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Physics
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1
Unit 5
Circular Motion

ELECTROMAGNETISM
2
Learning Objectives

➢ Angular displacement
➢ Revolution
➢ Degree
➢ Radian
➢ Angular velocity
➢ Relation between linear and angular variables
➢ Relation between linear and angular displacements
➢ Relation between linear and angular velocities
➢ Relation between linear and angular accelerations
➢ Centripetal force
➢ Forces causing centripetal acceleration

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Circular Motion:
Motion of bodies in circular paths is called circular motion.

Circular motion may be divided into two types.

(i) Motion in a horizontal circle
(ii) Motion in a vertical circle
In vertical circle acceleration due to gravity plays a role and hence speed at every
point is different.

Horizontal Circular Motion

Acceleration is continuously required to change the direction even though if the speed
is constant. Therefore, equations of motion used in translation cannot be applied. We
define new variables and equations to describe motion.

Angular Displacement (Θ)

Change in angular position (initial to final) is called angular displacement.
OR
The angle turned by an object moving along a circular path in a given time is called the
angular displacement of the object during that time interval.
From figure, angular displacement 𝛥𝜃 = 𝜃2 − 𝜃1 during 𝛥𝑡(= 𝑡2 − 𝑡1 )

▪ For small values of ∆𝜃, angular displacement is a vector quantity.

▪ The direction of ∆𝜃 is along the axis of rotation and is given by right hand rule.
Points to Note

1. Translational motion may be one, two- or three-dimensional

motion.
2. Rotational motion of a rigid body can be either two or three
dimensional. It is because to describe the rotation of body, at least
two dimensions are required.

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Unit
SI unit of angular displacement is radian. Other units are revolution, degree.

Relation Between Linear & Angular Displacement

𝑆 = 𝑟𝜃
𝑆
𝜃 = 𝑟𝑎𝑑
𝑟
For complete circle 𝑆 = 2𝜋𝑟
2𝜋𝑟
𝜃= 𝑟𝑎𝑑
𝑟
𝜃 = 2𝜋 𝑟𝑎𝑑

For complete revolution

𝜃 = 360°
Hence for complete revolution 2 𝜋rad = 360o
360°
1 rad = = 57.3°
2𝜋
1° = 0.017 𝑟𝑎𝑑

Relation Between Different Units of Angular Displacement

𝜽 (rad) 𝜽 (rev) 𝜽 (deg)

𝟐𝝅 1 rev 360°
1
𝝅 rev 180°
2
𝝅 1
90°
rev
4
𝟐
𝝅 1
45°
rev
8
𝟒
𝝅 1
30°
rev
12
𝟔

Angular Velocity
The average angular velocity of an object moving along a circular path is defined as the
time rate of change of its angular displacement.
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 𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝜃2 − 𝜃1
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 = =
𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛 𝑡2 − 𝑡1

∆𝜃
𝜔𝑎𝑣 =
∆𝑡
Unit
▪ SI unit of angular velocity is rad/s and its dimensional formula is [𝑀0 𝐿0 𝑇 −1 ].
▪ Direction is along axis of rotation determined by right hand rule.
▪ Commercial unit is rpm.
▪ The linear counter part of angular velocity (𝜔) is the linear velocity (v).
𝑣 = 𝑟𝜔 or 𝑣⃗ = 𝜔
⃗⃗ × 𝑟⃗
▪ The direction of 𝜔is perpendicular to 𝑣⃗.

Instantaneous Angular Velocity

The angular velocity of an object moving along a circular path at any
instant of time is called its instantaneous angular velocity.
∆𝜃 𝑑𝜃
𝜔𝑖𝑛 = lim =
∆𝑡→0 ∆𝑡 𝑑𝑡

Angular Acceleration
The average angular acceleration is moving along a circular path is
defined as the time rate of change of its angular velocity.
𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝜔2 −𝜔1
Average angular acceleration, 𝛼 = =
𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛 𝑡2 −𝑡1
∆𝜔
𝛼𝑎𝑣 =
∆𝑡

Instantaneous Angular Acceleration (𝛼)

The angular acceleration of an object moving along a circular path at any instant of time
is called its instantaneous angular acceleration.
∆𝜔
𝛼 = lim
∆𝑡→0 ∆𝑡
▪ Its unit is radsec-2.
▪ The linear counter part of angular acceleration (𝛼) is the linear acceleration (a).
𝑎 = 𝑟𝛼 or 𝑎⃗ = 𝛼⃗ × 𝑟⃗
▪ 𝛼⃗and 𝜔⃗⃗are parallel if 𝜔
⃗⃗ is increasing.
▪ 𝛼⃗and 𝜔⃗⃗are antiparallel if 𝜔⃗⃗is decreasing.
▪ 𝛼⃗has zero magnitude and arbitrary direction if 𝜔
⃗⃗is constant.
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Equations of Angular Motion

Linear Angular
𝒗𝒇 = 𝒗𝒊 + 𝒂𝒕 𝜔𝑓 = 𝜔𝑖 + 𝛼𝑡
𝟐𝒂𝑺 = 𝒗𝟐𝒇 − 𝒗𝟐𝒊 2𝛼𝜃 = 𝜔𝑓2 − 𝜔𝑖2
𝟏 1
𝑺 = 𝒗𝒊 𝒕 + 𝒂𝒕𝟐 𝜃 = 𝜔𝑖 𝑡 + 𝛼𝑡 2
𝟐 2

Centripetal Force
The force required to move an object with a constant speed in a circle is called centripetal
force.
The acceleration produced by centripetal force Fc is called centripetal acceleration ac.
𝑣2
𝐶𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑝𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 𝑎𝑐 =
𝑟 2
𝑣
By Newton’s second law; centripetal force, 𝐹𝑐 = 𝑚 × 𝑎𝑐 = 𝑚 × 𝑟

▪ Centripetal force in terms of angular velocity ⃗⃗⃗⃗

𝐹𝑐 = 𝑚𝑟𝜔2
4𝜋 2 𝑚𝑟
▪ Centripetal force in terms of time period ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐹𝑐 = 2 𝑇
𝑝2
▪ Centripetal force in terms of linear momentum ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐹𝑐 = 𝑚𝑟
2𝐾.𝐸
▪ Centripetal force in terms of kinetic energy ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐹𝑐 = 𝑅

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Motion in a vertical circle (Non-Uniform Circular Motion)
▪ In a horizontal circle, gravity does not change the speed at every point of the motion.
But still centripetal acceleration acts at every point even when speed is uniform.
▪ In a vertical circle, gravity changes the speed at every point of the motion.
▪ In non- uniform circular motion, the acceleration of body has two components, a
radial or centripetal (ac) and a tangential component (at). The magnitude of resultant
acceleration is:
𝑎 = √𝑎𝑐2 + 𝑎𝑡2

▪ If a body of mass m, tied at the end of a starting whirled in a vertical circle of a radius
r
▪ The motion is circular but not uniform since the speed of the body is different at the
different points on the circular path.
▪ Speed of body is minimum at the highest point B and tension in string is minimum.
Critical speed with which body should reach B is:
𝑣 = √𝑔𝑟
▪ Speed of body is maximum at the lowest point A and tension in string is maximum.

𝑣 = √5𝑔𝑟
Examples
▪ If a bucket containing water is rotated in a vertical circular such that its velocity at
the lowest point of motion is equal to or greater than √5𝑔𝑟, the water will not fall out
even if the bucket is at highest point with its open top pointing downward. It is
because in this case the weight mg of the water is less than the required centripetal
𝑚𝑣 2
force 𝑟 towards the center. So, the water stays in the bucket.
▪ When an aeroplane loops a vertical circle such that its velocity at the lower point is
equal to or greater than √5𝑔𝑟,the pilot does not fall down even when he is not tied
down to his seat in the cockpit.

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 Assessment 01

1. Two particles of equal masses are revolving in circular paths of radii r1 and r2 respectively
with the same speed. The ratio of their centripetal force:
𝑟
a) 𝑟2
1
𝑟
b) √𝑟2
1
𝑟1
c)
𝑟2
𝑟 2
d) (𝑟2 )
1

2. A baseball is thrown vertically into the air. The acceleration of the ball at its highest point is:
a) zero
b) g, up
c) g, down
d) 2g, up

3. Direction of angular acceleration is assigned positive:

a) clockwise
b) ant- clockwise direction
c) along plane of rotation
d) arbitrary

4. If there are two points on rod executing an angular displacement in circle about a central
point. Let say point near the central axis is A and point far away from central point is B. what
would be the difference in circular distance covered by both points:
a) B>A
b) A>B
c) A=B
d) None of these

5. Angular velocity is measure of:

a) Time rate of change of linear displacement
b) Time rate of change of translational displacement
c) Time rate of change of angular displacement
d) All are possible

6. For the relation between linear and angular velocity, we can assume angular velocity a scaler
quantity because:
a) direction of angular velocity always remains along axis of rotation
b) direction of angular velocity always remains along plane of rotation
c) direction of angular velocity always remains arbitrary
d) None

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7. Angular acceleration can be produced by:
a) pressure
b) torque
c) power
d) temperature

8. linear velocity in circular motion has direction along:

a) along the axis of rotation
b) along the plane of rotation
c) tangent to the circle at that point
d) Arbitrary

9. If a body executes a circular motion in which value of mass decrease two times but all
other variables remain same what would be the effect on centripetal force:
a) increase 2 times
b) increase 4 times
c) decrease 2 times
d) will not be affected

10. When a wheel, 1 m in diameter makes 30 rev/min. the linear speed of point on its rim in
ms-1 is:
a) 2𝜋
𝜋
b) 2
c) 𝜋
d) 20 𝜋

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 Assessment 02

1. Out of the following, the correct statement bout centripetal and centrifugal force is:
a) They are oppositely directed
b) They cancel each other
c) Both are on the same body
d) None of these

2. The minute hand of a large clock is 3.0 m long. What is its mean angular speed?
a) 1.4 10−4 rad s−1
b) 1.7  10−3 rad s−1
c) 5.2  10−3 rad s−1
d) 1.0  10−1 rad s−1

3. A body moving in straight line has displacement coinciding with:

a) Distance
b) Force
c) Acceleration
d) All

4. Cream gets separated while churning of milk due to:

a) Gravitational force
b) Centrifugal force
c) Frictional force
d) None of these

5. When a body moves in a circle the angle between linear velocity and angular velocity is:
a) 180°
b) 90°
c) 45°
d) 0°

6. Which of the following is a correct statement about a body moving with a constant speed
along a circle?
a) No work is done on it
b) No acceleration is produced in the body
c) No force acts on the body
d) Its velocity remains constant

7. An electric fan rotating at 3rev/s is switched off. It comes to rest in 18s. Find the
deceleration produced?
a) 0.16 revs-2
b) 0.2 revs-2
c) 0.25 revs-2
d) 0.5 revs-2

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8. A ball is field to one end of a cord and is whirled from the other end in a circle at constant
speed. If the cord breaks, the ball move:
a) The radius towards the center
b) The radius away from the center
c) The direction of motion
d) The tangent

9. The shaft of a motor is rotating at constant angular velocity of 3000 rpm. The angle turned
per second is:
a) 100 𝜋 rad/s
b) 200 𝜋 rad/s
c) 300 𝜋 rad/s
d) 400 𝜋 rad/s

10. Ratio of magnitude of angular velocity of hour hand of a watch to that of earth’s rotation
about its own axis is:
a) 3:1
b) 1:3
c) 2:1
d) 1:4

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 Assessment 03

1. The centripetal acceleration of body is always directed:

a) Towards the center of circle
b) Away from the center of circle
c) Along the axis of rotation
d) Along the direction of motion

2. The expression for centripetal acceleration of a body moving in a circle is:

𝜔
a) 𝑟
b) 𝜔𝑟
c) 𝜔2 r
d) 𝜔r2

3. A wheel of radius 55cm having angular speed of 4 rad/sec will have linear speed in m/s:
a) 1.6m/s
b) 2m/s
c) 3.2m/s
d) 4.4m/s

4. The angular velocity of a wheel increase from 100rps to 300rps in 10s. The number of
revolutions made during that time is
a) 600
b) 1500
c) 1000
d) 2000

5. Under constant centripetal force angular momentum of body is:

a) zero
b) minimum
c) maximum
d) constant

6. The angle subtended by an arc equal to radius is:

a) 1 rad
b) One degree
c) 1 Revolution
d) All

7. The axis of rotation of an object will not change its orientation unless an
______________causes it to do so.
a) External force
b) External torque
c) External velocity
d) External displacement

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8. A 0.2 kg ball rotates at a constant speed of 3 m/s on the end of 1.2 m long string. The string
describes a horizontal circle. What is the centripetal acceleration of the object?
a) 1.2 m/s2
b) 3.0 m/s2
c) 7.5 m/s2
d) 3.2 m/s2

1
9. If r = m and ϴ = 2 then what is value of S:
2
a) 0.01745 m
b) 1m
c) 2m
d) None

10. Formula for centripetal force:

mv2
a)
r
𝑚𝑟
b) 𝜔2
c) 𝑚𝑟𝜔2
d) Both a and c

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 Assessment 04

1. A body of mass 5Kg is moving in a circle of radius 2m with an angular velocity of 2rad/sec.
Then determine its centripetal force.
a) 20N
b) 30N
c) 40N
d) 50N

2. 2𝜋𝑟 subtends an angle of:

a) 1 radian
b) 2 radian
c) 4 radian
d) 2𝜋 radian

3. The linear acceleration of the particle of mass ‘m’ describing a horizontal circle of radius ‘r’
with angular speed ω is:
a) rω
b) ω/r
c) rω2
d) r2ω

4. High speed curved flights require a_____________ centripetal force that make the stunt
dangerous even if the air planes are not close.
a) Minimum
b) Maximum
c) Large
d) Zero

5. A body of mass 8kg moves along a circle of radius 4m with constant speed of 8m/s, find
the centripetal force on the body.
a) 100N
b) 118N
c) 128N
d) 133N

6. If a car moves with uniform speed of 2m/s circling radius is 0.4m. determine its angular
speed
a) 2Rad/s
b) 3Rad/s
c) 4Rad/s
d) 5Rad/s

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7. Which of the following quantity is dimensionless?
a) Angular acceleration
b) Angular velocity
c) Angular displacement
d) Angular momentum

8. Angular speed of second hand is:

𝜋
a) 6 Rad per sec
𝜋
b) 30
Rad per sec
𝜋
c) 60
Rad per sec
𝜋
d) Rad per sec
90

9. A body of mass 9kg moves along a circle of radius 5m with constant speed of 7m/s, the
centripetal force on the body is:
a) 88.2N
b) 100N
c) 120N
d) 128N

10. If a car moves with uniform speed of 4m/s in a circle of radius 0.9m its angular speed is:
a) 4.4Rad/sec
b) 5Rad/sec
c) 8Rad/sec
d) 10Rad/sec

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 Key
Assessment 01
1. a
2. a
3. b
4. a
5. c
6. a
7. b
8. c
9. c
10. b

Assessment 02
1. a
2. b
3. a
4. b
5. b
6. a
7. a
8. d
9. a
10. c

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Assessment 03
1. a
2. c
3. b
4. d
5. d
6. a
7. b
8. c
9. a
10. d

Assessment 04
1. c
2. d
3. c
4. c
5. c
6. d
7. c
8. b
9. a
10. a

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