KOUSHIK SIR SCHOOL OF PHYSICS 7908813133

CIRCULAR MOTION
 Fundamental parametre of circular motion
Radius vector : The vector joining the centre of the circle and the center of the particle performing circular
motion is called radius vector.
It has constant magnitude and variable direction
Angular displacement ( or )
The angle described by radius vector is called angular displacement.
Y P'

r
2  r

1
O X
Infinitesimal angular displacement is a vector quantity. However, finite angular displacement is a scalar
quantity.
S.I Unit Radian
Dimension : M0L0T0
360
1 radian =
2
angular dispalcement
No. Of revolution =
2
In 1 revolution  = 360 º
= 2 radian
In N revolution  = 360º × N = 2N radian
Clockwise rotation is taken as negative
Anticlockwise rotation is taken as positive
Angular velocity ()
The rate of change of angular displacement with time is called angular velocity.
It is a vector quantity.
The angle traced per unit time by the radius vector is called angular speed.
 d
Instantaneous angular velocity =  = lim or  =
t →0 t dt
2 − 1 
Average angular velocity  = =
t 2 − t1 t
S.I. Unit : rad/sec
Dimension : M0L0T–1
Direction : Infinitesimal angular displacement, angular velocity and angular acceleration are vector quantities whose
direction is given by right hand rule.

Right hand Rule : Imagine the axis of rotation to be held in the right hand with fingers curled round the axis and the
thumb stretched along the axis. If the curled fingers denote the sense of rotation, then the thumb denoted
the direction of the angular velocity (or angular acceleration of infinitesimal angular displacement .
Angular acceleration (a)
The rate of change of angular velocity with time is called angular acceleration.
Average angular acceleration
 − 1 
= 2 =
t 2 − t1 t
Instantaneous angular acceleration
d  d2 
= =
dt dt 2
It is a vector quantity, whose direction is along the change in direction of angular velocity.
S.I. Unit : radian/sec2
Dimension : M0L0T–2
Relation between angular velocity and linear velocity
Suppose the particle moves along a circular path from point A to point B in infinitesimally small time t.
As, t → 0,  → 0

SCHOOL OF PHYSICS //BIRHATA,BURDWAN//KOUSHIK SIR//7908813133//9732144139 1

  arc AB = chord AB i.e. displacement of the particle is along a straight line.
s
 Linear velocity, v = lim But, s = r.
t →0 t


B
s

O r A

r.s 
 v = lim = r lim
t → 0 t t →0 t


But, lim =  = angular velocity
t →0 t
 v = r .  [For circular motion only]
i.e. (linear velocity) = (Radian) × (angular velocity)
→ → →
In vector notation, v =   r [in general]
Linear velocity of a particle performing circular motion is the vector product of its angular velocity and radius
vector.
Relation between angular acceleration & linear acceleration
For perfect circular motion we know
v =r
on differentiating with respect to time
dv d
we get =r
dt dt
a=r
→ → →
In vector form a =   r (linear acc.) = (angular acc) × (radius)

Types of circular motion

uniform circular motion
Uniform circular motion : Motion of a particle along the circumference of a circle with a constant speed is
called uniform circular motion. Uniform circular motion is an accelerated motion.
In case of uniform circular motion :
 speed remains constant. v = constant
v v

v v
and v =  r
angular velocity  = constant
2 2r
motion will be periodic with time period = T = =
 v
Frequency of uniform circular motion : The number of revolutions performed per unit time by the particle
performing uniform circular motion is called the frequency (n)
1 v 
 n= = =
T 2r 2
S.I. unit of frequency is Hz.
As  = constant, from  = 0 + t
angular acceleration  = 0
As at = r, tangential acc. at = 0
As at= 0, a = (ar2 + at2)1/2 yields a = ar, i.e. acceleration is not zero but along radius towards centre and has
magnitude a = ar = (v2/r) = r2

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 Speed and magnitude of acceleration are constant. but their directions are always changing so velocity and
→ →
acceleration are not constant. Direction of v is always along the tangent while that of ar along the radius
→ →
v ⊥ ar
→
If the moving body comes to rest, i.e. v → 0, the body will move along the radius towards the centre and if
radial acceleration ar vanishes, the body will fly off along the tangent. So a tangential velocity and a radial
acceleration (hence force) is a must for uniform circular motion.
→ mv 2
As F =  0 , so the body is not in equilibrium and linear momentum of the particle moving on the circle
r
is not conserved. However, as the force is contral, i.e.,
→ → →
 = 0 , so angular momentum is conserved, i.e., p  constant but L = constant
The work done by centripetal force is always zero as it is perpendicular to velocity and hence displacement.
By work-energy theorem as work done = change in kinetic energy K = 0
So K (kinetic energy) remains constant
e.g. Planets revolving around the sun, motion of an electron around the nucleus in an atom

SPECIAL POINTS
In one dimensional motion, acceleration is always parallel to velocity and changes only the magnitude of the
velocity vector.
a v(t) a v(t + t)

(a) a

v(t)
a
a
a
v(t + t)
V(t +t)

(b) (c)

In uniform circular motion, acceleration is always perpendicular to velocity and changes only the direction of
the velocity vector.
In the more general case, like projectile motion, acceleration is neither parallel nor perpendicular to figure
summarizes these three cases. 
If a particle moving with uniform speed v on a circle of radius r suffers angular displacement  in time t then
change in its velocity.
→ → → → → → → →
 v =  v 2 −  v1 v1 = v1 ˆi v 2 = v 2 cos  ˆi + v 2 sin  ˆj
→ → → →
 v = (v 2 cos  − v1 ) ˆi + v 2 sin2 ˆj
Y

v2

 
X
v1
→ → → →
|  v |= (v 2 cos  − v1 ) 2 + v 2 sin2
→
 
|  v |= 2v 2 − 2v 2 cos  = 2v 2 (1 − cos ) = 2v 2  2sin2 
 2
(v1 = v2 = v)
→

|  v |= 2v sin
2
Non uniform circular motion -A circular motion in which both the direction and magnitude of the velocity changes
is called nonuniform circular motion. A merry-go-round spinning up from rest to full speed, or a ball whirling around
in a vertical circle.
The acceleration is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the velocity.
We can resolve the acceleration vector into two components :

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Radial Acceleration : ar perpendicular to the velocity  changes only the directions of velocity Acts just like the
acceleration in uniform circular motion.
v2
ac = or ar =
r
2
mv
Centripetal force : Fc = = m2r
r
Tagential acceleration : ar parallel to the velocity (since it is tangent to the path)
 changes magnitude of the velocity acts just like one-dimensional acceleration
dv
 at =
dt
dv ds
Tangential acceleration : at = , where v = and s = length of arc
dt dt
Tangential force : Ft = mat
The net acceleration vector is obtained by vector addition of these two components.
a = ar2 + a 2t
(a) In non-uniform circular motion :
→
speed | v |  constant angular velocity   constant
i.e. speed  constant i.e. angular velocity  constant
(b) In at any instant  v = magnitude of velocity of particle
 r = radius of circular path
  = angular velocity of a particle
then, at that instant v = r 

Net force on the particle

→ → →
F = Fc + Ft  F = Fc2 + Ft2
If  is the angle made by F = Fc, F
FC  FC
Ft  Ft 
then tan  =   = tan–1  
Fc  Fc  Ft
[Note angle between Fc and Ft is 90º]
Angle between F and Ft is (90º – )
F
Net acceleration : a = ac2 + a2t = net
m
a
a t Ft 
The angle made by ‘a’ with ac, tan  = = aC  aC
ac Fc
at

Special note :
In both uniform and non-uniform circular motion Fc is perpendicular to velocity.
So work done by centripetal force will be zero in both the cases.
In uniform circular motion Ft = 0, as = at = 0, so work done will be zero by tangential force.
But in non-uniform circular motion Ft  0, so work done by tangential force is non zero.
Rate of work done by net force in non-uniform circular motion = rate of work done by tangential force
→
dW → → →
dx
 P= = Ft . v = Ft .
dt dt
→ →
In a circle as tangent and radius are always normal to each other, so at ⊥ ar .
Net acceleration in case of circular motion a = ar2 = a2t
→
Here is must be noted that at governs the magnitude of v while ar its direction of motion so that
if ar = 0 and at = 0 a → 0  motion is uniform translatory
if ar = 0 and at  0 a → at  motion is accelerated translatory

SCHOOL OF PHYSICS //BIRHATA,BURDWAN//KOUSHIK SIR//7908813133//9732144139 4

 if ar  0 and at = 0 a → ar  motion is uniform circular
if ar  0 and at  0 a→ ar2 + a2t  motion is non-uniform circular.

** Example A road makes a 90º bend with a radius of 190 m. A car enters the bend moving at 20 m/s.
Finding this too fast, the driver decelerates at 0.92 m/s 2. Determine the acceleration of the car
when its speed rounding the bend has dropped to 15 m/s.
Solution Since it is rounding a curve, the car has a radial acceleration associated with its changing
direction, in addition to the tangential deceleration that changes its speed. We are given that
at = 0.92 m/s2; since the car is slowing down, the tangential acceleration is directed opposite
the velocity.
ar
a


at
v 2 (15m / s)2
The radial acceleration is ar = = = 1.2 m/s2|
r 190m
Magnitude of net acceleration,
a = ar2 + a2t = [(1.2 m/s)2 + (0.92 m/s)2]1/2 = 1.5 m/s2
a   1.2m / s2 
and points at an angle  = tan−1  r  = tan−1  2 
= 53º
 at   0.92m / s 
relative to the tangent line to the circle.

***Example The kinetic energy of a particle moving along a circle of radius r depends on distance covereds
as K = As2 where A is a const. Find the force acting on the particle as a function of s.
Solution According to given problem
1 2A
mv2 = As2 or v = s ...........(1)
2 m
v 2 2As2
So ar = = ...........(2)
r mr
dv dv ds dv
Further more as at = = . =v ...........(3)
dt ds dt ds
from eqn. (1),  ...........(4)
Substitute values from eqn. (1) & eqn. (4) in eqn. (3)
 2A   2A  2As
at = s  =
 m   m  m
2
 2As2   2As 
2

so a = ar2 + a2t =   + 
 mr   m 
2As
i.e. a= 1 + [s / r]2
m
so F = ma = 2As 1 + [s / r]2

Example A particle of mass m is moving in a circular path of constant radius r such that its centripetal
acceleration as is varying with time t as ac = k2 rt2, where k is a constant. Determine the power
delivered to particle by the forces acting on it.
v2 v2 2 2
Solution If v is instantaneous velocity, centripetal acceleration ac =  = k rt  v = krt
r r
In circular motion work done by centripetally force is always zero & work is done only by
tangential force.
dv d
 Tangent acceleration at = = (krt) = kr
dt dt
 Tangential force Ft = mat = mkr
Power P = Ftv = (mkr) (krt) = mk2r2t

SCHOOL OF PHYSICS //BIRHATA,BURDWAN//KOUSHIK SIR//7908813133//9732144139 5

Centripetal and centrifugal force
Centripetal force : In uniform circular motion the force acting on the particle along the radius and towards
the centre keeps the body moving along the circular path . This force is called centripetal force.
Explanation :
(i) Centripetal force in necessary for uniform circular motion.
(ii) It is along the radius and towards the centre.
mv 2
(iii) Centripetal force = [mass] × [centripetal acceleration] = = mr2
r
v

v v
(iv) Centripetal force is due to known interaction. Therefore it is a real force. If an object tied to a string its
revolved uniformly in a horizontal circle, the centripetal force is due to the tension imparted to the string by
the hand.
When a satellite is revolving in circular orbit round the earth, the centripetal force is due to the gravitational
force of attraction between the satellite and the earth.
In an atom, an electron revolves in a circular orbit round the nucleus. The centripetal force is due to the
electrostatic force of attraction between the positively charged nucleus and negatively charged.

Centrifugal force
The pseudo force experienced by a particle performing uniform circular motion due to accelerated frame of
reference which is along the radius and directed way from the centre is called centrifugal force.

Explanation :
(i) Centrifugal force is a pseudo force as it is experienced due to accelerated frame of reference.
The interaction of origin and away from the centre.
(ii) It is along the radius and away from the centre.
(iii) The centrifugal force in having the same magnitude as that of centripetal force. But, its direction
is opposite to that of centripetal force . It is not due to reaction of centripetal force because
without action, reaction not possible, but centrifugal force can exists without centripetal force.
mv 2
(iv) Magnitude of the centrifugal force is or mr2.
r
Note : Pseudo force acts in non inertial frame i.e. accelerated frame of reference in which Neutron’s law’s of motion
do not hold good.
When a car moving along a horizontal curve takes a turn, the person in the car experiences a push in the
outward direction.
The coin placed slightly away from the centre of a rotating gramophone disc slips towards the edge of the
disc.
A cyclist moving fast along a curved road has to lean inwards to keep his balance.

Difference between centripetal force and centrifugal force

Centripetal force Centrifugal force

 Centripetal force is directed along the   Centrifugal force is directed along the
radius, towards the centre of the circle radius, away from the centre of the circle.
 It is a real force.   It is a pseudo force.
 This force produces uniform motion.  This force is the effect of uniform circular
motion.
 It arises in both inertial and non-inertial   It arises only in the non-inertial frame of
frames of reference. reference of in a rotating frame of reference.
 e.g. when a satellite is revolving in circular orbit  e.g. along a curved road the passenger in
round the earth, the centripetal force is due to the the vehicle has a feeling of push in the outward
gravitational force of attraction direction. This push is due to centrifugal force
Applications of centrifugal force
The centrifugal pump used to lift the water works on the principle of centrifugal force.

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 A cream-separator used in the diary work, works on the principle of centrifugal force. Centrifuge used for the
separation of suspended particle from the liquid, works on the principle of centrifugal force. Centrifugal drier.

A Centrifuge
A centrifuge works on the principle of centrifugal force.
The centrifuge consists of two steel tubes suspended from the ends of a horizontal bar which can be rotated
at high speed in a horizontal plane by an electric motor.
The tubes are filled with the liquid and the bar is set into rotation.
Due to rotational motion, the tubes get tied and finally be come horizontal.
Due to heavy mass, the heavier particles experience more centrifugal force than that of the liquid particles.
Therefore, is then stopped so that the tubes becomes vertical.
***Example Two balls of equal masses are attached to a string at distance 1 m and 2 m from one end as
shown in fig. The string with masses is then moved in a horizontal circle with constant speed. Find the
ratio of the tension T1 and T2?
Solution Let the balls of the two circles are r1 and r2. The linear speed of the two masses are
v1 = r1, v2 = r2
where  is the angular speed of the circular motion. The tension in the strings are such that
mv 22
T2 = = m 2r2
r2

T1 mT2
O 1m m

2m

mv12
T1 − T2 = = m2r1
r1
 T1 = m2r1 +T2 = m2 (r1 + r2)
r2

r1

O
T1 T2 T2
T1 r1 + r2 1+ 2 3
 = = =
T2 r2 2 2

Conical pendulum
(This the best example of uniform circular motion)
A conical pendulum consists of a body attached to a string, such that it can revolve in a horizontal circle with
uniform speed. The string traces out a cone in the space.
The force acting on the bob are S

 
(a) Tension T (b) weight mg
The horizontal component T sin of the tension T provides the centripetal h
force and the vertical component T cos  balances the weight to bob T Tcos
 T sin =mv2/r and T cos = mg  2
mv
From these equations .........(i) r
Tsin
r
O
and tan  = V2/rg .........(ii) P

If h = height of conical pendulum mg

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tan = r/h .........(iii)
From (ii) & (iii)
The time period of revolution T=2π(h/g)1/2

Hints to solve numerical problem (UCM)

(i) First show all force acting on a particle
(ii) Resolve these forces along radius and tangent.
(iii) Resultant force along radial direction provides necessary centripetal force.
(iv) Resultant force along tangent = MaT = 0 (aT = tangential acceleration)
****Example A vertical rod is rotating about its axis with a uniform angular speed . A simple pendulum of
length  is attached to its upper end what is its inclination with the rod ?
Solution Let the radius of the circle in which the bob is rotating is, the tension in the string is T, weight of
the bob mg, and inclination of the string . Then T cos  balances the weight mg and T sin
 provides the centripetal force necessary for circular motion.
That is –




T Tcos

Tsin
x

mg

T cos  = mg and T sin  = m2 x

but x =  sin 
 T = m2 
mg mg  g 
and cos  = = or  = cos −1  2 
m  
2
T
***Example A circular loop has a small bead which can slide on it without friction. The radius of the loop is r.
Keeping the loop vertically it is rotated about a vertical diameter at a constant angular speed .
What is the value of angle , when the bead is in dynamic equilibrium ?
Solution Centripetal force is provided by the horizontal component of the normal reaction N.
The vertical component balances the weight. Thus

Ncos

r O
N
2

mv x
M
r P Nsin

mg OP = r
MP = x
N sin  = m2x and N cos  = mg
Also x = r sin   N = m2r
g  g 
cos  = 2 or  = cos−1  2 
r  r 
***Example A particle of mass m slides down from the vertex of semihemisphere, without any initial velocity.
At what height from horizontal will the particle leave the sphere.
mv 2
Solution Let the particle leave the sphere at height h, = mg cos  – N
R
A
N
B


h  v
mg

When the particle leaves the sphere N = 0,

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 mv 2
= mg cos   v2 = gR cos 
R
According to law of conservation of energy
( K . E.+ P. E.) at A =( K . E.+ P. E.) at B
1
 o + mgR = mv 2 + mgh  v 2 = 2g(R − h).......(2)
2
2R
From (1) & (2) h = , Also cos  = 2/3
3
***Example A particle describes a horizontal circle of radius r in a funnel type vessel of frictionless surface
with half one angle  (as shown in figure). If mass of the particle is m, then in dynamical
equilibrium the speed of the particle must be -
Solution The normal reaction N and weight mg are the only forces acting on the particle (inertial frame view),
 
the N is making an angle  −   with the vertical. The vertical component of N balances the weight mg
2 
and the horizontal component provides the centripetal force required for circular motion.
Thus
 
N cos  −   = mg
2 
  mv 2
N sin  −   =
2  r


N

r

mg


mv 2
or N sin  = mg.
r
rg rg
N cos  = tan  = 2  on dividing we get , so v =
v tan 
Example Prove that a motor car moving over a (i) Convex bridge is lighter than the same car resting on the same
bridge.
(ii) Concave bridge is heavier than the same car resting on the same bridge.
Solution Apparent weight of car = N (normal reaction)
(i) Convex bridge
The motion of the motor car over a convex bridge is the motion along the segment of a circle.
The centripetal force is provided by the difference of weight mg of the car and the normal
reaction N of the bridge.
N

mv 2 mv 2
 mg – N = or N = mg – v

r r
Clearly N < mg, i.e., the apparent weight of the moving car is
less than the weight of the stationary car. mg

mv 2
(ii) Concave bridge N – mg = r
r
2
mv r
Apparent weight N = mg +
r N

Motion in vertical circle

Motion of a body suspended by string : 2
mv
r mg
This is the best example of non-uniform circular motion.
Suppose a particle of mass m is attached to an inexcusable light string of length r. The particle is moving in
a vertical circle of radius r, about a fixed point O.

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 At lost point A velocity of particle = u (in horizontal direction)
After covering  velocity of particle = v (at point B)
Resolve weight (mg) into two components
(i) mg cos  (along radial direction)
(ii) mg sin  (tangential direction)
Then force T – mg cos  provides necessary centripetal force
mv 2
T – mg cos = ......(i)
r
r −h
 OCB cos  = ......(ii) O
r T v
C 
B
or h = r (1 – cos) h mgcos


By conservation of energy at point A & B u

sin
A mg

mg
1 1
mu2 = mv 2 + mgh or u2 = v2 + 2gh
2 2
or v 2 = u2 − 2gh ........(iii)
Substitute value of cos  and v2 in equn. (i)
r − h  m 2 m 2 m 2
T – mg   = (u – 2gh) or T = [u – 2gh + gr – gh) or T = [u + gr – 3gh] ............(iv)
 r  r r r
(i) If velocity becomes zero at height h1
u2
O = u2 – 2gh, or h1 = ........ (v)
2g
(ii) If tension becomes zero at height h2
m 2
O= [u + gr – 3gh2]
r
u2 + gr
or u2 + gr – 3gh2 = 0 or h2 = .........(vi)
3g
(iii) Case of oscillation
It v = 0, T  0 then h1 < h2

T=0 T=0
v=0 v=0

v=0,
T0 u = 2gr
v < 2gr Case of oscillation
Case of oscillation semi-circular path

u2 u2 + gr
  3u2 < 2u2 + 2gr  u2 < 2gr  u< 2gr
2g 3g

(iv) Case of leaving the circle

If v  0, T = 0
u2 u2 + gr
then h1 > h2 
2g 3g
v
Parabolic v0
path T=0


u
A
5gr > u > 2gr
Case of leaving the circle
3u2 > 2u2 + 2gr
u2 > 2gr

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 u> 2gr
5gr  u  2gr
(v) Case of complete the circle

Case of complete
the circle or
looping the loop

u > 5gr
u  5gr T0
v0
SPECIAL NOTE :
The same conditions apply if a particle moves inside a smooth spherical shell of radius R. The only difference
is that the tension is replaced by the normal reaction N.
This is shown in the figure given below v = gR N = 0

(i) Condition of looping the loop is u  5gR

v

u
N = 6mg
u = 5gR

(ii) Condition of leaving the circle 2gR  u  5gR

v N=0
V0

h>R

(iii) Condition of oscillation is 0 < u  2gR

V=0
N0

hR
u

****Example A ball is released from height h as shown in fig. Find the condition for the particle to complete
the circular path.
Solution According to law of conservation of energy (K.E. + P.E) at A = (K.E. + P.E) at B
1
 0 + mgh = mv2 + 0  v = 2gh
2
But velocity at the lowest point of circle,
5R
v  5gR  2gh  5gR  h 
2
***Example A body weighing 0.4 kg is whirled in a vertical circle making 2 revolutions per second. If the radius of
the circle is 1.2 m, find the tension in the string, when the body is (a) at the top of the circle (b) at the
bottom of the circle. Given : g = 9.8 ms–2 and  = 1.2 m
1
Solution Mass m = 0.4 kg time period = second and radius, r =1.2 m
2

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 A

R
B
2
Angular velocity,  = = 4 rad s–1 = 12.56 rad s–1
1/ 2
mv 2
(a) At the top of the circle, T = − mg = mr2 − mg = m (r2 − g)
r
= 0.4 (1.2 × 12.56 × 12.56 – 9.8) N = 71.8 N
(b) At the lowest point, T = m(r2 + g) = 79.64 m

Example In a circus a motorcyclist moves in vertical loop inside a ‘death well’ (a hollow spherical chamber with
holes, so that the spectators can watch from outside). Explain clearly why the motorcyclist does not
drop down when the is at the uppermost point, with no support from below. What is the minimum
speed required to perform a vertical loop is the radius of the chamber is 25 m.
Solution When the motorcyclist is at the highest point of te death-well, the normal reaction R on the
motorcyclist by the ceiling of the chamber acts downwards. His weight mg also acts
downwards. These two forces are balanced by the outward centrifugal force acting on him.
mv 2
 R + mg = .......(i) r = radius of the circle
r
Here v is the speed of the motorcyclist and m is the mass of the motorcyclist (including the
mass the motor cycle). Because of the balancing of the forces, the motorcyclist does not fall
down.
The minimum speed required to perform a vertical loop is given by equation (i), when R = 0
mv 2min
 mg = or v2min = gr
r
or vmin = gr = 9.8  25 ms–1 = 15.65 ms–1
So, the minimum speed at the top required to perform a vertical loop is 15.65 ms –1.

Example A 4kg ball in swung in a vertical circle at the end of a cord 1 m long. What is the maximum speed
which is can swing if the cord can sustain maximum tension of 163.6 N ?
mv 2
Solution Maximum tension = T = + mg (at lowest point)
r
mv 2
 = T – mg
r
4v 2
or = 163.6 – 4 × 9.8
1
solving we get v = 6 m/sec
Example A small body of mass m = 0.1 kg swings in a vertical circle at the end of a chord of length 1 m. Its speed
is 2 m/s when the chord makes an angle  = 30º with the vertical. Find the tension in the chord.
Solution The equation of motion is
mv 2 mv 2
T – mg cos = or T = mg cos  +
r r

O
 T


mgcos
mg
Substituting the given values, we get
0.1 (2)2  3
T = 0.1 × 9.8 × cos 30 + = 0.98 ×   + 0.4
1  2 
= 0.85 + 0.4 = 1.25 N
Important Point : If a particle of mass m is connected to a light rod and whirled in a vertical circle of radius R,
then to complete the circle, the minimum velocity of the particle at the bottom most points in not . Because

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 in this case, velocity of the particle at the topmost point can be zero also. Using conservation of mechanical
energy between points A and B as shown in fig. (a) we get
1
m (u2 – v2) = mgh
2
1
or mu2 = mg (2R)
2
 u = 2 gR
v=0 B

d
O h = 2R R
R
light weight
rod u
(as v = 0) A u  2 gR u  2 gR
d<<R
fig (a) fig (b)
Therefore, the minimum values of u in this case is 2 gR
Same in the case when a particle is compelled to move inside a smooth vertical tube as shown in
fig. (b)

Particle application of circular motion

A Cyclist making A turn
Let a cyclist moving on a circular path of radius r bend away from the vertical by an angle . If R is the
reaction of the ground, then R may be resolved into two components horizontal and vertical. The vertical
component R cos  balances the weight mg of the cyclist and the horizontal component R sin  provides the
necessary centripetal force for circular motion.
mv 
R sin  = .......(1)
r

Rcos
R
c.m 
Vertical

2
mv
r Rsin

 mg

Horizontal Road
and R cos  = mg .......(2)
Dividing (1) by (2), we get
v2
tan  .......(3)
rg
For less beding of cyclist, his speed v should be smaller and radius r of circular path should be greater.
If  is coefficient of friction, then for no skidding of cycle (or overturning of cyclist)
v2
  tan  ......(4) 
rg
An aeroplane making a turn
In order to makes a circular turn, a plane must roll at some angle  in such a manner that the horizontal
component of the lift force L provides the necessary centripetal force for circular motion. The vertical
component of the lift force balances the weight of the plane.
mv 2 Lcos
L sin  =
r L

and L cos  = mg
Lsin
v2 r
or the angle  should be such that tan  =
rg


mg
SCHOOL OF PHYSICS //BIRHATA,BURDWAN//KOUSHIK SIR//7908813133//9732144139 13
Death well and rotor
Example of uniform circular motion In ‘death well’ a person drives a bicycle on a vertical surface of a large wooden
well.

(a) A passenger on a 'rotor ride'

In ‘death well’ walls are at rest while person revolves.
In a rotor at a certain angular speed of rotor a person hangs resting against the wall without any floor.
In rotor person is at rest and the walls rotate.
In both these cases friction balances the weight of person while reaction provides the centripetal force
necessary for circular motion i.e.
mv 2
Force of fiction FS = mg and Normal reaction FN =
r
2
FN v rgFN
so = , i.e., v=
FS rg FS
rg
Now for v to be minimum FS must be maximum, i.e., vmin =

[as FS max = FN]
Example A 62 kg woman is a passenger in a “rotor ride” at an amuse ment park. A drum of radius 5.0 m is spun
with an angular velocity of 25 rpm. The woman is pressed against the wall of the rotating drum as shown in figure
(a) Calculate the normal force of the drum of the woman (the centripetal force that prevents her from leaving her
circular path). (b) While the drum rotates, the floor is lowered. A vertical static friction force supports the
woman’s weight. What must the
coefficient of friction be to support her weight ? ( = 25 rev/min, r = 5m)
y
FS

Radially
inward FN

(b) A force diagram for the person

Solution Normal force exerted by the drum on woman towards the centre
2
 rev rad 1min 
FN = mac = m2r = 62 kg ×  25     5m = 2100 N
 min 1rev 60 s 
(b) FN = F = mg .........(2)
dividing eqn. (2) be eq. (1)
2
g  60  10
= =   × 5 = 0.292
2r  2  25 

Example A 1.1 kg block slides on a horizontal frictionless surface in a circular path at the end of a 0.50 m
long string. (a) Calculate the block’s speed if the tension in the string in 86 N. (b) By what percent
does the tension change if the block speed decreases by 10 percent?
Solution (a) Force diagram for the block is shown in fig. The upward normal force balances the block’s
weight. The tension force of the string on the block provides the centripetal force that keeps the

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 block moving in a circle. Newton’s second law for forces along the radial direction is  F (in
mv 2
radial direction) = T = ,
r
Tr (80N)(0.50m)
or v= = = 5.0 m/s
m 1.2 kg
(b) A 10 percent reduction in the speed results in a speed v’ = 5.4 m/s. The new tension is
mv '2 (1.2kg) (5.4m / s)2
T' = − = 70N
r 0.50m

FN

Radially
inward
W

T ' 70N
Thus, = = 0.81
T 86N
percentage reduction in the tension is about 19%.
The same result is obtained using a proportionality method.
2 2
T ' (mv '2 / r)  v '   0.90 
= =  =  = 0.81
T (mv / r)  v 
2
 v 
Looping the loop
This is the best example of non uniform circular motion in vertical plane.
For looping the pilot of the plane puts off the engine at lowest point and traverses a vertical loop. (with
variable velocity).

Example An aeroplane moves at 64 m/s in a vertical loop of radius 120 m, as shown in figure. Calculate the force
of the plane’s seat on 72 kg pilot while passing through the
bottom part of the loop.

Solution Two forces acts on the pilot his downward weigth force w and the upward force of the
aeroplane’s seat Fseat. Because the pilot moves in a circular path, these forces along the radial
direction must, according to Newton’s seconds law ( F = ma), equal the pilot’s mass times his
centripetal acceleration, where
mv 2
ac = v2/r. We find that  F (in radial direction) = Fseat – w =
r
Remember that force pointing towards the center of the circle (Fseat) are positive & those pointing
away from the center (w) are negative.
Substituting  = mg and rearranging, we find that the force of the aeroplane seat on the pilot
is
 v2   64(m / s)2 
Fseat = m  + g  = 72 kg  + 9.8m / s2 
 r   120m 

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 Fseat

w
= 72 kg (34.1
m/s2 + 9.8m/s2) = 3160.8 N
The pilot in this example feels very heavy. To keep him in the circular path, the seat must push
the pilot upwards with a force of 3160 N, 4.5 times his normal weight. He experiences an
acceleration of 4.5 g, that is, 4.5 times the acceleration of gravity.
A car taking a turn on a level road
When a car takes a turn on a level road, the portion of the turn can be approximated by an arc of a circle of
radius r (see fig.) If the car makes the turn at a constant speed v, then there must be some centripetal force
acting on the car. This force is generated by the friction between the tyre and the road. (car has a tendency
to slip radially outward, so frictional force acts inwards)
s is coefficient of static friction
N = mg is the normal reaction of the surface
The maximum safe velocity v is –
N

F
r f car
v

mg
free body
diagram of car
mv 2
− SN = Smg
r
v2
or S =
rg
or v = Srg
It is independent of the mass of the car. The safe velocity is same for all vehicles of larger and smaller mass.

Example A car is travelling at 30 km/h in a circle of radius 60 m. What is the minimum value of s for the car to
make the turn without skidding ?
Solution The minimum S should be that
mv 2 v2
S mg = or S =
r rg
km 30  1000 25 25 25 1
Hare v = 30 = = m/s  S =   = 0.115
h 3600 3 3 3 60  10
For all values of S greater than or equal to the above value, the car can make the turn without
skidding. If the speed of the car is high so that minimum S is greater than the standard values
(rubber tyre on dry concrete S = 1 and on wet concrete S = 0.7), then the car will skid.
Banking of road
If a cyclist takes a turn, he can bend from his vertical position. This is not possible in the case of car, truck
of train.

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 v

R


The tilting of the vehicle is achieved by raising the outer edge of the circular track, slightly above the inner
edge. This is known as banking of curved track. The angle of inclination with the horizontal is called the angle
of banking. If driver moves with slow velocity that friction does not play any role in negotiating the turn. The
various forces acting on the vehicle are :
(i) Weight of the vehicle (mg) in the downward direction.
(ii) Normal reaction (N) perpendicular to the inclined surface of the road.
Resolve N in two components.
N cos, vertically upwards which balances weight of the vehicle.
 N cos = mg .......(i)
N sin , in horizontal direction which provides necessary centripetal force.
mv 2
 N sin  = .......(ii)
r
on dividing eqn. (ii) by eqn. (i)
N sin  N


N sin 
b
h f cos 
 f
f sin 
W = mg

mv 2
Nsin  v2  v 
= r or tan  = 
 = tan−1  
Ncos  mg rg  rg 
Where m is the mass of the vehicle, r is radius of curvature of the road, v is speed of the vehicle and  is the
banking angle (sin =h/b) .
Factors that decide the value of angle of banking are as follows :
Thus, there is no need of mass of the vehicle to express the value of angle of banking
i.e. angle of banking  does not dependent on the mass of the vehicle.
 v2 = gr tan  v = gr tan (maximum safe speed)
This gives the maximum safe speed of the vehicle. In actual practice, some frictional forces are always
present. So, the maximum safe velocity is always much greater than that given by the above equation. While
construction the curved track, the value of  is calculated for fixed values of v max and r. This explains why
along the curved roads, the speed limit at which the curve is to be negotiated is clearly incited on sign boards.
The outer side of the road is raised by h = b × .
h
When  i small, then tan   sin  = ;
b
v2 v2 h v2
Also tan  =  = or h = b
rg rg b rg
Example At what should a highway be banked for cars travelling at a speed of 100 km/h if the radius of the road
is 400 m and no frictional forces are involved?
Solution The banking should be done at an angle  such that
250 250

v2 25
tan  = = 9 9 or tan  = = 0.19 or  = tan–1 0.19  0.19 radian
rg 400  10 81 40
 0.19 × 57.3º  11º
Special points about circular motion Centripetal force does not increase the kinetic energy of the
particle moving in circular path, hence the work done by the force is zero.
Centrifuges are the apparatuses used to separate small and big particles from a liquid.

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 The physical quantities which remain constant for a particle moving in circular path are speed, kinetic energy
and angular momentum.
If a body is moving on a curved road with speed greater than the speed limit, the reaction at the inner wheel
disappears and it will leave the ground first.
On unbanked curved roads the minimum radius of curvature of the curve for safe driving is r = v 2/g, where
v is the speed of the vehicle and  is the coefficient of friction.
The skidding of a vehicle will occur if v2/r > g i.e., skidding will take place if the speed is large, the curve is
sharp and  is small.
If r is the radius of curvature of the speed breaker, then the maximum speed with which the vehicle can run
on it s without leaving contact with the ground is v = (gr) ’
While taking a turn on the level road sometimes vehicles overturn due to centrifugal force.
Points to be remember
 Uniform motion in a circle -
d 2 → →
Angular velocity  = = 2n = Linear velocity v =   r
dt T
→ →
v = r when  and r are perpendicular to each other.
v2
Centripetal acceleration a = = 2r = v = 42n2r
r
 Equations of motion -
For constant angular acceleration -
1 2
(i)  = 0 + t (ii)  = 0 t +
t (iii) 2 = 02 + 2
2
 Motion of a car on a plane circular road -
2
Mv max
For motion without skidding = Mg ,v max rg
r
 Motion on a banked road - Angle of banking = 
h
tan  =
b
1/2
 rg( + tan ) 
Maximum safe speed at the bend v max =  
 1 − ( tan ) 
rhg v 2 max
If friction is negligible vmax = rg tan  = and tan  =
b rg
 Motion of cyclist on a curve -
v2
In equilibrium angle with vertical is  then tan  =
rg
Maximum safe speed = vmax = rg

 Motion in a vertical circle (particle tied to string) -

 v2 
At the top position - Tension TA = m  A − g 
 r 
 
For TA = 0, critical speed = gr
 v2 
At the bottom - Tension TB = m  B + g 
 r 
 
For completing the circular motion minimum speed at the bottom vB = 5gr,
Tension TB = 6mg
 Conical pendulum (Motion in a horizontal circle)
mg
Tension is string = 2 2 1/2
( −r )
g cos  r
Angular velocity = Periodic time = 2 = 2
cos  g g tan 

SCHOOL OF PHYSICS //BIRHATA,BURDWAN//KOUSHIK SIR//7908813133//9732144139 18

ONLY ONE OPTION CORRECT TYPE PART-1
SECTION (A) : KINEMATICS OF CIRCULAR MOTION
1. Two racing cars of masses m and m are moving in circles of radii r and r respectively; their speeds are
1 2 1 2

such that they each make a complete circle in the same time t. The ratio of the angular speed of the first to
the second car is :
(1) m : m
1 2
(2) r : r
1 2
(3) 1 : 1 (4) m r : m r1 1 2 2

2. The average acceleration vector for a particle having a uniform circular motion is-
2
(1) A constant vector of magnitude
r
2
(2) A vector of magnitude directed normal to the plane of the given uniform circular motion.
r
(3) Equal to the instantaneous acceleration vector at the start of the motion.
(4) A null vector.
3. The second’s hand of a watch has length 6 cm. Speed of end point and magnitude of difference of velocities
at two perpendicular positions will be :
(1) 2 & 0 mm/s (2) 2 2  & 4.44 mm/s
(3) 2 2  & 2 mm/s (4) 2 & 2 2  mm/s
4. A particle of mass M is revolving along a circle of radius R and another particle of mass m is revolving in a
circle of radius r. If time periods of both particles are same, then the ratio of their angular velocities is :
R r R
(1) 1 (2) (3) (4)
r R r
5. Which of the following statements is false for a particle moving in a circle with a constant angular speed?

(1) The velocity vector is tangent to the circle

(2) The acceleration vector is tangent to the circle
(3) The acceleration vector point to the center of the circle
(4) The velocity and acceleration vectors are perpendicular to each other
6. A particle is acted upon by a force of constant magnitude which is always perpendicular to the velocity of the
particle. The motion of the particle takes place in a plane, it follows that
(1) its velocity is constant (2) its acceleration is constant
(3) its kinetic energy is constant (4) it moves in a straight line
7. A wheel is subjected to uniform angular acceleration about its axis. Initially its angular velocity is zero. In the
first 2 sec, it rotates through an angle 1. In the next 2 sec, it rotates through an additional angle 2. The ratio

of 2 is
1
(1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 3 (4) 5
8. For a particle in a non-uniform accelerated circular motion
(1) Velocity is radial and acceleration is transverse only
(2) Velocity is transverse and acceleration is radial only
(3) Velocity is radial and acceleration has both radial and transverse components
(4) Velocity is transverse and acceleration has both radial and transverse components

SECTION (B) : RADIAL AND TANGENTIAL ACCELERATION

1. Two particles P and Q are located at distances r P and rQ respectively from the axis of a rotating disc such
that rP > rQ :
(1) Both P and Q have the same acceleration (2) Both P and Q do not have any acceleration
(3) P has greater acceleration than Q (4) Q has greater acceleration than P
2. Let ar and at represent radial and tangential acceleration. The motion of a particle may be circular if :
(1) ar = 0, at = 0 (2) ar = 0, at  0 (3) ar  0, at = 0 (4) none of these
3. A spaceman in training is rotated in a seat at the end of a horizontal arm of length 5m. If he can withstand
acceleration upto 9 g then what is the maximum number of revolutions per second permissible ? (Take g =
10 m/s2)
(1) 13.5 rev/s (2) 1.35 rev/s (3) 0.675 rev/s (4) 6.75 rev/s
4. A particle of mass m is moving in an uniform circular motion. The momentum of the particle is
(1) Constant over the entire path
(2) Constantly changes and direction of change is along the tangent
(3) Constantly chages and direction of chage is along the radial direction
(4) Constantly chages and direction of change is along a direction which is the instantaneous vector sum of
the radial and tangential direction

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5. A particle is going in a uniform helical and spiral path separately as shown in figure with constant speed.

(b)
(1) The velocity of the particle is constant in both cases
(2) The acceleration of the particle is constant in both cases
(3) The magnitude of accleration is constant in (a) and decreasing in (b)
(4) The magnitude of accleration is decreasing continuously in both the cases
6. A car is travelling with linear velocity v on a circular road of radius r. If the speed is increasing at the rate of
‘a’ metre/sec2, then the resultant acceleration will be -
 v2 2  v4   v4   v2 
(1)  2 −a  (2)  2 + a2  (3)  2 − a2  (4)  2 + a2 
 r   r   r   r 
7. If ar and at represent radial and tangential accelerations, the motion of a particle will be uniformly circular if

(1) ar = 0 and at = 0 (2) ar = 0 but at  0 (3) ar  0 but at = 0 (4) ar  0 and at  0

SECTION (C) : CIRCULAR MOTION IN HORIZONTAL PLANE

1. A string breaks if its tension exceeds 10 newtons. A stone of mass 250 gm tied to this string of length 10 cm
is rotated in a horizontal circle. The maximum angular velocity of rotation can be.
(1) 20 rad/s (2) 40 rad/s (3) 100 rad/s (4) 200 rad/s
2. A particle moves in a circular orbit under the action of a central attractive force inversely proportional to the
distance ‘r’. The speed of the particle is.
(1) Proportional to r2 (2) Independent of r (3) Proportional to r (4) Proportional to 1/r
3. A particle of mass m is moving in a horizontal circle of radius r under a centripetal force equal to –k/r2. The
total kinetic energy of the particle is-
(1) –k/r (2) k/r (3) k/2r (4) –k/2r
4. A particle P will be equilibrium inside a hemispherical bowl of radius 0.5 m at a height 0.2 m from the bottom
when the bowl is rotated at an angular speed (g = 10 m/sec 2)-


0.5m

0.3m

0.4m P
0.2m

(1) 10 / 3rad / sec (2) 10 3rad / sec (3) 10 rad/sec (4) 20 rad / sec
5. Three identical particles are joined together by a thread as shown in figure. All the three particles are moving
on a smooth horizontal plane about point O. If the speed of the outermost particle is v0, then the ratio of
tensions in the three sections of the string is : (Assume that the string remains straight)

(1) 3 : 5 : 7 (2) 3 : 4 : 5 (3) 7 : 11 : 6 (4) 3 : 5 : 6

6. A heavy & big sphere is hang with a string of length , this sphere moves in a horizontal circular path making
an angle  with vertical then its time period is -
sin cos 
(1) T = 2 (2) T = 2 (3) T = 2 (4) T = 2
g g g gcos 
7. A train A runs from east to west and another train B of the same mass runs from west to east at the same
speed along the equator. A presses the track with a force F1 and B presses the track with a force F2.
(1) F1 > F2
(2) F1 < F2
(3) F1= F2
(4) the information is insufficient to find the relation between F1 and F2.

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8. A car of mass m is taking a circular turn of radius ‘r’ on a fictional level road with a speed v. In order that
the car does not skid -
mv 2 mv 2 mv 2 v
(1)  mg (2)  mg (3) = mg (4) = mg
r r r r
9. A car travels with constant speed on a circular road on level ground. In the figure shown, F air is the force of
air resistance on the car. Which of the other forces best represents the horizontal force of the road on the
car's tires ?

(1) FA (2) FB (3) FC (4) FD

10 Two masses M and m are attached to a vertical axis by weightless threads of combined length . They are
set in rotational motion in a horizontal plane about this axis with constant angular velocity . If the tensions
in the threads are the same during motion, the distance of M from the axis is.
M m M+m M+m
(1) (2) (3) (4)
M+m M+m M m
11. A long horizontal rod has a bead which can slide along its length and is initially placed at a distance L from
one end A of the rod. The rod is set in angular motion about A with a constant angular acceleration,  . If the
coefficient of friction between the rod and the bead is , and gravity is neglected, then the time after which the bead
starts slipping is-
  1
(1) (2) (3) (4) Infinitesimal
  
12. A ball of mass (m) 0.5 kg is attached to the end of a string having length (L) 0.5 m. The ball is rotated on a
horizontal circular path about vertical axis. The maximum tension that the string can bear is 324 N. The
maximum possible value of angular velocity of ball (in radian/s) is :

(1) 9 (2) 18 (3) 27 (4) 36

SECTION (D) : RADIUS OF CURVATURE
1. A particle of mass m is moving with constant velocity v on smooth horizontal surface. A constant force F
starts acting on particle perpendicular to velocity v. Radius of curvature after force F start acting is :
mv 2 mv 2 mv 2
(1) (2) (3) (4) none of these
F Fcos Fsin
2. A stone is projected with speed u and angle of projection is . Find radius of curvature at t = 0.
u2 cos2  u2 u2 u2 sin2 
(1) (2) (3) (4)
g gsin gcos g
3. The velocity and acceleration vectors of a particle undergoing circular motion are v = 2iˆ m/s and
a = 2iˆ + 4ˆj m/s2 respectively at an instant of time. The radius of the circle is
(1) 1m (2) 2m (3) 3m (4) 4m

SECTION (E) : CIRCULAR MOTION IN VERTICAL PLANE

1. In a circus, stuntman rides a motorbike in a circular track of radius R in the vertical plane. The minimum
speed at highest point of track will be :
(1) 2gR (2) 2gR (3) 3 gR (4) gR
2. A particle is moving in a vertical circle. The tensions in the string when passing through two positions at
angles 30° and 60° from vertical (lowest positions) are T 1 and T2 respectively. Then
(1) T1 = T2 (2) T2 > T1
(3) T1 > T2 (4) Tension in the string always remains the same
3. A car moves at a constant speed on a road as shown in figure. The normal force by the road on the car is
NA and NB when it is at the points A and B respectively.

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 (1) NA = NB (2) NA > NB (3) NA < NB (4) insufficient
4. A heavy mass is attached to a thin wire and is whirled in a vertical circle. The wire is most likely to break.
(1) When the mass is at the height point of the circle
(2) When the mass is at the lowest point of the circle
(3) When the wire is horizontal
(4) At an angle of cos–1 (1/3) from the upward vertical
5. A small disc is on the top of a hemisphere of radius R. What is the smallest horizontal velocity v that should
be given to the disc for it to leave the hemisphere and not slide down it ? [There is no friction]
g
(1) v = 2gR (2) v = gR (3) v = (4) v = g2R
R
6. The maximum velocity at the lowest point, so that the string just slack at the highest point in a vertical circle
of radius .
(1) g (2) 3g (3) 5g (4) 7g
7. A simple pendulum oscillates in a vertical plane. When it passes through the mean position, the tension in
the string is 3 times the weight of the pendulum bob. What is the maximum displacement of the pendulum of the
string with respect to the vertical.
(1) 30º (2) 45º (3) 60º (4) 90º
8. A coin placed on a rotating turntable just slips if it is placed at a distance of 4 cm from the centre. If the
angular velocity of the turntable is doubled, it will just slip at a distance of
(1) 1 cm (2) 2 cm (3) 4 cm (4) 8 cm

9. A weightless rod of length 2 carries two equal masses 'm', one tied at lower end A and the other at the
middle of the rod at B. The rod can rotate in vertical plane about a fixed horizontal axis passing through C. The rod
is released from rest in horizontal position. The speed of the mass B at the instant rod, become vertical is :

3g 4g 6g 7g
(1) (2) (3) (4)
5 5 5 5
10. A block of mass m slides down along the surface of the bowl from the rim to the bottom as shown in fig. The
velocity of the block at the bottom will be -
O
R
R
v
(1) Rg (2) 2 Rg (3) 2Rg (4) gR
11. A mass m is revolving in a vertical circle at the end of a string of length 20 cm. By how much times does the
tension of the string at the lowest point exceed the tension at the topmost point -
(1) 2 mg (2) 4 mg (3) 6 mg (4) 8 mg
12. A block follows the path as shown in the figure from height h. If radius of circular path is r, then relation holds
good to complete full circle is.

h
2r

(1) h < 5r/2 (2) h > 5r/2 (3) h = 5r/2 (4) h  5r/2
13. A stone of 1 kg tied up with 10/3 metre long string rotated in a vertical circle. If the ratio of maximum &
minimum tension in string is 4 then speed of stone at heighest point of circular path will be - (g = 10 m/s2)
(1) 20 m/s (2) 10 3 m/s (3) 5 2 m/s (4) 10 m/s
14. A stone is tied to a string of length  and is whirled in a vertical circle with the other end of the string as the
centre. At a certain instant of time, the stone is at its lowest position and has a speed u. The magnitude of the change
in velocity as it reaches a position where the string is horizontal (g being acceleration due to gravity) is :

SCHOOL OF PHYSICS //BIRHATA,BURDWAN//KOUSHIK SIR//7908813133//9732144139 22

 (1) (
2 u2 – g ) (2) (u 2
–g ) (3) u – (u 2
– 2g ) (4) 2g
15. A particle of mass m begins to slide down a fixed smooth sphere from the top. What is its tangential
acceleration when it breaks off the sphere ?
2g 5g g
(1) (2) (3) g (4)
3 3 3
16. A small block is shot into each of the four tracks as shown below. Each of the tracks rises to the same height.
The speed with which the block enters the track is the same in all cases. At the highest point of the track, the normal
reaction is maximum in –

(1) (2) (3) (4)

SECTION (F) : MOTION OF A VEHICLE, CENTRIFUGAL FORCE AND ROTATION OF EARTH

1. Radius of the curved road on national highway is R. Width of the road is b. The outer edge of the road is
raised by h with respect to inner edge so that a car with velocity  can pass safe over it. The value of h is-
2b  2R 2 b
(1) (2) (3) (4)
Rg Rgb g R
2. If the apparent weight of the bodies at the equator is to be zero, then the earth should rotate with angular
velocity
g 2g g 3g
(1) rad/sec (2) rad/sec (3) rad/sec (4) rad/sec
R R 2R 2R
3. Radius of the curved road on national highway is R. Width of the road is b. The outer edge of the road is
raised by h with respect to inner edge so that a car with velocity v can pass safe over it. The value of h is
v 2b v v 2R v 2b
(1) (2) (3) (4)
Rg Rgb g R
4. A motor cyclist moving with a velocity of 72 km/hour on a flat road takes a turn on the road at a point where
the radius of curvature of the road is 20 meters. The acceleration due to gravity is 10 m/sec 2. In order to
avoid skidding, he must not bend with respect to the vertical plane by an angle greater than-
(1)  = tan–1 6 (2)  = tan–1 2 (3)  = tan–1 25.92 (4)  = tan–1 4

PART-2
1. The kinetic energy k of a particle moving along a circle of radius R depends on the distance covered s as k
= as2 where a is a constant. The force acting on the particle is
1/ 2
s2  s2  R2
(1) 2a (2) 2as  1 + 2  (3) 2as (4) 2a
R  R  s
2. A particle of mass m is moving in a circular path of constant radius r such that its centripetal acceleration ac
is varying with time t as ac = k2 rt2 where k is a constant. The power delivered to the particle by the force
acting on it is-
(mk 4r 2 t 5 )
(1) 2  mk2 r2 (2) mk2 r2 t (3) (4) Zero
3
3. A small block slides with velocity 0.5 gr on the horizontal frictionless surface as shown in the Figure. The
block leaves the surface at point C. The angle  in the Figure is :

(1) cos–1 (4/9) (2) cos–1(3/4) (3) cos–1 (1/2) (4) none of the above

SCHOOL OF PHYSICS //BIRHATA,BURDWAN//KOUSHIK SIR//7908813133//9732144139 23

  20 
4. A particle moves along a circle of radius   m with constant tangential acceleration. If the speed of the
  
particle is 80 m/s at the end of the second revolution after motion has begun, the tangential acceleration is:
(1) 160  m/s 2
(2) 40  m/s 2
(3) 40 m/s 2
(4) 640  m/s 2

5. Centrifugal force is an inertial force when considered by -

(1) An observer at the centre of circular motion
(2) An outside observer
(3) An observer who is moving with the particle which is experiencing the force
(4) none of the above
6. A rod of length L is pivoted at one end and is rotated with a uniform angular velocity in a horizontal plane .
Let T1 and T2 be the tensions at the points L/4 and 3L/4 away from the pivoted ends.
(1) T1 > T2
(2) T2 > T1
(3) T1 = T2
(4) The relation between T1 and T2 depends on whether the rod rotates clockwise or anticlockwise
7. When a ceiling fan is switched off its angular velocity reduces to 50% while it makes 36 rotations. How many
more rotation will it make before coming to rest (Assume uniform angular retardation)
(1) 18 (2) 12 (3) 36 (4) 48
8. A particle is moving in the vertical plane. It is attached at one end of a string of length l whose other end is
fixed. The velocity at the lowest point is u. The tension in the string T is and acceleration of the particle a
is at any position. Then, T . a is zero at the highest point:
(1) only if u  2g (2) if u = 5g (3) only if u = 2g (4) only if u > 2g
9. In the above question, T.a is non-negative at the lowest point for:

(1) u  2g (2) u = 2g (3) u < 2g (4) any value of u

10. In the above question, T.u is zero for:

(1) u  2g (2) u = 2g (3) u  2g (4) any value of u

11. A bob of mass M is suspended by a massless string of length L. The horizontal velocity V at position A is
just sufficient to make it reach the point B. The angle  at which the speed of the bob is half of that at A, satisfies

    3 3
(1)  = (2)  (3)  (4) 
4 4 2 2 4 4

 K
12. If a particle of mass m is moving in a horizontal circle of radius r with a centripetal force  − 2  , the total
 r 
energy is-
K K 2K 4K
(1) − (2) − (3) − (4) −
2r r r r

PART - I : NEET / AIMPT QUESTION PREVIOUS YEAR

1. A particle moves in a circle of radius 5 cm with constant speed and time period 0.2 s. The acceleraiton of
the particle is : [AIPMT-2011]
(1) 15 m/s2 (2) 25 m/s2 (3) 36 m/s2 (4) 5 m/s2

SCHOOL OF PHYSICS //BIRHATA,BURDWAN//KOUSHIK SIR//7908813133//9732144139 24

2. A car of mass 1000 kg negotiates a banked curve of radius 90 m on a frictionless road. If the banking angle
is 45º, the speed of the car is : [AIPMT_Pre_2012]
(1) 20 ms–1 (2) 30 ms–1 (3) 5 ms–1 (4) 10 ms–1
3. A car of mass m is moving on a level circular track of radius R. If s represents the static friction between the
road and tyres of the car, the maximum speed of the car in circular motion is given by :
[AIPMT 2012 (Mains)]

(1) smRg (2) Rg / s (3) mRg / s (4) sRg

r
4. Two stones of masses m and 2 m are whirled in horizontal circles the heavier one in radius and the lighter
2
one in radius r. The tangential speed of lighter stone is n times that of the value of heavier stone when they experience
same centripetal forces. The value of n is : [AIPMT _ HZ_2015]
(1) 3 (2) 4 (3) 1 (4) 2

5. The position vector of a particle R as a function of time is given by:

R = 4sin(2t) î + 4cos(2t) [AIPMT_2015]

Where R is in meters, t is seconds and î and ĵ denote unit vectors along x-and y-directions, respectively.

Which one of the following statements is wrong for the motion of particle?

v2
(1) Magnitude of acceleration vector is , where v is the velocity of particle
R
(2) Magnitude of the velocity of particle is 8 meter/second
(3) path of the particle is a circle of radius 4 meter.

(4) Acceleration vector is along - R

6. What is the minimum velocity with which a body of mass m must enter a vertical loop of radius R so that it
can complete the loop ? [AIPMT_2016]

(1) 5gR (2) gR (3) 2gR (4) 3gR

7. A particle of mass 10 g moves along a circle of radius 6.4 cm with a constant tangential acceleration. What
is the magnitude of this acceleration if the kinetic energy of the particle becomes equal to
8 × 10–4 J by the end of the second revolution after the beginning of the motion ? [AIPMT_2016]
(1) 0.2 m/s2 (2) 0.1 m/s2 (3) 0.15 m/s2 (4) 0.18 m/s2
8. A car is negotiating a curved road of radius R. The road is banked at an angle . The coefficient of friction
between the tyres of the care and the road is s. The maximum safe velocity on this road is:
[AIPMT_2016]

g  s + tan   s + tan   s + tan  g  s + tan 

(1) (2) gR 2 (3) gR (4)
R 1 –  s + tan 
2 1 –  s + tan  1 –  s + tan  R 1 –  s + tan 

9. In the given figure, a = 15 m/s2 represents the total acceleration of a particle moving in the clockwise direction
in a circle of radius R = 2.5 m at a given instant of time. The speed of the particle is
[NEET 2016]

R 30°
O 

(1) 6.2 m/s (2) 4.5 m/s (3) 5.0 m/s (4) 5.7 m/s

SCHOOL OF PHYSICS //BIRHATA,BURDWAN//KOUSHIK SIR//7908813133//9732144139 25

10. One end of string of length  is connected to a particle of mass ‘m’ and the other end is connected to a small
peg on a smooth horizontal table. If the particle moves in circle with speed ‘v’ the net force on the particle
(directed towards center) will be (T represents the tension in the string) [NEET 2017]
2 2
m m
(1) T (2) T + (3) T – (4) zero

11. A body initially at rest and sliding along a frictionless track from a height h (as shown in the figure) Just-
completes a vertical circle of diameter AB = D. The height h is equal to [NEET 2018]

h B

3 5 7
(1) D (2) D (3) D (4) D
2 4 5

12. A mass m is attached to a thin wire and whirled in a vertical circle. The wire is most likely to break when:
[NEET_2019-I]
(1) inclined at a angle of 60º from vertical (2) the mass is at the highest point
(2) the wire is horizontal (4) the mass is at the lowest point

13. A block of mass 10 kg in contact against the inner wall of a hollow cylindrical drum of radius 1m. The
coefficient of friction between the block and the inner wall of the cylinder is 0.1. The minimum angular velocity
needed for the cylinder to keep the block stationary when the cylinder is vertical and rotating about its axis,
will be (g = 10 m/s2) [NEET-2019-I]
10
(1) 10  rad/s (2) 10 rad/s (3) rad/s (4) 10 rad/s
2
14. A particle starting from rest, moves in a circle of radius 'r'. It attains a velocity of V 0 m/s in the nth round. Its
angular acceleration will be: [NEET_2019-II]
Vo Vo2 Vo2 Vo2
(1) rad/s2 (2) rad/s2 (3) rad/s2 (4) rad/s2
n 2nr 2 4nr 2 4nr

PART - II : JEE (MAIN) / AIEEE PROBLEMS (PREVIOUS YEARS)

1. A po1nt P moves in counter-clockwise direction on a circular path as shown in the figure. The movement of
‘P’ is such that it sweeps out a length s = t3 + 5, where s is in metres and t is in seconds. The radius of the path is 20
m. The acceleration of ‘P’ when t = 2 s is nearly. [AIEEE - 2010, 4/144]

(1) 13 m/s2 (2) 12 m/s2 (3) 7.2 m/s2 (4) 14 m/s2

2. For a particle in uniform circular motion, the acceleration a at a point P (R, ) on the circle of radius R is
(Here  is measured from the x-axis) [AIEEE - 2010, 4/144]
v2 v2 v2 v2
(1) – cos  î + sin  ĵ (2) – sin  î + cos  ĵ
R R R R
v2 v2 v2 v2
(3) – cos  î – sin  ĵ (4) î + ĵ
R R R R

SCHOOL OF PHYSICS //BIRHATA,BURDWAN//KOUSHIK SIR//7908813133//9732144139 26

3. Two cars of masses m1 and m2 are moving in circles of radii r1 and r2, respectively. Their speeds are such
that they make complete circles in the same time t. The ratio of their centripetal acceleration is :
[AIEEE 2012 ; 4/120, –1]
(1) m1 r1 : m2 r2 (2) m1 : m2 (3) r1 : r2 (4) 1 : 1
4. A particle is moving with a uniform speed in a circular orbit of radius R in a central force inversely proportional
to the nth power of R. If the period of rotation of the particle is T, then :
[JEE-Main-2018]
n
+1
(1) T R(n+1)/2 (2) T Rn/2 (3) T R3/2 For any n. (4) TR 2
5. A particle is moving along a circular path with a constant speed of 10 ms -1. What is the magnitude of the
change is velocity of the particle, when it moves through an angle of 60° around the centre of the circle?
[JEE-MAIN-2019]
(1) Zero (2) 10 m/s (3) 10 2 m/ s (4) 10 3 m/ s
6. Two particles A, B are moving on two concentric circles of radii R 1 and R2 with equal angular speed . At t
= 0, their positions and direction of motion are shown in figure. [JEE-MAIN-2019]

  
The relative velocity v A − v B at t = is
2
(1) (R 2 − R1 ) î (2) (R1 − R 2 ) î (3) − (R1 + R 2 ) î (4) (R1 + R 2 ) î

SCHOOL OF PHYSICS //BIRHATA,BURDWAN//KOUSHIK SIR//7908813133//9732144139 27