Year 12 Physics

Unit 6

Curvy Things

Curvy things: the physics of projectile and circular

motion
External Assessment 2.4: Mechanics

Below is a list of specific leaning objectives (SLO’s) for this unit:

o Describe the horizontal and vertical motion of projectiles

o Solve projectile motion problems
o Describe the velocity and acceleration of an object experienceing circular motion
o Explain the forces that result in circular motion
o Explain how an object can have constant speed but still be accelerating
o Use the equation ac = v2/r to calculate centripetal acceleration
o Use the equation Fc = mv2/r to calculate centripetal force

Section 2: Circular Motion

We will be looking at uniform circular motion – that is, objects that are moving in
a circle, and maintain a constant speed around the circle.

Concept Question A: If an object moves at a constant speed, in a circle, is it

accelerating? D

There are three key requirements for an object to move in a circle:

1. The object must have a speed, v, tangential to the circle

2. The object must experience a net acceleration, a, toward the centre of the
circle

D
m v2
3. The magnitude of that acceleration must be exactly equal to a =
r

In the above formula, v is the speed of the object, and r is the radius of the circle.

Because of Newton’s second law (F = ma), we also know that the Force on an object
moving in a circle is:
mv2
F = D=
r

A Common Misunderstanding…

One very important thing to note is that the F in this formula is the net force on
the object. It is the sum of all the forces Dacting on the object. It is a requirement to
make an object move in a circle, and must be provided by some physical means. It
is not an extra force that appears because an object is moving in a circle.
When a net force or acceleration meets the requirements for circular motion, it
is called a centripetal force.

Concept Question B: when you are in a car and turn left, you slide toward the
right hand side of the car (i.e. in a game
D of “corners”). Why is this? Is there a
force pushing you outwards?

 Activity 2a: the diagram below shows a bird’s eye view of a car driving
around a circular track at 11ms-1.

o Draw labelled vectors showing the velocity, force, and acceleration of

the car

o If the mass of the car is 2500kg, and the radius of the loop is 24m,
calculate the net force on the car.

o Explain where this force comes from.