Scribd
Upload
55 views4 pages

CIE A Level Physics - 16 - Circular Motion

This document provides comprehensive notes on circular motion, focusing on key concepts such as angular displacement, angular speed, centripetal acceleration, and centripetal force. It includes important formulas and tips for exam preparation, emphasizing the use of radians in calculations and the nature of forces acting in circular motion. The content is structured to aid in understanding the principles of motion in a circle and their applications.

Uploaded by

Spacegirl
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
55 views4 pages

CIE A Level Physics - 16 - Circular Motion

This document provides comprehensive notes on circular motion, focusing on key concepts such as angular displacement, angular speed, centripetal acceleration, and centripetal force. It includes important formulas and tips for exam preparation, emphasizing the use of radians in calculations and the nature of forces acting in circular motion. The content is structured to aid in understanding the principles of motion in a circle and their applications.

Uploaded by

Spacegirl
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
You are on page 1/ 4

📘 Chapter 16: Circular Motion

Perfect! Here's the enhanced version of the Chapter 12: Motion in a Circle
notes with keywords and important tips integrated throughout to help you with
exam prep and revision efficiency.

📘 Chapter 12: Motion in a Circle


📚 Keywords: radian, angular displacement, angular speed, linear speed,
centripetal acceleration, centripetal force, radius, period, velocity, circular
motion

🔁 12.1 Kinematics of Uniform Circular Motion


🌀 1. Radian and Angular Displacement
Radian: Unit of angular measure.
➤ Definition: Angle subtended at the center of a circle by an arc equal in
length to the radius.
➤ 1 rad ≈ 57.3°

Angular Displacement (θ): The angle (in radians) through which an object
moves along a circular path.

➤ Formula:
θ=sr\theta = \frac{s}{r}
Where:

ss = arc length

rr = radius

🔑 Keyword: Angular displacement = angle turned through (in radians, not


degrees)
📌 Conversion Tips:
360∘=2π rad360^\circ = 2\pi \, \text{rad}

Degrees to radians: × π180∘\frac{\pi}{180^\circ}

Radians to degrees: × 180∘π\frac{180^\circ}{\pi}

📘 Chapter 16: Circular Motion 1


🔄 2. Angular Speed (ω)
Definition: Rate of change of angular displacement.

Formula:

ω=θt\omega = \frac{\theta}{t}
Where:

ω\omega = angular speed (rad s⁻¹)

θ\theta = angular displacement (rad)

tt = time (s)

📌 TIP: Always keep angular displacement in radians for formula use.


🧮 3. Key Equations
Angular speed and period:

ω=2πT\omega = \frac{2\pi}{T}
Where:

TT = time for one full revolution (s)

Linear speed:

v=rωv = r\omega
Where:

vv = speed along the tangent to the circle (m/s)

📌 TIP:
Linear speed vv increases if radius or angular speed increases. Useful for
circular motion comparisons!

🧲 12.2 Centripetal Acceleration


🎯 1. Cause of Centripetal Acceleration
Uniform circular motion means speed constant, but velocity changing
due to direction.

Requires a force always acting towards the center — the centripetal force.

📘 Chapter 16: Circular Motion 2


This causes centripetal acceleration toward the center.

🔑 Keyword: Centripetal = “center-seeking”


📌 TIP: Without this force, the object moves off in a straight line due to inertia
(Newton’s 1st law).

🔁 2. Centripetal Acceleration & Constant Angular Speed


Although speed is constant, changing direction = acceleration exists.

This is why a force (net inward force) must act continuously.

📌 Common Misconception: Centripetal force is not a separate type of force


— it’s resultant of actual forces (e.g. tension, gravity).

🧩 3. Equations for Centripetal Acceleration


a=rω2anda=v2ra = r\omega^2 \quad \text{and} \quad a = \frac{v^2}{r}
Where:

aa = centripetal acceleration (m/s²)

rr = radius (m)

ω\omega = angular speed (rad/s)

vv = linear speed (m/s)

📌 TIP: If given angular speed, use a=rω2a = r\omega^2; if given linear speed,
use a=v2ra = \frac{v^2}{r}

🧠 4. Equations for Centripetal Force


F=mrω2andF=mv2rF = mr\omega^2 \quad \text{and} \quad F = \frac{mv^2}{r}

Where:

FF = centripetal force (N)

mm = mass (kg)

📌 TIP: These are not new forces, but the net resultant toward the center (e.g.,
tension in string, gravitational force, friction in tyres).

🧠 Summary Tips:
✅ Use radians for angular calculations
📘 Chapter 16: Circular Motion 3
✅ Centripetal force is directional — always toward the center
✅ Velocity changes due to direction, not magnitude
✅ Choose the formula that matches the given variables
✅ Circular motion → speed constant, velocity not
Would you like me to turn this into a clean PDF revision sheet, quiz deck, or
add example problems next?

📘 Chapter 16: Circular Motion 4

You might also like