6 Circular Motion

Definition of Circular Motion

• When a particle moves in a plane such that its distance from a fixed (or moving) point remains
constant then its motion is called as circular motion with respect to that fixed point.
That fixed point is called centre and the distance is called radius of circular path.
• The vector joining the centre of the circle and the center of the particle performing circular
motion is called radius vector. It has constant magnitude and variable direction.

Kinematics of Circular Motion

Angular Displacement
• Angle traced by position vector of a particle moving w.r.t. some fixed point is called angular
displacement.

 = angular displacement
Arc Arc PQ
Angle = or  =
Radius r
• Small Angular displacement d is a vector quantity, but large angular displacement  is scalar
quantity.
d1 + d2 = d2 + d1 But 1 + 2  2 + 1
• It is dimensionless and has S.I. unit "Radian" while other units are degree or revolution.
2 radian = 360° = 1 revolution
Frequency (n): Number of revolutions described by particle per second is its frequency. Its unit
is revolution per second (r.p.s.) or revolution per minute (r.p.m.)

Time Period (T): It is time taken by particle to complete one revolution. T =
n
Angular Velocity (): It is defined as the rate of change of angular displacement of moving
particle
Angle traced  d
= = Lim =
Time taken t →0 t dt

Relation Between Linear and Angular Velocity

Arc s s
Angle = or ,  = or S = r
Radius r r
s r ds d
 = if t → 0 then =r  v = r
t t dt dt
v =   r (direction of v is according to right hand thumb rule)

Circular Motion 249

 Average Angular Velocity (av)
total angleof rotation 2 − 1 
av = = =
total time taken t2 − t 1 t
where 1 and 2 are angular position of the particle at instant t1 and t2.

Instantaneous Angular Velocity

The angular velocity at some particular instant
 d d
 = Lim = or  =
t →0 t dt dt

Relative Angular Velocity

• Relative angular velocity of a particle 'A' w.r.t. other moving particle B is the angular velocity of
the position vector of A w.r.t. B. That means it is the rate at which position vector of 'A' w.r.t.
B rotates at that instant

(v AB )⊥ Relative velocity of A w.r.t. B perpendicular to line AB

AB = =
rAB seperation between A and B

here (v AB )⊥ = vA sin 1 + vB sin2

v A sin 1 + vB sin 2
 AB =
r
• It is an axial vector quantity.
• Its direction is same as that of angular displacement i.e. perpendicular to the plane of rotation
and along the axis according to right hand screw rule.
• Its unit is radian/second.
If particles A and B are moving with a velocity v A and vB and separated by a distance r at a
given instant then

dr
(i) = vB cos 2 – vA cos 1
dt
dAB v A sin 1 − vB sin 2
(ii) = AB =
dt r

250 Circular Motion

Example:
A particle revolving in a circular path completes first one third of circumference in 2 s, while
next one third in 1 s. Calculate the average angular velocity of particle.
Solution:
2 2
 = and 2 = total time T = 2 + 1 = 3 s
3 3
2 2 4
 1 + 2 +
 < av > = = 3 3 = 3 = 4 rad/s
T 3 3 9

Example:
The angular velocity of a particle is given by  = 1.5 t – 3t2 +2. Find the time when its angular
acceleration becomes zero.
Solution:
d
= = 1.5 – 6 t = 0  t = 0.25 s.
dt

Example:
A disc starts from rest and on the application of a torque, it gains an angular acceleration given
by  = 3t – t2. Calculate the angular velocity after 2 s.
Solution:
 t
d 3t 2 t 3 10
= 3t – t2   d =  (3t − t )dt   = −  at t = 2s,  =
2
rad/s
dt 0 0
2 3 3

Angular Acceleration ()

 d d
• Rate of change of angular velocity is called angular acceleration.  = Lim = or  =
t →0 t dt dt
• It’s an axial vector quantity. Its direction is along the axis according to right hand screw rule.
• Unit → rad/s2

Relation Between Angular and Linear Acceleration

v =   r ( v is a tangential vector,  is axial vector and r is a radial vector.)
dv d d dr
These three vectors are mutually perpendicular. but a = = (  r) =  r +  or
dt dt dt dt
 d dr 
a =   r +  v  =  and = v   a = aT + aC
 dt dt 
( aT =   r is tangential acceleration & aC =   v is centripetal acceleration)

a = aT + aC ( aT and aC are two component of net linear acceleration)

Circular Motion 251

 Tangential Acceleration
aT =   r , its direction is parallel to velocity. v =   r and aT =   r as  and  both are

parallel and along the axis so that v and aT are also parallel and along the tangential direction.

Magnitude of tangential acceleration in case of circulation motion.

aT =  r sin 90° = r (  is axial, r is radial so that  ⊥ r )
As aT is along the direction of motion (in the direction of v ) so that aT is responsible for

change in speed of the particle. Its magnitude is rate of change of speed of the particle. If
particle is moving on a circular path with constant speed then tangential acceleration is zero.

Centripetal acceleration
aC =   v  aC =  ( r) ( v =   r)

Let r is in î direction and  is in ˆj direction then direction of aC is along

ˆj  (ˆj  ˆi) = ˆj  ( − k)
ˆ = − ˆi opposite direction r i.e., from P to O and it is centripetal direction.

v2 v2
Magnitude of centripetal acceleration, ac = v = = 2r , a C = ( −ˆr)
r r

• Centripetal acceleration is always perpendicular to the velocity or displacement at each point.

Net Linear Acceleration

a = aT + aC and aT ⊥ aC so that | a |= a2T + aC2

About Uniform Circular Motion

• Position vector (r) is always perpendicular to the velocity vector (v) i.e. r . v = 0

• velocity vector is always perpendicular to the acceleration. v . a = 0

•  | v | = constant so tangential acc. at = 0

 Ft = 0
• Important difference between the projectile motion and uniform circular motion:
In projectile motion, both the magnitude and the direction of acceleration (g) remain constant,
while in uniform circular motion the magnitude remains constant but the direction continuously
changes.

252 Circular Motion

 Concept Builders - 1

Q.1 A 30 cm diameter turn table starts from rest and takes 2 s to reach its final rotation rate of
33.5 rpm; the angular acceleration is-
(A) 1.75 rad/s2 (B) 1.25 rad/s2
(C) 2 rad/s2 (D) 1 rad/s2

Q.2 A stone is moved round a horizontal circle with a 20 cm long string tied to it. If centripetal
acceleration is 9.8 m/s2, then its angular velocity will be-
(A) 7 rad/s (B) 22/7 rad/s
(C) 49 rad/s (D) 14 rad/s

Q.3 When a particle moves in a circle with a uniform speed -

(A) its velocity and acceleration are both constants
(B) its velocity is constant but the acceleration changes
(C) its acceleration is constant but the velocity changes
(D) its velocity and acceleration both change

Q.4 An electric fan has blades of length 30 cm as measured from the axis of rotation. If the fan
is rotating at 1200 r.p.m. The acceleration of a point on the tip of the blade is about-
(A) 1600 m/sec2 (B) 4740 m/sec2
(C) 2370 m/sec2 (D) 5055 m/sec2

Q.5 Angular position of a line of a disc of radius r = 6 cm is given by  = 10 – 5t + 4t2 rad. The
average angular speed between 1 and 3 s is-
(A)  rad/s (B) 11 rad/s
(C) 22 rad/s (D) 5.5 rad/s

Q.6 A racing car is travelling along a track at a constant speed of 40 m/s. A T.V. camera man is
recording the event from a distance of 30m directly away from the track as shown in figure.
In order to keep the car under view in the position shown, the angular speed with which the
camera should be rotated, is-
Track
car
40 m/s

30 m

30º

T.V Camera
(A) 4/3 rad/sec (B) 3/4 rad/sec

(C) 8/3 3 rad/sec (D) 1 rad/sec

Circular Motion 253

 Example:
Two moving particles P and Q are 10 m apart at a certain instant. The velocity of P is 8m/s
making an angle 30º with the line joining P and Q and that of Q is 6m/s making an angle 30°
with PQ as shown in the figure. Then angular velocity of P with respect to Q is-
6 m/s

10 m 30º
P 30º Q

8 m/s
(A) Zero (B) 0.1 rad/sec (C) 0.4 rad/sec (D) 0.7 rad/sec
Answer: (D)

Dynamics of Circular Motion

Velocity vector points always tangent to the path and continuously change its direction, as a particle
moves on a circular path even with constant speed and give rise to normal component of acceleration,
which always points toward the center of the circular path. This component of acceleration is known
as centripetal (center seeking) acceleration and denoted by ac. Moreover, if speed also changes the
particle will have an additional acceleration component along the tangent to the path. This component
of acceleration is known as tangential acceleration and denoted by aT

The centripetal acceleration accounts only for continuous change in the direction of motion
whereas the tangential acceleration accounts only for change in speed.

Consider a particle moving on circular path of radius r. It passes point O with velocity vo at the
instant t = 0 and point P with velocity v at the instant t traveling distance s along the path and
angular displacement  as shown in the figure. Kinematics of this circular motion is described
in terms of linear variables as well as angular variables.

254 Circular Motion

Kinematics of Circular Motion
Ang ular Variable s Line ar Variable s
Angular displacement  Distance traveled s
d ds
Angular velocity  = Speed v =
dt dt

d d 2  d dv d 2 s dv
Angular acceleration  = = 2 = Tangential acceleration a  = = 2 =v
dt dt d dt dt ds

v2
Centripetal acceleration a C =
r

Relations Between Angular and Linear Variable in Circular Motion

Distance traveled s = r
Speed v = r
Tangential acceleration aT = r
v2
Centripetal acceleration aC = = 2r = v
r

Application of Newton’s law in Circular Motion

Consider a particle of mass m moving with uniform speed v in a circle of radius r as shown in figure. It
necessarily posses a centripetal acceleration and hence there must be a net force (F = F )
C
acting

always towards the center according to the second law. This net force FC acting towards the center is
known as centripetal force.
v

mac
Fc

 F = ma → F C
= maC
When a particle is whirled with the help of a string in a horizontal circle, the required centripetal
force is the tension in the string. The gravitational attraction between a satellite and the earth,
between moon and the earth, between the sun and its planets, and the electrostatic attraction
between the nucleus and electrons are the centripetal forces and provide the necessary
centripetal acceleration.
Now consider a particle moving on circular path with varying speed. The net acceleration has
two components, the tangential acceleration and the centripetal acceleration. Therefore, the
net force must also have two components, one component in tangential direction to provide
the tangential acceleration and the other component towards the center to provide the
centripetal acceleration. The former one is known as tangential force and the latter one as
centripetal force.

Circular Motion 255

 v v
FT maT FT maT

maC maC
FC
FC

Particle moving with increasing speed. Particle moving with decreasing speed.
When the particle moves with increasing speed the tangential force acts in the direction of
motion and when the particle moves with decreasing speed the tangential force acts in direction
opposite to direction of motion.
To write equations according to the second law, we consider the tangential and the radial
directions as two mutually perpendicular axes. The components along the tangential and the
radial directions are designated by subscripts T and C.
FC = maC
FT = maT
Example:
In free space, a man whirls a small stone P of mass m with the help of a light string in a circle
of radius R as shown in the figure. Establish the relation between the speed of the stone and
the tension developed in the string. Also, find the force applied on the string by the man.

C
R

v
P

Solution:
The system is in free space therefore no force other than the tension acts on the stone to
provide necessary centripetal force. The tension does not have any component in tangential
direction therefore tangential component of acceleration is zero. In the adjoining figure it is
shown that how tension (T) in the string produces necessary centripetal force.
mv 2
Applying Newton’s second law of motion to the stone, we have FC = maC → T = maC =
R

The end where man holds the string is stationary and tension applied by the string to this end
is T towards the stone, therefore the man must apply a force equal to the tension in magnitude
but in a direction away from the stone.
mv 2
T=
R
Example:
A boy stands on a horizontal platform inside a cylindrical container of radius
R resting his back on the inner surface of the container. The container can be
rotated about the vertical axis of symmetry. The coefficient of static friction
between his back and the inner surface of the container is s. The angular
speed of the container is gradually increased. Find the minimum angular
speed at which if the platform below his feet removed, the boy should not
fall.

256 Circular Motion

Solution:
As the container rotates at angular speed  the boy moves in a circular path of radius R with a
speed v = R. Since the angular speed is increased gradually the angular acceleration can be
ignored and hence the tangential acceleration of the boy too. Thus, the boy has a centripetal
acceleration of 2R, provided by the normal reaction N applied by the wall of the container. The
weight of the boy is balanced by the force of static friction. All these force are shown in the
adjoining figure where the boy is shown schematically by a rectangular box of mass m.

F x
= max → N = m2R ...(i) fs y

x
F y
= ma y → fs = mg ...(ii) m2R

Since force of static friction cannot be greater than the N

limiting friction SN,

mg
we have fs  sN ...(iii)

g
From the above equations, the minimum angular speed is min =
sR

Example:
A motorcyclist wishes to travel in circle of radius R on horizontal ground and increases speed
at constant rate a. The coefficient of static and kinetic frictions between the wheels and the
ground are s and k. What maximum speed can he achieve without slipping?
Solution:
The motorcyclist and the motorcycle always move together hence they can be assumed to
behave as a single rigid body of mass equal to that of the motorcyclist and the motorcycle. Let
the mass of this body is m. The external forces acting on it are its weight (mg), the normal
reaction N on wheels from ground, and the force of static friction fs. The body has no
acceleration in vertical direction therefore; the normal reaction N balances the weight (mg).

a

aC

C
N = mg ...(i)
The frictional force cannot exceed the limiting friction.
fsm  sN ...(ii)
During its motion on circular path, the only external force in horizontal plane is the force of
static friction, which is responsible to provide the body necessary centripetal and tangential
acceleration. These conditions are shown in the adjoining figure where forces in vertical
direction are not shown.
FT = maT ...(iii)
mv 2
FC = ma C = ...(iv)
r

Circular Motion 257

 The above two forces are components of the frictional force in tangential and normal directions.
Therefore, we have

fs = FT2 + FC2 = m a2T + aC2 ...(v)

The centripetal acceleration increases with increase in speed and the tangential acceleration
remains constant. Therefore, their resultant increases with speed. At maximum speed the
frictional force achieves its maximum value (limiting friction flim), therefore from eq. (i), (ii), (iii),
(iv), and (v), we have

( g ) 
1

v = r 2 − a 
2 2
4

s
 

Circular Turning of Roads

When vehicles go through turnings, they travel along a nearly circular arc. There must be some force
which will produce the required centripetal acceleration. If the vehicles travel in a horizontal circular
path, this resultant force is also horizontal. The necessary centripetal force is being provided to the
vehicles by following three ways:
• By friction only.
• By banking of roads only.
• By friction and banking of roads both.
In real life the necessary centripetal force is provided by friction and banking of roads both.

• By Friction Only
Suppose a car of mass m is moving at a speed v in a horizontal circular arc of radius r. In this
case, the necessary centripetal force to the car will be provided by force of friction f acting
towards centre.
mv 
Thus, f =  fmax =N = mg
r

mv 2 mv 2
Therefore, for a safe turn without sliding  fmax   mg  v  rg
r r

• By Banking of Roads only

Friction is not always reliable at circular turns if high speeds and sharp turns are involved. To
avoid dependence on friction, the roads are banked at the turn so that the outer part of the
road is some what lifted compared to the inner part.

258 Circular Motion

 N


 mg


mv 2
Nsin  = and N cos = mg
r
v2
 tan  =  v = rg tan 
rg

• Friction and Banking of Road Both

If a vehicle is moving on a circular road which is rough and
banked also, then three forces may act on the vehicle, of N
these the first force, i.e., weight (mg) is fixed both in  f
magnitude and direction. The direction of second force, i.e., 
normal reaction N is also fixed (perpendicular to road)
while the direction of the third force, i.e., friction f can be mg

either inwards or outwards while its magnitude can be
varied upto a maximum limit (fmax = N). So, the magnitude
of normal reaction N and direction plus magnitude of
friction f are so adjusted that the resultant of the three
mv 2
forces mentioned above is towards the centre.
r
Conical Pendulum
If a small particle of mass m tied to a string is whirled in a horizontal circle, as shown in figure. The
arrangement is called the 'conical pendulum'. In case of conical pendulum, the vertical component of
tension balances the weight while its horizontal component provides the necessary centripetal force.
Thus,

mv 2
T sin  = and T cos = mg  v = rg tan 
r

v g tan 
 Angular speed  = =
r r

2 r L cos 
So, the time period of pendulum is T = = 2 = 2
 g tan  g

Circular Motion 259

 Example:
Find the maximum speed at which a car can turn round a curve of 30 m radius on a level road if
the coefficient of friction between the tyres and the road is 0.4 [acceleration due to gravity
= 10 m/s2]
Solution:
Here centripetal force is provided by friction so
mv 2
 mg  vmax = rg = 120  11 ms–1
r

Example:
For traffic moving at 60 km/hr, if the radius of the curve is 0.1 km, what is the correct angle of
banking of the road? (g = 10 m/s2)
Solution:
v2
In case of banking tan  =
rg

5 50
Here v= 60 km/hr = 60 × ms–1 = ms–1 r = 0.1 km = 100 m
18 3

50 / 3  50 / 3 5 5
So tan  = =   = tan−1  
100  10 18  18 

Example:
A hemispherical bowl of radius R is rotating about its axis of symmetry which is kept vertical.
A small ball kept in the bowl rotates with the bowl without slipping on its surface. If the surface
of the bowl is smooth and the angle made by the radius through the ball with the vertical is .
Find the angular speed at which the bowl is rotating.

Solution:
Ncos = mg and Nsin = mr2 but r =R sin
 Nsin = mRsin2  =mR2
 (mR2) cos = mg
g
=
R cos 

Example:
A car is moving along a banked road laid out as a circle of radius r.
(a) What should be the banking angle  so that the car travelling at speed v needs no
frictional force from the tyres to negotiate the turn?
(b) The coefficients of friction between tyres and road are s = 0.9 and k = 0.8. At what
maximum speed can a car enter the curve without sliding towards the top edge of the
banked turn?

260 Circular Motion

Solution:
mv 2 v2
(a) Nsin  = and Ncos = mg  tan =
r rg
N


mg

Note: In above case friction does not play any role in negotiating the turn.
(b) If the driver moves faster than the speed mentioned above, a friction force must act
parallel to the road, inward towards centre of the turn.
N


f

mg

2
mv
 fcos + Nsin= and Ncos = mg + fsin
r
For maximum speed of f = N
mv 2
 N (  cos  + sin  ) = and N ( cos  −  sin  ) = mg
r
v2 sin  +  cos   sin  +  cos  
 = v =   rg
rg cos  −  sin   cos  −  sin  

Centrifugal Force
Centrifugal force is a pseudo force which an observer needs to consider while making observations in
a rotating frame. This force is non physical and arise from kinematics and not due to physical
interactions. Centrifugal force is directed away from axis of rotation of rotating frame and its value is
m2r, where  is angular speed of rotating frame where observer has kept himself fixed and r is
distance of object of mass m from axis of rotation.

Concept Builders - 2

Q.1 The tube AC forms a quarter circle in a vertical plane. The ball B has an area of cross section
slightly smaller than that of the tube, and can move without friction through it. B is placed at
A and displaced slightly. It will-
A

C
(A) always be in contact with the inner wall of the tube
(B) always be in contact with the outer wall of the tube
(C) initially be in contact with the inner wall and later with the outer wall
(D) initially be in contact with the outer wall and later with the inner wall

Circular Motion 261

 Q.2 A circular track of radius R is to be designed for cars of speed v m/s. What should be the
angle of banking of the track?
v2 v2 v2 v2
(A) tan  = (B) sin  = (C) cos  = (D) tan  =
2Rg Rg Rg Rg

Q.3 A car sometimes overturns while taking a turn. When it overturns, it is -

(A) The inner wheel which leaves the ground first
(B) The outer wheel which leaves the ground first
(C) Both the wheels leave the ground simultaneously
(D) Either wheel leaves the ground first

Q.4 A train is moving speed 'v' on a curved railway track of radius 'r'. A spring balance loaded with
block of mass m is suspended from the roof of train. The reading of the spring balance is –
2
mv 2 mv 2  mv 2 
(A) m (B) (C) m + (D) m + 
2

rg rg  rg 

ANSWERS KEY FOR CONCEPT BUILDER

Concept Builder 1:
1. (A) 2. (A) 3. (D) 4. (B) 5. (B) 6. (D)

Concept Builder 2:
1. (C) 2. (D) 3. (A) 4. (D)

262 Circular Motion

 Objective Exercise - I

Single Correct Type Questions

Kinematics of Circular Motion
1. A body is executing circular motion in the vertical plane containing directions East and West. If
the direction of velocity ( v ) at the top most point is towards west, what is the direction of

angular velocity (  ) ?
(A) east (B) west (C) north (D) south

2. If the magnitude of velocity in the previous question is decreasing with time, what is the
direction of angular acceleration (  ) ?
(A) east (B) west (C) north (D) south

3. A mass is revolving in a circle which lies in a plane of paper. The direction of angular acceleration
can be:
(A) perpendicular to radius and velocity (B) towards the radius
(C) tangential (C) at right angle to angular velocity

4. A wheel is at rest. Its angular velocity increases uniformly with time and becomes 80 radian per
second after 5 second. The total angular displacement is:
(A) 800 rad (B) 400 rad (C) 200 rad (D) 100 rad

5. If angular velocity () of a disc depends on angle rotated () as  = 2 + 2, then its angular
acceleration  at  = 1 rad is:
(A) 8 rad/sec2 (B) 10 rad/sec2 (C) 12 rad/sec2 (D) None

6. Two racing cars of masses m1 and m2 are moving in circles of radii r and 2r respectively and
their angular speeds are equal. The ratio of the time taken by cars to complete one revolution is:
(A) m1 : m2 (B) 1 : 2 (C) 1 : 1 (D) m1 : 2m2

7. The second's hand of a watch has length 6 cm. Speed of end point and magnitude of difference
of velocities at two perpendicular positions will be
(A) 2 & 0 mm/s (B) 2  & 4.44 mm/s
(C) 2 & 2  mm/s (D) 2 & 2 2 mm/s

8. A particle is moving parallel to x-axis as shown in the figure such that at all instants the y
component of its position vector is constant and is equal to 'b'. The angular velocity of the
particle about the origin is:

v v v
(A) sin2  (B) (C) sin  (D) vb
b b b

Circular Motion 263

 9. A spot light S rotates in a horizontal plane with a constant angular velocity of 0.1 rad/s. The
spot of light P moves along the wall at a distance 3 m. What is the velocity of the spot P when
 = 45°?

(A) 0.6 m/s (B) 0.5 m/s (C) 0.4 m/s (D) 0.3 m/s

 20 
10. A particle moves along a circle of radius   m with tangential acceleration of constant
  
magnitude. If the speed of the particle is 80 m/s at the end of the second revolution after
motion has begun, the tangential acceleration is:
(A) 160  m/s2 (B) 40  m/s2 (C) 40 m/s2 (D) 640  m/s2

11. Let ar and at represent radial and tangential acceleration. The motion of a particle may be
circular if:
(A) ar = 0, at = 0 (B) ar = 0, at  0 (C) ar  0, at = 0 (D) none of these

12. Which vector in the figures best represents the acceleration of a pendulum at the intermediate
point in its swing?

(A) (B) (C) (D)

13. A car speeds up with constant magnitude of tangential acceleration in circular path moving in
anticlockwise direction. Which of the following figure best represents net acceleration of the
car?

(A) (B) (C) (D)

14. A car is moving with speed 27 km/h. The driver applies brakes as he approaches a circular turn
on the road of radius 80 m and his speed reduces at the constant rate of 0.50 m/s every second.
The magnitude of net acceleration at initial moment is:
(A) 20 ms–2 (B) 0.86 ms–2 (C) 100 ms–2 (D) None of these

15. A point P moves in counterclockwise direction on a circular path as shown in

the figure. The movement of 'P' is such that it sweeps out a length s = t2 + 5,
where s is in meters and t is in seconds. The radius of the path is 20 m. The
3
acceleration of 'P' when t = 5 seconds is nearly:
10
(A) 2 m/s2 (B) 1.5 m/s2 (C) 2.5 m/s2 (D) 3 m/s2

264 Circular Motion

16. The velocity and acceleration vectors of a particle undergoing circular motion are v = 2iˆ m/s
and a = 2iˆ + 4ˆj m/s2 respectively at an instant of time. The radius of the circle is
(A) 1m (B) 2m (C) 3m (D) 4m

17. A racing car moves along circular track of radius b. The car starts from rest and its speed
increases at a constant rate . Let the angle between the velocity and the acceleration be  at
time t. Then (cos ) is:
b b
(A) 0 (B) t2/b (C) (D)
(b + t )
2

(b
2
+ 2 t 4 )
1
2

Dynamics of Circular Motion

18. A particle is moving in a circle:

(A) the resultant force on the particle must be towards the centre
(B) the cross product of the tangential acceleration and the angular velocity will be zero
(C) the direction of the angular acceleration and the angular velocity must be the same
(D) the resultant force may be towards the centre

19. A car is going on an over bridge of radius R, maintaining a constant

speed. As the car is descending on the over bridge from point B to C,
the normal force on it:
(A) increases (B) decreases
(C) remains constant (D) first increases then decreases

20. A particle of mass m is tied to a light string and rotated with a speed v along a vertical circular
path of radius r. If T = tension in the string and mg = gravitational force on the particle then the
actual forces acting on the particle are:
(A) mg and T only
mv 2
(B) mg, T and an additional force of directed inwards.
r
mv 2
(C) mg, T and an additional force of directed outwards.
r
(D) only a force directed outwards.

21. A mass is supported on a frictionless horizontal surface. It is attached to a string and rotates
about a fixed centre at an angular velocity 0. If the length of the string and angular velocity
are doubled, the tension in the string which was initially T0 is now:
(A) T0 (B) T0/2 (C) 4T0 (D) 8T0

22. Three identical particles are joined together by a thread as shown in figure. All the three
particles are moving on a smooth horizontal plane about point O. If the speed of the outermost
particle is v0, then the ratio of tensions in the three sections of the string is:
(Assume that the strings remain straight)

(A) 3 : 5 : 7 (B) 3 : 4 : 5
(C) 7 : 11 : 6 (D) 6 : 5 : 3

Circular Motion 265

 23. A car travels with constant speed on a circular road on level ground. In the diagram shown, Fair
is the force of air resistance on the car. Which of the other forces shown best represents the
horizontal force of the road on the car's tires?

(A) FA (B) FB (C) FC (D) FD

24. A conical pendulum is moving in a circle with angular velocity  as shown. If

tension in the string is T, which of following equations are correct? 
(A) T = m2l (B) T sin  = m2l
(C) T = mg cos  (D) T = m2l sin 

25. A disc of radius R has a light pole fixed perpendicular to the disc at the circumference which
in turn has a pendulum of length R attached to its other end as shown in figure. The disc is
rotated with a constant angular speed . The string is making an angle 300 with the rod. Then
the angular speed  of disc is:

1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2

 3g  3g  g   2g 
(A)   (B)   (C)   (D)  
 R   2R   3R   3 3R 
       

26. A stone tied to a string is rotated in a vertical plane. If mass of the stone is m, the length of
the string is r and the linear speed of the stone is v when the stone is at its lowest point, then
the tension in the string at the lowest point will be: (Acceleration due to gravity is g)
mv 2 mv 2 mv 2
(A) + mg (B) − mg (C) (D) mg
r r r

27. As shown in the figure a mass m is rotating freely in a horizontal circle of radius 20 cm in a
smooth fixed cone which supports a stationary mass m, attached to the other end of the string
passing through smooth hole O in cone, hanging vertically. Find the angular velocity of rotation.

(A) 5 rad/s (B) 2 rad/s (C) 10 rad/s (D) 15 rad/s

266 Circular Motion

28. A point mass m suspended from a light thread of length l, fixed at O, is whirled in a horizontal
circle at constant speed as shown. From your point of view, stationary with respect to the mass,
the forces on the mass are:

T
(A) (B) (C) (D) m
F
W

29. A stone is projected with speed u and angle of projection is . Find radius of curvature at t = 0.
u2 cos2  u2 u2 u2 sin2 
(A) (B) (C) (D)
g g sin  g cos  g

30. A long horizontal rod has a bead which can slide along its length and is initially placed at a
distance L from one end A of the rod. The rod is set in angular motion about A with a constant
angular acceleration, . If the coefficient of friction between the rod and bead is μ, and gravity
is neglected, then the time after which the bead starts slipping is:
  1
(A) (B) (C) (D) infinitesimal
  

Circular Motion 267

 Objective Exercise - II

Single Correct Type Questions

1. The magnitude of displacement of a particle moving in a circle of radius a with constant angular
speed  varies with time t as:
t t
(A) 2a sin t (B) 2a sin (C) 2a cos t (D) 2a cos
2 2

2. A particle is moving in a circular path. The acceleration and momentum of the particle at a
certain moment are a = ( 4iˆ + 3ˆj ) m/s2 and p = ( 8iˆ − 6ˆj ) kg–m/s. The motion of the particle is:
(A) uniform circular motion (B) accelerated circular motion
(C) de–accelerated circular motion (D) we can not say anything with a and p only

3. A uniform rod of mass m and length  rotates in a horizontal plane with an angular velocity 
about a vertical axis passing through one end. The tension in the rod at a distance x from the
axis is:
1 1 x2
(A) m2 x (B) m2
2 2
1  x 1 m2
(C) m2  1 −  (D)  2
− x2 
2 2 
 

4. A ring of radius r and mass per unit length m rotates about its axis with an angular velocity 
in free space. The tension in the ring is:
1
(A) zero (B) m2r2 (C) m2r2 (D) mr2
2

5. A particle A moves along a circle of radius R = 50 cm so that its radius vector r relative to the
point O (figure) rotates with the constant angular velocity  = 0.40 rad/s. Then modulus of the
velocity of the particle, and the modulus of its total acceleration will be:

(A) v= 0.4 m/s, a = 0.4 m/s2 (B) v = 0.32 m/s, a = 0.32 m/s2
(C) v = 0.32 m/s, a = 0.4 m/s2 (D) v = 0.4 m/s, a = 0.32 m/s2

One or More Than One Correct Type Questions

6. A car runs around a curve of radius 10 m at a constant speed of 10 ms–1. Consider the time
interval for which car covers a curve of 120° arc:
(A) Resultant change in velocity of car is 10 3 ms–1
(B) Instantaneous acceleration of car is 10 ms–2
5
(C) Average acceleration of car is ms–2
24
(D) Instantaneous and average acceleration are same for the given period of motion

268 Circular Motion

7. A particle is in motion on the x-axis. The variation of its velocity v (m/s)
with position is as shown. The graph is a circle and its equation
P
is x2 + v2 = 1, where x is in m and v in m/s. The CORRECT Q
statement(s) is/are
45° S
(A) When x is positive, acceleration is negative x (m)
(B) When x is negative, acceleration is positive
1
(C) At Q, acceleration has magnitude m/s2
2
(D) At S, acceleration is infinite

8. Three particles A, B, C are located at the corners of an equilateral triangle as shown in figure.
Each of the particle is moving with velocity v. Then at the instant shown, the relative angular
velocity of

v cos30 v cos30
(A) A wrt B is in z-direction (B) B wrt C is in z-direction
a a
v cos30 v cos30
(C) A wrt C is in z-direction (D) B wrt A is in -z direction
a a

9. A car is moving with constant speed on a road as shown in figure. The normal reaction by the
road on the car is NA, NB and NC when it is at the points A, B and C respectively. Then:

(A) NA = NB (B) NA > NB (C) NA < NB (D) NC > NA

10. Let v (t) be the velocity of a particle at time t. Then:

dv(t) d v(t)
(A) and are always equal
dt dt

dv(t) d v(t)
(B) and may be equal
dt dt

d v(t) dv(t)
(C) can be zero while is not zero
dt dt

d v(t) dv(t)
(D)  0 implies 0
dt dt

Circular Motion 269

 11. A stone is projected from level ground at t = 0 sec such that its horizontal and vertical
components of initial velocity are 10 m/s and 20 m/s respectively. Then the instant of time at
which magnitude of tangential and magnitude of normal components of acceleration of stone
are same is: (neglect air resistance) g = 10 m/s2.
1
(A) sec (B) 1 sec
2
(C) 3 sec (D) 4 sec

12. In the shown figure inside a fixed hollow cylinder with vertical axis, a pendulum is moving
conically with its axis same as that of the cylinder with uniform angular velocity. Radius of
cylinder is 30 cm, length of string is 50 cm and mass of bob is 400 gm. The bob makes contact
with the inner frictionless wall of the cylinder while moving. Then choose the correct
statement(s).


(A) The minimum value of angular velocity of the bob so that it does not leave contact is 5 rad/s
(B) Tension in the string is 5N for all values of angular velocity
(C) For angular velocity of 10 rad/s the bob pushes the cylinder with a force of 9N
(D) For angular velocity of 10 rad/s, tension in the string is 20N

13. A ball of mass ‘m’ is rotating in a circle of radius ‘r’ with speed v inside a smooth cone as shown
in figure. Let N be the normal reaction on the ball by the cone, then choose the correct option.
r
m

 
2
v mv 2
(A) N = mg cos  (B) g sin = cos (C) N sin – =0 (D) None of these
r r

14. A particle P of mass m is attached to a vertical axis by two strings AP and BP of length l each.
The separation AB = l. P rotates around the axis with an angular velocity . The tensions in the
two strings are T1 and T2

(A) T1 = T2 (B) T1 + T2 = m2l

2g
(C) T1 – T2 = 2mg (D) BP will remain taut only if  

270 Circular Motion

15. A car is moving with constant speed on a rough banked road.

Car 

Figure (i), (ii) and (iii) show the free body diagram of car A, B & C respectively:
N N N f

W f W W
(i) (ii) (iii)
(A) Car A has more speed than car C
(B) Car A has less speed than car B
(C) FBD for car A is not possible
(D) If µ > tan the FBD for car C is not possible

16. For a curved track of radius R, banked at angle . Choose the correct statement(s).

(Take V0 = Rg tan  )
(A) a vehicle moving with a speed V0 is able to negotiate the curve without calling friction into
play at all
(B) a vehicle moving with any speed V > V0 is always able to negotiate the curve, with friction
called into play
(C) a vehicle moving with any speed V < V0 must have the force of friction into play
(D) the minimum value of the angle of banking for a vehicle parked on the banked road can stay
there without slipping, is given by  = tan–1 µ0 (µ0 = coefficient of static friction)

Matrix Match Type Questions

17. A block is placed on a horizontal table which can rotate about its axis. The block is placed at a
certain distance from centre as shown in figure. Table rotates such that particle does not slide.
Select possible direction of net acceleration of block at the instant shown in figure.
4

2
1
Column-I Column-II
(A) When rotation is clockwise with constant  (P) 1
(B) When rotation is clock wise with decreasing  (Q) 2
(C) When rotation is clockwise with increasing  (R) 3
(D) Just after clockwise rotation begins from rest (S) 4

Circular Motion 271

 18. Column-I shows certain situations and column-2 shows information about forces.
Column - I Column - II
Situation
F3

(A) F1 (P) F1 + F2 + F3 is centripetal force

F2
Front view of a car
rounding a curve with
constant speed.


 F1
F3 •
F2
(Q) F1 is static friction
(B)
Passengers in a rotor not
sliding relative to rotor wall
cylindrical rotor is rotating with
constant angular velocity about
its symmetry axis.



 F1
F3
(R) F1 can be in direction opposite to that
(C) 
F2 shown in figure
Particle kept on rough surface
of a bowl, no relative motion
of particle in bowl, bowl has
constant angular velocity

F3 (S) F1 + F2 = 0

(D)
F2 F1

Car moving on a banked road
with constant speed, no (T) F1 + F2 + F3 = 0
sideways skidding

272 Circular Motion

 Subjective Exercise - I

Kinematics of Circular Motion

1. Figure shows a circular path taken by a particle. If the instantaneous velocity of the particle is
v = (2 m/s) î – (2 m/s) ˆj . Through which quadrant is the particle moving when it is travelling (a)
clockwise and (b) counter clockwise around the circle?

2. If the equation for the angular displacement of a particle moving on a circular path is given by
() = 2t3 + 0.5, where  is in radians and t in seconds, then find the angular velocity of the
particle after 2 seconds from its start.

3. A stone tied to the end of a string 80 cm long is whirled in a horizontal circle with a constant
speed. If the stone makes 14 revolutions in 25 s, what is the magnitude and direction of
acceleration of the stone?

4. Two particles A and B are moving in a horizontal plane anticlockwise on two different concentric
circles with different constant angular velocities 2 and  respectively. Find the relative velocity
(in m/s) of B w.r.t. A after time t = /. They both start at the position as shown in figure (Take
 = 3rad/sec, r = 2m)

5. Find the ratio of angular speeds of minute hand and hour hand of a watch and also find the
angular speed of the second's hand in a watch.

6. In a park there are three concentric circular running tracks. Radius of 2nd track is double of
first and of 3rd track is triple of first. Three runners are running on these tracks with constant
speeds. When the runner in the first track completes one round, the runner in 2nd has
completed half round and the runner in third track has completed quarter round. If the
accelerations of the runners are in ratio      where ,  &  are least integers, then find the
++ 
value of .
3

7. A particle moves uniformly in a circle of radius 25 cm at two revolution per second. Find the
acceleration of the particle in m/s2.

Circular Motion 273

 Dynamics of Circular Motion

8. A block of mass m moves with speed v against a smooth, fixed vertical circular groove of radius
r kept on smooth horizontal surface.
v

Find:
(i) normal reaction of the floor on the block.
(ii) normal reaction of the vertical wall on the block.

9. Find angular velocity of A with respect to O at the instant shown in the figure.

10. A particle is travelling in a circular path of radius 4m. At a certain instant the particle is moving
at 20m/s and its acceleration is at an angle of 37° from the direction to the centre of the circle
as seen from the particle.
(i) At what rate is the speed of the particle increasing?
(ii) What is the magnitude of the acceleration?

11. A stone is thrown horizontally with the velocity 15m/s. Determine the tangential and normal
accelerations (in m/s2) of the stone in 1 second after it begins to move. (take g = 10 m/s2)

12. A particle moves in the x-y plane with the velocity v = a ˆi + b t ˆj . At the instant t = a 3 b the
magnitude of tangential, normal and total acceleration are _____, ______, & ______.

13. A body is projected with a velocity 10 ms–1 at an inclination 45° to the horizontal. Minimum
radius of curvature of the trajectory described by the particle is __________.

14. A motorcyclist wants to drive on the vertical surface of wooden ‘well’ of radius 5 m, in horizontal
plane with speed of 5 5 m/s. Find the minimum value of coefficient of friction between the
tyres and the wall of the well. (take g = 10 m/s2)

15. A mass m rotating freely in a horizontal circle of radius 1 m on a frictionless smooth table
supports a stationary mass 2m, attached to the other end of the string passing through smooth
hole O in table, hanging vertically. Find the angular velocity of rotation.

274 Circular Motion

16. Consider a conical pendulum having bob of mass m is suspended from a ceiling through a string
of length L. The bob moves in a horizontal circle of radius r. Find (a) the angular speed of the
bob and (b) the tension in the string.

17. A circular platform rotates around a vertical axis with angular velocity  = 10 rad/s. On the
platform is a ball of mass 1 kg, attached to the long axis of the platform by a thin rod of length
10 cm ( = 30°). Find normal force exerted by the ball on the platform (in newton). Friction is
absent.

18. A cyclist speeding at 18 km/h on a level road takes a sharp circular turn of radius 3 m without
reducing the speed. The coefficient of static friction between the tyres and the road is 0.1. Will
the cyclist slip while taking the turn?

19. Find the maximum speed at which a car can turn round a curve of 30 m radius on a level road
if the coefficient of friction between the tyres and the road is 0.4 [g = 10 m/s2]

20. A circular racetrack of radius 300 m is banked at an angle of 15°. If the coefficient of friction
between the wheels of a race-car and the road is 0.2, what is the
(a) optimum speed of the race-car to avoid wear and tear on its tyres, and
(b) maximum permissible speed to avoid slipping?

Circular Motion 275

 Subjective Exercise - II

1. Three aircrafts make a turn in the horizontal plane at uniform speeds, moving along concentric
circular trajectories that are shown in figure. The aircrafts move such that they are at constant
distance of 600 m from each other at any time. The aircraft closest to the center moves in a
circle of radius R = 600 m. The aircraft 2 is moving at a speed of v2 = 720 km/h. Find the
acceleration of third aircraft (in m/s2).

3 2 1
2. A particle is moving along a circular path of radius R in such a way that at any instant magnitude
of radial acceleration & tangential acceleration are equal. If at t = 0 speed of particle is V0. Find
the speed as a function of time.

3. A particle P is moving on a circle under the action of only one force acting always towards fixed
2
d2   d 
point O on the circumference. Find ratio of &   .
dt 2  dt 

4. A stone is launched upward at 45° with speed v0. A bee follows the trajectory of the stone at a
constant speed equal to the initial speed of the stone.
(i) Find the radius of curvature at the top point of the trajectory.
(ii) What is the acceleration of the bee at the top point of the trajectory? For the stone, neglect
the air resistance.

5. The member OA rotates in vertical plane about a horizontal axis through 

O with a constant counter clockwise angular velocity  = 3 rad/sec. As it r m
passes the position  = 0, a small mass m is placed upon it at a radial A
distance r = 0.5 m. If the mass is observed to slip at  = 37°, the co-
efficient of friction between the mass & the member is ________. 
O

6. A thin circular loop of radius R rotates about its vertical diameter with an angular frequency .
Show that a small bead on the wire loop remains at its lowermost point for   g / R . What is
the angle made by the radius vector joining the centre to the bead with the vertical downward
direction for  = 2g / R ? Neglect friction.

276 Circular Motion

 JEE-Main (Previous Year Questions)

1. A particle is moving with a uniform speed in a circular orbit of radius R in a central force
inversely proportional to the nth power of R. If the period of rotation of the particle is T, then:
[JEE(Main)-2018]
(1) T  R(n+1)/2 (2) T  Rn/2
n
+1
(3) T  R3/2 For any n (4) T  R 2

2. A bead of mass m stays at point P(a, b) on a wire bent in the shape of a parabola y = 4Cx2
and rotating with angular speed  (see figure). The value of  is (neglect friction):
[JEE(Main)-2020]

2gC 2g
(1) (2) 2 2gC (3) (4) 2 gC
ab C

3. A clock has a continuously moving second's hand of 0.1 m length. The average acceleration of
the tip of the hand (in units of ms–2) is of the order of: [JEE(Main)-2020]
(1) 10–3 (2) 10–2 (3) 10–4 (4) 10–1

4. If P  Q = Q  P , the angle between P and Q is (0° <  < 360°). The value of ‘’ will be _______°.
[JEE(Main)-2021]

5. A particle is moving with uniform speed along the circumference of a circle of radius R under
the action of a central fictitious force F which is inversely proportional to R3. Its time period of
revolution will be given by: [JEE(Main)-2021]
3
(1) T  R2 (2) T  R2
5 4
(3) T  R2 (4) T  R 3

6. A block of 200 g mass moves with a uniform speed in a horizontal circular groove, with vertical
side walls of radius 20 cm. If the block takes 40 s to complete one round, the normal force by
the side walls of the groove is: [JEE(Main)-2021]
(1) 0.0314 N (2) 9.859 × 10 –2
N
(3) 6.28 × 10 –3
N (4) 9.859 × 10 –4
N

Circular Motion 277

 7. Statement I: A cyclist is moving on an unbanked road with a speed of 7 kmh–1 and takes a sharp
circular turn along a path of radius of 2m without reducing the speed. The static friction
coefficient is 0.2. The cyclist will not slip and pass the curve (g = 9.8 m/s2)
Statement II: If the road is banked at an angle of 45°, cyclist can cross the curve of 2m radius
with the speed of 18.5 kmh–1 without slipping. [JEE(Main)-2021]
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below.
(1) Statement I is incorrect and statement II is correct
(2) Statement I is correct and statement II is incorrect
(3) Both statement I and statement II are false
(4) Both statement I and statement II are true

8. The angular speed of truck wheel is increased from 900 rpm to 2460 rpm in 26 seconds. The
number of revolutions by the truck engine during this time is _______. [JEE(Main)-2021]
(Assuming the acceleration to be uniform).

9. A particle of mass m is suspended from a ceiling through a string of length L. The particle moves
L
in a horizontal circle of radius r such that r = . The speed of particle will be:
2
[JEE(Main)-2021]
rg
(1) rg (2) 2rg (3) 2 rg (4)
2

10. A smooth circular groove has a smooth vertical wall as shown in figure. A block of mass m
moves against the wall with a speed v. Which of the following curve represents the correct
relation between the normal reaction on the block by the wall (N) and speed of the block (v)?
[JEE(Main)-2022]

(1) (2) (3) (4)

11. A disc with a flat small bottom beaker placed on it at a distance R from its centre is revolving
about an axis passing through the centre and perpendicular to its plane with an angular velocity
. The coefficient of static of the disc is µ. The beaker will revolve with disc if :
[JEE(Main)-2022]
g g g g
(1) R  (2) R  (3) R  (4) R 
22 2 22 2

12. A curved in a level road has a radius 75m. The maximum speed of a car turning this curved road
can be 30 m/s without skidding. If radius of curved road is changed to 48 m and the coefficient
of friction between the tyres and the road remains same, then maximum allowed speed would
be _____m/s. [JEE(Main)-2022]

278 Circular Motion

13. One end of a massless spring of spring constant k and natural length l0 is fixed while the other
end is connected to a small object of mass m lying on a frictionless table. The spring remains
horizontal on the table. If the object is made to rotate at an angular velocity  about an axis
passing through fixed end, then the elongation of the spring will be [JEE(Main)-2022]
k − m2l0 m2l0 m2l0 k + m2l0
(1) (2) (3) (4)
m2 k + m2 k − m2 m2

14. A particle of mass m is moving in a circular path of constant radius r such that its centripetal
acceleration (a) is verying with time t as a = k2rt2, where k is constant. The power delivered to
the particle by the force acting on it is given as [JEE(Main)-2022]
(1) zero (2) mk r t
2 2 2
(3) mk r t
2 2
(4) mk rt
2

15. A car is moving with a constant speed of 20 m/s in a circular horizontal track of radius 40m. A
bob is suspended from the roof of the car by a massless string. The angle made by the string
with the vertical will be: (Take g = 10 m/s2) [JEE(Main)-2023]
   
(1) (2) (3) (4)
6 3 2 4

16. Two objects are projected with same velocity ‘u’ however at different angles  and  with the
horizontal. If  +  = 90°, the ratio of horizontal range of the first object to the 2nd object will
be : [JEE(Main)-2023]

(1) 4 : 1 (2) 2 : 1 (3) 1 : 2 (4) 1 : 1

17. A stone tied to 180 cm long string at its end is making 28 revolutions in horizontal circle in
1936
every minute. The magnitude of acceleration of stone is ms−2 . The value of x is________.
x
 22 
 Take  =  [JEE(Main)-2023]
 7 

18. A body is moving with constant speed, in a circle of radius 10 m. The boy completes one
revolution in 4 s. At the end of 3rd second, the displacement of body (in m) from its starting
point is: [JEE(Main)-2023]
(1) 30 (2) 16 (3) 5 (4) 10 2

19. A stone of mass 1 kg is tied to end of a massless string of length 1 m. If the breaking tension of
the string is 400 N, then maximum linear velocity, the stone can have without breaking the
string, while rotating in horizontal plane is: [JEE(Main)-2023]
(1) 20 ms–1= (2) 40 ms–1 (3) 400 ms–1 (4) 10 ms–1

Circular Motion 279

 JEE-Advanced (Previous Year Questions)

1. A ball of mass (m) 0.5 kg is attached to the end of a string having length
(L) 0.5 m. The ball is rotated on a horizontal circular path about vertical
axis. The maximum tension that the string can bear is 324 N. The
maximum possible value of angular velocity of ball (in radian/s) is:
[IIT-JEE-2011]
(A) 9 (B) 18
(C) 27 (D) 36

2. Two identical discs of same radius R are rotating about their axes in opposite directions with
the same constant angular speed . The discs are in the same horizontal plane. At time t = 0,
the points P and Q are facing each other as shown in the figure. The relative speed between
the two points P and Q is vr. In one time period (T) of rotation of the discs, vr as function of
times best represented by: [IIT-JEE-2012]

(A) (B)

(C) (D)

3. Consider a disc rotating in the horizontal plane with a constant angular speed  about its centre
O. The disc has a shaded region on one side of the diameter and an unshaded region on the
other side as shown in the figure. When the disc is in the orientation as shown, two pebbles P
and Q are simultaneously projected at an angle towards R. The velocity of projection is in the
y-z plane and is same for both pebbles with respect to the disc. Assume that (i) they land back
1
on the disc before the disc has completed rotation, (ii) their range is less than half the disc
8
radius, and (iii)  remains constant throughout. Then [IIT-JEE-2012]

(A) P lands in the shaded region and Q in the unshaded region.

(B) P lands in the unshaded region and Q in the shaded region.
(C) Both P and Q land in the unshaded region.
(D) Both P and Q land in the shaded region.

280 Circular Motion

 Paragraph for Q. 4 to Q. 5
A frame of reference that is accelerated with respect to an inertial frame of reference is called
a non-inertial frame of reference. A coordinate system fixed on a circular disc rotating about a
fixed axis with a constant angular velocity  is an example of a non-inertial frame of reference.
The relationship between the force Frot experienced by a particle of mass m moving on the
rotating disc and the force Fin experienced by the particle in an inertial frame of reference is,
Frot = Fin + 2m ( rot  ) + m (   r )   ,
Where rot is the velocity of the particle in the rotating frame of reference and r is the position
vector of the particle with respect to the centre of the disc.
Now consider a smooth slot along a diameter of a disc of radius R rotating counter-clockwise
with a constant angular speed  about its vertical axis through its center. We assign a coordinate
system with the origin at the center of the disc, the x-axis along the slot, the y-axis

( )
perpendicular to the slot and the z-axis along the rotation axis  = k̂ . A small block of mass

( )
m is gently placed in the slot at r = R / 2 ˆi at t = 0 and is constrained to move only along the
slot.

m
R/2

4. The distance r of the block at time t is: [JEE(Advanced)-2016]

(A)
R
2
cos 2t (B)
4
(
R 2 t
e + e−2t ) (C)
R
2
cos t (D)
4
(
R t
e + e−t )
5. The net reaction of the disc on the block is: [JEE(Advanced)-2016]
(A) m2R sin t ˆj – mgk
ˆ (B) −m2R cos t ˆj – mgkˆ

(C)
1
2
( )
m2R et − e−t ˆj + mgk
ˆ (D)
1
2
( )
m2R e2t − e−2t ˆj + mgk
ˆ

Circular Motion 281

 Now if the ball is dropped from the height h it starts moving downwards due to its weight and
strikes the ground with speed v. The work done by its weight during its downward motion
imparts it a kinetic energy Kc, which is obtained by using work energy principle and the above
equation as
1 1
Wb→a = Ka − Kb  mgh = mv 2 − 0  Ka = mv 2 = mgh
2 2
Instead of raising the ball to height h, if it were thrown upwards with a speed v it would have
reached the height h and returned to the ground with the same speed. Now if we assume a
new form of energy that depends on the separation between the ball and the ground, the above
phenomena can be explained. This new form of energy is known as potential energy of the
earth-ball system. When ball moves up, irrespective of the path or method how the ball has
been moved, potential energy of the earth-ball system increases. This increase equals to work
done by applied force F in moving the ball to height h or negative of work done by gravity. When
the ball descends, potential energy of the earth ball system decreases; and is recovered as the
kinetic energy of the ball when separation vanishes. During descend of the ball gravity does
positive work, which equals to decrease in potential energy.
Potential energy of the earth ball system is due to gravitation force and therefore is call
gravitation potential energy. Change in gravitational potential energy equals to negative of work
done by gravitational force. It is denoted by U.
In fact, when the ball is released both the ball and the earth move towards each other and
acquire momenta of equal magnitude but the mass of the earth is infinitely large as compared
to that of the ball, the earth acquires negligible kinetic energy. It is the ball, that acquires almost
all the kinetic energy and therefore sometimes the potential energy is erroneously assigned
with the ball and called the potential energy of the ball. Nevertheless, it must be kept in mind
that the potential energy belongs to the entire system.
x=0

F kx

x=x1

As another instance, consider a block of mass m placed on a smooth horizontal plane and
connected to one end of a spring of force constant k, whose other end is connected to a fixed
support. Initially, when the spring is relaxed, no net force acts on the block and it is in
equilibrium at position x = 0. If the block is pushed gradually against the spring force and moves
at negligible speed without acceleration, at every position x, the applied force F balances the
spring force kx. The work done W0→1 by this force in moving the block from position x = 0 to
x = x1 is
x = x1

W0→ 1 = 
x =0
F  dx = 21 kx21

If the applied force is removed, the block moves back and reaches its initial position with a
kinetic energy K0, which is obtained by applying work energy theorem together with the above
equation.
1 1
W1→0 = K0 − K 1  K0 = mv 2 = kx21
2 2

Work, Energy and Power 297

 x=x1

kx

x=0
y

The above equation shows that the work done on the block by the applied force in moving it
from x = 0 to x = x1 is stored in the spring block system as increase in potential energy and
when the block returns to its initial position x = 0 this stored potential energy decreases and is
recovered as the kinetic energy of the block. The same result would have been obtained if the
block were pulled elongating the spring and then released. The change in potential energy of
the spring block system when the spring length is increased or decreased by x equals to negative
of work done by the spring force.
In both the above cases forces involved were conservative. In fact, work done against all
conservative forces is recoverable. With every conservative force, we can associate a potential
energy, whose change equals to negative of work done by the conservative force. For an
infinitely small change in configuration, change in potential energy dU equals to the negative of
work done dWC by conservative forces.
dW = dU = – dWC
Since a force is the interaction between two bodies, on very fundamental level potential energy
is defined for every pair of bodies interacting with conservative forces. The potential energy of
a system consisting of a large number of bodies thus will be sum of potential energies of all
possible pairs of bodies constituting the system.
Because only change in potential energy has significance, we can chose potential energy of any
configuration as reference value.

Gravitational Potential Energy for Uniform Gravitational Force

Near the earth surface for heights small compared to the radius of the earth, the variation in
the gravitational force between a body of mass m and the ground can be neglected. For such a
system, change in gravitational potential energy in any vertically upward displacement h of mass
m is given by U = mgh and in vertical downward displacement h is given by U = – mgh.

Gravitational Potential Energy for Non-Uniform Gravitational Force

When motion of a body of mass m involves distances from the earth surface large enough, the
variation in the gravitational force between the body and the earth cannot be neglected. For
such physical situations the configuration, when the body is at infinitely large distance from the
earth center is taken as the reference configuration and potential energy of this configuration
is arbitrarily assumed zero (U=0).
If the body is brought at negligible speed to a distance r from infinitely large distance from the
earth center, the work done Wg by the gravitational force is given by the following equation.

298 Work, Energy and Power

 6. Circular Motion
Objective Exercise - I
Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Ans. D C A C C C D A A C C B C B C A D D B A
Que. 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Ans. D D B A D A C C C A

Objective Exercise - II
Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Ans. B B D C D AB ABC ABC BD BCD BC ABC BC BCD AB AC
Que. 17 18
Ans. (A)→R; (B)→S; (C)→Q; (D)→P (A) →PQ; (B)→PQS; (C)→PQR; (D)→PQR
,,

Subjective Exercise - I

1. (a) first (b) third. 2. 24 rad/sec

3. 9.9 ms-2, in radial direction towards the centre at all points.

4. 024 5. 12 : 1, rad/sec.
30
6. 9 7. 42
2
mv v
8. (i) mg, (ii) 9.
r 2d
20 30
10. (i) 75 m/s2, (ii) 125 m/s2 11. at = ,an =
13 13
3b b
12. , ,b 13. 5m
2 2
2
14. 15. 2g rad / s
5
g mgL
16. (a)  = , (b) T = 17. 5
L −r
2 2
L2 − r 2
18. Yes 19. 120 m/s
20. 28.3 m/s, 38.5 m/s

Subjective Exercise - II

1 1 t
1. 50 m/s2 2. = −
V V0 R
v 02
3. 2 tan  4. (i) r = ,(ii) 2g
2g
5. 0.1875 6.  = 60°

358 Answer Key

 JEE-Main (Previous Year Questions)
Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Ans. 1 2 1 180 1 4 4 728 1 1 2 24 3 3 4 4 125 4 1

JEE-Advanced (Previous Year Questions)

1. (D) 2. (A) 3. (C) or (D) 4. (D) 5. (C)

Answer Key 359