Physics Uniform Circular Motion Dr.

Lu 11/19/2018

Learning Target (Daily):

I can determine the centripetal force and acceleration for a uniform circular motion by including the mass
of the object, radius of the circle, and the constant revolution speed of the object in the circular motion.

Mini Lesson

1.Circumference of a circle

Circumference = 2 π r, where r = radius of a circle

2.Definition of uniform circular motion

Uniform circular motion is the motion of an object traveling at a constant speed on a circular path.
The speed remains the same and only the direction of velocity is changing.

Why will it make a circular motion?

The direction of speed is changing so that it makes a circular motion.
You feel a centripetal force F that causes a centripetal acceleration a, pointing to the center
of a circle.

∆ V/V = ∆ S / r  V∆ t / r = ∆ V/V

Where ∆ S = change of arc during ∆ t time frame = V∆ t

∆ V/∆ t = V2/r  a= ∆ V/∆ t = V2/r

So, the centripetal acceleration magnitude = V2/r --(1)

The centripetal force = ma= m V2/r ----------------(2)

Constant speed V = 2 π r/T ---------------------------(3)

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Where r = radius of a circle, T = period= time to make one revolution

Example 1: A Tire-Balancing Machine The wheel of a car has a radius of 0.29m and it being rotated at
830 revolutions per minute on a tire-balancing machine. Determine the speed at which the outer edge of
the wheel is moving.
V = 2 π r/T
r =0.29 m; T = 1 min/ 830= 60 sec/830 = 0.072 s
V= 2(3.14159)(0.29 m)/0.072 s = 25 m/s
Example 2
The Effect of Radius on Centripetal Acceleration
A car is moving around a curved road with a radius of curvature r = 33m. Find the centripetal acceleration
for a car speed of 34 m/s
[Solution]
ac = v2/r = [34 m/s]2 /(33 m) = 35 m/s2

Group work
A toy airplane flies clockwise at a constant speed in a horizontal circle of radius 8.0 meters.
The magnitude of the acceleration of the airplane is 25 meters per second squared. The diagram
shows the path of the airplane as it travels around the circle.

(1)Calculate the speed of the airplane. [Show all work, including the equation and substitution with
units.]
(2) State the direction of the velocity of the airplane at the instant the acceleration of the airplane is
southward.
2.In an experiment, a rubber stopper is attached to one end of a string that is passed through a plastic
tube before weights are attached to the other end. The stopper is whirled in a horizontal circular path
at constant speed.

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(a) On a diagram, draw the path of the rubber stopper if the string breaks at the position shown. [1]
(b) Describe what would happen to the radius of the circle if the student whirls the stopper at a greater
speed without changing the balancing weights.
© If the radius is 2 meters, the speed of robber stopper is 1 m/s and the mass of the rubber stopper is
0.5 kg calculate magnitude of the centripetal acceleration and centripetal force
3. A stone on the end of a string is whirled clockwise at constant speed in a horizontal circle
as shown in the diagram below.

Which pair of arrows best represents the directions of the stone’s velocity, v, and
acceleration, a, at the position shown?

Exit ticket
The diagram below shows an object moving counterclockwise around a horizontal, circular track.

Which diagram represents the direction of both the object’s velocity and the centripetal force acting
on the object when it is in the position shown?

Reflection and Summary (2 min)

From the Learning Target tracker, check the related targets and reflect to yourself about your learning
today. Make appointment with teacher for additional help when needed.
Homework
Go to the following web site to read through the material and practice the problems in examples.
1.http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~humanic/p111_lecture10.pdf
2. https://www.miniphysics.com/uy1-uniform-circular-motion-non-uniform-circular-motion.html

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3.Video http://slideplayer.com/slide/9147473/
4. A 1.5x10 kilogram car is driven at a constant speed of 12 meters per second
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counterclockwise around a horizontal circular track having a radius of 50. meters, as represented
below.

(A)In the above diagram. draw an arrow to indicate the direction of the velocity of the car when
it is at the position shown. Start the arrow on the car. [1]
(B) Calculate the magnitude of the centripetal acceleration of the car. [Show all work, including
the equation and substitution with units.] [2]
5. The diagram below represents a mass, m, being swung clockwise at constant speed in a horizontal
circle.

At the instant shown, the centripetal force acting on mass m is directed toward point
(1) A (2)B (3) C (4)D
6. In an experiment, a 0.028-kilogram rubber stopper is attached to one end of a string. A
student whirls the stopper overhead in a horizontal circle with a radius of 1.0 meter.
The stopper completes 10. revolutions in 10. seconds.

(A) Determine the speed of the whirling stopper. [ 1]

(B) Calculate the magnitude of the centripetal force on the whirling stopper. [Show all work,
including the equation and substitution with units.] [ 2]