Uniform Circular Motion

Uniform Circular Motion

▪ Can be described as the motion of an object in a
circular path at a constant speed.
▪ Frequency (f) – is the number of complete revolutions
per unit of time. The SI unit for frequency is hertz (Hz).
▪ Period (T) – is the time it takes the object to travel
once around the circle. The SI unit for period is
seconds (s).
▪ The period is the reciprocal of frequency: T = 1/f
 Centripetal and Centrifugal Forces
▪ Centripetal force – is a force that is
applied perpendicular to the
direction of the motion of an object.
▪ Centrifugal force – is the equal and
opposite reaction force to the
centripetal force.
 Centrifugal
Force

Centripetal
Force
▪ 

Where:
Fc – Centripetal Force
ac – Centripetal Acceleration
v – velocity
T - Period
 A 50 g rubber stopper is attached
to a 1.5 m length of string. The
stopper swung in a horizontal circle,
making one revolution in 2.0 sec.
a) Find the velocity of the stopper.
b) Find its centripetal acceleration
and centripetal force.
 Suppose the mass of a rubber
stopper in the above example is
doubled but all other given quantities
remain the same. How would the
velocity, acceleration and force
change?
 If the stopper were swung in the
same circle so it had a period half as
large as in the example, how would
the other be affected?
In an atom an electron moves about
its nucleus in a circular path of
radius 5.30 x 10-11 m, with a speed of
2.20 x 106 m/s. Find the acceleration
of the electron and the centripetal
force. (mass of electron = 9.11 x 10-31 kg)
 A ball weighing 1.5 kg is whirled in
a circular path at a speed of 12.0
m/s. If the radius of the circle is 5.6
m, what is the centripetal force?