Centripetal

forces keep
these children
moving in a
circular path.

Uniform Circular Motion

Uniform circular motion is motion along
a circular path in which there is no
change in speed, only a change in
direction.
Constant
Fc

velocity
tangent to
path.
Constant force
toward center.

Question: Is there an outward force on the

ball?

Uniform Circular Motion

(Cont.)
The question of an outward force can be
resolved by asking what happens when
the string breaks!
Ball moves tangent

to path, NOT
v
outward as might
be expected.
When central force is
removed, ball continues in
straight line.
Centripetal force is needed to change
direction.

Examples of Centripetal
Force

You
You are
are sitting
sitting on
on the
the seat
seat next
next
to
to the
the outside
outside door.
door. What
What is
is
the
the direction
direction of
of the
the resultant
resultant
force
force on
on you
you as
as you
you turn?
turn? Is
Is itit
away
away from
from center
center or
or toward
toward
center
center of
of the
the turn?
turn?

Car going around

a curve.

Fc

Force ON you is toward the

center.

Car Example Continued

Reaction

Fc

The centripetal
force is
exerted BY the
door ON you.
(Centrally)

There
There is
is an
an outward
outward force,
force, but
but itit does
does not
not
act
act ON
ON you.
you. ItIt is
is the
the reaction
reaction force
force
exerted
exerted BY
BY you
you ON
ON the
the door.
door. ItIt affects
affects
only
only the
the door.
door.

Centripetal Acceleration

Consider ball moving at constant speed v in

a horizontal circle of radius R at end of
string tied to peg on center of table.
(Assume zero friction.)
n
Fc
v
R

W
Force Fc and
acceleration ac
toward center.
W=n

Deriving Central
Acceleration
Consider initial velocity at A and final
velocity at B:

vf

vf B
R

vo
A

-
vo v

s v
o

Deriving Acceleration
(Cont.)
v
v

Definitio
ac =
n:
t
Similar v
s
Triangle
=
v
R
s
vs
v
vv
ac =
=
=
Rt
t
R
2
Centripetal
Centripetal
v
acceleration
ac ;
acceleration
R
::

-
vo v

s v
o

mass m

mv
Fc mac
R

Example 1: A 3-kg rock swings in a

circle of radius 5 m. If its constant
speed is 8 m/s, what is the
2
centripetal
v acceleration?
v
m=3
m

ac

kg

R = 5 m; v = 8 m/s
2

(8 m/s)
2
ac
12.8 m/s
5m
22

mv
mv
FFcc ma
macc
RR

F = (3 kg)(12.8
m/s2)
FFcc =
= 38.4
38.4 N
N

Example 2: A skater moves with 15

m/s in a circle of radius 30 m. The ice
exerts a central force of 450 N. What is
the
mass
the skater? 2
Draw
andof
label
Fc R
mv
Fc
; m 2
sketch
v = 15
R
v
m/s

Fc R

450 N

m=?

30
m

Speed skater

(450 N)(30 m)
m
2
(15 m/s)
m
m=
= 60.0
60.0 kg
kg

Example 3. The wall exerts a 600 N

force on an 80-kg person moving at 4
m/s on a circular platform. What is the
radius
ofand
thelabel
circular path?
Draw
sketch

Newtons 2nd law

for circular
motion:
2
2

m = 80 kg;
v = 4 m/s2
Fc = 600 N

mv
mv
F
; r
r
F

r=?

(80 kg)(4 m/s)

r
600 N

rr =
= 2.13
2.13 m
m

Car Negotiating a Flat Turn

v

Fc
R
What is the direction of the
force ON the car?
Ans. Toward Center
This central force is
exerted BY the road ON
the car.

Car Negotiating a Flat Turn

v

Fc
R
Is there also an outward
force acting ON the car?

Ans. No, but the car does exert a

outward reaction force ON the
road.

Car Negotiating a Flat Turn

Fc

The centripetal force

Fc is that of static
friction
fs: Fc = fs
n
fs
R

v
mg

The
The central
central force
force FFCC and
and the
the friction
friction force
force
ffss are
are not
not two
two different
different forces
forces that
that are
are
equal.
equal. There
There is
is just
just one
one force
force on
on the
the car.
car.
The
The nature
nature of
of this
this central
central force
force is
is static
static

Finding
Finding the
the maximum
maximum speed
speed for
for
negotiating
negotiating aa turn
turn without
without slipping.
slipping.

fs

F c = fs
R

Fc

mg
The car is on the verge of slipping when
FC is equal to the maximum force of
static friction
mv2 fs.
fs = smg
F c = fs
Fc =
R

Maximum
Maximum speed
speed without
without slipping
slipping
(Cont.)
(Cont.)
Fc = fs

fs

mg

Fc

mv2

= smg

v=
sgR
R

Velocity
Velocity vv is
is
maximum
maximum speed
speed for
for
no
no slipping.
slipping.

Example 4: A car negotiates a turn

of radius 70 m when the coefficient
of static friction is 0.7. What is the
maximum speed to avoid slipping?
mv2
Fc =
fs = smg
m

Fc

s = 0.7

From which:

v=
sgR

g = 9.8 m/s2; R = 70 m

v s gR (0.7)(9.8)(70 m)

vv =
= 21.9
21.9
m/s
m/s

Optimum Banking Angle

Fc

v
fs
w

slow speed

By banking a curve at
the optimum angle, the
normal force n can
provide the necessary
centripetal force without
the need for a friction
fs =
force.
0 n

fs

fast speed

optimum

Free-body Diagram
n

x
mg

Acceleration a is toward
the center. Set x axis
along the direction of
ac , i. e., horizontal (left
to right).

n cos

n sin
mg

mg

+ ac

Optimum Banking Angle

(Cont.)
n cos

mg

n sin

Apply
Newtons
2nd Law to x
and y axes.

mg

Fx = mac
Fy = 0

n sin

mv2
R

n cos = mg

Optimum Banking Angle

(Cont.)
n cos
n
n

n
sin
tan
n sin
n cos
mg

n sin
n

mg
mv

cos = mg

mv
2
v
R
tan

mg
gR
1

Optimum Banking Angle

(Cont.)
n cos
n

mg

Optimum
Banking Angle

n sin
mg
2

v
tan
gR

Example 5: A car negotiates a turn

of radius 80 m. What is the
optimum banking angle for this
curve if the speed is to be equal to
2
n
(12
m/s)
12 m/s?
2
v
mg

n cos

tan =
gR

n sin
mg

=(9.8 m/s2)(80
m)

tan =

0.184

=
10.40
22

mv
mv
FFCC
RR

The Conical Pendulum

A conical pendulum consists of a

mass m revolving in a horizontal
circle of radius R at the end of a cord
of length L.
T cos
L
T
R

h
mg

T sin

Note: The inward component of

tension T sin gives the needed
central force.

Angle and velocity v:

T cos
L
T

h
mg

R
Solve two
equations
to find
angle

T sin
T

T sin

mv2
R

cos =
mg

tan =

v2
gR

Example 6: A 2-kg mass swings in

a horizontal circle at the end of a
cord of length 10 m. What is the
constant speed of the mass if the
rope makes an angle of 300 with
1. Draw & label

the
vertical?
L
T
R

sketch.
2. Recall
formula for
pendulum.
22
vv
tan
tan
Find: v = ?
gR
gR

3. To use this formula, we need to find R

0
R
=
L
sin
30
= (10 m)
R=5
=?
(0.5)
m

Example 6(Cont.): Find v for =

300
4. Use given info to find
the velocity at 300.
R=5
g = 9.8
m
m/s2
Solve for
v=?

L
T

vv22
tan
tan
gR
gR

v gR tan
2

v gR tan

v (9.8 m/s )(5 m) tan 30

2

R=5m

vv =
= 5.32
5.32
m/s
m/s

Example 7: Now find the tension T

in the cord if m = 2 kg, = 300, and
L = 10 m.
T cos

L
2 kg

T sin

mg
R
Fy = 0: T cos - mg = 0; T cos =
mg
(2 kg)(9.8
mg
2
m/s
)
T=
=
TT =
= 22.6
22.6 N
N
cos
cos 300

Example 8: Find the centripetal

force Fc for the previous example.
= 300

2 kg

T cos

L
h
T Fc
R

mg

T sin

m = 2 kg; v = 5.32 m/s; R = 5 m; T = 22.6

N
mv2 or Fc = T sin
Fc =
FFcc =
11.3
N
=
11.3
N
0
30
R

Swinging Seats at the Fair

This problem is
identical to the other
examples except for
finding R.

b
L
T

R=d+b
R

tan =

R = L sin + b
v2
gR

and

v=

gR tan

Example 9. If b = 5 m and L = 10 m,
what will be the speed if the angle =
v2
260?
tan =

gR

R=d+b

d = (10 m) sin 260 = 4.38

R = 4.38 mm
+ 5 m = 9.38
m

L b
d

v gR tan

v gR tan
2

v (9.8 m/s )(9.38 m) tan 26

2

vv =
= 6.70
6.70
m/s
m/s

Motion in a Vertical Circle

v
v
m
+
v
Bottom
T
+
gT
T
T
m
m + mg
+
gT
g
v
mofSide
Top
Path
Left
Top
Top
Right
g
Tension
is
Right
Weight
has
Maximum
minimum
as
Weight
Weight
has
no Bottom
effect
tension
T,on
W
weight
helps
causes
small
no effect
on
T
opposes
Fin
Fc force
decrease
c
T
tension T
v

Consider the forces on a

ball attached to a string
as it moves in a vertical
loop.
Note also that the
positive direction is
always along
acceleration, i.e.,
toward the center of
Note
changes as you
the circle.
click the mouse to
show new positions.

As an exercise,
v
+
10
assume that a central
N
force of Fc = 40 N is
T
R
required to maintain
circular motion of a
T
ball
and
W
=
10
N
.
+
v
The
tension
TT must
The
tension
must
10
adjust
so
that
adjust
so
that
N
central
central resultant
resultant is
is
40
40 N.
N.
T = _30
?_ N
At top: 10 N + T = 40
N
Bottom: T 10 N = 40
TT =
= __?___
50 N
N

Motion in a Vertical Circle

v

m
g
T

Resultant
mv2
force toward Fc =
R
center

R
v

AT TOP:
m
g

Consider TOP of circle:

mv2
mg + T =
R

+
T

T=

mv2
R

- mg

Vertical Circle; Mass at

bottom
T

Resultant
force toward
center

R
v

m
g
AT Bottom:
T
m
g

Fc =

mv2
R

Consider bottom of
circle:
mv2
T - mg =
R
2
mv
T=
+
mg R

Visual Aid: Assume that the centripetal

force required to maintain circular
motion is 20 N. Further assume that the
weight is 5 N.

mv 2
FC
20 N
R

R
v
FC = 20 N at
top AND at
bottom.

Resultant central force

FC at every point in
path!

FC = 20
Weight N
vector W is

downward at every
point.

W = 5 N, down

Visual Aid: The resultant force (20 N) is

the vector sum of T and W at ANY point
in path.

Top: T + W = FC

W
T

T + 5 N = 20 N

R
v

W
FC = 20 N at
top AND at
bottom.

T = 20 N - 5 N = 15
N
Bottom:
T - W = FC
T - 5 N = 20 N
T = 20 N + 5 N = 25
N

For Motion in Circle

v

AT TOP:
m
g

R
v

+ T=

mv2
R

AT BOTTOM:
T
m
g

2
mv
T=
+
mg R

- mg

Example 10: A 2-kg rock swings in a

vertical circle of radius 8 m. The speed of
the rock as it passes its highest point is 10
m/s. What is tension T in rope?
mv2

At Top:

v
mg

T=

R
v

mg + T =

mv2

- mg

R
2
(2 kg)(10 m/s)
2
T
2 kg(9.8 m/s )
8m

T = 25 N - 19.6 N

TT =
= 5.40
5.40 N
N

Example 11: A 2-kg rock swings in a

vertical circle of radius 8 m. The speed of
the rock as it passes its lowest point is 10
m/s. What is tension T in rope?
mv2
At

Bottom:

mg

2
mv
T=
+
mg R

R
T

T - mg =

(2 kg)(10 m/s)
2
T
2 kg(9.8 m/s )
8m

T = 25 N + 19.6
N

TT =
= 44.6
44.6 N
N

Example 12: What is the critical speed

vc at the top, if the 2-kg mass is to
continue in a circle of radius 8 m0?
mv2
At Top:
mg + T =
R
vc occurs when T = 0

v
mg

R
v

v=
m)

gR =

mv2
mg =
R
(9.8 m/s2)(8

vc =

gR

vvcc=
= 8.85
8.85 m/s
m/s

The Loop-the-Loop
Same as cord, n replaces T
v

AT TOP:
m
g

R
v
AT BOTTOM:

n
m
g

n=

mv2
R

n
2
mv
n=
+
mg R

- mg

The Ferris Wheel

v

AT TOP:

+
v

AT BOTTOM:

n
m
g

m
g

mg

- n=

mv2

n = mg -

2
mv
n=
+
mg
R

R
mv2
R

Example 13: What is the

v
apparent weight of a 60m
kg person as she moves
g
through the highest point
when R = 45 m and the
speed
at that
point
6
Apparent
weight
willisbe
m/s?
the normal force at the
mg

top:mv2
n=
R

n = mg -

2
(60
kg)(6
m/s)
2
n 60 kg(9.8 m/s )
45 m

+
R
v
mv2
R

nn == 540
540 N
N

Summary
Centripetal
Centripetal
acceleration
acceleration
::
v=
sgR
Conical
pendulum:

v
ac ;
R

mv
Fc mac
R

v2
tan = gR

v=

gR tan

Summary: Motion in Circle

v

AT TOP:
2
mv
+ T=
- mg
R

m
g

R
v

AT BOTTOM:
T
m
g

T=
mv2
mg
R

Summary: Ferris Wheel

v

AT TOP:

+
v

AT BOTTOM:

n
m
g

m
g

mg

- n=

mv2

n = mg -

2
mv
n=
+
mg
R

R
mv2
R

CONCLUSION: Chapter 10
Uniform Circular Motion