Unit 04 – Rotational and Circular Motion 1

THE MAKERS ACADEMY Kotli

CAMPUS, AJK.
ENTRY TEST LECTURE NOTES PHYSICS
SESSION 2025
NMDCAT/NUMS/ETEA

Rotational &
Circular
Moti
In these lecture notes you will find:

• Key points of the topics prescribed by PMC

• Short cuts/ problem solving technique

COURSE INSTRUTOR: Shahid Hassan

(1) LECTURER in PHYSICS,
PUNJAB COLLEGE, H-11 CAMPUS, ISLAMABAD
(2) TORCIA Education
system 6th road
Rawalpindi
2 MAKERS Physics
PHYSICS

Rotational & Circular

Motion

LEARNING OUTCOMES
-

COURSE CONTENT
Angular displacement (Revolution, Degree, Radian)
Angular velocity
Relation between linear and angular variables
Relation between linear and angular displacements
Relation between linear and angular velocities
Relation between linear and angular accelerations
Centripetal force (centripetal acceleration)

CIRCULAR MOTION
"Motion of bodies in circular path is called circular motion.”
▪ Angular Motion:
"Circular motion of a body may also be called angular motion.”
▪ Circular motion is another example of motion in two dimensions.

▪ To create circular motion in a body it must be given some initial velocity

and a force must then act on the body which is always directed at right
angles to instantaneous velocity. Since this force is always at right angles
to the displacement therefore no work is done by the force on the particle.
Hence, Speed, kinetic energy and angular momentum remain constant in
circular motion.
▪ In circular motion, the direction of velocity change at every point but its
magnitude remains constant.
▪ For one complete revolution, the angular displacement is 2π and time taken is T (time period). So
2π
angular velocity x = T .
Unit 04 – Rotational and Circular Motion 3

ANGULAR DISPLACEMENT (Revolution, Degree, Radian)

Angular Displacement:
For Your Information
“The angle turned by a body moving in a circle from some reference xy-plane z-axis
line is called angular displacement.” yz-plane x-axis
zx-plane y-axis
▪ It is a vector quantity (Conditional vector) when t → 0.
▪ Angular displacement has direction along axis of rotation and can be determined by right hand rule.
▪ Sign Conventions:
➢ Angular displacement is assigned a positive sign, if the sense of rotation is Anti-Clock wise.
➢ Angular displacement is assigned a Negative sign, if the sense of rotation is Clock wise.
▪ SI unit of angular displacement is radian.
S Radian:
One radian is an angle made by an arc at the center, whose length is equal to the radius of circle.
➢ Definition of radian gives following useful relation S = r θ
▪ Non-S.I units are also used which are "degree" and "revolution".
➢ Revolution > Radian > Degree
➢ 1 Revolution = 2π rad = 360o
➢ 1 rad. = 180 = 57.3o
π
➢ 1o = π
= 0.0174 rad.
180

Angular displacement is a dimensionless quantity.

ANGULAR VELOCITY
"Time Rate of change of angular displacement is called
θ Do You Know ?
angular velocity." x= The Angular velocity is practically
t measured in “Revolution per minute
(rpm)” as they provide an easy
▪ Usually, it is not a vector quantity. But, interpretation of angular motion.
θ
xins = lim is always vector quantity.
t →0 t

▪ Units: Its SI unit is Radians per second (rad.s–1).

▪ Dimension: [M 0L 0T –1].
▪ Direction: Its direction is the same as that of θ and is calculated by Right Hand Rule.
➢ For anticlockwise rotation, the direction of x, is along the axis of circular path directed upwards.
➢ For clockwise rotation, the direction of x is along the axis of circular path directed downwards.
4 MAKERS Physics
▪ PHYSICS
The magnitude of an angular velocity is called the angular speed which is also represented by x.
▪ Tangential and angular velocities are related as v = r x
Unit 04 – Rotational and Circular Motion 5
Example: The angular velocity of second’s hand of a watch will be
π π
(A) 60 rad /sec (B) 60π rad/sec (C) 30π rad/sec (D) rad / sec
30
Solution: We know that second's hand completes its revolution (2π) in 60 sec
θ 2π π
mx = t = 60 = 30 rad/sec

ANGULAR ACCELERATION
“Time rate of change of angular velocity is defined as angular acceleration.”
r
x
Angular acceleration = α = For Your Information
t
▪ Units: rad. s –2 x
constant so, α = =0
▪ Dimension: [M 0L 0T –2]
For non-uniform circular motion α s 0 .
▪ It is a vector quantity.
▪ Direction: The direction of angular acceleration is along the axis of rotation.
➢ When angular velocity of the body is increasing then angular acceleration is along the direction
of angular velocity.
➢ When angular velocity of the body is decreasing then angular acceleration is opposite to the
direction of angular velocity.

RELATION BETWEEN LINEAR AND ANGULAR VARIABLES

Quantity Translational Rotational (Angular) Relation
Displacement d→ θ→ S = rθ, S=θ×r
Velocity v→ ω̄→ v = rω, v=ω×r
Acceleration a→ α→ a = rα, a=α×r
S Where, d→, v→ and a→ are directed along the tangent in circular motion. So, they are also called
Tangential Variables.
a
❖ RIGID BODY: b
c
Nobody in the universe is rigid. However, the bodies in which the distance
between any two particles does not change with respect to time are taken as rigid
bodies.
For circular motion of rigid bodies with uniform speed, the angular Variables (i.e., distance, speed and
acceleration is same for all particles, but linear/tangential variables varies directly as the radius of the
circular path described by the particle.
6 MAKERS Physics
i.e. θa = θb = θc ωa = ωb = ωc αa = αb = αc PHYSICS
Unit 04 – Rotational and Circular Motion 7

CENTRIPETAL FORCE (CENTRIPETAL ACCELERATION)

Centripetal Acceleration:
Acceleration acting on the object undergoing uniform circular motion is called centripetal acceleration.
▪ It always acts on the object along the radius towards the centre of the circular path.
2
▪ Formula: ā→ = v (—r^ )
r

▪ Magnitude of centripetal acceleration,

v2 4π 2
a= = x r = 4π f r = 2 r
2 2 2
(∴ ω = 2πf and v = rω)
r T
Centripetal Force:

“The force required to bend a straight-line path of a body into the circular path is
called centripetal force.”
▪ If the centripetal force is removed from the rotating object it will follow a straight-line motion
confined on the tangent to that circular path.
▪ Formula: In vector form,
mv2
→
F = ( —r̂ ) = mrω 2(—r̂ )
r

▪ Magnitude of centripetal force,

mv 2
F= = mrx 2 r
r

▪ Work done by centripetal force is zero.

▪ Centripetal and centrifugal forces form true action & reaction pair but they can't balance each other
because they don't act on same body.

Relations for Centripetal Force

In terms of In terms of In terms of In terms of
Frequency Time Period Momentum Kinetic Energy
( 4π 2 mv 2 2 ( 1 2 2
mv = (K.E )
( ) mv2 (mv)v pv F= =
2
2
F = mrx = mr 4π f 2 2 F = mrx = mr F= = = r r 2 r
T2 r r r
(Θ x = 2πf ) ( 1
(Θ x = 2π / T ) (Θ p = mv) Θ K.E. = mv2
2

Example:
An object of mass of 2 kg rotates at constant speed in a horizontal circle of radius 5 m. The
time for one complete revolution is 3s. What is the magnitude of the resultant force acting on
the object?
S lution: 4π2 40π2
(A)
o 9 N (B) 9 N
 8 MAKERS Physics
(C) 100 400π2 PHYSICS
π2
9 9 N

N
(
D
)
2 3
(2π (2π 40π2
As, F = mrx = mr
2
F= 2 5 = 9 N
T 3
Unit 04 – Rotational and Circular Motion 9

UNIFORM CIRCULAR MOTION

If the speed of the particle in a horizontal circular motion does not change with respect to time, then its
motion is said to be uniform circular motion.
During the Uniform Circular Motion:
➢ Fc ≠ 0, ac ≠ 0
➢ Ft = 0 (net force) at = 0
➢ Σr = 0 (Applied Torque = —Opposin Torqu
NON-UNIFORM CIRCULAR MOTION
“If the speed of the particle in a horizontal circular motion changes with respect to time, then its motion
is said to be non-uniform circular motion.”
During the Non-Uniform Circular Motion:
➢ Fc ≠ 0, ac ≠ 0
➢ Ft ≠ 0 (net force) at = 0
➢ Σr ≠ 0
❖ ACCELERATION:
Consider a particle describing a circular path of radius r with centre at O. The resultant acceleration
of the particle at P has two component accelerations:
1. Tangential acceleration:(a→t = α→ × r→)
▪ It acts along the tangent to the circular path at P in the plane of circular path.
p p
▪ According to right hand rule since α and r are perpendicular to each other, therefore, the
magnitude of tangential acceleration is given by
|a→ t | = |α→ × r→| = αr sin 90o = αr

2. Radial acceleration : (a→ c = ω̄→ × v→ )

▪ It is also called centripetal acceleration of the particle at P.
▪ It acts along the radius of the particle at P.
▪ According to right hand rule since x and v are perpendicular to each other, therefore, the
magnitude of centripetal acceleration is given by
v2
|a→c | = |ω̄→ × v→| = ωv sin 90o = ωv = ω(ωr) = ω r =
2
r

▪ Net Acceleration: a = ac2 + a2t

❖ FORCE:
In non-uniform circular motion the particle simultaneously possesses two forces
mv2
▪ Centripetal force : Fc = mac = = mrx 2
r
▪ Tangential force : Ft = mat

▪ Net force : Fnet = ma = m ac2 + at2

p p
10 MAKERS Physics
❑ In non-uniform circular motion work done by centripetal force will be zero since F PHYSICS
c v
❑ In non uniform circular motion work done by tangential force will not be zero since Ft s 0
6 MAKERS Physics
PHYSICS
MOTION IN VERTICAL CIRCLE
▪ This is an example of non-uniform circular motion.
▪ In this motion body is under the influence of gravity of earth.
▪ When body moves from lowest point to highest point, its speed decrease and becomes minimum at
highest point.
▪ Total mechanical energy of the body remains
conserved and KE converts into PE and vice versa.
▪ Fc ∝ 1
Tension
TENSION IN A VERTICAL CIRCLE:
➢ Tension is maximum at bottom.\
➢ Tension is zero at the Top.
➢ Tbottom > Tmid > Ttop
2
• Tension at Top: T= mv — mg
r
2
• Tension at Mid: T = mvr
2
• Tension at Bottom: T= mv + mg
r

SOME FEATURS OF VERTICAL CIRCLE:

Feature Bottom Mid Top
Angle 180o 90o 0o
T = Fc + w T = Fc — w
Tension T = Fc
(T = maximum) (T = minimum)
Fc = T — w Fc = T Fc = T + w
Centripetal Force
(Fc = minimum) (Fc = maximum)
v = √5gr v = √gr
Speed v = √3gr
(Maximum) Artificial velocity
5 3 1
K.E. mgr mgr mgr
2 2 2
P.E. Zero mgr 2 mgr
5 5 5
Total energy mgr mgr mgr
2 2 2
Tension with given
6mg 3mg 2mg
velocity

2𝑔𝑟_3𝑔𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
❖ Difference Of Tensions: velocity v=√
➢ Tbottom — Ttop = 6mg
➢ Tbottom — Tmid = 3mg
➢ Tmid — Ttop = 3mg
Unit 04 – Rotational and Circular Motion 7

1. The force required to bend the normally straight 7. The moon rotates about its axis, in future, scientists
path of a particle into a circular path is called may wish to put a satellite into an orbit around the
force. (MDCAT 2008) moon such that satellite remains stationary above
(A) Traveling (B) Centrifugal one point on the moon’s surface. The period of
(C) Bending (D) Centripetal rotation of the moon about its axis is
Answer: (D) 27.4 days. Calculate the radius of required orbit?
Sol: Definition of centripetal force. Mm = 7.35 1022 kg. (MDCAT 2017)
2. Two cylinders of equal mass are made from same (A) 3.59 107 m (B) 6.96 106 m
material. The one with the larger diameter (C) 4.23 107 m (D) 8.86 107 m
accelerates the other under the action of Answer: (D)
same torque. (MDCAT 2008) GM T2
(A) Faster than (B) Equal to Sol: r3 =
4π2
(C) Slower than (D) None of these (6.67 10–11)(7.35 10–22)(27.4 86400)2
r3 =
Answer: (C) 4π2
md2α 4τ 1
Sol: τ = 1α = mr2 α = 4 α = md2 α d2 r=3
4π2
This shows that the cylinder having larger diameter will
accelerate slower than others.
8. A wheel starts rotating from rest with angular
3. If the body is rotating with uniform angular acceleration of 2 rad s–2 till its angular speed
velocity, then its torque is: (MDCAT 2009) becomes 6 rad/s. the angular displacement of the
(A) Zero (B) Maximum wheel will be equal to: (MDCAT 2018)
(C) Clockwise (D) Remain same (A) 9 rad (B) 7 rad
Answer: (A) (C) 12 rad (D) 4 rad
Sol: τ = Iα Answer: (A)
As, the body is rotating with uniform velocity, Sol: 2αθ = xf 2 – xi2 (2)(2) θ = 62 – 0 θ = 9rad
So, α = 0 τ = I(0) = 0 36
9. If θ = = 9 rad. Which of the following gives
4. Linear velocity or tangential velocity of any
4
particle moving in a circular path of radius 2 m the relationship between linear velocity and
with angular velocity 8 rads–1 will be: (MDCAT 2009) angular velocity? (MDCAT 2018)
(A) 16 ms–1 (B) 10 ms–1 (A) v = rx (B) v = sx
1
(C) 4 ms– (D) 6 ms–1 (C) S = rθ (D) v = rθ

Answer: (A) Answer: (A)

Sol: v = rx = (2)(8) = 16 m/s Sol: v = rx
5. What is torque “τ” in a circular motion: 10. An object is moving along a circular path of
(MDCAT 2009) radius 4 m. What will be its angular displacement
(A) τ = mr2π (B) τ = mrα if it moves 14 m on this circular path? (MDCAT 2019)
(C) τ = mr2α (D) τ = mr2/α (A) 5.5 radians (B) 5.0 radians
Answer: (C) (C) 3.5 radians (D) 4.5 radians
Sol: τ = Iα = mr2α (I = mr2) Answer: (A)
S 14
6. A wheel of radius 1m covers an angular Sol: S=rθ θ = = = 3.5 radian
displacement of 180o. Its linear distance is: r 4
(MDCAT 2010) 11. Work done due to centripetal force for circular
(A) 3.14 m (B) 6.28 m motion will be: (MDCAT 2019)
(C) πrad (D) 0.157 m (A) Reduced (C) Half
Answer: (A) (B) Maximum (D) Zero
Sol: θ = 180o = π rad
S = r θ = (1)(π) = π m = 3.14 m
8 MAKERS Physics
Answer: (A) PHYSICS
Sol: W = F c .d cos 90o = 0
∴ F→ ⊥ d→ So, θ = 90o
Unit 04 – Rotational and Circular Motion 9

SOLVED PRACTICE MCQ’s

1. The ratio of angular speeds of seconds hand and 9. What is the angular speed of the seconds hand of a
hour hand of a watch is: watch?
(A) 1 : 720 (B) 1 : 60 (A) 60 rad/s (B) π/30 rad/s
(C) 60 : 1 (D) 720 : 1 (C) π rad/s (D) 2 rad/s
Answer: (D)
2π Answer: (B)
Sol: S
60
S
2π 60 30
= (second hand complete 1 revolution in 1 minute)
(Hour hand complete 1 revolution in 12 hours) 10. A wheel has circumference C. If it makes “f”
2π r.p.s., the linear speed of a point on the
xS 60 circumference is:
= (A) 2πfC (B) fC/2π
60
(C) fC (D) fC/60
Answer: (C)
2. A wheel having a diameter of 3 m starts from rest C
Sol: C = 2πr r=
and accelerates uniformly to an angular velocity of 2π
210 r.p.m. in 5 seconds. Angular acceleration of the And,
wheel is: As,
(A) 4.4 rad s–2 (B) 2.2rad s–2
So,
(C) 3.3rad s–2 (D) 1.1rad s–2
Answer: (A) 11. A mass of 5 kg is tied to a string of length 1.0 m and
2π 2 22 is rotated in vertical circle with a uniform speed of
Sol: x = 210 = 210 = 22 rad/s
f 60 60 7 4 m/s. The tension in the string will be 130 N when
the mass is at (g = 10 m/s2):
(A) highest point (B) bottom
(C) mid way (D) cannot be justified
5 5 Answer: (B)
Sol: Tension at bottom:
7. A particle of mass 1 kg is revolved in a horizontal
T – W = FC
circle of radius 1 m with the help of a string. If the
T = W + FC Fc T
maximum tension the string can withstand is 16 π2 mv2 v 2
N, then the maximum frequency with which the T = mg + = m (g +
r
particle can revolve is: w = mg
(A) 3 Hz (B) 4 Hz (
(C) 2 Hz (D) 5 Hz
Answer: (C) 12. A cane filled with water is revolved in a vertical
Sol: T = Fc = mrx2 = mr(2πf)2 = 4π2mrf2 circle of radius 4 m and water does not fall down.
The time period of revolution will be:
16π2 = 4π2mrf2
(A) 2 s (B) 6 s
4 = (1)(1)f2 f = 2 Hz
(C) 4 s (D) 8 s
8. A body is moving in a circle under centripetal force
Answer: (C)
“Fc”. If its linear velocity and radius both are made
twice, the centripetal force will be: 2πR 2πR
Sol: T= =
(A) Fc (B) Fc/2 v gR
(C) 2Fc (D) 4Fc 2π(4) π(4)
T= = 4s
(9.8)(4) 9.8
Since,
9.8
10 MAKERS Physics
Answer: (C) PHYSICS
mv2
Sol: As, Fc = r
m(2v)2
So, Fc’ =
2r
Unit 04 – Rotational & Circular Motion 9
13. A pedestal fan is rotating anticlockwise. When the (C) velocity of a body
electric power is cut off, its speed steadily decreases (D) centripetal acceleration
to zero. Its angular acceleration will be directed: Answer: (B)
(A) upward (B) away from us
(C) downward (D) towards us mv2
Sol: T = Fc = r
Answer: (B)
Sol: When the pedestal fan is switched off, then its 18. An electric fan rotating with 3 revs–1 is switched off.
angular velocity and acceleration are anti parallel to It comes to rest in 2 seconds having a constant
each other. By right hand rule the angular velocity deceleration of 1 revs–2. How many revolutions did
towards us while angular acceleration away from us. it turn before coming to rest?
14. A flywheel at rest is to reach an angular velocity of (A) 6 revolutions (B) 2 revolutions
36 rads–1 in 6 second, with a constant angular (C) 8 revolutions (D) 10 revolutions
acceleration. The total angle turned through Answer: (C)
during this interval is: 1 2 1
(A) 216 rad (B) 144 rad i t = (3)(2) + (1)(2) 2 = 6 + 2 = 8 rev
2 2
(C) 108 rad (D) 72 rad s 19. The angle between the minute and hour hands of a
Answer: (C) watch at 4’O clock is:
(A) 3π/2 radians (B) 2π/3 radians
6 (C) π/2 radians (D) 5π/2 radians
1 2 1 2 Answer: (B)
i
2 t = 0 + 2 (6)(6) = 108 rad. Sol: The angle between hour and minute hand at 1’O
clock = 2π/12 rad.
15. Identify the increasing order of the angular
The angle between hour and minute hand at 4’O clock
velocities of the following: 2π 2π
(I) Earth rotating about its axis =4 rad. = rad.
12 3
(II) Hour’s hand of a clock
(III) Second’s hand of a clock 20. An athlete completes one round (θ = 2π radian) of
(A) I, II, III (B) II, III, I a circular track of 40m radius in 40 sec. How much
(C) III, I, II (D) III, II, I linear displacement will he cover in 2 minutes and
20 seconds?
Answer: (A)
1 (A) 240 π meters (B) 80π meters
x (C) 2π meters (D) 80 meters
t t
Answer: (D)
(in one rotation “θ” remains same)
Sol: An athlete complete 1 round in 40 s. it means that
Earth completes one rotation in 24 hours
3 rounds complete 120s (2 minutes). So total
Hour hand completes one rotation in 12 hours
displacement is zero in 120s. The displacement of
Second hand completes one rotation in 1 minute athlete in next 20 s (semi circle) is:
So, R + R = 2R = (40)(2) = 80m.

16. The angle between angular acceleration and

centripetal acceleration is:
(A) 0o (B) 180o
o
(C) 90 (D) 360o 21. Doubling which of the following quantities will
Answer: (C) increase the centripetal force eight times?
Sol: (i) mass (ii) radius (iii) velocity
(A) (i) and (ii) only (B) (i) and (iii) only
(C) (ii) and (iii) only (D) (i), (ii) and (iii)
Answer: (B)
mv2
Sol: Fc = r
“ac” is directed towards the center of circle while “α” is 2m(2v)2
directed along the axis of rotation. Fc’ = r
17. When a body is whirled in a horizontal circle by 22. Uniform circular motion is the consequence of:
means of a string, the centripetal force is supplied (A) a force that is always tangent to the path
by: (B) an acceleration tangent to the path
(A) mass of a body (C) a force of constant magnitude that is always
(B) tension in the string directed away from the same fixed point
10 MAKERS Physics
(D) a force of constant magnitude that is always PHYSICS
does not provide necessary centripetal force. So, the
directed toward the same fixed point car slides off to the outside of the curve.
Answer: (A) 27. One end of a 1.0 m string is fixed, the other end is
Sol: The force which is needed to move a body in a attached to a 2.0 kg stone. The stone swings in a
circular path and it is always directed towards the centre vertical circle, passing the top point at 4.0m/s. The
of the circle, is called centripetal force. tension force of the string (in newtons) at this point
23. If body moving with angular speed of 2π rad/s and is about:
radius is 1m the centripetal acceleration becomes: (A) 0 (B) 12
(A) 4πms–2 (B) 2πms–2 (C) 20 (D) 32
2
(C) 4π ms –2
(D) 2π2ms–2 Answer: (B)
Sol: T + W = Fc
Answer: (C) T = Fc– W
v2 mv2 v2
Sol: As, 2 T= – mg = m ( r –
c
r r
2
ac = (1)(2π)2 = 4π2 m/s2 (4 T = 12N

24. An object to mass “m” and another object of mass

“2m” are each forced to move along a circle of 28. A wheel initially has an angular velocity of 18 rad/s
radius 1.0m at a constant speed of 1.0m/s. The but it is slowing at a rate of 2.0 rad/s2. By the time
magnitudes of their accelerations are: it stops it will have turned through:
(A) equal (B) in the ratio of 2 : 1 (A) 81 rad (B) 160 rad
(C) in the ratio of 2 : 1 (D) in the ratio of 4 : 1 (C) 245 rad (D) 330 rad
Answer: (A)
Answer: (A) Sol: Using, 2 αθ = x2f–x2 i
v2 2(–2) θ = (0)2– (18)2
Sol: ac = r = rx2
–4 θ = –324
As, centripetal acceleration does not depend upon the 324
mass of object. So, at same speed and radius both have θ= = 81 rad.
4
same centripetal acceleration.
25. An object moves in a circle. If the mass is tripled, 29. When a wheel, 1 m in diameter makes 30 rev min–
the speed halved, and the radius unchanged, then 1
, the linear speed of point on its rim in ms–1 is:
the magnitude of the centripetal force must be (A) 2π (B) π/2
multiplied by a factor of:
(C) π (D) 20π
(A) 3/2 (B) 3/4
(C) 9/4 (D) 6 Answer: (B)
Answer: (B)
mv 2
Sol: Fc = (r = d/2 = ½ m)
r
3m(v/2)2
⇨ Fc’ =
3 30. Which of the following graphs is correct for a
Fc’= F particle moving in a circle of radius “r” at a
4 c
constant speed of 10 m/s?
26. The driver of a 1000 kg car tries to turn through a
circle of radius 100 m on an unbanked curve at a
speed of 10 m/s. The actual frictional force between
the tyres and slippery road has a magnitude of 900
N. The car:
(A) slides into the inside of the curve
(B) slides off to the outside of the curve
(C) makes the turn
(D) makes the turn only if it goes faster
 Answer: (B) Answer: (D)
2
mv (1000)(10) 2 v2
Sol: Fc = = = 1000 N Sol: ac = r
r 100
Unit 04 – Rotational & Circular Motion
To move in the circular path the required centripetal 9
(v = constant)
c r
force must be provided by any source. But in this case
the source of centripetal force is the force friction 31. If a certain car, going with speed v1, rounds a level
between road and tyres. In this case frictional force curve with a radius R1, it is just on the verge of
shedding. If its speed is now doubled, the radius of
Unit 04 – Rotational & Circular Motion 11
the tightest curve on the same road that it can
round without skidding is:
(A) 2R1 (B) 4R1
(C) R1/2 (D) R1/4
Answer: (B)
Sol: F1 = F2
2 2 35. Two wheels are identical but wheel “B” is spinning
mv1 mv 2
= with twice the angular speed of wheel “A”. The
R1 R2 ratio of the magnitude of the radial acceleration of
2 2 2
v1 (2v1)2 v1 4v1 a point on the rim of “B” to the magnitude of the
= = radial acceleration of a point on the rim of “A” is:
R1 R2 R1 R2
R2 = 4R1 (A) 1 (B) 2
(C) 1/2 (D) 4
32. A person riding a Ferris wheel is strapped into her
seat by a seat belt. The wheel is spun so that the
centripetal acceleration is g. Select the correct Answer: (D)
combination of forces that act on her when she is Sol:
= = =4
at the top. In the table Fg = force of gravity, down; aA rxA2
Fb = seat belt force, down; and F8 = seat force, up. 36. Two wheels roll side-by-side without sliding, at the
Fg Fb Fs same speed. The radius of wheel 2 is twice the
(A) 0 mg 0 radius of wheel 1. The angular velocity of wheel 2
(B) mg 0 0 is:
(C) 0 0 mg (A) twice the angular velocity of wheel 1
(D) mg mg 0 (B) the same as the angular velocity of wheel 1
Answer: (B) (C) half the angular velocity of wheel 1
Sol: The acceleration will be “g” iffFnet = W = mg (D) more than twice the angular velocity of wheel 1
This is only possible when Fs = Fb Answer: (C)
33. If the angular velocity vector of a spinning body Sol: As two wheels roll side-by-side only if
points out of the page then, when viewed from v1 = v2 r1x1 = r2x2
above the page, the body is spinning: r1x1 = (2r1)x2 (Since, r2 = 2r1)
(A) clockwise about an axis that is perpendicular to x1
the page x =
2 2

(B) counterclockwise about an axis that is 37. One radian is equal to:
perpendicular to the page (A) 2π rev (B) π/4 rev
(C) about an axis that is parallel to the page (C) π/2 rev (D) ½ π rev
(D) about an axis that is changing orientation
Answer: (D)
1
Answer: (B) Sol: 2π rad = 1rev 1 rad = rev
2π
Sol: If we grapes the axis of rotation in our right hand
such that the fingers are curled in the direction of
rotation. 38. Two racing cars of masses m1 and m2 are

moving in circles of radii r1 and r2 respectively.

Their speeds are such that each makes a complete

circle in the same duration of time‘t’. The ratio of
the angular speed of the first to the second car is:
34. For a wheel spinning on an axis through its center, (A) m1 : m2 (B) r1 : r2

the ratio of the tangential acceleration of a point on Answer: (B)

the rim to the tangential acceleration of a point Sol: at = rα
halfway between the center and the rim is:
(A) 1 (B) 2
at1 r1α r1
(C) 1/2 (D) 4 at2 = =
r1/2
=2
12 MAKERS Physics
(C) 1 : 1 (D) m1r1 : m2r2 PHYSICS
39. A cyclist turns around a curve at 15 miles/hour. If
Answer: (D) he turns at double the speed, the tendency to
overturn is:
Sol: As time periods are equal therefore ratio of
(A) Doubled (B) Quadrupled
(C) Halved (D) Unchanged
T
Answer: (B)
Unit 04 – Rotational & Circular Motion 13
mv 2 2π 1
Sol: F v2 = 2(rx) sin(90 / 2) = 2 1
F=
r T 2
If v becomes double then F (tendency to overturn) will 4π π 2 cm
become four times. = =
60 2 30 sec
40. Two particles of equal masses are revolving in [As T = 60 sec]
circular paths of radii r1 and r2 respectively with
44. In a circus stuntman rides a motorbike in a circular
the same speed. The ratio of their centripetal forces
track of radius R in the vertical plane. The
is: minimum speed at highest point of track will
r2
r r1 be:
(A) 2 (B)
r1 (A) 2gR (B) 2gR
2 2
(r (r (C) (D) gR
3gR

(C) 1 (D) 2
r2 r1 Answer: (D)
Answer: (A) Sol: Minimum speed at the highest point of vertical
mv 2 1 circular path v = gR
Sol: F = . If m and v are constants then F
r
F1 r2 45. A 1 kg stone at the end of 1 m long string is whirled
m =
F2 in a vertical circle at constant speed of 4 m/sec. The
tension in the string is 6 N, when the stone is at (g =
10 m/sec2):
41. Two bodies of mass 10 kg and 5 kg moving in (A) Top of the circle
concentric orbits of radii R and r such that their (B) Bottom of the circle
periods are the same. Then the ratio between their (C) Half way down
centripetal acceleration is: (D) None of the above

(A) R / r (B) r / R Answer: (A)

mv 2 1
Sol: mg = 1 10 = 10N , = = 16
(C) R 2 / r2 (D) r2 / R 2 r 1
mv 2
Answer: (A)
Tension at the top of circle = – mg = 6N
r
T R R
Sol: = = = mv2
r r Tension at the bottom of circle = + mg = 26N
r
[As ω ∝ 1 and Tr = TR]
T
42. A mass of 100 gm is tied to one end of a string 2 m
long. The body is revolving in a horizontal circle
making a maximum of 200 revolutions per min. 46. A car is moving with speed 30 m / sec on a circular
The other end of the string is fixed at the centre of path of radius 500 m. Its speed is increasing at the
the circle of revolution. The maximum tension that
the string can bear is (approximately): rate of 2m / sec2 , What is the acceleration of the
(A) 8.76 N (B) 8.94 N car:

(C) 89.42 N (D) 87.64 N (A) 2m / sec2 (B) 2.7m / sec2

Answer: (D)
(C) 1.8m / sec2 (D) 9.8 m / sec2
Sol: Maximum tension = mx r = m 4π 2
f r 2 2

By substituting the values we get Tmax = 87.64 N Answer: (B)

Sol: Net acceleration in non-uniform circular motion,
43. The length of second's hand in a watch is 1 cm. a= at2 + ac2
The change in velocity of its tip in 15 seconds is:
π at = tangential acceleration
(A) Zero (B) cm / sec
v2
ac = centripetal acceleration =

a= = 2.7 m/s 2
14 MAKERS Physics
30 2 PHYSICS
π
cm / sec (D) π 2
(C) 30 cm / sec
30

Answer: (D)
Sol: In 15 second's hand rotate through 90°.
Change in velocity v = 2v sin(θ / 2) 47. A body of mass m hangs at one end of a string of
length l, the other end of which is fixed. It is given
a horizontal velocity so that the string would just
Unit 04 – Rotational & Circular Motion 15
(D) Velocity is transverse and acceleration has both
reach where it makes an angle of 60 o with the
radial and transverse components
vertical. The tension in the string at mean position
is:
Answer: (D)
(A) 2 mg (B) mg Sol: In non-uniform circular motion particle
possess both centripetal as well as tangential
(C) 3mg (D) 3mg acceleration.
Answer: (A) 51. A stone of mass m is tied to a string and is moved in
Sol: When body is released from the position p (inclined a vertical circle of radius r making n revolutions
at angle θ from vertical) then velocity at mean position per minute. The total tension in the string when the
stone is at its lowest point is:
v = 2gl(1 – cosθ )
(A) mg (B) m(g + π f r 2 )
mv 2
m Tension at the lowest point = mg + (C) m(g + π f r)
m
T = mg + [2gl(1 – cos 60)] (D) m{g + (π 2 f 2 r) / 900}
l
Answer: (D)
T = mg + mg = 2mg
Sol: T = mg + mx2r = m{g + 4π 2 f 2r}

48. The tension in the string revolving in a vertical 900

circle with a mass m at the end which is at the
lowest position: 52. A coin, placed on a rotating turn-table slips, when

it is placed at a distance of 9 cm from the centre.

mv2 mv2 If the angular velocity of the turn-table is tripled,
(A) (B) – mg
r r it will just slip, if its distance from the centre is:
mv2 (A) 27 cm (B) 9 cm

(C) + mg (D) mg (C) 3 cm (D) 1 cm

r
Answer: (D)
Answer: (C) Sol: In the given condition friction provides the required
Sol: Tension = Centrifugal force + weight centripetal force and that is constant. i.e. mx2r=constant
2
2
(
r m r2 = r1 1
= = 1 cm
2
49. A fan is making 600 revolutions per minute. If after 53. Figure shows a body of mass m moving with a
some time it makes 1200 revolutions per minute, uniform speed v along a circle of radius r. The
then increase in its angular velocity is: change in velocity in going

(A) 10π rad / sec (B) 20π rad / sec from A to B is:
(C) 40π rad / sec (D) 60π rad / sec
Answer: (B) (A) v 2
Sol: Increment in angular velocity (B) v / 2
(C) v
(D) zero
rad Answer: (A)
x = 2π (1200– 600)
( 90
Sol: v = 2v sin(θ / 2) = 2v sin = 2v sin 45 = v 2
2π 600 rad
x=
circular motion:
(A) Velocity is radial and acceleration is transverse
s only
50. For a particle in a non-uniform accelerated (B) Velocity is transverse and acceleration is radial
16 MAKERS Physics
only 54. For a particle in circular motion
PHYSICS the centripetal
(C) Velocity is radial and acceleration has both radial acceleration is
and transverse components (A) Less than its tangential acceleration
(B) Equal to its tangential acceleration
(C) More than its tangential acceleration
(D) May be more or less than its tangential acc.
Answer: (A)
Sol: There is no relation between centripetal and
tangential acceleration. Centripetal acceleration is must
for circular motion but tangential acceleration may be
zero.
Unit 04 – Rotational & Circular Motion 17

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