12-1

Physics I
Class 12
Uniform Circular Motion
Rev. 19-Feb-06 GB
12-2
Newtons Second Law -
Yet Another Review!
Newtons Second Law:
a m F F
net


=

or
m
F
a
net

=
The net force and acceleration are always in the same direction because
m is a positive number.
Acceleration is the rate of any change in the velocity vector either
magnitude (speed) or direction, or both.
Todays lecture and activity will stretch our understanding of
acceleration and Newtons Second Law for a special type of motion.
12-3
Uniform Circular Motion
Uniform circular motion means that the
object moves in a circle at a constant speed.
Some definitions and equations:
T = period = time to go around exactly once
r = radius of circle
v = speed (scalar, not vector)
T
r 2
period
nce circumfere
v
t
= =
v
r 2
T
t
=
12-4
Acceleration in Circular Motion
When an object travels in a circle, its velocity is constantly
changing (in direction at least).







That means the object has a non-zero acceleration even if it
moves at constant speed.
12-5
Important Facts About
Velocity and Acceleration Vectors
v a
v a
Same direction: speeding up.
Opposite directions: slowing down.
Right angles: changing direction, same speed.
v
a
12-6
What is the Direction of
Acceleration?
Since the speed is not changing, only the
direction of velocity, acceleration must be
always at right angles to velocity. The
acceleration vector points inward, toward
the center of the circle. This is called
centripetal acceleration from Latin for
to go to or seek the center.
Like the direction of the velocity vector,
the direction of centripetal acceleration is
constantly changing as the object moves
around the circle.
The magnitude of centripetal acceleration is given by
r
v
a
2
= .
12-7
Centripetal Force
Centrifugal Force
Centripetal force and centrifugal force are two of the most
unnecessary and confusing concepts in introductory physics.
Centripetal force is the net force on any object in circular motion.
Centrifugal force is a result of measuring the displacement of an
object relative to an accelerated (rotating) observer.
In this course, we will never refer to centripetal or centrifugal force.
We will refer only to actual physical forces such as gravity.
It will never be correct to answer any question using centripetal
force or centrifugal force. Instead, use centripetal acceleration and
Newtons Second Law as measured by a non-accelerating observer.
12-8
Example:
A Rock on a String
Twirl a 1 kg rock attached to a string in a 1 m radius vertical
circle. The speed is 4 m/sec. What forces act on the rock and
what are the directions of those forces?
12-9
Using Newtons Second Law to
Solve Problems - Review
1. Identify all forces acting on the object.
Pushes or Pulls Friction (if specified)
Gravity Normal (Surface) Forces
2. Choose a coordinate system.
If you know the direction of acceleration, one
coordinate axis should be in that direction.
3. Draw a Free-Body Diagram.
We know how to do this now.
4. Express the force vectors in components.
This may require trigonometry.
5. Use Newtons Second Law to write one
equation for each direction considered.
We will only consider vertical forces today.
6. Solve the equation(s).
12-10
Case A:
Rock at the Top of the Circle
T
W = mg
a X
The center of the circle is below the rock, so acceleration is down.
1. Forces: Weight (W) down and Tension (T) down.
2. Coordinates: +X down. (Why?)
3. Free-body diagram:
4. X Components: (W) and (T).
5. Second Law: (W) + (T) = m a.
6. Solve:
|
.
|

\
|
= = = g
r
v
m g m a m W a m T
2
T = 1 (16/19.8) = 6.2 N.
W = 9.8 N.
12-11
Case B:
Rock at the Bottom of the Circle
The center of the circle is above the rock, so acceleration is up.
1. Forces: Weight (W) down and Tension (T) up.
2. Coordinates: +X up. (Why?)
3. Free-body diagram:
4. X Components: (W) and (T).
5. Second Law: (W) + (T) = m a.
6. Solve:
|
.
|

\
|
+ = + = + = g
r
v
m g m a m W a m T
2
T = 1 (16/1+9.8) = 25.8 N.
W = 9.8 N.
T
W = mg
a X
12-12
Normal Force - A Concept
We Will Use in Todays Activity
N
W
N
W
Elevator Cab
Normal force is the force generated by a solid
object to keep other objects from penetrating into it.
As the name implies, the direction of this force is at
right angles (normal) to the surface. The physical
cause of this force is the stretching of chemical
bonds, much like the stretching of a lattice of springs.
Normal force is often equal and opposite to weight,
but not always. Consider an elevator cab. How does
the normal force compare to weight if the cab is
moving at a constant velocity? Accelerating upward?
Accelerating downward?
Floor
12-13
Class #12
Take-Away Concepts
1. Acceleration (or net force) at a right angle to velocity causes a
change of direction but not a change of speed.
2. As an object moves around a circle at a constant speed, it
accelerates toward the center with magnitude given by
r
v
a
2
=
3. Do not try to use centripetal or centrifugal forces to solve a
problem. Use centripetal acceleration and Newtons 2
nd
Law.
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Class #12
Problems of the Day
___ 1. Imagine you are riding on a train going around a horizontal
curve of radius r at speed v. You are holding an object, of
mass m, stationary (relative to the train) in your hand.
Let g be the acceleration constant of gravity and a = v
2
/r.
The net force exerted on the object is:
A) mg upward + ma horizontal toward center
B) mg downward + ma horizontal toward center
C) ma horizontal toward center
D) mg upward + ma horizontal away from center
E) mg downward + ma horizontal away from center
F) ma horizontal away from center
G) zero
H) more information is needed to answer this question
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Class #12
Problems of the Day
2. The space shuttle Atlantis is in a circular orbit 100. km (1.00 x 10
5
m)
above the surface of the earth. (This is an example of uniform circular
motion.) At this height, the constant of gravity is g = 9.53 N/kg. The
radius of the earth is 6.37 x 10
6
m. How long (in minutes) does it take for
the shuttle Atlantis to complete one orbit?
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Activity #12
Ferris Wheel Thrill Ride
Objectives of the Activity:
1. More experience with video analysis in LoggerPro.
2. Investigate uniform circular motion
Is the acceleration really directed toward the center?
3. What is the subjective experience of traveling in a rapid
vertical circular motion?
12-17
Class #12 Optional Material
Centrifugal Force?
Turn this way.
Feel a force
this way.
Centrifugal is from Latin for to flee from the center.
Is centrifugal force a real force?
12-18
Accelerated Frames of
Reference
Newtons Second Law applies to an inertial reference frame, meaning a
reference system for measuring position and time that is not accelerating.
If we wish to use Newtons Second Law in an accelerating reference frame,
we need to add extra terms to the equation that can be considered as forces
operating on every object that we track using the accelerating reference
frame. These are commonly called inertial forces.
Why would we do a crazy thing like using an accelerated reference frame
instead of an inertial reference frame? In a way, it is built into human
nature to view ourselves as sitting still while the rest of the universe zips by.
It is often a convenient way to calculate things as long as we are careful.
12-19
The Inertial Forces
( ) R m V m 2 R m a m F A m
0

O O O O = = F
#1 #2 #3 #4
Dont worry about understanding the details of this equation. The important
thing is that each term represents a different type of inertial force.
1. This term is due to linear (in a straight line) acceleration of the reference
frame. For example, in a car if you slam on the brakes (acceleration to the
rear), it feels like everything in the car is thrown forward.
2. Centrifugal force this term is due to rotation of the reference frame.
3. Coriolis force this term is due to moving in a rotating reference frame.
If you ever tried to walk down the aisle of a train as it rounded a curve,
you experienced this force.
4. This term is due to acceleration of the rotation of a reference frame. If you
are riding on a merry-go-round, you need to hold on tighter as it starts up.
12-20
Discussion
Swinging a Water Bucket Overhead
Take a sturdy water bucket full of water and swing
it in a circle over your head. What will the water do
if
1. you swing it quickly?
2. you swing it slowly?
3. you stop it when it is directly overhead?
Can we relate the concepts and math formulas we
have talked about today to the transition between
situation #1 and situation #2?