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UNIFORM CIRCULAR MOTION

v
Here, we have an object moving
around a circular path with
constant speed (not velocity, as
velocity constantly keeps
changing)

Relationship between Angular and Linear Quantities


1. Displacement:
As A B, the sector AOB a right triangle. In
this limiting condition, we have

In AOB,

d
sin =
r
In the limit 0, sin

d
=
r

d = r

.(1)

Equation (1) shows the relationship between linear displacement and angular displacement.

d
B

2. Velocity:
Dividing both sides of equation (1) by t, we get
d r

t
t

v r

t v, t is called the angular velocity!

..(2)

Equation (2) shows the relationship between linear velocity and angular velocity.

3. Acceleration:
Dividing both sides of equation (2) by t, we get
v r

t
t

a r


v
t a, t is called the angular acceleration!

.(3)

Equation (3) shows the relationship between linear acceleration and angular acceleration.

Centripetal Acceleration
Consider an object moving in a circular path
with a speed v. At some moment in time let the
object be at point P. After a small interval of
time t, let the object be at the point Q. In
doing so, let the angular displacement be ,
i.e., POQ = . So, POA = /2 = AOQ.

v sin
2

v cos

v sin

Q
A

v cos
0
2
2


and, v y v sin
v sin

2
2

v y 2v sin
2
sin

As, 0, sin lt
1
0


v y 2v
v
2

So, v x v cos

v cos

Since v x 0, a x 0 i.e., there is no acceleration along the x direction.


And since v y v ,

v y
t

, dividing both sides by t.


t

a y v

or,

v
v
a y v , since =
r
r

ay

v2
r

As t 0, 0 and P Q tending to a singularity at A. Since ax = 0, there will be no tangential


acceleration at the point A and the only acceleration will be along the y axis, along AO, i.e., radially
inward. So, at this position ay is called the centripetal acceleration and is given by the relationship
v2
ac v
r

And the centripetal force is given by


Fc mac mv

mv 2
r

CONICAL PENDULUM
Key
A

Tcos

l
h

Tsin
O

AO h height of the cone


OB r radius of the circular path
AB l length of the pendulum
O Centre of the horizontal circle
A Point of suspension
v speed
T Tension
m mass

m
B

mg

Since the y component of tension balances the weight, i.e., Fy = 0, we get


Tcos = mg .(1)
The x component of the tension provides the necessary centripetal force for revolution to occur,
Tsin =

mv 2
..(2)
r

To find the period of revolution of the bob:


Dividing eqn (2) by eqn (1),
v2
tan =
gr
2

v gr tan

r 2 gr tan , since v = r

r 2 2 gr tan

2
2

r
g tan , since
t
t
.(3)
Now, from AOB, tan = r/h
2

or,

tan = r/(lcos), since h = lcos


(4)

Using the value of tan from eqn (4) in eqn (3), we get
gr
2
r

l cos
t
2

Since, f

t 2

l cos
g

1
, we get
t

1
2

g
l cos

This is the frequency of revolution of the pendulum.

Motion along a banked track


FN

FNcos

Here the centripetal force is provided by


the sine component of the normal force.

FN sin
FNsin

mg

mv 2
..(1)
r

The cosine component of the normal force


balances the weight of the vehicle.
FN cos mg .(2)

r
Dividing eqn (1) by eqn (2), we get

v2
tan
rg

Note:
1. The above equation is independent of the mass of the vehicle and so no matter what the mass of the
vehicle, the same ramp can be used to enter and exit the highway.
2. For a given ramp, being fixed and g being a constant, we note that v r . This indicates that
the smaller the radius of the ramp, the lower the ramp speed and vice versa.
1
3. For a given ramp speed, g being a constant, tan . This indicates that the smaller the radius of
r
the ramp, the larger the value of , therefore the greater the incline of a tight ramp.

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