Lesson 3.

Force in Circular
Motion
 relate the laws of motion to
1 bodies in uniform circular
motion;
Objectives infer that circular motion
At the end requires the application of
2 constant force directed toward
of the
lesson, you the center of the circle; and
should be
able to: calculate the centripetal
acceleration and centripetal
3 force experienced by an object
under uniform circular motion.
What forces can cause an object to
traverse a circular motion?
 Learn about It!

Centripetal Acceleration
The acceleration of an object in a uniform circular motion is
called centripetal acceleration. It is obtained using the
following formula:

where ac is the centripetal acceleration in meters per second

squared (m/s2) , v is the velocity in meters per second (m/s) ,
and r is the radius in meters (m).
Learn about It!

Similar to the velocity of an

object in uniform circular
motion, the magnitude of
centripetal acceleration is
constant but its direction
changes at every point in the
circular path.
The direction of the centripetal acceleration is
always directed towards the center and is
perpendicular to the direction of the velocity.
 Learn about It!

Centripetal Force
The force that keeps the object in uniform circular motion is
referred to as the centripetal force. To find centripetal force ,
use the following equations:
 Learn about It!

where Fc is the centripetal force in newtons (N), m is the mass

in kilograms (kg) , ac is the centripetal acceleration in meters
per second squared (m/s2), v is the velocity in meters per
second (m/s) , and r is the radius in meters (m) .
The direction of the centripetal force is the
same as the direction of the centripetal
acceleration. Centripetal force is also
directed towards the center.
 Learn about It!

Centripetal Force and Law of Inertia

Consider a small rock tied to
a string and being spun in
circles. If we are to cut the
string, Newton's law of inertia
tells us that the object will
move in a straight line
tangent to its circular path.
Objects moving in uniform circular motion
always have the tendency to move in a
straight line, but they are being kept in
circle by the centripetal force.
 Learn about It!

Centripetal Force
The inertia of the object creates a force-like effect
called the centrifugal force. You can observe this
effect if you are riding a vehicle that is traveling along
a circular path. You will feel as if a force is pulling you
towards the outer side of the circular path.
 Try it!

A 1200.0 kg car moves at 11.0m/s as it turns to the

intersecting street. If the radius of its path as it makes a
turn is 20.0 m, determine its acceleration and the
centripetal force acting on it.
 Try it! Solution

A 1200.0 kg car moves at 11.0m/s as it turns to the

intersecting street. If the radius of its path as it makes a
turn is 20.0 m, determine its acceleration and the
centripetal force acting on it.

Step 1: Identify what is required to find in the problem.

You are asked to solve for the acceleration (ac ) and the centripetal
force (Fc ) .
 Try it! Solution

A 1200.0 kg car moves at 11.0m/s as it turns to the

intersecting street. If the radius of its path as it makes a
turn is 20.0 m, determine its acceleration and the
centripetal force acting on it.

Step 2: Identify the given in the problem.

The mass of the car, its velocity, and radius of the path, are given.
 Try it! Solution

A 1200.0 kg car moves at 11.0m/s as it turns to the

intersecting street. If the radius of its path as it makes a
turn is 20.0 m, determine its acceleration and the
centripetal force acting on it.
Step 3: Write the working equation.

For the acceleration: For the centripetal force:

 Try it! Solution

A 1200.0 kg car moves at 11.0m/s as it turns to the

intersecting street. If the radius of its path as it makes a
turn is 20.0 m, determine its acceleration and the
centripetal force acting on it.
Step 4: Substitute the given values.

For the acceleration: For the centripetal force:

 Try it! Solution

A 1200.0 kg car moves at 11.0m/s as it turns to the

intersecting street. If the radius of its path as it makes a
turn is 20.0 m, determine its acceleration and the
centripetal force acting on it.
Step 5: Find the answer.
For the acceleration: For the centripetal force:

Therefore, the centripetal acceleration is 6.05 m/s2 and the

centripetal force is 7.26 x 103 N.
 Tips

In solving for unknown quantities, remember to:

● Check for the consistency of units; and

● Isolate the unknown quantity on one side of the equation
before substituting the given values.
Key Points

Centripetal acceleration is the acceleration of an

1
object in a uniform circular motion.

Centripetal force is the force that keeps the object

2
in uniform circular motion.

Centrifugal force is a force like effect that

3 counteracts the centripetal force of an object moving
in a circular path.
 Check Your Understanding

In each of the following situations given, identify what

kind of centripetal force is acting on the object.

1. a yoyo whirled in a circular path in the air

2. the moon orbiting around the earth
3. a car traversing a roundabout
4. a stone tied on a string being swung in the air
5. the earth revolving around the sun
 Challenge Yourself

From the pail-water experiment in which you have

to swing the pail in the air upside down containing
water, what is the role of centripetal force in keeping
the water not spilled as it whirls in the air?
 Bibliography
Crisostomo, R. M. and Padua A. L. 2011. Laboratory Manual and Workbook in Physics. Quezon City: Vibal
Publishing House, Inc.

Giancoli, Douglas C. 2007. Physics: Principles With Applications (6th ed). Jurong, Singapore: Pearson Education,
Inc.

Hewitt, Paul G. 1987. Conceptual Physics. United States of America: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company Inc.

Institute of Physics. "TAP 224- 1: Demonstrations involving circular motion." Teaching Advanced Physics.
Accessed April 12, 2017. https://tap.iop.org/mechanics/circular/224/file_46480.doc

Santisteban, Celeste Joan C. 2007. Breaking Through Physics. Quezon City: C&E Publishing Inc.

The Physics Classroom. “Mathematics of Circular Motion”. Accessed April 12, 2017.
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/circles/Lesson-1/Mathematics-of-Circular-Motion

The Physics Classroom. “Free Fall and Air Resistance”. Accessed May 13, 2017.
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/newtlaws/Lesson-3/Free-Fall-and-Air-Resistance