Circular Motion

Newton’s Laws can be applied to:

1-linear motion

∑ 𝐹 𝑥 =𝑚 𝑎𝑥
∑ 𝐹 𝑦 =𝑚 𝑎𝑦
2-Objects traveling in circular paths
2
v
∑ 𝐹 𝑟 =𝑚 𝑎𝑟 =𝑚 𝑅
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:

(Centripetal acceleration)

The centripetal acceleration, , is directed toward the center of the circle. The
centripetal acceleration is always perpendicular to the velocity.

is always perpendicular to v
Uniform Circular Motion, Force

• Particle in Uniform Circular Motion means that the particle moves in a circular path of radius r
at a constant speed v
• A force causing a centripetal acceleration acts toward the center of the circular
path and causes a change in the direction of the velocity vector.
• If Newton’s second law is applied along the radial direction, the net force causing the
centripetal acceleration can be related to the acceleration as follows:

2
v
∑ 𝐹 𝑟 =𝑚 𝑎𝑟 =𝑚 𝑅
Example 1:
Amass (3kg) rotate horizontally with constant speed ( as show in figure . If the length of the
cord is 2m

a) Calculate the tension in the cord?

2
v
∑ 𝐹 =𝑚
2 2𝑅
v 5
𝑇 =𝑚 =3× =37.5 𝑁
𝑅 2
b) Find the periodic time ( the time required for one complete rotation of the circle) ?

2 𝜋 𝑅 2 × 3.14 ×2
𝜏= = =2.5 𝑠𝑒𝑐
𝑣 5
Example 2:
A particle is moving around a circle of radius (R=1.5m) with constant speed (. What is the
periodic time?

2 𝜋 𝑅 2 × 3.14 ×1.5
𝜏= = =4.71 𝑠𝑒𝑐
𝑣 2
Example 3:The Conical Pendulum
A ball of mass is suspended from a string of length . The ball revolves with constant
speed in a horizontal circle of radius as shown in Figure (Because the string sweeps out
the surface of a cone, the system is known as a conical pendulum.) Find the speed of the
ball if
Example 4:
A 1 500-kg car moving on a flat, horizontal road negotiates a curve as shown in figure. If the
radius of the curve is 35 m and the coefficient of static friction between the tires and dry
pavement is 0.5, find the maximum speed the car can have and still make the turn
successfully
 Example 5: The Banked Roadway (used to make the turning of vehicles on a curved road safer)
A curved road has a radius and a banking angle of 17º.
a) What is the critical speed ( up to which slipping can be avoided) for a car on this curve?

∑ 𝐹 =𝑁cos𝜃−𝑚𝑔=0
2
v
∑ 𝐹 𝑟 =𝑁 sin 𝜃=𝑚
𝑦
𝑅 cos
𝑁 𝜃 =𝑚𝑔
𝑚𝑔
𝑁=
cos 𝜃

v= √ 𝑅𝑔 tan 𝜃= √3 × 10 × tan 17=3 𝑚/ 𝑠

The force that causes the centripetal acceleration
and keeps the car moving in its circular path is the
b) Find the periodic time horizontal component of the normal force.
2 𝜋 𝑅 2 × 3.14 ×3
𝜏= = =6.28 𝑠𝑒𝑐
𝑣 3
 Non-Uniform Circular Motion

The acceleration and force have tangential components.

produces the centripetal acceleration

produces the tangential acceleration

⃗
𝐹 = ⃗
𝐹 + ⃗
∑ ∑ 𝑟 ∑ 𝐹𝑡
=⃗ ⃗𝑡
𝑎𝑟 + 𝑎
Example 6:
A small sphere of mass is attached to the end of a cord of length and set into motion in a vertical circle
about a fixed point O as shown in figure. Determine the total acceleration of the sphere.
Example 7:
A small sphere of mass is attached to the end of a cord of length and set into motion in a vertical circle about a
fixed point O as shown in figure. Find The tension and total acceleration of the sphere :

a)When the speed at angle

b)When the speed at the bottom

c)When the speed at the top

d)When the speed at r