Circular motion Definition and 1000 Threads

In physics, circular motion is a movement of an object along the circumference of a circle or rotation along a circular path. It can be uniform, with constant angular rate of rotation and constant speed, or non-uniform with a changing rate of rotation. The rotation around a fixed axis of a three-dimensional body involves circular motion of its parts. The equations of motion describe the movement of the center of mass of a body. In circular motion, the distance between the body and a fixed point on the surface remains the same.
Examples of circular motion include: an artificial satellite orbiting the Earth at a constant height, a ceiling fan's blades rotating around a hub, a stone which is tied to a rope and is being swung in circles, a car turning through a curve in a race track, an electron moving perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field, and a gear turning inside a mechanism.
Since the object's velocity vector is constantly changing direction, the moving object is undergoing acceleration by a centripetal force in the direction of the center of rotation. Without this acceleration, the object would move in a straight line, according to Newton's laws of motion.

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  1. tiny-tim

    Circular motion: static or dynamic friction?

    A simple question, but I can't find the answer anywhere :redface: … when something (otherwise unconstrained) is pulled by rope (approximately forwards) so as to slide (not roll) at constant speed in a circle on a rough surface, the total acceleration is obviously centripetal (radial) there...
  2. T

    Circular Motion - friction and tension problems

    Homework Statement A curve with a 125 radius on a level road is banked at the correct angle for a speed of 20. If an automobile rounds this curve at 30 , what is the minimum coefficient of static friction between tires and road needed to prevent skidding? Homework Equations F=ma...
  3. T

    Calculating the Speed of a Plane for a Stationary Sun at 26.3° Latitude

    Homework Statement How fast must a plane fly at a latitude of 26.3° so that the sun stands still relative to the passengers? Homework Equations I have no idea how I can solve this question. I would like to draw a free-body diagram, but I don't know how to do that either. If I could...
  4. P

    Circular Motion of a ball around the earth

    Homework Statement Calculate thow long it would take a ball to orbit the Earth once , just above the surface , at a speed of 7920 ms^-1 . The radius of Earth is 6400km. Homework Equations Well I am not sure to be honest. The Attempt at a Solution I tried using S=ut+1/2(a)(t)^2...
  5. D

    Non-Uniform Circular Motion - Finding total acceleration

    Homework Statement Homework Equations a(total) = sqrt( a(tangential)^2 + a(radial)^2 ) The Attempt at a Solution I wrote out equations for the forces in the radial and tangential directions: F(radial) = T - ( mg * cos(θ) ) F(tangential) = mg * sin(θ) I used the equations to find...
  6. S

    Simple Circular Motion question

    Homework Statement There is a train traveling along a circular track. Which rail does the centripetal force act on (Inner or Outer) and what 2 factors determine the stress on each wheel. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution So I was thinking it might be the outer, but I...
  7. C

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  8. R

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    Homework Statement An energetic father stands at the summit of a conical hill as he spins his 23 child around on a 5.6 cart with a 2.3--long rope. The sides of the hill are inclined at 23 . He keeps the rope parallel to the ground, and friction is negligible. What is the tension in the rope...
  9. D

    Circular Motion Problem (Using Newtonian Physics)

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  10. Z

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    "Non-Uniform Circular Motion" problem Homework Statement A ball swings in a vertical circle at the end of a rope 1.50 m long. When the ball is 36.9° past the lowest point on its way up, its total acceleration is (-22.5 i + 20.2j) m/s^2. At that instant, (a) sketch a vector diagram showing...
  11. S

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    Hello everyone! Please, help me understand the following problem: Homework Statement Earth's orbit around the Sun is nearly circular. The period is 1 yr = 365.25 d. (a) In an elapsed time of 5 d, what is Earth's angular displacement? Solved! (b) What is the change in Earth's velocity, Δv...
  12. L

    What Are Common Misconceptions in Understanding Circular Motion and Orbits?

    Ok I have 2 related questions Qns1 Homework Statement Two satellites, A and B, orbiting around Earth have the same kinetic energy. Satellite A has a larger mass than satellite B. Which of the following statements is false? A Satellite A has a larger period. B Satellite A has a...
  13. U

    Uniform Circular Motion of a car

    Homework Statement If a curve with a radius of 60 meters is properly banked for a car traveling 60 km/hr, what must the coefficient of friction be for a car on the same curve traveling 90 km/hr? Homework Equations Fmax = u * Fn where Fmax = force causing the friction, u = coefficient of...
  14. U

    Uniform Circular Motion of dice

    Homework Statement Fuzzy dice hang from the rear-view mirror of a car rounding a curve. If the curve has a radius of 275 meters and the dice are hanging at an angle of 12° from the vertical, how fast is the car going? Homework Equations a = v2/R for an acceleration with a constant...
  15. P

    Circular motion and radial acceleration

    Homework Statement A particle moves with a constant angular acceleration Alpha in a circular path. The time at which the magnitude of tangential and radial accelerations are equal is a) 1/Alpha b) Sq.root Alpha c) 1/Sq.root Alpha d) Alpha Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution...
  16. P

    Time of Equal Tangential & Radial Accelerations in Circular Motion

    Homework Statement A particle moves with a constant angular acceleration Alpha in a circular path. The time at which the magnitude of tangential and radial accelerations are equal is Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution
  17. T

    Finding Velocity for the Sweep-Second Hand of a Clock

    Homework Statement The sweep-second hand of a clock is 3.1 cm long. What are the magnitude of (a) the average velocity and (b) the average acceleration of the hand’s tip over a 5.0-s interval? (c)what is the angel between the average velocity and acceleration vectors? Homework...
  18. J

    Uniform circular motion merry-go-round

    Homework Statement A purse at radius 1.90 m and a wallet at radius 2.60 m travel in uniform circular motion on the floor of a merry-go-round as the ride turns. They are on the same radial line. At one instant, the acceleration of the purse is (1.70 m/s2) + (4.60 m/s2). At that instant and in...
  19. E

    Circular Motion at an angle, finding angles and tension

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  20. W

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    Homework Statement A ball with a mass m swings from a string of length L from a pivot. A distance D directly below the pivot there is a nail. The ball is released making an angle theta=pi/2 with the vertical. For this particular problem, there is no friction. Assuming the ball swings...
  21. N

    Uniform Circular Motion: Understanding the Characteristics and Misconceptions

    Homework Statement Which, if any, of the following statements about a particle in uniform circular motion is/are true? Its acceleration vector is a constant. Its velocity and acceleration vectors are always perpendicular. The direction of its acceleration is toward the center of...
  22. D

    Circular motion - Force perpendicular to velocity does not change magnitude.

    Hi, my first post here. Right. Spent the past hour searching all over for a clear explanation. In Circular Motion, or in general, the force perpendicular to the velocity vector changes only the direction and not the magnitude. Why is that so? My reasoning against goes like this - please...
  23. T

    Circular Motion: Perpendicular Force & Velocity Change Explained Quickly

    A force on a moving object, in any direction other than direction of motion causes an overall change in velocity(both in magnitude and direction). Then in circular motion why does a perpendicular force applied change only direction and not magnitude. Is this because the force produces 0 velocity...
  24. A

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    A car starts moving on a circular track of radius 100m from rest at t=0. The tangential acceleration of the car is 0.1m/s2 Then find out the frictional force acting on the car at t=10s. It is given that the car is not skidding during this period and the mass of the car is 10\sqrt{2}. I got...
  25. I

    How High Does the Ball Rise in a Rotating Bowl?

    Homework Statement a ball with a mass of 50 grams is placed inside a circular bowl with a radius of 10cm. the bowl rotates at a rate of 5 hertz what is the height in cms the ball will rise within the bowl? Homework Equations Fr = m*w^2/r \sumF = ma The Attempt at a Solution...
  26. I

    Help understanding circular motion

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  27. T

    Calculating time period in vertical circular motion

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  28. F

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    Suppose a mass m suspended from a string of length l is undergoing uniform circular motion in a horizontal plane, with angular velocity ω. Calculate the centripetal acceleration a. If T is the tension in the string, and θ the angle the string makes with the vertical, then the vertical and...
  29. N

    What Is the Minimum Frequency for a Mass in Vertical Circular Motion?

    Homework Statement A 0.2kg mass attached to a rope 1.6m long is being spun in a vertical plane. Find the minimum frequency. Homework Equations F = 4(pi^2)(r)(f^2)(m) Ft min = Fc - mg - minimum frequency occurs at minimum tension The Attempt at a Solution I had this question...
  30. N

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    Homework Statement A watch has a second hand 2.0cm long. a) Compute the speed of the tip of the second hand. b) What is the velocity of the tip of the second hand at 0.0 seocnds? At 15 seconds? c) Compute its change in veloicty between 0.0 and 15 seconds. d) Compute its average vector...
  31. C

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    Hello guys. I am taking an introductory course in computer programming. For one assignment I was to make up a word problem, then write a program to solve it. I wrote a program to calculate the radius of a circular orbit based on the orbiting object's current velocity, and other parameters. Can...
  32. J

    Calculating Max. Distance of Block on Turntable Rotating at 33 1/3 rev/min

    The coefficient of friction between a certain brass block and a large revolving turntable is µ = 0.17. How far from the axis of rotation can the block be placed before it slides off the turntable if it is rotating at 33 1/3 rev/min? i was wondering was this the equation to solve this...
  33. B

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    Homework Statement An air race pilot with 54 kg makes a vertical loop with 1200 m of radius, in such a way that the airplane's speed decreases at a constant rate. Knowing that the airplane's seat force acting over the pilot is 1680 N at point A and 350 N at point C, determine the airplane's...
  34. S

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    I have this question on my Circular motion assignment, but its somehow connected to free fall. I'm unable to picturize the situation mentioned in question... A 3.35 kg block is attached to a string that is wrapped around a 1.22 kg, 5.03 cm diameter hollow cylinder that is free to rotate on an...
  35. V

    Formula for Circular Motion and Tangential Speed

    Homework Statement The Earth rotates on its own axis once per day (24.0 hr). What is the tangential speed of the summit of a mountain (elevation 6409 m above sea level), which is located approximately on the equator, due to the rotation of the Earth? Take the equatorial radius of Earth to be...
  36. T

    Physics circular motion, orbits, and gravity

    Homework Statement ics Consider identical twins named Bert and Ernie who are visiting a star named Alpha Sesame. Bert is at a distance r from the star while Ernie is located a distance 3r. Both Bert and Ernie are stationary (they are standing on platforms built by an alien super race) and...
  37. H

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    Homework Statement "A 1500kg car rounds a curve of radius 75m at a speed of 25m/s. The curve is banked at an angle of 22 degrees to the horizontal. Calculate: a) The magnitude of the frictional force. b) The Coefficient of Kinetic Friction." Homework Equations F=mv^{2}/r Answers...
  38. M

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    Homework Statement A simple pendulum (massless string, neglect friction) is supended from the ceiling of a car taking a turn of radius 10m at a speed of 36km/h. Find the angle made by the string of the pendulum wih the vertical if this angle does not change during the turn. Take g=10ms-2...
  39. F

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    Homework Statement Which of the following is not true in relation to an object moving in uniform circular motion? a. KE of the object is constant b. net force is zero c. net work is zero d. the magnitude of acceleration is constant e. momentum is non-constant The Attempt at a...
  40. G

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    Homework Statement A light inextensible string of length 0.6m has one end fixed to a point A on a smooth horizontal plane. The other end of the string is attactched to a particle B, of mass 0.4kg. A particle P of mass 0.1kg is attatched to the mid-point of the string. The line APB is straight...
  41. I

    Circular Motion Problem: Conservation of Energy and Newton's Second Law

    Homework Statement Please see attachment my problem. Homework Equations Law of conservation of energy Newton's Second law for circular motion The Attempt at a Solution Please see attachment. I didn't get the answer same as solution. Please help me.
  42. B

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    Been sick for a bit so missed a fair bit of "advanced" maths including locuses, particularly parabolas, but what's worrying me more at the moment is dynamics. So got a moderately difficult question here to help catch me up. I don't really comprehend any of the rules and this question is tricky...
  43. E

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    Homework Statement In space in the absence of gravity, there is a post of "infinite mass," meaning that the post is fixed or "nailed down" and cannot move. A ball of mass m1 is connected to the post by a cable of negligible mass of length L1. A second ball of mass m2 is connected to the first...
  44. M

    Is Uniform Circular Motion Considered Equilibrium?

    Homework Statement if a body is in a uniform circular motion . is it in equilibrium? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution i think it is not in equilibrium ... please i want the true solution .
  45. T

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    Homework Statement A yo-yo of mass m , on a string of length \ell is held horizontally and then released, as shown in the diagram. Assume that there is no friction and that the yo-yo swings freely in a vertical plane. Give your answers in terms of m, \ell, \theta, and g. Diagram...
  46. C

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    From the diagram above, solve for the reaction at point A. and the tension in the cable that is attatched at point C. Assume the bar is mass-less. Block B has a mass of 124 kg. The distance from point B to point A is 3.2m, from point A to point D is 1.3 m, and point D to point C 2.1 m. The cable...
  47. L

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    Homework Statement A mass of 0.30kg is attached to one end of a string of length 0.50m is whirled in a horizontal circle with gradually increasing speed. a) Determine the maximum linear speed reached if the string breaks when the tension reaches a value of 25N. b) What is the...
  48. S

    Uniform Circular motion problem

    Uniform Circular motion problem! Homework Statement A 235 m tall tower is built on the equator. Due to the rotation of the earth, how much faster does a point at the top of the tower move than a point at the bottom (in m/s)? Homework Equations v=w*r (w is omega) The...
  49. B

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    Hi, everyone We were told in class that the Coriolis Effect is due to the change in the radius in circular motion. But an objtct moving with constant velocity on the edje of the circular system, like on the equator still experiencing Coriolis force, because the cross product 2wXv is not...
  50. F

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    Homework Statement A rock stuck in the tread of a 53.0 cm diameter bicycle wheel has a tangential speed of 3.50 m/s. When the brakes are applied, the rock's tangential deceleration is 1.20 m/s^2. X.) What is the magnitudes of the rock's angular velocity (omega) when t = 1.60s? Y.) What is...
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