Circular Motion

JUNE 2005
The orbit of the Earth, mass 6.0 1024 kg, may be assumed to be a circle of radius
1.5 1011 m with the Sun at its centre, as illustrated in Fig. 1.1.
Earth,
mass 6.0 x 1024 kg
Sun
1.5 x 1011 m

Fig. 1.1
The time taken for one orbit is 3.2 107 s.
(a) Calculate
(i)

the magnitude of the angular velocity of the Earth about the Sun,

angular velocity = ............................... rad s1 [2]

(ii)

the magnitude of the centripetal force acting on the Earth.

force = ....................................... N [2]

NOVEMBER 2007

(a) Explain
(i)

what is meant by a radian,

..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................[2]

(ii)

why one complete revolution is equivalent to an angular displacement of 2 rad.

..................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................[1]

(b) An elastic cord has an unextended length of 13.0 cm. One end of the cord is attached to
a fixed point C. A small mass of weight 5.0 N is hung from the free end of the cord. The
cord extends to a length of 14.8 cm, as shown in Fig. 1.1.
C

14.8 cm
small
mass
Fig. 1.1
The cord and mass are now made to rotate at constant angular speed in a vertical
plane about point C. When the cord is vertical and above C, its length is the unextended
length of 13.0 cm, as shown in Fig. 1.2.

13.0 cm

Fig. 1.2
(i)

Fig. 1.3

Show that the angular speed of the cord and mass is 8.7 rad s1.

[2]
(ii)

The cord and mass rotate so that the cord is vertically below C, as shown in
Fig. 1.3.
Calculate the length L of the cord, assuming it obeys Hookes law.

L = ............................................ cm [4]

JUNE 2008

(a) (i)

Define the radian.

..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................. [2]

(ii)

A small mass is attached to a string. The mass is rotating about a fixed point P at
constant speed, as shown in Fig. 1.1.
mass rotating
at constant speed

P
Fig. 1.1
Explain what is meant by the angular speed about point P of the mass.
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................. [2]

(b) A horizontal flat plate is free to rotate about a vertical axis through its centre, as shown
in Fig. 1.2.

plate
M
d

Fig. 1.2
A small mass M is placed on the plate, a distance d from the axis of rotation.
The speed of rotation of the plate is gradually increased from zero until the mass is
seen to slide off the plate.
The maximum frictional force F between the plate and the mass is given by the
expression
F = 0.72W,
where W is the weight of the mass M.
The distance d is 35 cm.
Determine the maximum number of revolutions of the plate per minute for the mass M to
remain on the plate. Explain your working.

number = ........................................... [5]

(c) The plate in (b) is covered, when stationary, with mud.
Suggest and explain whether mud near the edge of the plate or near the centre will first
leave the plate as the angular speed of the plate is slowly increased.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................... [2]

NOVEMBER 2008

A spherical planet has mass M and radius R.

The planet may be assumed to be isolated in space and to have its mass concentrated at its
centre.
The planet spins on its axis with angular speed , as illustrated in Fig. 1.1.

mass m

R
equator of
planet
pole of
planet
Fig. 1.1
A small object of mass m rests on the equator of the planet. The surface of the planet exerts
a normal reaction force on the mass.
(a) State formulae, in terms of M, m, R and , for
(i)

the gravitational force between the planet and the object,

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

(ii)

the centripetal force required for circular motion of the small mass,
.............................................................................................................................. [1]

(iii)

the normal reaction exerted by the planet on the mass.

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) (i)

Explain why the normal reaction on the mass will have different values at the
equator and at the poles.
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................. [2]

(ii)

The radius of the planet is 6.4 106 m. It completes one revolution in 8.6 104 s.
Calculate the magnitude of the centripetal acceleration at
1. the equator,

acceleration = .........................................m s2 [2]

2. one of the poles.

acceleration = .........................................m s2 [1]

(c) Suggest two factors that could, in the case of a real planet, cause variations in the
acceleration of free fall at its surface.
1. ......................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
2. ......................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
[2]

JUNE 2010
(a) Define the radian.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................... [2]
(b) A stone of weight 3.0 N is fixed, using glue, to one end P of a rigid rod CP, as shown
in Fig. 1.1.
glue

85 cm

stone,
weight 3.0 N

Fig. 1.1
The rod is rotated about end C so that the stone moves in a vertical circle of
radius 85 cm.
The angular speed of the rod and stone is gradually increased from zero until the glue
snaps. The glue fixing the stone snaps when the tension in it is 18 N.
For the position of the stone at which the glue snaps,
(i)

on the dotted circle of Fig. 1.1, mark with the letter S the position of the stone,

(ii)

calculate the angular speed of the stone.

[1]

angular speed = ................................... rad s1 [4]

Circular Motion
1 (a) (i) angular speed = 2/T
= 2/(3.2 107)
= 1.96 10-7 rad s-1

A1

[2]

(ii) force = mr2 or force = mv2/r and v = r

= 6.0 1024 1.5 1011 (1.96 10-7)2
= 3.46 1022 N

C1
A1

[2]

(b) (i) gravitation/gravity/gravitational field (strength)

B1

[1]

C1
C1
A1

[3]

(ii) F = GMm/x2 or GM = r32

3.46 1022 = (6.67 10-11 M 6.0 1024)/(1.5 1011)2
M = 1.95 1030 kg
2

C1

(a) (i) angle subtended at centre of circle ....................................................................... B1

arc equal in length to the radius ........................................................................... B1

[2]

(ii) arc = r and for one revolution, arc = 2r ............................................................. M1

so, = 2r/r = 2 .................................................................................................. A0

[1]

(b) (i) either weight provides/equals the centripetal force

or
acceleration of free fall is centripetal acceleration .................................... B1
9.8 = 0.13 2 ...................................................................................................... M1
= 8.7 rad s-1 ....................................................................................................... A0

[2]

(ii) force in cord = weight + centripetal force (can be an equation) .......................... C1

force in cord = (L 13) 5/1.8 or force constant = 5.0/1.8 ................................ C1
(L 13) 5/1.8 = 5.0 + 5/9.8 L 10-2 8.72 .................................................. C1
L = 17.2 cm ........................................................................................................... A1
(constant centripetal force of 5.0 N gives L = 16.6 cm allow 2/4)
3

(a) (i)

angle (subtended) at centre of circle

by an arc equal in length to the radius (of the circle)

(ii) angle swept out per unit time / rate of change of angle
by the string
(b) friction provides / equals the centripetal force
0.72 W = md2
0.72 mg = m 0.352
= 4.49 (rad s1)
n = ( /2) 60
= 43 min1 (allow 42)
(c) either centripetal force increases as r increases
or
centripetal force larger at edge
so flies off at edge first
(F = mr2 so edge first treat as special case and allow one mark)

[4]

B1
B1

[2]

M1
A1

[2]

B1
C1
C1
B1
A1

[5]

M1
A1

[2]

(a) (i) F = GMm / R2

B1

[1]

(ii) F = mR2

B1

[1]

B1

[1]

B1
B1

[2]

(ii) 1. acceleration = 6.4 106 (2 / {8.6 104})2

= 0.034 m s2
2. acceleration = 0

C1
A1
A1

[2]
[1]

(c) e.g. radius of planet varies

density of planet not constant
planet spinning
nearby planets / stars
(any sensible comments, 1 mark each, maximum 2)

B2

[2]

(iii) reaction force = GMm / R2 mR2

(allow e.c.f.)

(b) (i) either value of R in expression R2 varies

or
mR2 no longer parallel to GMm / R2 / normal to surface
becomes smaller as object approaches a pole / is zero at pole

(a) angle (subtended) at centre of circle

(by) arc equal in length to radius

B1
B1

[2]

(b) (i) point S shown below C

B1

[1]

C1
C1
C1
A1

[4]

(ii) (max) force / tension = weight + centripetal force

centripetal force = mr2
15 = 3.0/9.8 0.85 2
= 7.6 rad s1