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SCIENCE
Quarter 1 – Module 3:
CIRCULAR MOTION

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Science – Grade 8
Quarter 1 – Module 3: Uniform Circular Motion

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Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin

DEVELOPMENT TEAM OF THE MODULE

WRITER: Jeriel G. Martirez

REVIEWERS: Maria Charlene D. Dipad

Welimen C. Oseo
Alvin T. Rosare
Michelle H. Guadamor

EDITORS: Maria Charlene D. Dipad

Welimen C. Oseo
Michelle H. Guadamor

LAYOUT ARTISTS: Kevin H. Ojos

Roman B. Jebulan

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 Most Essential Learning Competency

Relate the Laws of Motion to bodies in Uniform

Circular Motion

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 UNIFORM CIRCULAR MOTION

Introduction

In the previous modules, you learned about Newton’s

Three Laws of Motion such as the Law of Inertia, Law of
Acceleration and Law of Interaction. You did some tasks and
exercises to gain insights about the relationship among
force, mass and acceleration. In Grade 7, you were able to
describe the motion of an object in terms of its speed,
velocity and acceleration.
In this module, we will explore uniform circular motion
and link it to the three laws of motion. Understanding this
concept will help you explain why objects move in circular
motion.

Most Essential Learning

Competency & Objectives

In this module, you will learn how to Relate laws of motion to bodies
in uniform circular motion.

Specifically, you will learn to:

✓ Describe uniform circular motion.
✓ Explain how the first law of motion (Law of Inertia) is related to
objects moving in uniform circular motion.

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 Pre-Test

Before we start our lesson, try to answer these

five (5) questions below.

Directions: Read the questions carefully and choose the

letter of the correct answer.
1. How are you going to describe uniform circular motion?
a. An object moving in circle with constant speed.
b. An object moving in circle with constant velocity.
c. An object moving in circle with constant acceleration.
d. An object moving in circle with constant speed and direction.
2. Which statement is true about an object travelling in uniform circular
motion?
a. The speed of the object changes.
b. The speed of the object does not change.
c. Both the speed and the direction of the object change.
d. The direction of the velocity of the object is constant.
3. An object moving in uniform circular motion has constant __________, but
a changing __________.
a. speed; velocity c. acceleration; force
b. acceleration; speed d. force; speed
4. Newton’s First Law of Motion states that an object moving at constant
speed will continue that motion unless acted upon by a net force. In uniform
circular motion, objects follow the curved line of a circle because of the “net
force”. This net force refers to ______________.
a. an action-reaction force c. the normal force
b. a centripetal force d. the weight of an object
5. Referring to the Law of Inertia, what would happen to an object moving in
uniform circular motion if there is no net force acting on it?
a. moves toward the center c. continue to move in circular direction
b. moves away from the center d. travel in a straight line

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 How did you find the test? It’s okay if
you’re not yet sure with your answers. As you
go on with this module, you will learn and find
out if you’re answers are correct. So buckle up
and get ready with your journey.

Learning Activities

E licit!

Before we start our lesson for this

module, let’s revisit the Newton’s Laws of
Motion, and then, answer the activity that
follows.

An object at rest
will remain at rest
The greater the
unless an external
mass of an object,
force acts on it. For every action
the more force is
A moving object will needed to force, there is an
continue moving in accelerate that equal and opposite
a straight path object. reaction force.
unless acted by an
external force.

Law of Inertia Law of Acceleration Law of Interaction

Newton’s Three Laws of Motion

Note: you may also visit this link for a brief review of Newton’s three laws of motion.
https://youtu.be/aA_mqSzbkMO

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Which law of motion is involved in each situation?

1. A cup half-filled with water is placed near

the end of a plastic sheet. Pedro suddenly
pulled the plastic sheet from under the cup.
He observed that the cup remains in place.
_______________________

2. In a grocery store, a man is pushing his two carts.

Cart A is empty while Cart B is fully loaded with
groceries. The man finds it easier to push Cart A
than Cart B. _______________________

3. If you are driving in your car at a very high speed

and hit something, like a brick wall or a tree, the
car will come to an instant stop, but you will keep
moving forward. _______________________

4. When you dive off a diving board, you push down

on the springboard. The board springs back and
forces you into the air. _______________________

You need these concepts about Newton’s

laws of motion for you to better understand our
lesson for this module.

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 E ngage!
Have you already experienced riding in a roller
coaster, Ferris wheel and carousel during carnivals/fiesta?
Or have you seen images of how planets revolve around
the sun? Can you think of other objects moving in circular
motion? Draw on the space provided or you can cut out and
paste pictures/ examples of objects moving in circular
motion.

Example 1: Example 2:

Now, I’d like you to consider and analyze the

pictures you’ve pasted or drawing you’ve drawn. Try to
answer these questions.

1. What is common among these examples?

________________________________________________________
2. How are you going to describe the direction of their motions?
________________________________________________________
3. What can you say about objects moving in circular motion?
________________________________________________________

You will learn more about uniform

circular motion as you do the succeeding
activities.

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E xplore!

You are now going to perform two activities to

learn more about uniform circular motion and
how it is related to the Law of Inertia.

Exploration 1: MOVING IN CIRCLE

In this activity you are going to describe uniform circular

motion. Study the illustration about an object moving in a clockwise
direction around a circular path and answer the corresponding
questions.

1. What can you say about the speed of the object as it moves around the
circle?
________________________________________________________
2. What can you say about the direction of the object as it moves around
the circle?
________________________________________________________

3. What can you say about its velocity? Why do you say so?
________________________________________________________

4. What can you say about its acceleration? Why do you say so?
________________________________________________________

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 5. The diagram shown is an example of objects moving in uniform circular
motion. What is “uniform” or what “remains the same” when objects
move in uniform circular motion?
________________________________________________________

Use your understanding of the concepts of velocity and acceleration to

answer the next four questions.

6. Which arrow below represents the direction of acceleration when the

object is located at point A on the circle? _________
7. Which arrow below represents the direction of acceleration when the
object is located at point C on the circle? _________
8. Which arrow below represents the direction of the velocity when the
object is located at point B on the circle? _________
9. Which arrow below represents the direction of the velocity when the
object is located at point C on the circle? _________

Take some time to

. understand some
concepts about uniform circular motion
before we do the next task.

Uniform circular motion can be described as motion

of an object in a circular path at constant (uniform)
speed. As an object moves in circle, it is constantly
changing direction.
As an example of uniform circular motion,
Figure 3.1, shows a race car moving in a circular
path at 40km/h. If the race car is in uniform circular
motion, it means that its speed is constant or the
same which is 40 km/h at every point on the circle.

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 In the previous activity, you were able to describe
uniform circular motion. Let’s see how it is related to
Newton’s First Law of motion. Let’s find this out in the next
activity.

Exploration 2: WHIRL THE BALL

In this activity you are going to explain how the first law of motion
(Law of Inertia) is related to objects moving in uniform circular motion.
You will need the following materials and read the procedure carefully.

Materials needed:

Procedures:
1. Put the rubber ball inside an ice wrapper. In case the rubber ball is not
available, the Ping pong ball can be an alternative. Make a small slit on
the ping pong and put sand inside it, then cover and put it inside the ice
wrapper. Another alternative is to put a basketball toy inside the 3x4
plastic bag.
2. Tie the ball using the rubber band and connect the yarn.
3. Whirl the ball fairly gently in a horizontal plane above the head.
4. Repeat step 3, 3-4 times. Observe the behavior of the ball and its motion.
5. Release the yarn. Observe the motion. Repeat this step 3 – 4 times.
(Remind the group to be careful)
(Note: you may click and visit this for online tutorial about this activity: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2-
0kUaRpH-I)

Guide Questions:

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1. Is the force on the ball a push or a pull? Is it a push or a pull?
2. What is the direction of force exerted by the hand/string on the ball? Is it
towards the center or away from the center?
3. What happens to the ball when you release the yarn?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

4. How are you going to describe the direction of the ball?

___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________.
5. Using the law of inertia, explain why the ball behaves that way.
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________.

Great job! You have completed the activities.

Take time to review and analyze your answers.
This activity enables you to understand how the
law of inertia is related to uniform circular motion.

L et’s Explain!
Take time to understand the following ideas or
concepts for you to confirm the results of the
activities you have performed.

Newton’s first law of motion states that an object stays at

rest or an object continues in its state of motion at a constant
speed along a straight path unless acted upon by a net force.
Hence, for an object to move in a horizontal circle, you have to
pull the object inward towards the center of the circular path. So the force comes
from the string that pulls the object towards the center of its circular path. This
inward force pointing towards the center is called Centripetal force. This force
is needed for object to move in uniform circular motion. Centripetal force is not
a new force. It only describes forces already acting on the body. It is a name
given to any force like tension force, gravitational force that is directed towards
the center. You will learn more about this centripetal force on your next module.

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 In your activity, when the string was released
the ball fly off in a straight line tangent to the string (the
radius). It’s the ball’s Inertia that makes it continue
in a straight line path. Let’s consider the figure given.
An object tied to a string is moving in uniform circular
motion. The object is represented by the orange ball.
When the string is suddenly cut, there is no longer net
force acting on the object, so the tendency of the
object is to move in straight line (represented by red
arrow) not on the circular path (represented by the Figure 1
green arrow).

Now that you have understood how uniform

circular motion is related to the law of inertia, let’s try
to apply what you’ve learned in the next task.

E laborate!

Do you know that uniform circular motion as it

relates to the First law of motion can be used to explain
why planet Earth stays on its orbit?

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 Source: https://www.pixabay.com

The Earth stays on its orbit because the gravity of the Sun pulls the planet
in. but the motion sideways keeps the planet swinging around. Without that
sideways motion, it would fall to the sun and without the pull towards the center
it will go flying off in a straight line as explained in the law of inertia.

Now try to answer these questions in order to

summarize what you have learned in this
module.

1. How are you going to describe

uniform circular motion?

2. The picture above depicts an

athlete doing a hammer throw.
Explain the relation of Newton’s
law of inertia to circular motion.

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 Now that you have summarized and
understood important concepts about uniform circular
motion as it relates to the Newton’s first law of motion
(law of inertia), let’s extend your understanding a little
further by answering the next task.

L et’s Extend!
Read and understand the situation below.
Between Kardo and Alyana, whose idea do you agree
with? And why?

Kardo and Alyana are out on a date. Kardo makes a

rapid right-hand turn. Alyana begins sliding across the vinyl
seat (that Kardo had waxed and polished beforehand) and
collides with Kardo. To break the awkwardness of the situation,
Kardo and Alyana begin discussing the physics of the motion
that was just experienced. Kardo suggests that objects which
move in a circle experience an outward force. Thus, as the turn
was made, Alyana experienced an outward force that pushed
her towards Kardo. Alyana disagrees, arguing that objects that
move in a circle experience an inward force. In this case,
according to Alyana, Kardo traveled in a circle due to the force
of his door pushing him inward. Alyana did not travel in a circle
since there was no force pushing her inward; she merely
continued in a straight line until she collided with Kardo. Who
is correct? Why?
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________

Great job! You have completed your task. If

you need some clarifications feel free to ask your
teacher.

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 Vocabulary List

You may refer to the following vocabulary words used in this module:

Centripetal force – a force acts on a body moving in circular path and is

directed toward the center around which the body is moving.
Constant speed – unchanging or no change in speed.
Inertia – tendency of an object to remain at rest or in uniform motion in the
same direction by virtue of its mass.
Law of Inertia – law of motion which state that: “an object at rest will remain at
rest and moving object will continue moving in a straight path unless acted by
an external force.”
Uniform Circular Motion – motion of an object moving at a constant speed on
a circle but with changing direction.

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 E
E valuate!

Post-Test

I know that you can now answer the

questions below. The questions will test how
much have you learned in this module. You can
do it!

Direction: Read each item carefully and choose the letter of the correct
answer.
1. Which of the following statement correctly describes uniform circular
motion? Uniform circular motion is a motion
__________________________.
a. with constant speed and direction in a circular path.
b. with changing speed and direction in a circular path.
c. with constant speed but changing direction in a circular path.
d. with constant velocity but with changing direction in a circular
path.

2. Which of the following describes an object in uniform circular motion?

i. constant speed iii. changing speed
ii. constant direction iv. changing direction
a. i and ii only c. iii and iv only
b. i and iv only d. iii and ii only
3. Referring to Law of Inertia, what will happen to an object moving in
uniform circular motion when there’s no net force acting on it?
a. The object will move in a straight path.
b. The object will move toward the center.
c. The object will move away from the center.
d. The object will continue moving in circular path.

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4. Refer to the figure provided, a model
plane is attached on a string and is in
uniform circular motion represented by
the line. If the girl, release the string,
what will happen to the model plane?
a. The plane will stop moving.
b. The plane will move towards
the girl.
c. The plane will continue moving in circle.
d. The plane will continue moving in a straight direction.

5. According to the law of inertia, moving object will continue moving in a

straight path unless acted by a net force. What happened to the speed
and velocity of an object, when there’s no centripetal force acting on
object in uniform circular motion?
a. Speed will remain the same while velocity changes.
b. Speed will change while velocity remains the same.
c. Both speed and velocity remain the same.
d. Both speed and velocity change.

Hooray, you have finished your first module for

uniform circular motion!
Please check your answers by referring to the
answer key. If you scored lower than 4, please go over
the earlier parts of this module and take on the
activities once again. If you scored 4 or above, you are
now ready for the next module.
CONGRATULATIONS!

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 Answer Keys

Pre-Test Answer Keys

1. A
2. B
3. A
4. B
5. D

Learning Activities Answer Keys

Elicit:
1. Law of inertia
2. Law of acceleration
3. Law of inertia
4. Law of Interaction
Engage:
1. They are all moving in uniform circular motion.
2. The direction of the motion changes from time to time as the object
moves around in circular path
3. They are moving in circular path and with changing direction.
Explore 1:
1. The speed of the object is constant or remains the same.
2. The direction of the object changes as it moves in circle.
3. The velocity of the object changes, since the direction of the object
changes.
4. The acceleration of the object also changes, since velocity changes.
5. It is the speed of the object as it moves around in circle.
6. Answer = D (The force is directed inward to the circle; that would be downward
when at point A)
7. Answer = B (The force is directed inwards; that would be up and to the right
when the object is at point C.)
8. Answer = D (The velocity is directed tangent to the circle; that would be
downwards when at point B.)
9. Answer = A (The velocity is directed tangentially; that would be upwards and
leftwards when at point )

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Explore 2:
1. Pull
2. Toward the center
3. The object flew off in a straight line motion.
4. The direction of the ball follows straight line path that is tangential to the
circle (radius of the yarn).
5. It’s the ball’s inertia makes the ball continue on straight line motion,
because there is no unbalanced force acting on the ball after the yarn
was released.

Elaborate:

1. Uniform circular motion is a motion of an object traveling in constant

speed (uniform) but with varying or changing direction as is move in
circular motion.
2. When the cable release, the natural tendency of the metal ball is to go
on straight line path (Law of Inertia) tangential to the cable because
there’s no longer unbalanced force acting on the ball. It is the inertia of
the ball that makes it continue on a straight line motion.
Extend:
1. Alyana is correct. When the turn is made, Alyana continues in a straight-
line path; this is Newton's first law of motion. Once Alyana collides with
Kardo, there is then an unbalanced force capable of accelerating Kardo
towards the center of the circle, causing the circular motion.

Post-Test Answer Keys

1. C
2. B
3. A
4. D
5. A

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 References

Cover Art: Aerial Car Photo by Mohan Reddy Atalu from Pexels.com
Cover Art: Children on swing Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay.com
Cover Art: Cart Racing Photo by Alex Andrews from Pexels.com
Cover Art: Solar System Image by WikiImages from Pixabay.com

Video clips:

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