Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation

6.1 – Circular motion

Essential idea:
A force applied perpendicular to a body’s
displacement can result in its circular motion.
Nature of science:
Observable universe: Observations and
subsequent deductions led to the realization that
the force must act radially inwards in all cases of
circular motion.
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Understandings:
• Period, frequency, angular displacement and angular
velocity
• Centripetal force
• Centripetal acceleration
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Applications and skills:
• Identifying the forces providing the centripetal forces
such as tension, friction, gravitational, electrical, or
magnetic
• Solving problems involving centripetal force,
centripetal acceleration, period, frequency, angular
displacement, linear speed and angular velocity
• Qualitatively and quantitatively describing examples of
circular motion including cases of vertical and
horizontal circular motion
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Guidance:
• Banking will be considered qualitatively only
Data booklet reference:
•
•
•
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
International-mindedness:
• International collaboration is needed in establishing
effective rocket launch sites to benefit space
programs
Theory of knowledge:
• Foucault’s pendulum gives a simple observable proof
of the rotation of the earth, which is largely
unobservable. How can we have knowledge of
things that are unobservable?
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Utilization:
• Motion of charged particles in magnetic fields (see
Physics sub-topic 5.4)
• Mass spectrometry (see Chemistry sub-topics 2.1 and
11.3)
• Playground and amusement park rides often use the
principles of circular motion in their design
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Aims:
• Aim 6: experiments could include (but are not limited
to): mass on a string; observation and quantification
of loop-the-loop experiences; friction of a mass on a
turntable
• Aim 7: technology has allowed for more accurate and
precise measurements of circular motion, including
data loggers for force measurements and video
analysis of objects moving in circular motion
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Centripetal force and acceleration
A particle is said to be in uniform circular motion if it
travels in a circle (or arc) with constant speed v.
Observe that the velocity vector is always tangent to
the circle.
Note that the magnitude of the velocity vector is v red
NOT changing. r blue
Note that the direction of the velocity y
v
vector IS changing.
Thus, there is an acceleration, even r
though the speed is not changing!
x
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Centripetal force and acceleration
To find the direction of the acceleration () we observe
two nearby snapshots of the particle:
The direction of the acceleration is gotten from
v = v2 – v1 = v2 + (-v1):
The direction of the acceleration is toward the v red
center of the circle - you must be able to sketch this. r blue
v2 y v2
-v1 v1
v -v1
v 1 v
x
FYI
Centripetal means center-seeking.
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Centripetal force and acceleration
How does centripetal acceleration ac depend on r and
v?
To explore this we define the centripetal force Fc:
Fc = mac centripetal force
Picture yourself as the passenger in a
car that is rounding a left turn:
The sharper the turn, the harder you
and your door push against each other.
(Small r = big Fc.)
· The faster the turn, the harder you
and your door push against each other. Fc
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Solving centripetal acceleration and force problems
𝐹 𝑐 = 𝑚 𝑎𝑐
centripetal force
𝑣2
𝑎 𝑐=
𝑟
centripetal acceleration
EXAMPLE: A 730-kg Smart Car negotiates a 30. m
radius turn at 25. m s-1. What is its centripetal
acceleration and force? What force is causing this
acceleration?
SOLUTION:
ms-2.
N.
· The centripetal force is caused by the friction force
between the tires and the pavement.
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Period and frequency
The period is the time for one complete revolution.
The frequency (measured in Hz or ) is defined as how
many cycles (oscillations, repetitions, revolutions) occur
each second.
Since period is seconds per revolution, frequency
must be .
1
𝑓 =
𝑇 or relation between T and f
EXAMPLE: Find the period and the frequency of a day.
SOLUTION:
The period is s.
The frequency is Hz.
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Period and centripetal acceleration
Sometimes the period of a revolution is given, rather
than a velocity.
One revolution is one circumference C = 2r.
Therefore .
Thus so that

2
𝑣2 𝑎 𝑐=
4  𝑟 centripetal
𝑎 𝑐= 𝑇 2
acceleration
𝑟
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Solving centripetal acceleration and force problems
2
𝑣2 𝑎 𝑐=
4  𝑟 centripetal
𝑎 𝑐= 𝑇 2
acceleration
𝑟
EXAMPLE: Albert the 2.50-kg physics cat is being
swung around by a string harness having a radius of
3.00 meters. He takes 5.00 seconds to complete one
fun revolution. What are ac and Fc?
Albert
SOLUTION:
ms-2. the
N . Physics
The tension is causing the centripetal Cat
force, so the tension is N.
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Angular displacement and arc length
Consider the rotating arm which 
has 6 paint cans along its radius. s
s
Each can has a spout that is s
opened for exactly a quarter s
of a revolution. s
We call  the angular
displacement.
All 6 color trails represent the
same angular displacements of 90˚.
Each color traces out a different displacement s.
We call s the arc length.
All 6 color trails represent different arc lengths.
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Angular displacement and arc length
At this point it is useful to define a new way to measure
angles – called radians.
 rad = 180° = ½ rev radian-degree-revolution
2 rad = 360° = 1 rev conversions
Looking at the above conversions we see that there
are 2 rad in 360˚.
EXAMPLE:
Convert 30 into radians (rad) and convert 1.75 rad to
degrees.
SOLUTION:
. 1.75 𝑟𝑎𝑑 (  𝑟𝑎𝑑 )
180 °
=100 °
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Angular displacement and arc length
 rad = 180° = ½ rev radian-degree-revolution
2 rad = 360° = 1 rev conversions
The relationship between angular displacement  and
arc length s is
𝑠=𝑟   in radians relation between s and 
where r is the radius.
EXAMPLE: Suppose the red line is located
at a radius of 1.50 m and the green line is
located at 1.25 m. Find their lengths.
SOLUTION: rad.
m.
m.
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Angular speed and speed
𝑠=𝑟   in radians relation between s and 
The arc length s is simply the displacement we learned
about in Topic 2, and is the s that is in s = ut + (½) at 2.
Because speed is , we see that
(definition of speed)
(substitution)
(associative property)
(define ) Thus…

𝑣 =𝑟
We  the angular speed.relation between v and 
call
(rad s -1
)
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Angular speed and speed
𝑣 =𝑟  (rad s -1
) relation between v and 
EXAMPLE: Find the angular speed of the second
hand on a clock. Then find the speed of the tip of
the hand if it is 18.0 cm long.
SOLUTION: A second hand turns 2 rad each 60 s.
Thus it has an angular speed given by
rad s-1.
The speed of the tip is given by
ms-1.
FYI Speed depends on length or position but angular
speed does not.
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Angular speed and speed
𝑣 =𝑟  (rad s -1
) relation between v and 
EXAMPLE: A car rounds a
90° turn in 6.0 seconds.
What is its angular speed
during the turn?
SOLUTION:
Since  needs radians we
begin by converting :
rad.
Now we use
rad s-1.
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Banking
The car is able to round the
curve because of the friction
between tire and pavement.
The friction always points to
the center of the circle.
So, how does a plane follow
a circular trajectory?
There is no sideways friction force that the plane can
use because there is no solid friction between the air
and the plane.
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Banking
Using control surfaces on the tail and the
main wings, planes can execute three
types of maneuver:
ROLL – Ailerons act in opposing directions
YAW – Tail rudder turns left or right
PITCH – Ailerons and horizontal stabilizer
act together

FYI
It is the ROLL maneuver that
gives a plane a centripetal force
as we will see on the next slide.
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Banking
As the plane banks (rolls), the lift vector
begins to have a horizontal component.
The centripetal force causes the plane
to begin traveling in a horizontal circle.
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Banking
Even though cars use friction,
roads are banked so that the
need for friction is reduced.
Instead of a component of the LIFT
force providing a centripetal force,
a component of the NORMAL force
does so.

R FYI A banked curve can

be designed so that a car
can make the turn even if it
FC is perfectly frictionless!
W
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Angular speed and centripetal acceleration
Sometimes the angular speed of an object in circular
motion is given, rather than its velocity.
From we get .
From we get

.
Putting it all together we have
2
𝑣2 𝑚𝑣
𝑎 𝑐=
𝑟
𝐹 𝑐=
𝑟 ac and Fc
4 𝑟
2 4 𝜋 2 𝑚𝑟 (all three
𝐹 𝑐=
𝑎 𝑐= 𝑇
2
forms)
𝑇 2
2 2
𝑎 𝑐=𝑟  𝐹 𝑐= 𝑚  𝑟
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Angular velocity
relation between , T and f
As speed with a direction is called velocity, angular
speed with a direction is called angular velocity.
To assign a direction to a rotation we v
use a right hand rule as follows:
r
1. Rest the heel of your right hand on the
rotating object.
2. Make sure your fingers are curled
in the direction of rotation. FYI 
Angular
3. Your extended thumb points velocity always points
in the direction of the angular perpendicular to the
velocity. plane of motion!
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Angular velocity
relation between , T and f
PRACTICE: Find the angular velocity
(in rad s-1) of the wheel on the shaft.
It is rotating at 30.0 rpm (revolutions
per minute).
SOLUTION:
The magnitude of  is given by
rad s-1
The direction of  is given by the right hand rule:
“Place heel of right hand so fingers are curled in
direction of rotation. Thumb gives the direction.”
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Identifying the forces providing centripetal forces
PRACTICE:
Identify at least five forces that are centripetal in nature:
SOLUTION:
The tension force (Albert the physics cat and Arnold).
The friction force (the race car making the turn).
The gravitational force (the baseball and the earth).
The electric force (an electron orbiting a nucleus).
The magnetic force (a moving charge in a B-field).
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Solving centripetal acceleration and force problems
PRACTICE: Dobson is watching a 16-pound bowling
ball being swung around at 50 m/s by Arnold. If the
string is cut at the instant the ball is next to the ice
cream, what will the ball do?
(a) It will follow path A and strike Dobson's ice cream.
(b) It will fly outward along curve path B.
(c) It will fly tangent to the original circular path along C.

C
B
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Solving centripetal acceleration and force problems
EXAMPLE: Suppose a 0.500-kg baseball is placed in a
circular orbit around the earth at slightly higher that the
tallest point, Mount Everest (8850 m). Given that the
earth has a radius of RE = 6400000 m, find the speed of
the ball.
SOLUTION: The ball is traveling in a circle
of radius m.
Fc is caused by the weight of the ball so
that N.
Since we have
m s-1!
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Solving centripetal acceleration and force problems
EXAMPLE: Suppose a 0.500-kg baseball is placed in a
circular orbit around the earth at slightly higher that the
tallest point, Mount Everest (8850 m). How long will it
take the ball to return to Everest?
SOLUTION: We want to find the period T.
We know that v = 8000 m s-1.
We also know that r = 6408850 m.
Since we have

h.
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Solving centripetal acceleration and force problems
EXAMPLE: Explain how an object can remain in orbit
yet always be falling.
SOLUTION:
Throw the ball at progressively larger speeds.
In all instances the force of gravity will draw
the ball toward the center of the earth.
When the ball is finally thrown at a
great enough speed, the curvature of
the ball’s path will match the curvature
of the earth’s surface.
The ball is effectively falling around
the earth!
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Solving centripetal acceleration and force problems
PRACTICE: Find the angular speed of the minute
hand of a clock, and the rotation of the earth in
one day.
SOLUTION:
The minute hand takes 1 hour to go around one time.
rad s-1.
The earth takes 24 h for each revolution so that

rad s-1.
This small angular speed is why we can’t really feel the
earth as it spins.
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Solving centripetal acceleration and force problems
EXAMPLE: Find the apparent weight of 90˚ 
someone standing on an equatorial scale
r
if his weight is 882 N at the north pole.
R
SOLUTION: Recall that  = 0.0000727 0˚ 
rad s-1 anywhere on the earth.
The blue arcs represent the lines of
latitude.
The white line R represents the earth’s radius.
The yellow line r represents the radius of the circle a
point at a latitude of  follows.
Note that r = R cos , and that at the equator,  = 0˚
and at the pole,  = 90˚.
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Solving centripetal acceleration and force problems
EXAMPLE: Find the apparent weight of

someone standing on an equatorial scale
r
if his weight is 882 N at the north pole.
R
SOLUTION: Recall that  = 0.0000727 
rad s-1 anywhere on the earth.
Thus, at the equator, r = R, and at the
pole, r = 0. Furthermore, R = 6400000 m.
Then, at the equator,
ms-2.
Then, at the pole,
ms-2.
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Solving centripetal acceleration and force problems
EXAMPLE: Find the apparent weight of
someone standing on an equatorial scale
if his weight is 882 N at the north pole.
SOLUTION: Make a free-body W 𝑭𝑵
diagram at the equator…
ac
Scales read the normal force :

Then,N.
The man has apparently “lost” about 3 N!
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Solving centripetal acceleration and force problems

Use (k = CONST).
implies that as increases, so does the centripetal force needed to
move it in a circle. Thus, x increases.
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Solving centripetal acceleration and force problems


Nm-1.
ms-1
N.
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
Use v = r ( = CONST).
6.1 – Circular motion Use a = r2 ( = CONST).
Solving centripetal acceleration and force problems

At P At Q
r=R r = 2R
v = R v = 2R = 2v
a = R 2 a = 2R 2 = 2a
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
Solving centripetal acceleration and force problems

Objects moving in uniform circular motion feel a centripetal

(center-seeking) force.