Dr Vince Grade 12 Physics Detailed Notes 1

CHAPTER 1
ROTATIONAL MOTION
1.1 ROTATIONAL MOTION UNDER CONSTANT ANGULAR ACCELERATION
1. In a circular motion, the object just moves in a circle.
 Example of circular motion is artificial satellites going around the earth at a
constant height.

2. In rotational motion, the object rotates about an axis.

 Eg 1: The rotation of the earth about its own axis which creates the circle of day
and night.
 Eg 2: Motion of the blades of a fan.
 Eg 3: Motion of a Ferris wheel in an amusement park.

Figure 1. Some examples of rotational motion

2 Grade 12 Physics Detailed Notes APEX

Rigid body: A rigid body is a body that does not deform or change shape.
3. No matter how a rigid body moves, the distance between any two particles within
the body remains constant.




v2
Q
r2 Q
d P
v1 Q d
P
r1 P O
O

(a) (b)
Fig (a) Rotational motion of a rigid body, (b) Circular motion of a rigid body

4. If a rigid body is in rotational motion, all the particles constituting it undergo

circular motion about a common axis.
5. When an object, or a rigid body, rotates, it can speed up or slow down.
6. While the speed is changing, the angular velocity is also changing, and the rotating
body has an angular acceleration.
z
7. If the angular velocity changes at a constant
rate, then we can say the angular acceleration is
v
constant, and the motion is called the rotational
 r

s
motion under constant acceleration. y
O
8. Angular displacement (), angular velocity (),
and angular acceleration () are rotational
x
variables.
Dr Vince Grade 12 Physics Detailed Notes 3

9. If 0 = initial angular speed or magnitude of angular velocity of the object at t = 0

 = final angular speed or magnitude of angular velocity of the object after time t
  0
The constant angular acceleration is; 
t
We get ,   0   t (1.1)

  0
The average angular speed is;  (1.2)
2
Angular displacement for time interval t is;    t
Angular displacement  and angular speed  can be expressed as
1
  0 t   t 2 (1.3)
2

 2  02  2 (1.4)

10. The equations for constant angular acceleration in rotational motion are analogous to
equations for constant acceleration in linear motion.
Linear motion Circular motion 0 = initial angular velocity [unit = rad s-1]
v  v0  at   0   t
 = final angular velocity [unit = rad s-1]
1 1
  0t   t 2   = average angular velocity [unit = rad s ]
-1
s  v0t  at 2
2 2
 = angular displacement [unit = rad]
v 2  v0 2  2as 2 2
  0  2   = angular acceleration [unit = rad s-2]
v  v0   0 t = time taken [unit = s]
v  
2 2
1 rev = 2 rad = 360
4 Grade 12 Physics Detailed Notes APEX

Chapter 1: Exercise 1.1

R03: (1) Under what condition the angular acceleration of a rotating object is equal to zero?
Ans: The angular acceleration of a rotating object is equal to zero when the body is rotating
with constant angular velocity.
Q03: Choose the correct answer.
The angular acceleration is equal to zero when ………..
(A) There is no change in angular speed
(B) There is no change in the direction of the rotation
(C) There is no change in angular velocity
Ans: C
  0
[The angular acceleration is the rate of change of angular velocity.   ]
t
Q04: Which of the following correctly defines angular velocity?
A. Angular velocity is the rate of rotation with respect to the angular speed.
B. Angular velocity is the rate of rotation with respect to the displacement.
C. Angular velocity is the rate of change of angular displacement with respect to time.
Ans: C
  0
[The angular velocity is the rate of change of angular displacement.   ]
t
R03: (2) A ball is whirled with constant angular acceleration. Starting from rest, it attains
an angular velocity of 25 rad s-1 after traversing an angular displacement of 41 rad.
What is the angular acceleration of the ball?
Ans: initial angular velocity0 = 0, final angular velocity = 25 rad s-1,
angular displacement =  = 41 rad, angular acceleration =?

 2  02  2

 2  02 252 rad 2 s-2  0 625 rad 2 s-2

    7.62 rad s-2
2 2  41 rad 82 rad
Dr Vince Grade 12 Physics Detailed Notes 5

E01: The Ferris wheel starts from rest and reaches an angular velocity of 1.5 rad s-1 over a
10 s period under the constant angular acceleration. (i) Find the angular acceleration
of the Ferris wheel. (ii) How many revolutions does it make during 10 s?
Ans: initial angular velocity0 = 0, final angular velocity = 1.5 rad s-1,
time taken = t = 10 s, (i) angular acceleration =? (ii) angular displacement =?

  0 1.5 rad s-1  0 1.5 rad s-1

(i)      0.15 rad s-2
t 10 s 10 s
1 1
(ii)   0t   t 2  0   0.15 rad s-2  10 s   7.5 rad
2
2 2
1 rev 7.5
  7.5 rad   rev =1.19 rev
2π rad 2  3.142

Q05: The angular velocity of a rotating rigid body increases from 500 rpm to 1500 rpm in
2 min. (i) What is the angular acceleration of the body? (ii) What angle does it turn
through in this 2 min?
Ans: initial angular velocity = 0 = 500 rpm, final angular velocity =  = 1500 rpm,
time = t = 2 min,
(i) angular acceleration =  =? (ii) angular displacement =  =?

(i)  
  o

1500  500  rev min 1
 500 rev min 2
t 2 min

2π rad
500 rev 
1 rev 1000  3.142 rad
 2
 2
 0.87 rad s-2
 60s  3600 s
min 2   
 1min 

   0   1500  500  rev min 

1
(ii)    t   t     2 min  2000 rev
 2   2 

2π rad
  2000 rev   4000  3.142 rad  12568 rad
1 rev
6 Grade 12 Physics Detailed Notes APEX

Q06: A centrifuge rotor is accelerated from rest to 20 000 rpm in 30 s. (i) What is its
average angular acceleration? (ii) Through how many revolutions has the centrifuge
rotor turned during its acceleration period, assuming constant angular acceleration?
Ans: initial angular velocity =0 = 0 rpm, final angular velocity =  = 20 000 rpm,
time = t = 30 s = 0.5 min,
(i) angular acceleration =  =? (ii) angular displacement =  =?

(i)  
  o

 20 000  0  rev min 1  40 000 rev min 2
t 0.5 min

   0    20 000  0  rev min 

1
(ii)    t   t     0.5 min  5000 rev
 2   2 

Q07: A figure skater is spinning with an angular velocity
of 15 rad s-1. She then comes to a stop over a brief
period of time. During this time, her angular
displacement is 5.1 rad. Assuming constant angular
acceleration, find (i) her angular acceleration, and
(ii) the time during which she comes to rest.
Ans: initial angular velocity = 0 = 15 rad s-1, final angular velocity =  = 0,
angular displacement =  = 5.1 rad, (i) angular acceleration =? (ii) time = t =?

(i)  2  02  2

  
2
 2  02 0  152 rad s-1
   22.06 rad s-2
2 2  5.1 rad
Minus sign indicates that the angular velocity is decreasing.
(ii)   0   t

  0 0  15 rad s-1
t   0.68 s
 22.06 rad s-2
Dr Vince Grade 12 Physics Detailed Notes 7

1.2 RELATIONS BETWEEN LINEAR AND ANGULAR QUANTITIES

11. All particles of an object rotating around the axis of rotation move in a circular path.

z
v2
r2
v
v1
r1
 r
 y
O O

(a) (b)
Fig 1.2 (a) Rotational motion of and object, (b) Circular motion of a particle of the object

12. Let us consider a randomly shaped rigid body undergoing a rotational motion.
13. All particles of the body move in a circle lying on a plane that is perpendicular to the
axis, such that the centre of rotation lies on the axis.
14. If s = the linear distance of a particle of rotating object measured along the arc in metre
 = the angular displacement measured in radians
r = the radius of the circle measured in metre
the relation between s and  is s = r
15. The instantaneous angular velocity  of the rotational object is the same for all the
particles comprising the object.
16. If v = the magnitude of the linear velocity measured in metre per second
 = the magnitude of the angular velocity measured in radian per second
r = the radius of the circle measured in metre
the relation between v and  is v = r
17. The relation v = r applies to every particle of the rotational object.
8 Grade 12 Physics Detailed Notes APEX

18. Since the direction of linear velocity is tangent to the path, the
linear velocity is also called tangential velocity.
19. If the magnitude of the angular velocity of a rotating object
changes, the magnitude of the linear velocity will also change,
and the object will have a tangential acceleration.
20. The direction of the tangential acceleration is always tangent to
the circular path
21. If aT = the magnitude of the tangential acceleration measured in metre per second squared
 = the magnitude of the angular acceleration measured in radian per second squared
r = the radius of the circle measured in metre
the relation between aT and  is aT = r
22. The tangential acceleration of a rotating object is a measure of how fast the tangential
velocity changes.
Table 1.2 The relation between the linear and rotational quantities
Quantity Linear Rotational Relations s = linear distance (m) 
quantities quantities  = angular displacement (rad) 
displacement s  s = r v = linear velocity (m s-1)
 = angular velocity (rad s-1)
velocity v  v = r aT = tangential acceleration (m s-2)
aT = r  = angular acceleration (rad s )
-2
acceleration aT 
r = the radius of the circle (m)
23. The direction of the angular velocity vector is
perpendicular to the plane of rotation, and along
the axis of rotation.
24. The direction of the angular velocity vector is 

usually specified by the right-hand rule.


Wrap the right hand around the axis of rotation
so that the fingers are pointing in the direction of anti-clockwise clockwise
rotation. The thumb points in the direction of the
angular velocity vector.
Dr Vince Grade 12 Physics Detailed Notes 9

25. When the angular velocity is increasing, the

angular acceleration vector points in the same  
direction as the angular velocity. When the  
angular velocity is decreasing, the angular
acceleration vector points in the opposite
direction as the angular velocity. speeding up slowing down

Chapter 1: Exercise 1.2

R06: (1) In circular motion, how is a tangential acceleration produced?
Ans: If the magnitude of the angular velocity of a rotating object changes, the magnitude
of the linear velocity will also change, and the object will have a tangential
acceleration.
R06: (2) On a rotating carousel, a child sits on a horse near the outer edge, and another
child sits on a lion halfway out from the centre. (i) Which child has the greater linear
velocity? (ii) Which child has the greater angular velocity?
Ans: (i) Since they are on the same rotating carousel, they have the same angular velocity.
The radius of the child on the horse is greater than the radius of the child on the lion
v = r
where v = linear velocity,  = angular velocity, r = radius
The linear velocity of the child on the horse is greater than that of the child on the lion.
(ii) Since they are on the same rotating carousel, they have the same angular velocity.
Q01: Consider a rotating circular plate of a lathe machine. Are the angular and tangential
speeds at any point on the plate the same? Explain.
Ans: The angular speeds of all the points will be the same.
Since v = r, where v = tangential speed,  = angular speed and r = radius,
The tangential speeds of different points will not be the same.
The farther the point from the centre of rotation, the greater will be the tangential
speed of that point.
10 Grade 12 Physics Detailed Notes APEX

E02: A boy steps on a merry-go-round which has a radius of 5 m and is at rest. It starts
accelerating at a constant rate up to an angular velocity of 5 rad s-1 in 20 s. What is
the distance traversed by the boy?
Ans: radius = r = 5 m, initial angular velocity = 0 = 0, time taken = t = 20 s
final angular velocity = 5 rad s-1, distance traversed = s =?
   0   5  0 
  t   t     20  50 rad
 2   2 
s  r  5  50  250 m
E03: The wheel of a car with radius 20 cm starts moving. The angular acceleration
provided by the engine is 12 rad s-2. What is the tangential acceleration of the rim of
the wheel?
Ans: radius = r = 20 cm = 20  10-2 m, angular acceleration =  = 12 rad s-2,
tangential acceleration = aT =?
aT = r = 20  10-2  12 = 2.4 m s-2
The direction of the tangential acceleration is tangent to the rim of the wheel.
Q08: A tire has a radius of 0.33 m, and its centre moves forward with a linear speed of
1.5 m s-1. (i) What is the angular velocity of the wheel? (ii) Relative to the axel, what
is linear speed of a point located 0.175 m from the axel?
Ans: radius of tire = r = 0.33 m, speed = v = 1.5 m s-1, (i) angular velocity =  =?
(ii) radius of a point = r2 = 0.175 m, speed of the point = v2 =?
(i) v = r,
v
-1 v2
v 1.5 m s m -1
   4.55 s = 4.55 rad s-1
r 0.33 m m
r2
(ii) v2  r2   0.175 m  4.55 rad s -1 r

m -1
 0.175 m  4.55 s = 0.80 m s-1
m
Dr Vince Grade 12 Physics Detailed Notes 11

Q09: A child spins a toy top, applying a force to the peg in the middle. The force applied
results a tangential acceleration of the peg. If the radius of the peg is 0.5 cm, and the
tangential acceleration applied is 0.54 m s-2, what is the angular acceleration of the top?
Ans: radius = r = 0.5 cm = 0.005 m,
tangential acceleration = aT = 0.54 m s-2,
angular acceleration =  =? peg
aT = r toy top
aT 0.54 m s-2 m -2
   108 s  108 rad s-2
r 0.005 m m
12 Grade 12 Physics Detailed Notes APEX

1.3 CENTRIPETAL ACCELERATION

26. An object that moves in a circle at constant speed v is said to experience uniform
circular motion.
27. The magnitude of the velocity remains constant in this case, but the direction of the
velocity continuously changes as the object moves around the circle.
28. The change in direction of the velocity constitutes an acceleration.
29. An object revolving in a circle is continuously accelerating, even when the speed
remains constant.
  
  v  v0 v
30. Average acceleration is, aav  a   (1.5)
t t

where v is the change in velocity during the time interval t.
When t approaches zero, the instantaneous acceleration is obtained.

v2 v2 v v1
v2
B v
r s v
 v1
 v1 r r
C v2
A
Fig (b)
C

Fig (a)

Fig (c)
Fig 13 (a): Circular motion of an object at constant speed
Fig 13 (b): Vector diagram for change in velocity
Fig 13 (c): Vector diagram for t approaching zero

31. During the time interval t, the object moves from point A to point B, covering a
distance s along the arc which subtends an angle  at the centre.
  
32. The change in velocity vector is v  v2  v1 .
Dr Vince Grade 12 Physics Detailed Notes 13


33. If t is very small (approaching zero), then s and  are also very small, and v2 will

be almost parallel to v1 .
  
34. v will be essentially perpendicular to both of v1 and v2 , and directed towards the

centre of the circle.

 
35. The acceleration a is in the same direction as v , and also directed towards the centre
of the circle.
36. This acceleration is centripetal acceleration or radial acceleration (since it is directed

along the radius towards the centre of the circle), and denoted by ac

v2 v2 v v1
v2
B v
r s v
 v1
 v1 r r
C v2
A
Fig (b)
C

Fig (a)

Fig 13 (a): Circular motion of an object at constant speed

Fig 13 (b): Vector diagram for change in velocity Fig (c)
Fig 13 (c): Vector diagram for t approaching zero

37. Triangle CAB of Figure 1.3 (a) is geometrically similar to vector triangle of Figure 1.3 (b).
v s v v1
 (  )
v1 r s r

v s
38. Since v1 = v2 = v for very short time, 
v r
39. When t approaches zero, the above equation can be expressed as equality, so that
v
v  s (1.6)
r
14 Grade 12 Physics Detailed Notes APEX

40. The centripetal acceleration aC can be obtained as

v v s
aC  lim  lim
 t  0 t  t  0 r t

v s
aC  lim
r t 0 t
s
41. Since lim  v , for the object moving with constant linear speed in circular motion
t 0 t

v2
aC  (1.7)
r

42. Substituting v = r, aC 

 r 
2

r 2 2
 r 2 (1.8)
r r
43. For uniform circular motion, the centripetal acceleration vector points towards the
centre of the circular path while the linear velocity vector is tangential to the circular
path.
44. The centripetal acceleration and the linear velocity are perpendicular to each other at
every point in the path.

v C = centre of the circular path

aC v = tangential/linear velocity
aC v aC = centripetal acceleration
aC C
v aC direction of circular motion
v
Fig 1.4: Direction of centripetal acceleration and linear velocity for uniform circular motion

Non-uniform Circular motion

45. In non-uniform circular motion, an object is moving in a circular path with a varying
speed (the magnitude of the velocity).
46. The angular speed of the object is changing and the object experiences the angular
acceleration.
Dr Vince Grade 12 Physics Detailed Notes 15

aT FT

a
 Fnet 
aC FC
centre centre

Fig 1.5: Resultant acceleration Fig: Resultant Force of

of non-uniform circular motion non-uniform circular motion

FIGURE: The speed of an object moving in a circle changes if the force on it has a
tangential component Ftan.

47. The angular acceleration gives rise to the tangential acceleration which is tangential to
the circle.
48. In non-uniform circular motion, there is tangential acceleration in addition to the
centripetal acceleration.
49. An object in non-uniform circular motion has a resultant acceleration that is the vector
sum of the centripetal acceleration and the tangential acceleration.
  
a  aC  aT (1.9)

50. Unlike tangential acceleration, centripetal acceleration is present in both uniform and
non-uniform circular motion.
16 Grade 12 Physics Detailed Notes APEX

  
51. The two acceleration vectors aC and aT are perpendicular to each other, with aC in
 
the radial direction, and aT in the tangential direction. The resultant acceleration a
 
points at an angle between aC and aT .

52. The magnitude of the resultant acceleration a is, a  aC 2  aT 2 (1.10)

 a
53. The direction of the resultant acceleration a is, tan   T (1.11)
aC

v v v
aT  increasing
 constant  decreasing
aT
aC a aC
aC
a
O O O

Fig (a): Rotating with constant Fig (a): Rotating with Fig (a): Rotating with
angular velocity. increasing angular velocity decreasing angular velocity
No tangential acceleration (aT) aT and v same direction aT and v opposite directions

Chapter 1: Exercise 1.3

R10: (1) Suppose a piece of food is on the edge of a rotating microwave oven plate. Does
it experience tangential acceleration, centripetal acceleration or both when (i) the
plate starts to spin faster? (ii) the plate rotates at constant angular velocity? (iii) the
plate slows down to stop?
Ans: (i) Both (ii) Only centripetal (iii) Both
Q02: Why is the centripetal acceleration produced in a circular motion?
Ans: In uniform circular motion, the magnitude of the velocity remains constant, but the
direction of the velocity continuously changes because a net force directed to the
centre of the circular path is acting on it. The change in direction of the tangential
velocity constitutes the centripetal acceleration.
Dr Vince Grade 12 Physics Detailed Notes 17

R11: (2) A stone tied to a string is moving in a circle of radius 1.5 m at a constant speed
8 m s-1. Calculate the magnitude of the centripetal acceleration of the stone.
Ans: radius = r = 1.5 m, linear speed = v = 8 m s-1, centripetal acceleration = aC =?
Neglect the mass of the stone.

8 m s 
2
2 -1
v
aC    42.67 m s-2
r 1.5 m

E04: The platter of the hard drive of a computer uniformly rotates at 7200 rpm. If the
reading head of the drive is located 3 cm from the rotational axis, what is the linear
speed and the centripetal acceleration of the point on the platter just below the reading
head? If a single bit requires 0.5 m of length along the direction of motion, how
many bits per second can the writing head writes when it is 3 cm from the axis?
Ans: Distance of the reading head from the rotation axis is, r = 3 cm = 0.03 m
2 rad
7200 rev 
7200 rev 1rev
Angular speed is,   7200 rpm    240  rad s-1
1min 60s
1min
1min
The linear speed v of the reading head located 3 cm from the rotation axis is,
m -1
v  r  0.03 m  240 π rad s 1  0.03 m  240  3.142 s  22.62 m s-1
m

 
2
v2 22.62 m s-1
The centripetal acceleration aC is, aC    1.71  104 m s-2
r 0.03 m
The distance moved per second = v = 22.62 m s-1
The number of bits written in 1 second is,
distance per second 22.62
number of bit per second = = 4
 4.52  107 bits/second
distance per bit 0.5  10
18 Grade 12 Physics Detailed Notes APEX

E05: A centrifuge has a radius of 20 cm, and decelerates from a maximum rotational rate of
7.2  103 rpm to rest in 30 s under a constant angular acceleration. It is rotating counter
clockwise. What is the magnitude of the resultant acceleration of a point at the tip of
the centrifuge at 10 s? What is the direction of the resultant acceleration vector?
Ans: Radius of a centrifuge, r = 20 cm = 0.2 m
2π
Initial angular velocity, 0  7200 rpm  7200  rad s-1  240 π rad s-1
60
Final angular velocity,  = 0
Time, t = 30 s
The angular acceleration of the centrifuge is,


  o

 0  240 π  rad s1  8 π rad s2
t 30s
The minus sign means that the centrifuge slows down to be rest.
A point at the tip of centrifuge has both centripetal acceleration and tangential
acceleration.
The angular velocity of centrifuge at 10 s is,

  o   t  240 π rad s 1   8 π  rad s 2 10 s  160 π rad s 1

The centripetal acceleration is,
Dr Vince Grade 12 Physics Detailed Notes 19

 
2
aC  r 2  0.2 m  160 π rad s-1

2
 m 
 0.2 m  160  3.142 s-1   5.05  104 m s-2
 m 
The tangential acceleration is,

 


m 
aT  r  0.2 m  8 π rad s-2  0.2 m   8  3.142 s-2   5.03m s -2
m 
The magnitude of resultant acceleration is,

5.05 10 
2
  5.03  5.05 104 ms-2
2
a  aC 2  aT 2  4

[Since aC >> aT, the magnitude of the resultant acceleration is approximately equal to
the magnitude of centripetal acceleration.]
The direction of the resultant acceleration vector is,
aT 5.03
tan     9.96  105
aC 5.05 104

 = 0.0057

The resultant acceleration vector makes angle 0.0057 with aC .

aT


aC

centre a
20 Grade 12 Physics Detailed Notes APEX

Q10: A 150 g ball at the end of a string is revolving uniformly in a horizontal circle of
radius 0.6 m. The ball makes 2 revolutions in a second. What is its centripetal
acceleration?
Ans: r = 0.6 m, aC =? [Neglect the mass of the ball.]

  2 rev s-1 = 2 × 2π rad s-1 = 4 × 3.142 rad s-1 =12.57 rad s-1

m2
 
2
aC  r 2  0.6 m  12.57 rad s-1  94.8 m × 2
s-2  94.8 m s-2
m
Q11: A carousel is initially at rest. It is given a constant angular acceleration 0.06 rad s-2,
which increases its angular velocity for 8 s. At t = 8 s, determine the magnitude of
the following quantities: (i) the angular
velocity of the carousel, (ii) the linear
velocity of a child located 2.5 m from the
centre, (iii) the tangential acceleration of
the child, (iv) the centripetal acceleration of
the child, and (v) the total linear
acceleration of the child.
Ans: 0 = 0,  = 0.06 rad s-2,
t = 8 s, (i)  =? (ii) r = 2.5 m, v =? (iii) aT =? (iv) aC =? (v) a =?

(i)   0   t  0  0.06 rad s-2  8 s  0.48 rad s-1

m -1
(ii) v  r  2.5 m  0.48 rad s-1  2.5 m  0.48 s =1.2 m s-1
m
m -2
(iii) aT  r  2.5 m  0.06 rad s-2  2.5 m  0.06 s = 0.15 m s-2
m

m2
 
2
(iv) aC  r 2  2.5 m  0.48 rad s-1  2.5 m × 0.2304 2
s-2  0.58 m s-2
m

(v) a  aC 2  aT 2   0.582   0.152  0.3364  0.0225  0.3589  0.6 m s-2