Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region VIII
Schools division of borongan city
EASTERN SAMAR NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL
Borongan City
LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS (LAS) No. 12
General Physics 1- Grade 12
Name of Learner: ________________________________________ Score: ___________
Grade Level & Section: ___________________________________ Date: ____________
Subject Teacher: ___________________________________________________________
Cluster Teacher: ___________________________________________________________
Cluster No: _________ Barangay: _____________________________________________
Uniform Circular Motion (UCM)
(Lesson Title)
Learning Competency with Code
Infer quantities associateed with circular motion such as tangential velocity, centripetal
acceleration, tangential acceleration, radius of curvature (STEM_GP12Kin-Ic-25)
Solve problems involving two dimensional motion in contexts such as, but not limited to
ledge jumping, movie stunts, basketball, safe locations during firework displays, and
Ferris wheels. (STEM_GP12Kin-Ic-26)
Introduction
Which of the following does not belong to the group? In what way/s, does it differ
from the rest?
a. A car rounding a curve with constant radius at constant speed
b. A satellite moving in a circular orbit
c. An ice skater skating in a circle with constant speed
d. The earth revolving around the sun
Majority of the items above are examples of a two-dimensional motion we will discuss in
more detail in the following sections.
Discussion
A circle is planar, thus, an object moving in a circle may be classified as a 2D motion.
However, in this lesson, we will consider another special case where the object
satisfies the following conditions:
1. Moves in a circular path.
2. Moves at constant speed.
Yes! You read id correctly. The second condition mentioned of a scalar quantity- speed,
and not velocity. Why? Well, for one maintaining a “Constant velocity” is quite improbable.
Velocity is a vector quantity comprised of magnitude and direction. To maintain “constant
magnitude AND direction” will be difficult when a object moves in a circular path. That is,
at every point, the object changes its direction. Only the magnitude (i.e. the speed) may be
controlled or kept constant. 😊 See the figue below.
Objects in UCM experiences radial (along the radius) acceleration that is directed
towards the center of the circle. This is also why it is often called as “centripetal
acceleration”. “Centripetal” in Greek means “seeking the center”.
The radial acceleration (a rad) is always perpendicular to velocity of the object. It is
directly proportional to the square of the velocity ( v ) but inversely proportional to the radius (
R ¿ of the circular path. In symbols,
2
v
a rad = Equation 1
R
2
To determine the speed of the object in UCM by recalling that
distance covered
speed=
time elapsed
For an object moving in a circle, the distance it covers may be in terms of the distance
covered after completing one full circle and the time may be the time taken to complete one
full circle. At constant radius of the circular path, the greater speed means it completes a
circle with lesser time. Otherwise, it has lesser speed.
The distance covered in completing one full circle is equivalent to the circumference
of the circle given as 2 πR and the time taken to cover one full circle may be called in termsof
period, T in seconds. Thus, speed ( v ) may be denoted as,
2 πR
v= Equation 2
T
Now, we may express Equation 1 in terms of the period, T . Substitute Equation 2
into Equation 1.
( )
2 2 2
2 πR 4π R
( )( )
2 2 2 2
v T T 4π R 1
a rad = = = = 2
R R R T R
( )
2
4π R
a rad = 2
T
Let us apply these equations in a sample problem.
Sample Problem:
An Aston Martin V8 Vantage sports car has a “lateral acceleration”of
( )
0.96 g=( 0.96 )
9.8 m
s
2
2
=9.4 m/s . This is the maximum centripetal acceleration the car can
sustain without skidding out of a curved path. If the car is traveling at a constant 40 m/ s.
(about
89 mi /h, or 144 km/h ) on level ground, what is the radius R of the tightest unbanked curve it
can negotiate?.
Given Value/s:
2
a rad =9.4 m/ s v=40 m/ s
Unknown/ Required Value/s:
a. R=?
3
Solution (Equation, Substitution and Solution):
2
v
R=
a rad
( )
2
40 m
s
R=
9.4 m
2
s
R=170 m
Exercises/ Activities
Solve the problem shown below. Remember to follow the GUESS format (i.e Given value/s,
Unknown value/s and Solution (inclusive of the Equation, Substitution and Solution).
A Ferris wheel with radius 14.0 m is turning about a
horizontal axis through its center (See the figure). The linear
speed of a passenger on the rim is constant and equal to
7.00 m/s . What are the magnitude and direction of the
passenger’s acceleration as she passes through (a) the lowest
point in her circular motion? (b) The highest point in her
circular motion? (c) How much time does it take the Ferris
wheel to make one revolution?
References
Young, H.D., Freedman R.A. & Ford, L.A., (2012). University Physics with Modern Physics
(13th ed). USA: Pearson Education, Inc.
Prepared by:
CELESTIE C. APITA
Subject Teacher
Answer Key
LAS #11
3.22 m
LAS #12
4
a. 3.50 m/s 2, upward
b. 3.50 m/s 2, downward
c. 12.6 s
