STPM Physics [Term 1]

Chapter 5 – CIRCULAR MOTION

Syllabus

Topic Outcome Mastery

Angular i. express angular displacement in radians;
displacement and
angular velocity ii. define angular velocity and period;

iii. derive and use the formula 2 = 45;

Centripetal i. explain that uniform circular motion has an

acceleration acceleration due to the change in direction of
velocity;

ii. derive and use the formulae for centripetal

89
acceleration 6 = 457 and 6 = ;
:

Centripetal force i. explain that uniform circular motion is due to the

action of a resultant force that is always directed
to the centre of the circle;

ii. use the formulae for centripetal force

=2 7
<= and < = =457
4

iii. solve problems involving horizontal circular

motion for a point mass;

iv. solve problems involving vertical circular motions

for a point mass (knowledge of tangential
acceleration is not required).

Dr. Ley 1
016-8674543
STPM Physics [Term 1]

5.1 Angular Displacement and Angular Velocity

Angle can be measured in degree or radians. For a complete circle equals to 360° or 2G radian.
For a motion in circle, the distance is measured in terms of angular displacement I.

Angular velocity J is the rate of change of angular displacement given as

KI
5=
KL
Unit for angular velocity is radians per second. However, note the unit radians is dimensionless
and thus, dimension of angular velocity is T NO .

One complete cycle also known as one revolution.

revolution

1 revolution per second = 2G radians per second

2G
1 revolution per minute = radians per second
60
2G
1 revolution per hour = radians per second
60 × 60

7S
The time taken to complete one cycle is known as the period Q.. Thus, R =
T

Reciprocal of period thus defines the number of cycles in one second which is known as the
O
frequency U = .
V

The arc length W of a circle with radius 4 and angular displacement I is related by

W = 4I

Taking the derivative of arc length with respect to time;

KW K
= (4I)
KL KL
KI
2=4
KL
X = YJ

Dr. Ley 2
016-8674543
STPM Physics [Term 1]

Example 1

1. Determine the angular velocity of the

(a) second hand of a clock of 10 cm in length,

(b) minute hand of a clock of 8 cm in length,

(c) hour hand of a clock of 4 cm in length.

Hence, find the corresponding linear velocity at the tip of each hands of the same clock.

Dr. Ley 3
016-8674543
STPM Physics [Term 1]

Checkpoint 5.1

1. Determine the angular and linear velocity of an object located on the surface of the Earth.
Assuming the Earth as a sphere of radius 6.4 × 10\ m and 1 day = 8.6 × 10] s.

[7.3 × 10N^ rad s NO , 467 m s NO ]

2. An object is made to travel in a horizontal circle at a rate of revolution of 30 rpm. Find the
angular and linear velocity of the object given the radius of the circle is 2.0 m.

[3.14 or G rad sNO, 6.28 or 2G m sNO ]

Dr. Ley 4
016-8674543
STPM Physics [Term 1]

5.2 Centripetal Acceleration and Centripetal Force

Suppose a particle moves due east with the velocity of 15 m s NO , 3 seconds later the particle
moves due north with the same velocity.

|∆2| = a157 b 157

∆2|| = 21.2 m sNO

The particle is said to accelerate since acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity.
velocity

∆2
6=
∆L
21.2
6=
3
6 = 7.0 m s N7

Thus, an object also accelerates when it changes direction.

direction Consider a particle moves in a circle
of centre C , at point A and B, velocity of the particle is 2d and 2e .

2e ∆2

2e 2d
2d

For time interval ∆L, the particle moves from A to B along the circle. Let the arc length be W and
since W = 4I;
W
2=
∆L
4I
2=
∆L
2∆L = 4I

Triangle ABC and the velocity vector triangle are similar, hence;

Dr. Ley 5
016-8674543
STPM Physics [Term 1]

∆2 fg
=
2 hf
∆2 2∆L
=
2 4
∆2 2 7
6= =
∆L 4
This acceleration is known as the centripetal acceleration in the direction towards the centre of
circle.
circle Thus, for a particle of mass =, then the force that keeps the particle moving in circle
circle is the
centripetal force.
force

< = =6

=2 7
<=
4
Recall that 2 = 45;

jXk
i= = jYJk = =25
Y

Motion in a Uniform Horizontal Circle

Consider an object tied by a string is made to move in a circular motion of radius 4 on a smooth
table;

2
R

Suppose the object has a mass = and the string is inelastic and the linear velocity of the object
is 2.

The force acting on the object is the tension R in the string which provides the centripetal.
Applying Newton’s second law;

< = =6

27
R = =m n
4

As long as the string didn’t breaks, it will continue to move in a circular motion. When the
string breaks, the object will moves along a straight line with the same speed at a direction
tangential to the circle.

Dr. Ley 6
016-8674543
STPM Physics [Term 1]

Motion in a Vertical Circular Motion

Unlike horizontal circular motion, velocity of an object varies

when whirled in a vertical circular motion.

Suppose at the instant, linear velocity of the particle is 2 and

the string makes an angle I with the vertical.
89
The centripetal acceleration 6 = then acts towards the
:
centre of circle p. Applying Newton’s 2nd law;

< = =6

=2 7
R q =r cos I =
4
=2 7
R= b =r cos I
4
At the bottom of the circle s = t°;
t

=2 7
R= b =r cos 0°
4
=2 7
R= b =r
4
At the highest point of the circle s = z{t°;

=2 7
R= b =r cos 180°
4
=2 7
R= q =r
4
At the side (when the string is horizontal) of the circle,
circle s = |t° }~ kt°;

=2 7
R= b =r cos 90°
4
=2 7
R=
4
In order to reach the highest point of the vertical circle, the string must be taut. That is

Rvwx y 0

=2 7
q =r y 0
4

Dr. Ley 7
016-8674543
STPM Physics [Term 1]

=2 7
y =r
4
Thus, the minimum speed of the object to reach the highest point;

2 7 y r4

2 y ar4

Conical Pendulum

The figure shows a particle at the end of string

moving in a horizontal circle and forms a
conical pendulum.

Given the particle has a mass =, the following

diagram shows the forces acting on the particle
i.e. tension in the string R and the weight of the
particle =r.

The circular motion of the particle is about point p, the centripetal acceleration is then given by

27
6=
4
Applying Newton’s 2nd law on the horizontal component of tension;

=2 7
R sin I =
4
R sin I = =457

R sin I = =( sin I)57

R = =57

For vertical component of tension;

R cos I = =r

(=57 ) cos I = =r
r
cos I =
5 7
r
I = cosNO ‚ ƒ
5 7

Dr. Ley 8
016-8674543
STPM Physics [Term 1]

Example 2

1. A man is in a place of latitude 60°N on the Earth. Assuming the Earth as a sphere of radius
6.4 × 10\ m and 1 day = 8.6 × 10] s. Find the following due to rotation of the Earth about
its axis.

(a) his angular velocity

(b) his linear speed

(c) his acceleration

O
2. A turntable rotates at 45 revolutions per minute and then at 33 „ revolutions per minute.
What is the ratio of the accelerations of a point on the rim of the turntable?

Dr. Ley 9
016-8674543
STPM Physics [Term 1]

3. A plumb-line hung from the ceiling of a car. Describe and explain the behaviour of the
plumb-line when the car travels in a horizontal circle with uniform speed. If the radius of
the circle is 500 m and the angle between the plumb line and the vertical is 5°, calculate the
speed of the car.

4. A model aeroplane X has a mass of 0.5 kg and has a control wire OX of length 10 m
attached to it when it flies in a horizontal circle with its wings horizontal as shown in the
figure. The wire OX is inclined at 60° to the horizontal and fixed to a point O and X takes 2
seconds to fly once round its circular path.

Calculate

(a) the tension R in the control wire,

Dr. Ley 10
016-8674543
STPM Physics [Term 1]

(b) the upward force on X due to air.

5. Find the angle at which an airplane should tilt its wings such that the airplane travels at a
speed of 360 km hNO in a horizontal circular path of radius 5.0 km.

Dr. Ley 11
016-8674543
STPM Physics [Term 1]

Checkpoint 5.2

1. An object of mass 1.5 kg is tied to a string so that it can travel in a horizontal circle of
radius 2.0 m at a constant angular speed. If the angular velocity is 20 rpm,

(a) Determine the centripetal force acting on the object. [13 N]

(b) If the maximum tension the string can withstand before it snaps is 50 N, determine the
maximum angular velocity of the object. [4.1 rad s NO ]

2. A particle of mass = moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4 at constant tangential speed 2.

When the particle moves through half a circle later, determine

(a) the work done by the centripetal force, [0]

(b) the change in linear momentum of the particle. [q2=2]

3. (a) A pendulum bob is whirled in a horizontal circle with constant angular velocity 5 as
shown in the figure. Express in terms of =, 5,  and r

(i) the tension R in the string.

(ii) the angle I.

(b) A student suggest a method to determine r by measuring the period L of the rotation
of the bob for various values of the angle I.

(i) Deduce an expression for L in terms of , r and I.

(ii) Suggest a suitable graph that can be use to determine the value of r.

(iii)Discuss whether this is a suitable method to determine the value of r.

Dr. Ley 12
016-8674543
STPM Physics [Term 1]

4. A cylinder of diameter 2.0 m rotates about its vertical axis, as shown in the figure below.
An object can be maintained at rest on the internal wall as the cylinder rotates. If the
coefficient of static friction between the object and the internal wall is 0.50, determine the
minimum angular velocity the cylinder must have such that the object does not fall
downward. [4.43 rad s NO ]

5. An object of mass 0.5 kg is rotated in a horizontal circle by a string 1 m long. The maximum
tension in the string before it breaks is 50 N. What is the greatest number of revolutions
per second of the object? [1.6 revolutions per second]

Dr. Ley 13
016-8674543
STPM Physics [Term 1]

Motion of a motorcyclist on a curved track

The figures above illustrate the forces acting on a motorcyclist of total mass = when going
round a curved track of radius 4 with velocity 2.

In this case, the centripetal force is provided by the frictional force < between the tyres and the
road. Hence

=2 7
<=
4
This force creates a clockwise direction moment that will topple the motorcyclist. To prevent
this, the motorcyclist leans in a counter clockwise direction.

Moment = Force × perpendicular distance from pivot

Clockwise moment = <ℎ

Counter clockwise moment = =r6

Balancing the clockwise and counter clockwise moments gives

<ℎ = =r6

=2 7
ℎ = =r6
4
27 6
=
4r ℎ

6 27
tan I = =
ℎ 4r

The angle I varies with velocity and the radius of the track. If the velocity of the motorcyclist
increases, I increases. If the radius of the track increases, then I decreases.

Dr. Ley 14
016-8674543
STPM Physics [Term 1]

Motion of a car on a curved track

The picture above shows the forces acting on a car of total mass = going round a curved track
of radius 4 with velocity 2.

The frictional forces between the inner and outer pair of tyres, and the road denoted as
<O and <7 respectively provides the centripetal force. Hence;

=2 7
<O b <7 =
4
Equating all the vertical components of forces

ˆO b ˆ7 = =r … (1)

When the car travels through the curved track without toppling over the centre of gravity G,
the clockwise and counter clockwise direction of the moments are balanced.

Clockwise moment = <O ℎ , <7 ℎ , ˆO 6

Counter clockwise moment = ˆ7 6

Equating the total clockwise and counter clockwise moments;

(<O b <7 )ℎ
ˆ7 q ˆO =
6
=2 7 ℎ
ˆ7 q ˆO = m n … (2)
4 6

Manipulating (1) and (2) gives

= 27ℎ
ˆO = mr q n
2 46

= 2 7ℎ
ˆ7 = mr b n
2 46

Dr. Ley 15
016-8674543
STPM Physics [Term 1]

The expression for ˆO and ˆ7 suggest that ˆ7 Š ˆO such that ˆ7 Š 0 but ˆO may be equal to
zero. When ˆO = 0, the inner pair of tyres will no longer in contact with the road. This happens
when;

= 27ℎ
ˆO = mr q n
2 46

= 27ℎ
mr q n=0
2 46

2 7ℎ
r=
46
6r4
2=‹
ℎ

The expression 2 gives the maximum speed the car can go round the track without overturning.
The velocity of the car can be increased by increasing the radius of the track,
track decreasing the
centre of gravity and a larger distance between the inner and outer pair of tyres.
tyres

Race track is usually designed such that the curved part is banked at an angle I as shown in the
figures below.

In this case, there is no lateral frictional force between the tire and the road and thus the
centripetal force is provided by the horizontal component of the normal reactions. Hence

=2 7
(ˆO b ˆ7 ) sin I =
4
Equating the vertical components of forces on the car

(ˆO b ˆ7 ) cos I = =r

27
tan I =
4r

Dr. Ley 16
016-8674543
STPM Physics [Term 1]

When the velocity of the car increases, angle increases. Such banked race track allows high
speed cars to move through the curved track and prevent side-slip. The banked track also
introduces counter clockwise moments on the outer pair of tyres to prevent the car from
overturning.

Example 3

1. The maximum safe speed of a car rounding unbanked circular track is 24 m s NO when the
road is dry. The maximum frictional force between the road surface and the wheels of the
car is halved when the road is wet. What is the maximum safe speed for the car to go round
the corner when the road is wet?

2. The maximum speed of a motorcyclist rounding a circular track of radius 100 m is

20 m s NO . What is the maximum safe speed for the motorcyclist to travel round a curved
track of radius (i) 50 m (ii) 25 m?

Dr. Ley 17
016-8674543
STPM Physics [Term 1]

Checkpoint 5.3

1. With the help of labelled diagrams, explains the following.

(i) a cyclist have to lean inwards when going round a bend.

(ii) a person whirling a stone attached at the end of a string in a horizontal circle on a
smooth surface experiences a force along the string away from the centre of the circle.

(iii) when the string breaks, the stone moves in a plane tangential to the circle.

2. A race car of mass 500 kg starts from rest and accelerates at 6.0 m s N7 along a straight
horizontal road for a distance of 150 m. It then enters at constant speed into a horizontal a
horizontal circular curve of radius 200 m.

(i) what is its speed through the curve?

(ii) what is the magnitude and direction of the resultant horizontal force acting on the race
car while it is rounding the curve?

(iii) state two parameters that limit the maximum safe speed at which the racing car can
travel around a horizontal curve of a given radius.

(iv) show that by suitable banking the road can be made perfectly safe for racing cars
cornering at a particular speed. Calculate the banking angle needed for the speed at
which the racing car entered the curve of radius 200 m.

Dr. Ley 18
016-8674543
STPM Physics [Term 1]

Tutorial 5

1. For a particle to move in a horizontal circle with constant angular velocity

A both linear momentum and energy are constant.

B linear momentum varies but energy is constant.

C energy varies but linear momentum is constant.

D both linear momentum and energy vary.

2. A body of mass = moves along a horizontal circle of radius 4 with constant speed 2. Which
of the following statement regarding the work done by the centripetal force and the
variation of linear momentum of the mass if it moves from a point Œ to  along the
circumference where Œ = diameter of circle?

Work done Variation of linear momentum

A 2=2 7 2=2

B 0 0

C 2=2 7 0

D 0 2=2

3. Which of the following physical quantities is of magnitude zero for a body moving at
constant speed in a horizontal circle?

A Angular velocity

B Angular acceleration

C Centripetal acceleration

D Angular momentum

Dr. Ley 19
016-8674543
STPM Physics [Term 1]

4. A mass tied to one end of a string is whirled in a horizontal motion with uniform speed.
Which statement is true of the motion of the mass?

A An outward force acts on the mass.

B The net force acting on the mass is zero.

C The tension in the string is balanced by an outward force on the mass.

D The tension in the string enables the mass to move in a circular path.

5. The planet Mars moves in a circular orbit with a constant speed. The force acting on the
planet is

A zero

B parallel with the direction of its motion

C in the direction towards the centre of the orbit

D in the direction away from the centre of the orbit

6. A pendulum bob at the end of a string which is fixed at O

moves in a horizontal circle on the inside of a cone as shown
in the figure. If the tension in the string is R and the normal
reaction of the cone’s surface on the bob is ˆ, which of the
following gives the centripetal force on the bob?

A R sin Ž b ˆ cos 

B R sin Ž q ˆ cos 

C R cos Ž b ˆ sin 

D R cos Ž q ˆ sin 

Dr. Ley 20
016-8674543
STPM Physics [Term 1]

7. A motorcyclist moving fast enough is able to travel in a horizontal circle on the inner wall
of a vertical cylindrical wall. The frictional force is <, weight of the rider and motorcycle is
, the normal reaction of the surface on the motorcycle is ‘, and ’ is the outward force.
Which of the following best represents the directions of the forces?
A B C D

8. A boy whirls a stone in a horizontal circle of radius 1.5 m and at height of 2.0 m above level
ground. The string breaks and the stone flies off horizontally and strike the ground after
travelling a horizontal distance of 10 m. What is the magnitude of centripetal acceleration
of the stone during the circular motion? [160 m s N7 ]

9. A car crosses an arch bridge which can be considered as a circle of radius 4. At the moment
when the car is at the highest point, the velocity of the object is 2. Determine the reaction
force that acts on the car at that moment.

10. An object of mass 2.0 kg is placed at height ℎ on a smooth track as shown in the figure
below. It is released from rest and finally travels round a vertical circle of radius 30 cm
with centre at point p. Determine

(a) the height ℎ if the object can just reach the highest point h of the circle, [45 cm]

(b) the reaction force at the lowest point f of the circle that acts on the object, [78.4 N]

(c) the reaction force normal to the track that acts on the object at point g where pg is the
horizontal radius. [19.6 N]

Dr. Ley 21
016-8674543
STPM Physics [Term 1]

11. A particle of mass 0.50 kg is tied to one end of a light string. The particle moves in a vertical
circle of radius 1.5 m. At the moment when the string is horizontal, the tangential linear
speed of the particle is 8 m s NO .

(a) Determine the velocity of the particle when the particle is

(i) at the highest point of the circle [5.9 m s NO ]

(ii) at the lowest point of the circle [9.7 m s NO ]

(b) Determine the tension in the string when the particle is

(i) at the highest point of the circle [6.7 N]

(ii) at the lowest point of the circle [36.3 N]

12. (a) Explain why a particle moving in a circular path with constant speed has acceleration.

(b) A particle moves from position A to position B in a circular path of radius 4 with
constant speed 2 in time ∆L is shown in the diagram below.

(i) Draw a vector diagram for the change in velocity ∆2.

8∆“
(ii) Show that the angle between the velocity vectors at A and B is
:

(iii) Derive the expression for the centripetal acceleration 6 in terms of 2 and 4.

Dr. Ley 22
016-8674543
STPM Physics [Term 1]

(c) A large spinning swing revolving about a vertical axis is shown in the diagram below.

The swing with a cable of length 9.0 m and a boy with a mass of 70.0 kg, including the
chair he is sitting on, are swung from the edge of a rotating disc with a radius of 5.0 m.
The boy is moved in a horizontal circular path with the cable making an angle of
inclination 50° with the vertical axis. Neglect air resistance and the mass of the cable.

(i) Sketch the forces which acts on the boy.

(ii) Calculate the tension in the cable. [1068 N]

(iii) Determine the speed of the boy. [11.4 m s NO ]

Dr. Ley 23
016-8674543