Answer:

The man rotates with the rotor and the centripetal force which
2
acts on him is provided by the wall as normal force, N = mv R .
As the man does not fall down, the frictional force in the upward
direction balance with his weight, e.g. mg = µN. Hence,
mv 2 ω
mg = µ s ( ) The rotor’s wall
R
fs
gR
and so v= N

µs Along diameter
mg
R

Note: It does not depend on the mass of the man otherwise some
people can stay in the wall but others fall. This is predicted by
Physics Law. 13
Tangential and radial acceleration (cf.Chap 2)
When a particle moves in the curve
trajectory, its acceleration vector, in
general, consists of two components,
i.e. radial acc.
𝑎𝑎𝑟𝑟 and tangential acc. 𝑎𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 . The
expression of 𝑎𝑎𝑟𝑟 is given in slide 50,
which results from the change of
velocity direction but the direction of 𝑎𝑎⃗𝑟𝑟
is perpendicular to the direction of the
velocity vector. We can find the
expression of 𝑎𝑎⃗𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 and its direction from
the definition of acceleration.
𝑑𝑑𝑣𝑣⃗ 𝑑𝑑(𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣�) 𝑑𝑑(𝑣𝑣) 𝑑𝑑(𝑣𝑣�)
𝑎𝑎⃗ = = = 𝑣𝑣� + 𝑣𝑣
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
= 𝑎𝑎⃗𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 + 𝑎𝑎⃗𝑟𝑟
Therefore the tangential acceleration is
the rate of change of the magnitude of
the velocity and its direction is the
same as that of the velocity vector.
14
 Nonuniform Circular Motion (moving at varying speed
in a circular path)
 In addition to radial component of acceleration, there is a tangential
component of acceleration of magnitude at =|dv/dt|; The total
  
acceleration is then a = a r + at

 There must be a net force exerted on particle that is inclined to v:
  
F = Fr + Ft
 
and Fr , Ft are responsible for centripetal
and tangential accelerations, respectively.

15
Example 4. Keep your eye on the ball
A small ball of mass m is attached to the end
of a cord of length R and set into motion in a
vertical circle about a fixed point O.
Determine the tangential acceleration of the
ball and the tension in the cord at any instant
when the speed of the ball is v and the cord
makes an angle θ with the vertical.
Answer:
The tangential force on the ball is ∑ Ft = mg sin θ = mat
at = g sin θ
v2
The radial force on the ball is ∑ Fr = T − mg cosθ = m R
 v2 
T = mg  + cos θ 
 Rg  16
 At top and bottom, therefore
 v2   v2 
Ttop = mg  − 1, Tbottom = mg  + 1
 Rg   Rg 

The minimum speed when the ball is at the top, otherwise


the tension on cord is non-vanishing. i.e. v > vmin ; T > 0

 vmin 2  vmin = gR
=
Ttop mg  = − 1 0
 Rg  This the minimum velocity for the ball to
have a complete circular motion. For
v<vmin the ball cannot reach the top.

17
 Angular displacement, velocity and
acceleration

In describing circular motion, one may use the


set of quantities to specify the state of motion,
they are Angular displacement θ, angular
velocity ω, and angular acceleration, α.

θ = , ω = lim ∆θ = dθ , dω d 2θ
s
α= = 2 r
s=rθ
r ∆t →0 ∆t dt dt dt θ
O

Note: s = rθ , vt = rω, and at = rα .


They are angular distance, tangential velocity
and tangential acceleration respectively.

18
Kinematic Equation of Circular Motion at
constant angular acceleration:

Circular Motions Linear kinematics


ω = ω0 + α t v= u + at
1 1 2
=θ ω0 t + α t 2 s= ut + at
2 2
ω=2
ω0 2 + 2αθ v=
2
u 2 + 2as
Note : Only two independent equations

19
Motion in Accelerated
Frames
A fictitious force results from an accelerated frame of reference.
 The fictitious force is due to observations made in an
accelerated frame, e.g. centrifugal force for a driver in a car
moving in circular orbit or people inside the rotor in slide 11
 A fictitious force appears to act on an object in the same
way as a real force, but you cannot identify a second object
for the fictitious force.
• Remember that real forces are always interactions
between two objects (even the field force is produced by
at least one object)
 Simple fictitious forces appear to act in the direction
opposite that of the acceleration of the non-inertial frame.
20
“Centrifugal” Force
From the frame of the passenger (b), a
force appears to push her toward the door.
The outward force is often called a
centrifugal force, which is balanced by the
frictional force for the driver inside the car
 It is a fictitious force due to the
centripetal acceleration associated
with the car’s change in direction.
From the frame of the Earth (c ), the car
seat applies a leftward force (friction) on
the passenger to make her move with the
car.
 If the frictional force is not large
enough, the passenger continues on
her initial path according to Newton’s
First Law.
21
“Coriolis Force”

This fictitious force is an apparent force caused by


changing the radial position of an object in a
rotating coordinate system.
The result of the rotation is the curved path of the
thrown ball.
From the catcher’s point of view, a sideways force
caused the ball to follow a curved path. 22
Fictitious Forces, examples

Although fictitious forces are not real


forces, they can have real effects for
the observers who feel the forces.
Examples:
 Centrifugal force : (1) Objects in the
car do slide; (2)you feel pushed to the
outside of a rotating platform
 The Coriolis force is responsible for the
rotation of weather systems, including
hurricanes, and ocean currents.
23
Fictitious Forces in Linear
Systems
The inertial observer models the sphere
as a particle under a net force in the
horizontal direction and a particle in
equilibrium in the vertical direction.
The non-inertial observer models the
sphere as a particle in equilibrium in both
directions.
The inertial observer (a) at rest she
sees =
∑ Fx T= sinθ ma
∑ F=y T cos θ − mg
= 0
The non-inertial observer inside the car,
he sees no acceleration. Instead he sees
the system is in equilibrium as
∑ F ' = T sinθ − F
x fictitious =0
∑ F=' T cos θ − mg
y = 0
Note : Man inside the car does
These are equivalent if Ffictiitous = ma not know he is accelerating! 24

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