SURYA VARSANI ACADEMY

HANDOUT - 1
DATE: GRADE : XII
MOTION IN A CIRCLE
NAME: SUBJECT: PHYSICS
Learning outcomes
Kinematics of uniform circular motion
a. define the radian and express angular displacement in radians
b. understand and use the concept of angular speed to solve problems
c. recall and use v = rω to solve problems
Centripetal acceleration and centripetal force
a. describe qualitatively motion in a curved path due to a perpendicular force, and understand
the centripetal acceleration in the case of uniform motion in a circle
v2
b. recall and use centripetal acceleration equations a = rω2 and a = r

mv2
c. recall and use centripetal force equations F = mrω2 and F = r

Radian: Radians are a way of measuring angles, other than using degrees.
Let’s imagine an object moving in a circular path of radius ‘r’.
Here, the angle θ through which the object has moved is known as its
length of arc s
angular displacement (θ) = = ⇒ s = rθ.
radius r
Here, ‘s’ is the linear displacement.
Since, the circumference is 2πr, we can also conclude:
There are 2πr radians in a fll circle, so 2π radians is equivalent to 360°.
Mathematically, 2π = 360°.
360°
⇒ 1 radian = 2π ≈ 57.3°.

θ
Which gives us s = x 2πr (if calculating in degrees).
360ᵒ
π
To convert from degrees to radians, multiply by 180° .

180°
To convert from radians to degrees, multiply by π .

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Rate of rotation
Assuming the object is moving in the circular path of radius ‘r’ at a steady rate. In time ‘t’, it covers
an angular displacement of θ. The rate of rotation can be measured either as an angular velocity
or as a frequency.
angular displacement θ
Angular velocity (ω) = = , SI Unit: rad/s.
time t
number of rotations
Frequency (f) = , SI unit: Hertz (Hz).
time taken
1
Period (T): This is the time taken for one rotation. T = , SI unit: Sec.
f
2π
Relation between ω, f and T: ω = 2πf, T = .
ω
Conversions
 revs/sec → rad/sec ⇒ x 2π
2π
 revs/min → rad/sec ⇒ x 60

π
 degrees/sec → rad/sec ⇒ 180

Relation between angular speed and linear speed

s rθ
We know, s = rθ and v = ⇒v= .
t t
θ
Also, ω = ⇒ v = rω.
t
Centripetal Acceleration
 The resultant force acting on the body moving in circular path produces acceleration.
 This acceleration has the direction as the force, towards the center of the circle. This is
known as centripetal acceleration.
v2
 Mathematically, angular acceleration, a = ω2r and linear acceleration a = .
r
 Combined both the equations, we get a mixed form of acceleration, a = vω.
Centripetal Force
 If a body is moving in circular path, there must be a force acting on it, for if there were not, it
would move in a straight line.
 If a body is moving at a constant speed, this force cannot have a component which is in the
direction of motion of the body, for if it did it would be bound to either increase or decrease
the speed of the body.

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  This shows that the force that acts on the body must be perpendicular to the direction of
motion of the body which are directed towards the center of the circular path. This force is
known as a centripetal force.
 According to Newton's 2nd law,
mv2
F = ma = = mrω2 = mvω
r
FEW EXAMPLES OF CIRCULAR MOTION
 Motion of Bicycle Rider Round Circular Track
The centripetal force is provided by frictional force F.
mv2
Therefore, F= …………………(1)
r
This frictional force produces a clockwise moment about G,
which must be balanced by the anticlockwise moment produced
by R.
⇒ Fh = Ra = mga……………….(2)
a F
⇒ = = tanθ
h mg
Where θ is the angle of inclination to the vertical?
mv2 v2
⇒ tanθ = =
rmg rg
1
⇒ tanθ ∝ V2 and tanθ ∝
r
(*Note: If the quicker the velocity to turn a sharp angle the larger is θ (bend dipper) if the
frictional force is not enough to provide centripetal force, skidding occurs.)
 Motion of car Round Circular Track
Suppose a car is moving with velocity V round a horizontal
circular track of radius r, and let R1 and R2 be the
respective normal reactions at wheels A and B, while F1
and F2 are the corresponding frictional forces.
The centripetal force is provides by friction
mv2
F1 + F2 = ………………(1)
r
Sum of all vertical forces equal zero
R1 + R2 = mg…………………(2)
For the car not to be overturn, sum of all moments about G = 0
(F1 + F2)h + R1a - R2a = 0…….(3)

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From these 3 equations:
m
R1 =
h
2(g - v2 )
ra
m
R2 =
h
2(g + v2 )
ra
*Note
arg
 R2 never vanishes since it always has a positive value, but if V2 = then, R1 = 0 which
h
means the car is about to overturn outwards. In order to keep the car not overturn,
arg
V2 <
h
 For racing car, the value of V is inevitably large, and the corner is inevitably sharp, the
arg V2 ag
design is such as to maintain V2 < i.e. < ( V is large, and r is small )
h r h
Therefore, ‘a’ must be large, and ‘h’ must be small, and the tyres are as wide as possible in
order to get enough friction for turning.
 Motion of a car on Round Banked Track
Suppose a car is moving round a banked
track in a circular path of radius r, if the
road is very slippery, the only forces acting
on the wheels are the normal reactions R1
and R2. The centripetal force is provided by
the component of (R1 + R2)
mv2
(R1 + R2) Sinθ = ……………………..(1)
r
For vertical equilibrium to occur,
(R1 + R2) Cosθ = mg……………………..(2)
Dividing equations (1) and (2)
V2
tanθ =
rg
*Note
 The banking angle θ depends on V2 and r. If V2 is large and r is small (sharp corner) then
the value of θ should be large.
 The design of a racing track is not linear but curved upwards with θ increasing outwards
because as the car is moving too fast and turning too sharp, the car will skid outwards, the
larger value of θ outwards provides a larger centripetal force

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  Aircraft turning in the flight
When an aeroplane is about to turn about O, it must be tilted at an
angle θ to the vertical because, the centripetal force is provided by
the horizontal component of the uplifting force N.i.e.
mv2
Centripetal force, Nsinθ = …………….(1)
r
Vertical equilibrium Ncosθ = mg………………..(2)
V2
Dividing equation (2) by (1) ⇒ tanθ =
rg
V2
(*Note: The angle of tilt depends on the value .)
rg
Looping the loop
A bucket of water is looping in the loop, at its highest point A, the centripetal
force is provided by mg, i.e.
mv2 v2
mg = ⇒g= ⇒ V = gr
r r
*Note
 This is the condition for the water to remain in the bucket.
mv2
 If the velocity is too small that V < gr , then mg > r i.e. the weight is not completely

used in the centripetal force, the used part of the weight causes the water to leave the
bucket.
mv2
 If V > gr i.e. mg < r , that means mg is not large enough to provide the required

centripetal force, hence, water will press the bottom of the bucket. Then the bucket will
mv2
provide a normal reaction N, so that N + mg = r .

 Conical Pendulum
A conical pendulum is basically a mass on a string moving in horizontal circles. The centripetal
force is produced by the horizontal circles. The centripetal
force is produced by the horizontal component of the
tension in the string.

Vertically, mg = T sinθ …………..(1)

mv2
Horizontally, = T cosθ ………..(2)
r
gr
Dividing equation (1) by (2) ⇒ Tanθ =
V2

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