Chapter 6

Circular Motion and

Other Applications of Newton’s Laws
 Circular Motion

Two analysis models using Newton’s Laws of Motion have been developed.
The models have been applied to linear motion.
Newton’s Laws can be applied to other situations:
● Objects traveling in circular paths
● Motion observed from an accelerating frame of reference
● Motion of an object through a viscous medium
Many examples will be used to illustrate the application of Newton’s Laws to a
variety of new circumstances.

Introduction
Uniform Circular Motion, Acceleration

A particle moves with a constant speed in a circular path of radius r with an

acceleration.
The magnitude of the acceleration is given by
v2
ac =
r
● The centripetal acceleration, !, is directed toward the center of the circle.
ac
The centripetal acceleration is always perpendicular to the velocity.

Section 6.1
Uniform Circular Motion, Force
!
A force, Fr , is associated with the
centripetal acceleration.
The force is also directed toward the
center of the circle.
Applying Newton’s Second Law along
the radial direction gives

v2
∑ F = mac = m r

Section 6.1
 Uniform Circular Motion, cont.

A force causing a centripetal

acceleration acts toward the center of
the circle.
It causes a change in the direction of
the velocity vector.
If the force vanishes, the object would
move in a straight-line path tangent to
the circle.
● See various release points in the
active figure

Section 6.1
 Conical Pendulum- Example
A small ball of mass m is suspended
from a string of length L. The ball
revolves with constant speed v in a
horizontal circle of radius r as shown
in the figure. Find the expression for
v in terms of the geometry in the
figure.

Section 6.1
 Conical Pendulum

The object is in equilibrium in the

vertical direction .
It undergoes uniform circular motion in
the horizontal direction.
● ∑Fy = 0 → T cos θ = mg
● ∑Fx = T sin θ = m ac
v is independent of m

v= L g sinθ tanθ

Section 6.1
How Fast Can It Spin?

1- A puck of mass 0.500 kg is attached to

the end of a cord 1.50 m long. The puck
moves in a horizontal circle as shown in
the figure. If the cord can withstand a
maximum tension of 5.0.0 N, what is
the maximum speed at which the puck
can move before the cord breaks?
Assume the string remains horizontal
during the motion.

Answer: Tr
v =
vmax = (Tmaxr / m
m)1/2 = 12.2 m/s
Motion in a Horizontal Circle

How fast can it spin?

The speed at which the object moves depends on the mass of the object and the
tension in the cord.
The centripetal force is supplied by the tension.

Tr
v=
m
The maximum speed corresponds to the maximum tension the string can
withstand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwKOxpMNz7E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJ2f675LgMQ

Section 6.1
 Horizontal (Flat) Curve

Model the car as a particle in

uniform circular motion in the
horizontal direction.
Model the car as a particle in
equilibrium in the vertical
direction.
The force of static friction
supplies the centripetal force.
The maximum speed at which
the car can negotiate the curve
is:

●
v Note, s gr does not depend on
= µthis
the mass of the car.

Section 6.1
What is the Maximum Speed of the Car

1. A1500-kg car moving on a flat,

horizontal road negotiates a curve as
shown in the figure. If the radius of the
curve is 35.0 m and the coefficient of
static friction between the tires and dry
pavement is 0.523, find the maximum
speed the car can have and still make the
turn successfully.
The Banked Roadway (FBD with and without friction.
Banked Curve, 2

The banking angle is independent of the mass of the vehicle.

If the car rounds the curve at less than the design speed, friction is necessary to
keep it from sliding down the bank.
If the car rounds the curve at more than the design speed, friction is necessary to
keep it from sliding up the bank.

Section 6.1
Ferris Wheel
The normal and gravitational forces act in
opposite direction at the top and bottom of the
path. Categorize the problem as uniform circular
motion with the addition of gravity. The child is
the particle.
Example: A child of mass m rides on a Ferris
wheel as shown in the figure. The child moves
in a vertical circle of radius 10.0 m at a constant
speed of 3.00 m/s.
• Determine the force exerted by the seat on the
children at the bottom of the ride. Express your
answer in terms of the weight of the child, mg.
• Determine the force exerted by the seat on the
child at the top of the ride.

Section 6.1
Ferris Wheel, cont.

At the bottom of the loop, the upward

force (the normal) experienced by the
object is greater than its weight.
mv 2
∑ F = nbot − mg = r
⎛ v2 ⎞
nbot = mg ⎜ 1 + ⎟
⎝ rg ⎠

Section 6.1
Ferris Wheel, final

At the top of the circle, the force

exerted on the object is less than its
weight.

Section 6.1
Non-Uniform Circular Motion

The acceleration and force have

tangential components.
!
Fr produces the centripetal acceleration
! produces the tangential acceleration
Ft total force is
The

! ! !
F F
∑ ∑r ∑t
= + F

Section 6.2
 Vertical Circle with Non-Uniform Speed

The gravitational force exerts a

tangential force on the object.
● Look at the components of Fg
Model the sphere as a particle under a
net force and moving in a circular path.
● Not uniform circular motion
The tension at any point can be found.

⎛ v2 ⎞
T = mg ⎜ + cos θ ⎟
⎝ Rg ⎠

Section 6.2
Vertical Circle with Non-Uniform Speed
Example
A small sphere of mass m is attached to the end of
a cord of length R and set into motion in a vertical
circle about a fixed-point O as illustrated in the
figure. Determine the tangential acceleration of
the sphere and the tension in the cord at any
instant when the speed of the sphere is v and the
cord makes and angle theta with the vertical.
•What speed would the ball have as it passes over
the top of the circle if the tension in the cord goes
to zero instantaneously.
•What if the ball is set in motion such that the
speed at the top is less than this value? What
happens?

Section 6.2
Top and Bottom of Circle

The tension at the bottom is a maximum.

2
⎛ v bot ⎞
T = mg
The tension + 1
⎜ at the top
⎟ is a minimum.
⎝ Rg ⎠

2
⎛ v top ⎞
If Ttop = 0,⎜ then− 1⎟
T = mg
⎜ Rg ⎟
⎝ ⎠

v top = gR

Section 6.2
Example

1- An inventor designs a pendulum clock using a bob with mass m at the end of a thin
wire of length L. Instead of swinging back and forth, the bob is to move in a
horizontal circle with constant speed v, with the wire making a fixed angle with the
vertical direction. Find the tension F in the wire and the period T.
 Example

2- A 4.00 kg block is attached to a vertical rod by means of two strings. When the
system rotates about the axis of the rod, the strings ae extended and the
tension in the upper string is 80.0 N.
a) What is the tension in the lower cord?
b) How many revolutions per minute does the system make?
c) Find the number of revolutions per minute at which the lower cord just goes
slack.
 Example

3- A giant swing consist of a vertical central shaft with a number of horizontal

arms attached at its upper end. Each arm supports a seat suspends from a
cable 5.00 m long, the upper end of the cable being fastened to the arm at
point 3.00 m from the central shaft.
a) Find the time one revolution of the swing if the cable supporting a seat
makes an angle of 300 with the vertical.