Uniform & Non-Uniform

Circular Motion

Ipsita Mandal
 References

An Introduction To Mechanics
by Daniel Kleppner & Robert Kolenkow,
Chapter 1 (sections 1.8, 1.12, 1.13, 1.14)

Fundamentals of Physics
by Jearl Walker, David Halliday & Robert Resnick,
Chapter 4 (section 4-5)

University Physics with Modern Physics

by Hugh D. Young, Carnegie & Roger A. Freedman,
Chapter 3 (section 3.4)
 Circular Motion
Speed of a particle moving in a circular path can be

constant variable

Uniform Non-uniform

Motion is in a plane described by a two-dimensional (2d)

coordinate system
 Plane Polar Coordinates
Choose a suitable 2d coordinate system

Exercise: Argue that circular motion is

effectively a bounded one-dimensional
(1d) problem
 Polar Coordinates ...
Recall ( flipped class lecture at home ):

rˆ ˆj ˆi
Directions of unit vectors
vary with position θ̂
.
θ

We derived

Evaluate
 Derivatives of Unit Vectors

Exercise / Tutorial:
Geometric Derivation
 Velocity

Position:

Velocity:
Components of Velocity

Radial Velocity Tangential Velocity

(constant radius)
 Clicker Question
According to Newton’s laws, in an inertial frame, what is the net force
acting on a body in a circular motion ?

A: Zero

B: Non-zero

C: Can be zero or non-zero depending on whether speed is constant or

changing
 Change in Velocity
Velocity is a vector ⤇ has (1) magnitude (speed), (2) direction

A change in velocity results in acceleration ⤇ a net force acts on the

body

The change may involve magnitude and / or direction ⤇ a body in

circular motion ( ) is accelerating

= change in velocity
 Acceleration

(constant radius)

Radial Acceleration Tangential Acceleration

Components of Acceleration
 Constant
Angular Speed
 Uniform Circular Motion
Constant (uniform) speed:

No tangential acceleration

Velocity changes in direction

⤇ points tangentially to the circle:
Centripetal
Acceleration

Radially inward acceleration

with a uniform magnitude
 Centripetal Force
Centripetal acceleration arises from a centripetal force:

Centripetal force accelerates a body by changing the direction of

its velocity without changing its speed
 Period of Motion

Period T of uniform circular motion = time for one revolution

(one complete trip around the circle)

Distance = Speed x Time

⇒ Circumference of the circle = v T

⇒2πr=vT

⇒T=2πr/v
 Examples
Swinging a ball on the end of a string ⤇ tension provides the
centripetal force

Satellite in a circular orbit around Earth

⤇ gravity provides the centripetal force
 Examples ...
Car moving in a horizontal circle on a level surface ⤇ friction provides
the centripetal force

Death spiral in figure skating ⤇ the man is the center of rotation (one
toe dug into the ice in a pivot position), exerting centripetal force to
keep his partner moving in a circle
 Problem 1
A mass m hangs from a string of length L. Conditions have been set up
so that the mass swings around in a horizontal circle, with the string
making an angle of ϕ with the vertical. What is the angular speed, ω, of
this motion?

R = L sin ϕ
ϕ ϕ

L Tension = T

m
Weight = m g
 Problem 1 ...

T
T cos ϕ 0 = T cos ϕ - m g ( y-direction )
ϕ
- m a = - T sin ϕ ( r-direction )
Bob
gives
T sin ϕ
a / g = tan ϕ

a = v2 / R ⇒ v2 = R g tan ϕ
mg
⇒ R2 ω2 = R g tan ϕ

⇒ ω2 = g tan ϕ / ( L sin ϕ)
 Problem 2
A car of mass m moves at a constant speed v around a banked circular
track of radius R . If the friction is negligible (slippery conditions like ice
on a highway or oil on a racetrack), what bank angle φ prevents sliding?
v Normal reaction = N

φ
φ

N
N cos φ φ
φ
Weight = m g
0 = N cos φ - m g ( y-direction )

N sin φ - m a = - N sin φ ( r-direction )

gives
a = v2 / R
mg tan φ = v2 / ( g R )
 Variable
Angular Speed
 Non-Uniform Circular Motion
Speed varies:

Velocity changes in direction + magnitude ⤇ points tangentially to the

circle

Exercise / Tutorial: Prove that

Both radial & tangential components of acceleration are nonzero

Tangential component of a = rate of change of speed

Tangential component of a is in the same (opposite) direction as the

velocity if the particle is speeding up (slowing down)
 Examples
Roller coaster cars ⤇ slow down and speed up as they move around a
vertical loop

David swinging sling in a vertical circle

 Problem 3
Analyze the forces as the roller coaster goes through the top of a hill,
the bottom of a valley, top of a loop, down the side of a loop
 Problem 3: Solution
N
(1) Top of the hill velocity v1

Centripetal force is supplied by gravity

& possibly even the safety harness mg
R1
Normal reaction = N ≥ 0
Weight = m g

Fnet = N – m g (in vertically upward direction)

⇒ - centripetal force = N – m g
⇒ - m v 12 / R 1 = N – m g

How fast can the coaster can go until the rider just (barely) loses contact with
the seat ?
N=0
⇒ m v12 / R1 = m g
⇒ v12 = g R1

At higher speeds, N = m ( g - v12 / R1 ) says that the normal force will be negative!
This just means that for v12 / R1 > g the rider will fly off the coaster ( N=0 ) unless
a safety harness supplies an extra downward force ( Fsafety ) pulling the rider
downward, providing the remaining centripetal force : m v12 / R1 = m g + Fsafety
 Problem 3: Solution ...
(2) Bottom of the valley

R2

velocity v2
mg

Normal reaction = N
Weight = m g

Fnet = N – m g (in vertically upward direction)

⇒ centripetal force = N – m g
⇒ m v22 / R2 = N – m g
 Problem 3: Solution ...
(3) Top of the loop
velocity v3

N
mg
R2
Normal reaction = N ≥ 0
Weight = m g

Fnet = - N – m g (in vertically upward direction)

⇒ - centripetal force = - N – m g
⇒ m v3 2 / R 2 = N + m g

If the speed is too low, N = m ( v32 / R2 – g ) says that the normal force will be
negative ! This just means that for v32 / R2 < g, the car would fall off the track.
To prevent this, roller coasters have wheels on both sides of the track.
 Problem 3: Solution ...
(4) Down the side of the loop

Normal reaction = N ≥ 0 N
Weight = m g

R2
Fnet,x = N ( in radially inward direction ) velocity v4
⇒ centripetal force = N mg
⇒ m v4 2 / R 2 = N

Fnet,y = - m g ( in vertically upward direction )

⇒ tangential force = - m g
aR
⇒ - m aθ = - m g aR
⇒ aθ = g
a
aθ aθ
 Points to Remember
An object moving in a circle:

Always has a tangentially directed velocity

Always has a radially inward component of acceleration

Always has a net force acting on it

Has a tangential component of acceleration if its speed changes with

time
 Problem 4
An object of mass m is constrained to move in a circle of radius r. Its
tangential acceleration is given by at = b + c t2 , where b and c are
constants. If v = v0 at t = 0, determine the radial component of the
acceleration

Radial acceleration is: