CIRCULAR MOTION

Remember that force pointing towards the center of the circle (Fseat) are positive
& those pointing away from the center (w) are negative.

Fseat

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 = 72 kg (34.1 m/s2 + 9.8m/
r

120m

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.
6.5

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
N

The maximum safe velocity v is F

mv 2
SN = Smg
r

car

r
v

mg
free body
diagram of car

v2
or S =
rg

or v = S rg
It is independent of the mass of the car. The safe velocity is same for all vehicles of larger and smaller
mass.
EXAMPLE BA SED ON A CAR TTAKING
AKING A TURN ON A LEVEL ROAD
Ex.23 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 ?
Sol. The minimum S should be that
S mg =

mv 2
r

Hare v = 30

S =

or

S =

v2
rg

km 30 1000
25
=
=
m/s
h
3600
3

25 25
1

= 0.115
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.