RAFFLES INSTITUTION

Yr 5-6 PHYSICS DEPARTMENT 2020

Tutorial
6 MOTION IN A CIRCLE
SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

D1. (a) A resultant force acting on the particle is always perpendicular to the direction of its linear B1
speed and is directed towards the fixed point.
The resultant force must be of constant magnitude. B1
(b) From the dynamical point of view, since the resultant (or centripetal) acceleration is B1
perpendicular to the instantaneous velocity, the magnitude of the velocity will be
unchanged hence the linear speed of such particle remains constant
From the work-energy point of view, as the resultant force acts perpendicularly to the
B1
direction of motion, work done by the resultant force is zero. This does not cause a
change to the kinetic energy of the particle and hence its speed remains constant.
(c) Velocity and acceleration change continuously as the direction of motion is constantly B1
changing.
*note that while acceleration is change, its magnitude is constant.

D2. (a) T sinθ = mac --- (1)

T
T cosθ = mg --- (2) M1
(1) a θ
: tanθ = c
(2) g
⇒ ac = 9.81× tan15o = 2.629= 2.63 m s-2 A1
W
(b) v2 M1
From a=
c = 2.629 m s-2
r
( 23.0 )
2

=r = 201.2
= 201 m A1
2.629
(c) ac v 2 M1
θ
From tan= =
g rg
A1
=v rg tan θ = 201.2 × 9.81× tan 9.0
= = 17.7 m s-1
° 17.68

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 RAFFLES INSTITUTION
Yr 5-6 PHYSICS DEPARTMENT 2020

D3. (a) Using sine rule,

θ ∆v -v
sin= ÷v
2 2 ∆v
θ v
∆v = 2 × v sin
2
For small angles,
θ θ
sin ≈
2 2
θ 
∴ ∆v = 2v  
2
= vθ
A1
= 0.010v

(b) Vertically downwards, towards the centre of the circle. B1

(c) s = rθ M1
s r θ 0.010r
∆t = = =
v v v A1
(d) ∆v 0.010v v2 M1
=
a = =
∆t  0.010r  r
 v 
 

D4. (a) v2
ac =
r
(180)2 M1
=
20000 A1
= 1.62 m s-2
(b)
T
ϕ

T – Tension A1
W W – Weight of pendulum bob A1

(c) Horizontally to the right B1

(d) mv 2
T sin φ
= − − (1)
r
=
T cos φ mg − − ( 2) M1
(1) ,
( 2)
v2
tan φ =
rg
A1
−1  1802 
=φ tan
=   9.38
0

 20000 × 9.81 

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 RAFFLES INSTITUTION
Yr 5-6 PHYSICS DEPARTMENT 2020

(e) B1

D5. (a) The centripetal force is provided by the horizontal component of the normal contact force
N which is directed towards the centre of the curve
N θ
f=0N

Vertically: N cos θ = mg ... (1)

2
M1
Horizontally: N sinθ = mv ... (2) θ
r
W
  80000 2 
  
(2) v2  60 × 60  
:θ tan−1   = tan−1   =14.1°
(1)  rg   ( 200 )( 9.81)  A1
 
 
(b) The car will still be able to negotiate the bend. B1
Although the centripetal force required to turn the car increases with the mass of the car, B1
the horizontal component of the normal force also increases proportionately with the
increase in mass, hence the horizontal component of the normal force is still able to
provide the centripetal force.
*For ideal banking, the centripetal force does not depend on the friction between the
road and the tires.
(c) (i)
Normal contact force
Vertically: N cos=
θ mg + f sinθ
mv 2
Horizontally: N sinθ + f cos θ =
r B2
friction
θ
Weight of car
(ii)
Normal contact force
Vertically: N cos θ + f sinθ =
mg
mv 2
Horizontally: N sinθ − f cos θ = friction B2
r
θ 3
Weight of car
 RAFFLES INSTITUTION
Yr 5-6 PHYSICS DEPARTMENT 2020

D6. (a) The pilot feels the lightest at the top of his flight as the centripetal force on him is B1
provided by both the normal contact force of the seat on him and his weight.
The pilot feels the heaviest at the bottom of his flight as the centripetal force on him is B1
the difference between the normal contact force and his weight. For a uniform circular
motion, the centripetal force term is the same and weight remaining constant, the normal
contact force must, at this position be higher than at any other positions in the circular
path. Hence, the pilot feels that he is heaviest there.
(b) At the top of the circle, N + W = mv2/r , where N = normal contact force by head on hat, B1
W = hat’s weight
When the linear speed at the top is high enough such that the centripetal force, mv2/r is B1
greater than W, N will be positive. This implies the hat remains intact.
If the linear speed is too small such that the centripetal force, mv2/r is lower than W, N
B1
will be negative. Physically, the normal contact force can only be 0 or positive. Hence N
will be 0, which means that the hat will fall off.
(c) (i) v2
ac =
r
(12)2 M1
=
7.0 A1
= 21 m s-2
(ii) mv 2 M1
W +N =
r

∴ N=
mv 2
− mg= 60 ( 20.571 − 9.81)= 646 N
A1
r
(d) (i) ∆U =−mgh M1
=−60 × 9.81× 14
= −8240 J A1
(ii) Loss in GPE = Gain in KE of the passenger
1 1 M1
=
mgh mv B2 − mvT2
2 2
1 1
( 60 ) v B 2 − ( 60 )(12 )
2
8240.4
=
2 2
A1
v B = 20.5 m s-1
(e) This is so that the normal contact force on the passengers is positive and they remain in B1
their seats at the top of the loop.

At the top,
mv 2
R + mg = M1
r
R tends to zero when speed is minimum
M1
∴ v top = rg = 7.0 × 9.81 = 8.287 m s-1
At the bottom, using principle of conservation of energy,
1 1 M1
=
mgh mv 2bottom − mv 2top
2 2
∴ v bottom = 2gh + v 2top = 2 × 9.81× 14 + (8.287)2
A1
= 18.5 m s-1

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 RAFFLES INSTITUTION
Yr 5-6 PHYSICS DEPARTMENT 2020

D7. (a) At C,
mv 2 M1
T + mg =
L
If string is just to be taut T = 0, M1
∴∴ v =gL

(b) Loss in KE = Gain in GPE of the particle

1 1 M1
mv B2 − mv C2 =
mg (2L )
2 2
v B2 − v C2 =4gL
v B2 = 4gL + gL = 5gL
∴ v B =5gL A1

(c) The string is most likely to break when the particle is at the lowest position of the B1
circular path as tension of string is greatest at the bottom. B1

D8. (a) (i) The required centripetal force is given by the sum of the tension due to the rod
and the weight of the ball, which are both acting in the same direction in this B1
case.
Hence, the centripetal force is more than 2mg.
(ii) FC = T + mg
= 2mg + mg = 3mg B1
(iii) When the ball is directly below C, the tension in the rod and the weight of the
ball are in opposite directions. Since the same centripetal force is required in
uniform circular motion,
FC = Tbottom – mg = 3mg
A1
Tbottom = 4 mg
(b) (i) = =
F mr ω 2 3mg M1
0.72ω = 3 × 9.81
2 C1
A1
=ω 6.393
= 6.39 rad s−1
(ii) v = rω
= (0.72)(6.393) M1
= 4.603
= 4.60 m s−1 A1
(c) (i) Although the ball loses gravitational potential energy due to a loss in height, its
kinetic energy remains constant. B1

Therefore the friction between moving parts/gears at the pivot C does work
against the ball-rod system to maintain constant kinetic energy or speed.
B1
(ii) Work done = Change in G.P.E
= mg ( ∆h )
M1
= ( 0.240 × 9.81) × ( −0.72 × 2 )
A1
= −3.39 J

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 RAFFLES INSTITUTION
Yr 5-6 PHYSICS DEPARTMENT 2020

CHALLENGING QUESTIONS

C1. (a) R
From diagram, cos   2    60
R

Resolving forces vertically,

N cos 30o  N sin 30o  mg R
 3
R/2 θ
 1  θ
⇒ N      mg −−−−−− (1)
 2 2 
Resolving forces horizontally,
N cos 30o  N cos 60o  mr  2 µN
N
 mR sin 60o  2
θ
 3   3
⇒ N     mR  2 −−−−−− (2)
 2 2 2 θ
Solving (1) and (2), we obtain µ = 0.216
mg
(b) When ω = 8 rad s−1, the friction acts downward as object tends to move upwards.

Hence, the vector diagram for the forces is as follows: N

Once again, we obtain two equations:

30°
 
N 1 3  2mg −−−−−−−−−−−−−− (3)
60°
 3 1  mg
3
N     mR  2 −−−−−−−−−−- (4)
 2 2  2
Solving, we get µ = 0.185 µN

C2. Resolving forces in the radial direction,

mg cosθ − N = mv2/r N
When the bead breaks contact, N = 0.
Hence, mg cosθ = mv2/r
θ

cosθ = v2/gr
mg
By the principle of conservation of energy,
1
mv 2  mgr 1 cos  
2

v 2 / gr  2 1 cos  

Hence, cosθ = 2/3 ⇒ θ = cos−1(2/3).