National Junior College 2022 | SH1 | H2 Physics

Motion In a Circle - Problem Set

Exercises

Kinematics of Uniform Circular Motion

𝜋
E1. What is 4 𝑟𝑎𝑑 in degrees? [45°]
𝜋/4
× 360°
2𝜋

E2. What is 300° in radians? [5.23 rad]

5
3
𝜋 = 5.23 radians

E3. (2020 P1 Q11)

[B]
2𝜋 2𝜋 −3 −1
𝜔= 𝑇
= 60×60 = 1.75 × 10 𝑟𝑎𝑑 𝑠

E4. (2016 P1 Q12)

[D]
2𝜋 2𝜋
𝜔= = = 7.27 × 10−5 𝑟𝑎𝑑 𝑠 −1
𝑇 24×60×60
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E5. Assuming that the earth moves in a circle at a constant rate around the sun, calculate the angular
velocity of the earth around the sun. (Hint: how long does it take for the earth to go round the sun
once?) [1.99 × 10−7 𝑟𝑎𝑑 𝑠 −1 ]
2𝜋
365×24×60×60
= 1.99 × 10−7 𝑟𝑎𝑑 𝑠 −1 (The earth takes 365 days to go round the sun. The earth takes 24
hours to rotate about its own axis which results in the day and night cycle.)

E6. A car is moving around a circular track of radius 400 𝑚 at constant angular velocity 0.050 𝑟𝑎𝑑 𝑠 −1 .
Calculate the total distance the car moves in 5 minutes. [6000 m]

Angular displacement in 5 min = 𝜔𝑡 = 0.05 × 5 × 60 = 15 𝑟𝑎𝑑

Distance moved in 5 min = 𝑟𝜃 = 15 × 400 = 6000 𝑚
E7. A rod is made to spin at a constant rate of 3 complete revolutions per second as shown below.

What is the difference in angle between the rod’s current position and its position 0.50 seconds later?
[𝜋 𝑟𝑎𝑑]
3×2𝜋
Angular displacement in 0.50 s = 𝜔𝑡 = 1 × 0.50 = 3𝜋
The rod would have moved 1.5 complete circles.
Hence the difference in angle = 3𝜋 − 2𝜋 = 𝜋 𝑟𝑎𝑑 = 3.14 𝑟𝑎𝑑

E8. (2017 P1 Q9)

D (both have the same angular velocity, hence angular displacement will be the same, although actual
distance travelled will be larger for P)
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Centripetal Force
E9. The diagram shows a child sitting on a playground turntable, which is turning with constant angular
velocity.

Which diagram shows the forces acting on the child when in the position shown?

A (centripetal force is a resultant force)

E10. (2013 P1 Q11)

B (The tension and weight result in a centripetal force to the left pointing to the center of the horizontal circle)
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Problems

Kinematics of Uniform Circular Motion

P1. A body rotates with uniform speed in a circle of radius 𝑟 and takes time 𝑇 to complete one
revolution.

What are the magnitudes of the angular velocity 𝜔, the linear velocity 𝑣, and the acceleration 𝑎?

angular velocity 𝜔 linear velocity 𝑣 acceleration 𝑎

A 1 4𝜋𝑟 2𝜋𝑟
𝑇 𝑇 𝑇2
B 2𝜋 2𝜋𝑟 2𝜋𝑟
𝑇 𝑇 𝑇2
C 2𝜋 2𝜋𝑟 4𝜋 2 𝑟
𝑇 𝑇 𝑇2
D 2𝜋 4𝜋𝑟 4𝜋 2 𝑟
𝑇 𝑇 𝑇2

C (𝑣 = 𝑟𝜔, 𝑎 = 𝜔2 𝑟)

P2. (2017 P1 Q9)

D (𝜔 is the same for both points

𝑎 = 𝜔2 𝑟 Since radius is halved, the centripetal acceleration is also halved to 8 cm s -2)
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P3. (2020 P1 Q10)

4𝜋 2
B (𝑎 = 𝜔2 𝑟 = (27.3×24×60×60)2 × 3.85 × 108 = 2.73 × 10−3 𝑚𝑠 −2 )
P4. Singapore is on the equator. Cambridge is at a latitude of 52° N, Cambridge
as shown in the figure.
52°
A student in Singapore has a centripetal acceleration 𝑎𝑠 Equator
because of the earth’s rotation about its axis. The centripetal
acceleration of another student at Cambridge is 𝑎𝑐 .
What are the magnitudes of the centripetal accelerations 𝑎𝑠
and 𝑎𝑐 ?
Axis of earth’s rotation
6
(Radius of earth = 6.4 x 10 m;
angular velocity of earth about its axis = 7.3 x 10 -5 rad s-1)

Radius of the circular path followed by student in Cambridge = 6.4 × 106 𝑐𝑜𝑠52° = 3.94 × 106 𝑚
𝑎𝑐 = 𝜔2 𝑟 = (7.3 × 10−5 )2 × 3.94 × 106 = 2.10 × 10−2 𝑚 𝑠 −2
𝑎𝑠 = 𝜔2 𝑟 = (7.3 × 10−5 )2 × 6.4 × 106 = 3.41 × 10−2 𝑚 𝑠 −2
P5. (2019 P1 Q11)

𝑎 20𝑔
D (𝑎 = 𝜔2 𝑟 → 𝜔 = √ 𝑟 = √ 7.0 = 5.3 𝑟𝑎𝑑 𝑠 −1 )
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P6. (2019 P1 Q10)

1
B (𝑣 = 𝜔𝑟, since v is constant, 𝜔 ∝ 𝑅 )

Centripetal Force

P7. (2015 P1 Q10)

C (String is in tension so it must be being pulled, string assumed to have negligible weight. Note this is for
forces on string not the ball. See E10 for forces on the ball)
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P8. Two identical coins are placed on a flat horizontal turn-table as shown in the figure below.

Explain which coin would slip first as the angular velocity of the turn-table is increased.

Centripetal force required to maintain circular motion = m r

2

Since both coins are rotating along a common radial line from the centre of the circle, their angular
velocities  are constant.

But Coin 2 requires a larger centripetal force to maintain its circular motion because the radius r of
its circular path is larger than that of Coin 1.

Since the frictional force by the turn-table on each coin is fixed, we expect that Coin 2 would slip first
as the turn-table is rotated.

P9. (2016 P1 Q13)

𝑚𝑣 2
D (The frictional force provides the centripetal force. Hence 𝐹 = 𝑟
The radius r is constant. When the maximum frictional force is halved, 𝑣 2 where v is the maximum safe
162 16
speed is halved too. Hence new v = √ =
2 √2

P10. On a normal day, the maximum friction between the wheels of a 1000 kg car and the road is
6500 N.

(a) Calculate the maximum speed in km h -1 the car can go round a sharp circular bend of radius 6.0 m
without skidding.

The friction on the road provides the centripetal force for the car to turn.
𝑣2
Hence maximum centripetal force = 6500 = 𝑚 𝑟
6500×𝑟 6500×6.0
Maximum speed = √ 𝑚
=√ 1000
= 6.25𝑚𝑠 −1 = 22.5𝑘𝑚 ℎ −1
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(b) A circular bend of radius 6.0 m is indeed a very sharp bend. Usually in Singapore, most of the
bends have a speed limit of 50 𝑘𝑚 ℎ −1 . Calculate the minimum radius of the bend for a speed limit
of 50 𝑘𝑚 ℎ −1 to be safe.
𝑣2
𝐹𝐶 = 𝑚 𝑟
𝐹𝐶 ≤ 6500
𝑣2
𝑚 ≤ 6500
𝑟
𝑣2
𝑟≥𝑚
6500
13.892
𝑟 ≥ 1000 6500
→ minimum radius 29.7 m

(c) Explain what will happen to your calculated value of the minimum radius if you have to take into
account rainy weather.

Wet weather will result in less maximum friction between the tyres and the road. As such the
maximum centripetal acceleration provided will be decreased and hence the minimum radius must
be larger.
(d) On a racing track, cars or bicycles need to go on a speed as fast as possible. Suggest how a sharp
bend can be made safer for faster speeds without increasing the friction between the tyres and the
road.

The bend can be a banked road and the normal contact force from the banked road will provide
additional centripetal acceleration.

P11. Consider a marble spinning in a horizontal circle on the inside of a cone as shown below

(a) Show that the speed of the marble for circular motion at height ℎ is √𝑔ℎ.

Recalling our vector diagram

𝑊 = 𝑚𝑔 = 𝑁𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
normal contact
𝑣2
𝐹𝐶 = 𝑚 = 𝑁𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝜃 force N
𝑟
weight W
𝑣2
𝑚 𝑣2
𝑟
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = 𝑚𝑔
= 𝑔𝑟 resultant force /
centripetal force FC
ℎ 𝑣2
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = =
𝑟 𝑔𝑟
𝑣 = √𝑔ℎ
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(b) Hence, state how the speed of the marble must be adjusted such that the marble is moving in a
horizontal circle at a greater height.

Based on the equation, a larger h will require a larger speed v.

Non-Uniform Circular Motion and Vertical Circles

P12. (2018 P1 Q10)

A (At the top, the centripetal force is provided by the weight + tension. 𝐹𝑐 = 𝑇 + 𝑊
Hence 𝑇 = 𝑀𝑟𝜔2 − 𝑊)
P13. (2012 P1 Q12)
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B (At the top, 𝐹𝑐 = 𝑇 + 𝑊 hence 𝑇 = 𝐹𝑐 − 𝑊, tension is minimum
At the bottom, 𝐹𝑐 = 𝑇 − 𝑊 hence 𝑇 = 𝐹𝑐 + 𝑊, tension is maximum
Since 𝐹𝑐 is the same because it is moving at constant angular speed.
The variation in tension = 𝐹𝑐 + 𝑊 − (𝐹𝑐 − 𝑊 ) = 2𝑊 = 2𝑚𝑔

P14. (2014 P1 Q12)

B (At the top of the lump, 𝐹𝑐 = 𝑊 − 𝑁. In order not to lose contact, 𝑁 > 0
𝑚𝑣 2
Hence 𝑊 − 𝐹𝑐 > 0 → 𝑚𝑔 > 𝑟
𝑣2 202
𝑟> = = 40.8 𝑚 )
𝑔 9.81

P15. A car is travelling over an arched bridge of radius 80.0 m. Find the maximum speed at which the car
can travel without losing contact with the surface at the top of the bridge.

80.0 m

At the top of the bridge, 𝑚𝑔 − 𝑁 = 𝐹𝐶 . The centripetal force is provided by the weight minus the
normal contact force.

To stay in contact 𝑁 > 0 hence

𝑚𝑔 − 𝐹𝐶 > 0
𝑣2
𝑚𝑔 − 𝑚 𝑟
>0
𝑣 < √𝑔𝑟
maximum speed 28.0 ms-1
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P16 (2018 P2 Q2)

1 1
Elastic potential energy = 2 𝐹𝑥 = 2 × 6.8 × 0.085 = 0.289 𝐽
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0.289
Initial speed of ball as it leaves the spring at bottom of track = √1 = 3.71 𝑚 𝑠 −1
×0.042
2
Gain in GPE = loss in KE
1
𝑚𝑔ℎ = 2 𝑚(3.712 − 𝑣 2 )
1
9.81 × 0.40 = 2 2(3.712 − 𝑣 2 )
𝑣 = 2.4 𝑚 𝑠 −1

At the top, the centripetal force is provided by weight and the normal contact force
𝑚𝑣 2
𝐹𝑐 = 𝑟 = 𝑊 + 𝑁
The minimum speed occurs when N = 0
𝑚𝑣𝑚𝑖𝑛 2
= 𝑚𝑔
𝑟
𝑣𝑚𝑖𝑛 = √𝑔𝑟 = √9.81 × 0.20 = 1.4 𝑚 𝑠 −1

𝑣𝑚𝑖𝑛 does not change as the minimum velocity is independent of mass as seen in d(i), i.e. 𝑣𝑚𝑖𝑛 = √𝑔𝑟
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P17. (2010 P3 Q2)
A small ball of mass m is fixed to one end of a light rigid rod. The ball is made to move at constant
speed around the circumference of a vertical circle with centre at C, as shown below.

When the rod is vertical with the ball above C, the tension T in the rod is given by

T = 2 mg

where g is the acceleration of free fall.

(a) (i) Explain why the centripetal force on the ball is greater than 2 mg. [1]

At the top, the centripetal force is provided by the tension and weight of the ball. Hence, the
centripetal force must be larger than the tension of 2 mg.

(ii) State, in terms of mg, the magnitude of the centripetal force. [1]

𝐹𝑐 = 𝑊 + 𝑇 = 𝑚𝑔 + 2𝑚𝑔 = 3 mg

(iii) Determine the magnitude of the tension, in terms of mg, in the rod when the rod is vertical, with
the ball below point C. [1]

At the bottom, centripetal force = tension – weight.

Note centripetal force is constant at 3 mg as it is moving at constant speed
Hence tension = centripetal force + weight = 3mg + mg = 4 mg

(b) The distance from the centre of the ball to point C is 0.72 m.

Use your answer in (a) (ii) to determine, for the ball,

(i) the angular speed [3]

Centripetal force = 𝑚𝜔2 𝑟 = 3𝑚𝑔

𝑔
𝜔 = √3 𝑟 = 6.39 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑠 −1
(ii) the linear speed [2]

Linear speed = 𝜔𝑟 = 6.39 × 0.72 = 4.60𝑚𝑠 −1

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(c) The ball has a constant angular speed.

(i) Explain why work has to be done for the ball to move from the position where it is vertically above
point C to the position where it is vertically below C. [2]

In moving from the upper point to the lower point, gravitational potential energy of the ball is
reduced but the kinetic energy remains the same as the ball has constant angular speed.
Hence, work has to be done to account for the difference in total energy.
(ii) Calculate the work done in (i) for a ball of mass 240 g. [2]

Work done = difference in total energy = loss of gravitational potential energy

= 𝑚𝑔ℎ = 0.240 × 9.81 × 2 × 0.72 = 3.39 𝐽

Challenging Question

C1.

(a)

upper tension

60°
60°
bottom tension
weight

(b) Vertical components of the forces must add up to zero since this is horizontal circle
𝑇𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛30° = 𝑇𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚 sin 30° + 𝑚𝑔
35 𝑠𝑖𝑛30° = 𝑇𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚 sin 30° + 1.34𝑔
𝑇𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚 = 8.71 𝑁

(c) Net force is the sum of the horizontal components of the tensions
𝐹𝑐 = 𝑇𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠30° + 𝑇𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚 cos 30° = 35 𝑐𝑜𝑠30° + 8.71 cos 30° = 37.9 𝑁

𝑚𝑣 2
(d) 𝐹𝑐 = 𝑟
= 37.9
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1.34×𝑣 2
= 37.9
1.70𝑐𝑜𝑠30°
𝑣 = 6.45 𝑚 𝑠 −1