CIRCULAR MOTION

IIT-JEE Syllabus

1. Kinematics in two dimension

2. Circular motion

Total No. of questions in Circular motion are:

Solved examples......15
Exercise # 1 ..20
Exercise # 2 ..29
Exercise # 3 ..31
Exercise # 4 ..07
Exercise # 5 ..12
Total No. of questions..114

*** Students are advised to solve the questions of exercises in the same sequence or as
directed by the faculty members.
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CIRCULAR MOTION

Index : Preparing your own list of Important/Difficult Questions

Instruction to fill
(A) Write down the Question Number you are unable to solve in column A below, by Pen.
(B) After discussing the Questions written in column A with faculties, strike off them in the
manner so that you can see at the time of Revision also, to solve these questions again.
(C) Write down the Question Number you feel are important or good in the column B.

EXERCISE
NO.

COLUMN :A

COLUMN :B

Questions i am unable
to solve in first attempt

Good/Important questions

Advantages
1. It is advised to the students that they should prepare a question bank for the revision as it is
very difficult to solve all the questions at the time of revision.
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CIRCULAR MOTION

2. Using above index you can prepare and maintain the questions for your revision.

KEY CONCEPT
(ii) Instantaneous Angular velocity :

1. Rotational kinematics

= lim

1.1 Angular Displacement

t 0

Introduction : Angle substended by the

position vector of a particle moving along any
arbitrary path w.r.t. some fixed point is called
angular displacement.

2. Relation between linear velocity and

angular velocity

v r

O
r

d
ds
= linear velocity and =
dt
dt

In vector form, v r

v=

Particle moving
in circular path

angle

Note :
(i)

arc
linear displacement

radius
radius

Note : 1 radian =

d
=
t
dt

360
radian = 180
2

If a body makes n revolutions, its angular

displacement = 2n radians

Outward normal to plane of paper.

O

(direction of )

1.2 Angular Velocity

It is defined as the rate of change of angular
displacement of a body or particle moving in
circular path.

(ii) When a particle moves along a curved path,

its linear velocity at a point is along the
tangent drawn at that point

Its direction is same as that of angular

displacement

(iii) When a particle moves along curved path, its

velocity has two components. One along the
radius, which increases or decreases the
radius and another one perpendicular to the
radius, which makes the particle to revolve
about the point of observation.

i.e. perpendicular to plane of rotation

Note : If the particle is revolving in the
clockwise direction then the direction of
angular velocity is perpendicular to the plane
downwards. Whereas in case of anticlockwise
direction the direction will be upwards.
(i) Average Angular Velocity :
av

T otalangular displacement
T otaltime taken

3. Angular acceleration
(i) The rate of change of angular velocity is
defined as angular acceleration.

d
lim

t 0 t
dt

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CIRCULAR MOTION

(ii) Its direction is that of change in angular

velocity

1
0 t t 2
2

4. Equations related to motion of a particle

with constant angular acceleration

2 = 02 + 2

0 t

5. Equation of linear motion and rotational motion

S.N.

Linear Motion

Rotational Motion

(i)

With constant velocity

a = 0, s = ut

= 0 , = t

(ii)

With constant acceleration

(i) Average velocity

(i) Average angular velocity

vav =

vu
2

av =

(ii) Average acceleration

aav =

vu
t
vu
t
2

(iii) = av. t =

(v) s = ut +

1 2
at
2

(v) = 0t +

(vi) s = ut

1 2
at
2

(vi) = 0t

(vii) v2 = u2 + 2as
(viii) Sn = u +

1
(2n 1)a
2

displacement in nth sec.

With variable acceleration

2 1
t

(i) v =

1 2
t
2

(iv) = 0 + t

(iv) v = u + at

(iii)

(ii)Average angular acceleration

av =

(iii) s = vav t =

1 2
2

ds
dt

(ii) ds = vdt
dv
dv
(iii) a =
=v
dt
ds

(iv) dv = a dt; if a = f(t)

1 2
t
2
1 2
t
2

(vi) 2 = 02 + 2
1
(2n1)
2

(viii) n = 0 +

Angular displacement in nth sec

(i) = d/dt
(ii) d = dt
(iii) =

d
d
=
dt
d

(iv) d = dt ; if = f(t)
(v) d = d; if = f()

(v) vdv = a ds; if a = f(s)

6. Acceleration in circular motion

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CIRCULAR MOTION

e t

e r

e r : unit vector along the outward radius

e t : unit vector along the tangent in the direction
of increasing .

(i) The velocity of the particle changes while

moving on the circular path, this change in
velocity is brought by a force known as
centripetal force and the acceleration so
produced in the body is known as centripetal
acceleration.
(ii) The direction of centripetal force or
acceleration is always towards the centre of
circular path.
(iii) Expression for centripetal acceleration:

e r = i (cos) j(sin ) and

ac =

v2
= r2
r

e t = i (sin ) j(cos)

where i and j are the unit vectors along x and y

axes respectively.

velocity of particle

dr
, where r = r(i cos j sin )
v =
dt
r is the radius of circle

ac

ac

ac

(iv) The direction of a c would be the same as

that of v (change in velocity vector)

(v) Expression for Centripetal force :
If v = velocity of particle ,
r = radius of curvature of path
Then necessary centripetal force
Fc = mass acceleration

It is defined as the rate of change of speed.

d| v |
| at | =
dt

Fc = m

v2
r

Its direction is along the tangent to the path.

at = r

FC

d
where =
dt

7. Centripetal acceleration and

centripetal force

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represents

direction of

This is the magnitude of centripetal

acceleration of particle. It is a vector quantity.
In vector form

acceleration of particle :

dv
a =
dt

dv
a = (2 r )e r e t
dt

a = ac at

where a c (centripetal acceleration) = 2r( e r )

dv
and
(e t )
a t (tangential acceleration) =
dt

Tangential Acceleration (a t )

Note :

Centripetal force is not a real force. It is only

the requirement for circular motion.

CIRCULAR MOTION

v2

It is not a new kind of force. Any of the

forces found in nature such as gravitational
force, electrostatic force friction force,
tension in string, reaction force etc may act as
centripetal force.

v1

v3

8. Centrifugal force

It is a sufficient pseudo force, only if we are

anlaysing the particles at rest in a uniformly
rotating frame.

(ii) As | v | is constt.
so tangential acceleration at = 0

ac

at=0
(iii) Tangential force Ft = 0

r
In the given figure, the block of mass 'm' is at
rest with respect to the rotating platform (as
observed by the observer O on the rotating
platform).
N
2

mr
fs

Fc

Ft=0
(iv) Total acceleration a = a c2 a t 2 = ac=
(towards the centre)

mg

centrifugal force = m r2
centrifugal force acts (or is assumed to act)
because we describe the particle from a
rotating frame which is non-inertial and still
use Newton's laws.

(v) In uniform circular motion Ft =0, as at = 0, so

work done will be zero by tangential force.
But in non-uniform circular motion Ft 0,
thus there will be a work done by tangential
force in this case.
Rate of work done by net force in nonuniform circular motion = rate of work done
by tangential force

9. Type of circular motion

9.1 Uniform circular motion
9.2 Non Uniform Circular Motion :

P=

9.1 Uniform Circular Motion :

If m = mass of body ,
r = radius of circular orbit,
v = magnitude of velocity
ac = centripetal acceleration,
at = tangential acceleration
In uniform circular motion :

(i) | v1 | = | v 2 | = | v 3 | = constant

v2
r

dW
= Ft . v
dt

Note:
Because Fc is always perpendicular to
velocity or displacement, hence the work
done by this force will always be zero.
There is an important difference between the
projectile motion and circular motion.
In projectile motion, both the magnitude and
the direction of acceleration (g) remain
constant, while in circular motion the
magnitude remains constant but the direction
continuously changes.

i.e. speed is constant

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10

9.1.1 Motion In Horizontal Circle : Conical

pendulum

Fc

S
T T cos
T sin
O
OP=r

(vi) Net acceleration,

P

tan =

v4
r 2g 2

at
F
= t
ac
Fc

....(i)

v2
and tan =
rg

a c
ac

at

....(ii)

9.2.1 Motion in Vertical Circle : Motion of a

body suspended by string

9.2 Non-uniform Circular Motion :

(i) In non-uniform circular motion :

When the body rises from the bottom to the

height h, a part of its kinetic energy converts
into potential energy

| v | constant constant
i.e. speed constant

(a) Velocity at a point P :

i.e. angular velocity constant

dv
(ii) Tangential acceleration : at =
,
dt

where v =

Fnet
m

The angle made by 'a' with ac,

and T cos = mg

From these equation

T = mg 1

a c2 a 2t =

a=

mg

mv2
r

T sin=

Fc

Ft

ds
and s = arc length
dt

Total
mechanical
energy
remains
conserved at point A and point P.

0+

v=

(iii) Tangential force : Ft = mat

mv 2
(iv) Centripetal force : Fc =
= m2r
r

1
1
mu2 = mgh + mv2
2
2

u 2 2g(1 cos) ;

u 2 2gh =

as h = cos
[Where is length of the string]

(v) Net force on the particle :

F Fc Ft

F=

Fc2 Ft 2

F
tan = t
Fc

P
u

(b) Tension at a point P :

At point P required centripetal force
mv2
=

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CIRCULAR MOTION

11

3g

The critical velocity at C =

v

O
h

Also TA = 6mg, TB = 0 , TC = 3mg

T P
mgcos

(iii) Condition of leaving the circular path

2g < u <

mg

A mgsin

In this case particle will not follow circular

motion. Tension in string becomes zero
somewhere between points C & B whereas
velocity remain positive. Particle leaves
circular path and follow parabolic trajectory

Net force towards the centre = T mg cos

This net force provides required centripetal force.

mv 2

T mg cos =

5g

B v

T = m [g cos +
T=

v
]

m 2
[u gl (23cos)]

...(1)

(c) Tangential force for the motion

Ft = mgsin

(iv)Condition of oscillation :

This force retards the motion.

0<u

(d) Different cases :

(i) If u >

(a) If u =

5g

In this case tension in the string will not be

zero at any of the point, which implies that
the particle will continue the circular motion.
(ii) Condition of looping the loop : u =

5g

(b) If u <

2g

The velocity of particle will become zero

between A and C but tension will not be
zero and the particle will oscillate about
the point A.

Critical Velocity : The minimum velocity at

which the circular motion is possible

2g

In this case both velocity and tension in

the string becomes zero at point C and D
and the particle will oscillate along semicircular path.

In this case the tension at the top most point

(B) will be zero, which implies that the
particle will just complete the circular
motion.

2g

10. Dynamics of circular motion in

horizontal plane
Maximum speed of vehicle for safe turning on
rough horizontal circular turn

vmax =

A 5g

s Rg

where

The critical velocity at A =

5g

The critical velocity at B =

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R radius of curvature of circular turn

s Coefficient of static friction

CIRCULAR MOTION

12

N
O

fs

mg

fs smg
fs =

mv 2

Static friction provides the required

centripetal force.

11. Banking of road

N

N
O

tan =
v=

Nsin

Ncos

mg

mg

v2
Rg

Rg tan

v safe speed on banked road.

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13

SOLVED EXAMPLES
Ex.1

Sol.

The magnitude of the linear acceleration of

the particle moving in a circle of radius of
10cm with uniform speed completing the
circle in 4s, will be The distance covered in completing the circle
is 2r = 2 10cm
The linear speed is
2 10
2r
v=
=
= 5 cm/s
4
t
The linear acceleration is,
(5) 2
v2
=
= 2.52 cm/s2
10
r
This acceleration is directed towards the
centre of the circle

Substituting the given values, we have

a = 4 (3. 14)2 (5.3 1011) (6.6 1015)2
= 9.1 1022 m/s2 towards the nucleus.
The centripetal force is
FC = ma = (9.1 1031) (9.1 1022)
Ex.4

a=

Ex.2

Sol.

Sol.

The length of second's hand in a watch is

1cm. The change in velocity of its tip in
15 seconds is Velocity =
=

ac =

Circumfere nce
Time of revolution

2 1

2r
=
=
cm/s
60
30
60

Change in velocity
v =
=

30 30

30

2 cm/s

An electron is moving in a circular orbit of

radius 5.3 1011 metre around the atomic
nucleus at a rate of 6.6 1015 revolutions per
second. The acceleration of the electron and
centripetal force acting on it. will be - (The
mass of the electron is 9.1 1031kg.)
Let the radius of the orbit be r and the number
of revolutions per second be n. Then the
velocity of electron is given by
v = 2nr,

acceleration a =

Write an expression for the position vector r

for a particle describing uniform circular
motion, using rectangular coordinates and the
unit vectors i and j. The vector expressions
for the velocity v and acceleration a will be

Sol.

Sol.

250 250
v2
=
= 62.5 m/s2
1000
r
a
Centripetal accelerati on
62.5
= c =
gravitational accelerati on
9 .8
g

= 6.38 : 1
Ex.5

Ex.3

= 8.3 108 N towards the nucleus.

An air craft executes a horizontal loop of
radius 1km with a steady speed of 900km/h.
The ratio of centripetal acceleration to that
gravitational acceleration will beGiven that radius of horizontal loop
r = 1 km = 1000 m
900 5
Speed v = 900 km/h =
= 250 m/s
18
Centripetal acceleration

r = i x + j y, x = r cos, y = r sin

where = t

r = i ( r cos t) + j (r sin t)

v = d r /dt = i (r sin t) + j (r cos t)

a = d2 r /dt2 = 2 r
Ex.6

4 2 r 2 n 2
v2
=
r
r
= 4 2 r n2

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The vertical section of a road over a canal

bridge in the direction of its length is in the
form of circle of radius 8.9 metre. Find the
greatest speed at which the car can cross this
bridge without losing contact with the road at
its highest point, the center of gravity of the
CIRCULAR MOTION

14

Sol.

car being at a height h = 1.1 metre from the

ground. (Take g = 10m/sec2)
Let R be the normal reaction exerted by the
road on the car. At the highest point, we have

Ex.7

Sol.

Ex.8

Sol.

mv
r

2gr
or v2 =
5

v2 =

cos = (4/8) =

mv
sin

...... (B)

1
, = 60
2

The angle with horizontal = 90 60 = 30

2g
= 7.8 104 radian/sec.
5r

A man whirls a stone round his head on the

end of a string 4.0metre long. Can the string
be in a horizontal, plane? If the stone has a
mass of 0.4kg and the string will break, if the
tension in it exceeds 8N. The smallest angle
the string can make with the horizontal and
the speed of the stone will respectively be
(Take g = 10m/sec2.)

mg
cos
When the string is horizontal, must be 90
i.e.,cos 90 = 0
mg

T=
=
0
Thus the tension must be infinite which is
impossible, so the string can not be in
horizontal plane.
The maximum angle is given by the
breaking tension of the string in the equation
T cos = m.g.
Here T (Maximum) = 8N and m = 0.4 Kg.

8 cos = 0.4 g = 0.4 10 = 4

mv 2
3
mg=mg
5
r

mv 2
2
mg=
5
r

...... (A)
2

Form eq. (A) T =

mv 2
3
W=mg
5
r

2 9.8 (6400103 )
5
Solving, we get v = 5 109 m/sec,

Now

T sin =

much as present will be (Take the equatorial

radius as 6400km)
Let v be the speed of earth's rotation.
We know that W = mg

or

Tsin
mg
mg

T cos = mg

The angular speed with which the earth

would have to rotate on it axis so that a
person on the equator would weigh (3/5)th as

Hence

r
A

Therefore v2 (r + h)g = (8.9 + 1.1) 10

or
v2 10 10 v 10

vmax = 10 m/sec

Tcos

mv 2
= mg R, R should not be negative.
(r h )

From equation (B), 8 sin 60 =

0.4 v 2
4 sin 60o

32sin 2 60
v2 =
= 80 sin2 60
0.4

v=

Ex.9

A smooth table is placed horizontally and a

Form figure
Sol.

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80 sin 60 = 7.7 m/sec.

spring of unstreched length l0 and force

constant k has one end fixed to its centre. To the
other end of the spring is attached a mass m
which is making n revolutions per second
around the centre. Tension in the spring will be.
Let T be the tension produced in the stretched
string. The centripetal force required for the
mass m to move in a circle is provided by the
CIRCULAR MOTION

15

(a) From figure h = l (cos cos0)

tension T. The stretched length of the spring

is r (radius of the circle). Now,

and v2 = 2 g h = 2 g l (cos cos 0) .... (A)

Elongation produced in the spring = (r l0)

Again T mg cos = mv2/l

Tension produced in the spring,

T = k (r l0)

Substituting the value of v2 from eq. (A) in

eq. (B) we get

........(A)

Where k is the force constant

Linear velocity of the motion v = 2r n.
m(2rn)
mv
=
r
r
2

Centripetal force =

T m g cos = m {2 g l (cos cos 0)/l}

or T = m g cos + 2 mg (cos cos 0)

or T = 40 g (3cos 2 cos 0) newton

= 42 r n2 m
........(B)
Equating equation. (A) and (B), we get

or T = 40 (3cos 2 cos 0) kg f.

k (r l0) = 42 r n2 m ( T = mv2/r)

(b) Let 0 be the maximum amplitude. The

kr k l0 = 4 2 r n2 m

maximum tension T will be at mean position

where = 0
Tmax = 40 (3 2 cos 0),

r (k 42 n2 m) = k l0
k 0

r=

( k 4 n m)

k 0
T=k
0
2 2
( k 4 n m )

or T =

But Tmax = 80 kgf

........(C)

2 2

Substituting the value of r in eqn. (A) we

have

4 2 n 2 m 0 k

........ (D)

( k 4 2 n 2 m)

Solving we get = 60
Ex.11 An aircraft loops the loop of radius R = 500
m with a constant velocity v = 360 km/hour.
The weight of the flyer of mass m = 70 kg in
the lower, upper and middle points of the
loop will respectively beSol.
See fig, Here v = 360 km/hr = 100 m/sec.

Ex.10 A 40 kg mass, hanging at the end of a rope of

mg

length l, oscillates in a vertical plane with an

angular amplitude of 0. What is the tension

Sol.

.... (B)

in the rope, when it makes an angle with the

vertical? If the breaking strength of the rope
is 80 kgf, what is the maximum angular
amplitude with which the mass can oscillate
without the rope breaking?
The situation is shown in fig

N
mg
At lower point, N mg =

N = weight of the flyer = mg +

N = 70 10 +

mv2
,
R

70 (10000)
= 2100N
500

At upper point, N + mg =

2
mv

mg

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N=

mv2
.
R

mv2
,
R

mv2
mg = 1400 700 = 700N
R
CIRCULAR MOTION

16

At middle point, N =

Ex.12 A spot light S rotates in a horizontal plane

with a constant angular velocity of 0.1 rad/s.
The spot of light P moves along, the wall at a
distance 3 m. What is the velocity of the spot
Sol.

P when = 45 If x is the distance of point P from O then

from fig.
S

3m
P

wall

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

or
or

(E p) T = 2

[as = t]

or

2 2
2
=
T
TE TP

as T

or

1
1
1
=

,
T TE
TP

i.e., T =

TP TE
TP TE

So

T=

mv2
= 1400N
R

x
tan = (x/h)
x = h tan
dx
d
= h (sec2 )
dt
dt

i.e.
v = h sec2

[as (dx/dt) = v and (d/dt) = ]

Here h = 3 m, = 180 (45 + 90) = 45
and = 0.1 rad/s.
So v = 3 (2)2 0.1 = 0.6 m/s.

3 1
= 1.5 year
3 1

Ex.14 A small object loops a vertical loop from

which a symmetrical section of angle 2 has
been removed as shown in fig. Find the
maximum and the minimum heights from
which the object, after losing contact with the
loop at point A and flying through air, will
reach point B. Find the corresponding angles
of the section removed for which this is
possible
Sol.
In order that the particle may fly off from A
and land at B, the range of the particle must
be

V0
B

A
2
O

Ex.13 A planet P revolves around the sun in a

circular orbit, with the sun at the centre,
which is coplanar and concentric to the
circular orbit of earth E around the sun. P and
E revolve in the same direction. The time
required for the revolution of P and E around
the sun are 3 years and 1 year respectively.
What is the time required for P to make one
revolution around the sun relative to E Sol.
As TP > TE and T = 2/ so p < E and
hence with respect to sun the difference in
their angular displacement per unit time will
be
(E p). So they will be at same position
with respect to the sun again for the first time
when their relative angular displacement
becomes 2. So if T is the required time
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v 02
gR
sin 2 v 02 =
g
cos
Applying the law of conservation of energy
1
mgH = mg R (1 + cos ) +
m v 02
2
1
gR
mgH = mgR (1 + cos ) +
m
2
cos
2 cos2 2 (k 1) cos + 1 = 0
H
where k =
R

AB = 2R sin =

2(k 1) 4(k 1) 2 8
2 2
1
1
(k 1) 2 2
=
(k1)
2
2
Since cos is real
(k 1)2 2 k 1 + 2

cos =

CIRCULAR MOTION

17

0 < cos 1,
1
1
(k 1)
(k 1) 2 2 1
2
2
(k 1)2 2 (3 k) 2 k 2.5
Since

Thus 1 +

2 k 2.5

(1 + 2 ) R H 2.5 R
Hmax = 2.5 R and
Hmin = (1 +
When

2 ) R = 2.4 R

H = Hmin

and cos =

k=1+ 2

= 45

ay =

For

y = ymin,

When

H = Hmax

and cos = 1,

k=

5
2

1
= 0,60
2

The solution = 0 is not acceptable as that

will mean no cut,

= 60 for Hmax.
Ex.15 A particle moves in a plane according to
X = R sin t + R and
y = R cos t + R
Where and R are constant. This curve,
called a cycloid, is the path traced out by a
point on the rim of a wheel which rolls
without slipping along the x-axis. Find the
instantaneous velocity and acceleration when
the particle is at its maximum & minimum
value of y.
dx
dy
Sol.
= R cost and
= R sint
dt
dt
ymin = 0, when t =

when t = .

then

d2x
=0
dt 2

and

d2y
= R2 .
dt 2

then

d2y
= R 2 cos t
dt 2

and

a = R2
y = ymax' when t = 2,
d2x
d2y
=
0
and
= R2 .
dt 2
dt 2

a = R2

dx
dy
= R and
= 0,
dt
dt
v = R
ymax = 2R, when t = 2

Now

dx
dy
= R and
=0
dt
dt

Now v =

dx 2 dy 2
= R
dt dt

ax =

d2y
= R2 sin t
dt 2

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