AQA A Level Physics

Paper 1

Physics Department

Circular motion
CIRCULAR MOTION
1.1 Angular displacement, rad s-1
In circular motion we use radians to measure the angle through
which the object moves in a given time. This angle is called the
angular displacement, .
The angular displacement of one complete revolution of the object
around a circle is 360° which is equal to 2 radians

angle in ° angle in rad

=
𝟏𝟖𝟎 𝝅
You must remember how to convert from radians to degrees.
Distance covered (arc length, s) by an object moving through an angular displacement of  radians is
given by the formula:

𝒔 = 𝒓𝜽
This is on page 1 of the formulae sheet as arc length = 𝑟𝜃.
TIP: In this topic although you will use radians for most calculations, you do not need to change
your calculator mode. You only need to put your calculator in RADIANS mode when you are
using trig functions with angles in radians.

Displacement that we learned about in the Kinematics topic for straight motion can now be referred
to as linear displacement.

Activity 1: Complete the following conversions

1. Express the following angles in radians:

30° 60° 90° 45°

2. Express the following angles in degrees :

𝜋 2𝜋 2𝜋
rad rad rad 0.925 rad
4 5 3

3. Calculate the sines of the following angles. Remember to change your calculator’s mode.

𝜋
1.00 rad 30° rad 75°
2

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1.2 Linear velocity & angular speed
In circular motion we are interested in two different measures of how fast objects are moving.

1. Linear velocity, ms-1

This is another name for velocity in a straight line, which you encountered in the mechanics topic.
For an object in circular motion, its linear velocity is tangential to the object’s circular path and the
direction of the linear velocity is constantly changing as the object moves around the circle.

Definition: Linear velocity, v, is the rate of change of linear displacement,

and it is measured in ms-1.

2. Angular speed, rads-1

We are also interested in how rapidly the object revolves about the centre of rotation; this is
angular speed (sometimes also called angular frequency). This can be given in revolution per
minute (rpm) or revolutions per second (rev.s-1), but for calculations we need to use radians
per second.
The words rotation or cycle can sometimes be used instead of revolution.

Definition: Angular speed, ω, is the rate of change of angular displacement, it

is measured in rad s-1.

The above definition of angular speed gives the formula: ∆𝜃

𝜔=
This is not on the formulae sheet. ∆𝑡
3. Example: Conversion from rpm or rev.s-1 to rad.s-1
Convert 78 rpm to radians per second.
78
Step 1: For values in rpm: divide by 60 to give rev.s-1: 60
= 1.3 𝑟𝑒𝑣. 𝑠 −1
Step 2: Multiply value in rev.s-1 by 2 to give rad.s-1: 1.3 × 2𝜋 = 8.17 𝑟𝑎𝑑. 𝑠 −1

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Activity 2: Complete the following conversions
1. Express the following angular speeds in radians per second. Each revolution is an angular
displacement of 2 radians.

0.2 22.5 800 33

rev.s-1 rev.s-1 rev.s-1 rpm

2. Express the following angular speeds in rpm. Hint: reverse the steps in the conversion.

0.785 200 3500 0.250

rad.s-1 rad.s-1 rad.s-1 rad.s-1

3. Linking angular speed, time period and frequency

The angular displacement in one revolution is 2 radians. The

time taken to complete one revolution is the time period, T.
The angular speed in revolutions per second is exactly the
same as the frequency (“cycles per second”), which is related
to the time period by the formula:
1
𝑓=
𝑇
We can substitute  = 2 and t = T into the definition of angular speed, and then use the
relationship between time period and frequency to give:
• ω = angular speed /rad s-1
2𝜋 • f = frequency /Hz
𝜔= = 2𝜋𝑓
𝑇 • T = time period, the time for one full rotation /s

This formulae will come up again and again. You should remember it.

If you have one from 𝜔, 𝑓, 𝑇 you have the other 2.

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4. Linking linear speed and angular speed

The speed (magnitude of the linear velocity, v) of the object during one revolution can be
calculated from the distance travelled, which is the circumference of the circle, 2r, divided by
the time for one revolution (T).
2𝜋𝑟 2𝜋
𝑣 • ω = angular speed /rad s-1
𝑣= = ( ) 𝑟 = 𝜔𝑟
𝑇 𝑇 𝜔= • v = linear speed /ms-1
𝑟
• r = radius of the circular path /m

Activity 3: Complete the following calculations using the above formula:

1. A ball of radius 5.0 cm rolls across the floor such that it revolves once every 0.25 s.
(i) Calculate the linear speed of the ball, v : …………………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(ii) Calculate the angular speed of the ball,  : ………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
2. A bicycle with wheels of radius 311 mm moves at a speed of 11.1 ms-1.
(i) Calculate angular speed of the wheel,  : …………………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

(ii) The wheel clicks once every revolution. Calculate the frequency, f, of the clicking :

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3. A turbine of diameter 10.0 cm rotates at 500 000 rpm.

(iii) Calculate angular speed of the turbine,  : ……………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(iv) Calculate linear speed of the turbine blade’s outer edge:

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

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How can an object moving at a constant speed in a circle be accelerating?
Activity 5: Consider a ball attached to a string being swung round in
the example (right).

• Is the ball accelerating if it is travelling at constant speed in

a circle?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

• What must act on the ball to cause it to move in a circular path?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

• What would happen to the ball if the string snapped?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Learn this explanation; it is a very common exam question.

1.5 An explanation of circular motion

Why is a body moving at constant speed in a circle accelerating?

• the direction of velocity is changing

• velocity is a vector
• velocity is changing
• acceleration is a change in velocity per second.

This is a centripetal acceleration – the acceleration is directed towards the centre.

A centripetal acceleration requires a centripetal force.

For an object moving in a circle at constant speed, the resultant force is called the centripetal force
and is directed towards the centre of rotation.

Why does a body not get faster from a centripetal force?

(Centripetal) force is perpendicular to displacement (and velocity)

No work is done by the (centripetal) force. (𝑊 = 𝐹𝑠 cos 𝜃 = 𝐹𝑠 cos 90° = 0)

So there is no increase in kinetic energy and therefore speed.

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 If you remove the centripetal force completely then an object’s linear velocity vector will stop
changing. The object will move in a straight line at a tangent to the circle, obeying Newton’s 1st law.
If the centripetal force increases the object will either:
(i) remain at the same distance from the centre but increase velocity or
(ii) move closer to the centre and remain at the same velocity.
If the centripetal force decreases the object will either:
(i) remain at the same distance from the centre but decrease velocity or
(ii) move further from the centre and remain at the same velocity.

Exam Questions
Q1
A helicopter circles continuously at a constant speed around a horizontal path of
diameter 800 m, taking 5.0 minutes to complete each orbit of the path.

What are the speed v and the centripetal acceleration a of the helicopter?

v / m s−1 a / m s−2
A 0.021 0.18

B 8.4 0.088

C 8.4 0.18

D 17 0.35
(Total 1 mark)

Q2

What is the angular speed of a car wheel of diameter 0.400 m when the speed of
the car is 108 km h−1?

A 75 rad s−1
B 150 rad s−1
C 270 rad s−1
D 540 rad s−1
(Total 1 mark)

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1.6 Centripetal Acceleration and Centripetal Force
Centripetal acceleration always acts towards the centre of the object’s circular path.
• a = centripetal acceleration /ms-2
2
𝑣 • ω = angular velocity /rad s-1
𝑎= = 𝜔2 𝑟
𝑟 • v = linear velocity /ms-1
• r = radius of the circular path /m
•
From Newton’s second law the resultant force is directly proportional to acceleration:

𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎

By applying this to the two acceleration equations above we get

𝑚𝑣 2 • m = mass of the object travelling in a circle /kg

𝐹= = 𝑚𝜔2 𝑟 • F = centripetal force /N
𝑟

Page 8
General hints and tips

For AQA exams you are limited to motion in a circle at constant speed. Therefore the resultant force
will always be the centripetal force.
(You will not need to consider scenarios where the object changes speed while moving in a circle or
where more than 2 forces contribute to the centripetal force.)
• Remember: ‘centripetal’ describes what the force does, it is not a type of force (e.g. tension)
• If a situation means that a resultant force always acts perpendicular to the velocity then
circular motion must happen. We will see this in U6 Magnetic Fields topic.
• Decide whether the circular motion is in the horizontal or vertical plane, conical or banked
(you will come across examples of these in later lessons).
• Decide which force(s) contribute to the centripetal force; it may be just one force, or it may
be the resultant of two forces.
• Decide whether the conditions fix the radius of the path, or set a (maximum) centripetal force

Direction of forces
Resultant
Centripetal – always the resultant, the vector sum of the other forces, towards the centre of rotation

If the question says the object is at constant height or not moving up or down, then the centripetal force
acts horizontally.
Centripetal force does not have to act along the line of tension or the reaction force.

Contributes to resultant (centripetal) : pick up to 2

Weight – always acts down (unless its set in space)
Normal Reaction force – always away from and perpendicular to the surface
Tension – always along the string/rod away from the object moving in a circle
Friction – towards the centre of rotation (for AQA scenarios)
(for circular motion friction is not in the opposite direction to velocity)
Lift (aircraft wing) – away from the aircraft wing, perpendicular to the wing, towards the “top” of the
aircraft (may not be vertically up)

Answering questions
• Always draw a diagram showing the centripetal force and other forces
• Write an equation where centripetal force = vector sum of the other forces
• Forces in the same direction as centripetal are positive, forces in the opposite direction are
negative
• Centripetal is always the resultant (but may not be the hypotenuse of the force triangle)

Page 9
Examples of circular motion
Any resultant force towards the centre of a circle can be a centripetal force.

Complete the diagrams to show all of the force vectors acting in each case.
Event Event
Moon orbiting Earth Car cornering on level road

Force: Force:

A hammer whirling round by an athlete A proton in the Large Hadron Collider

Force: Force:

A plane at the top of a loop the loop Roller coaster

Forces: Forces:

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A bucket of water on a rope (swung overhead) A bucket of water on a rope (at the bottom)

Forces: Forces:

A plane banking to turn in the air A car on a smooth banked track

Forces: Force:

Swing chair ride Conical Pendulum

Force: Force:

Page 11
Circular motion – horizontal motion
1.7 Fixed radius circular motion in a horizontal plane
The object’s path has a fixed radius.
If the velocity increases the centripetal force will
𝑚𝑣 2 increase to ensure the path is followed until
𝐹= mechanical failure, e.g. the string snaps, the rails
𝑟
break.

Example 1: Ball on a string

1. Which force(s) contribute to the centripetal force: …………………………………………………………………..
2. If the speed of the ball is 2ms-1 and the mass is 2.2kg, calculate the tension in the string if
moved in a circle of diameter 2m:

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3. If the speed of the ball is increased to 3.5 ms-1, calculate the tension in the string:

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
4. If the maximum tension the string can withstand before snapping is 20 N, calculate the
maximum speed of the ball:

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

1.8 Fixed/limited force circular motion in a horizontal plane

The force(s) contributing to the centripetal force are fixed or
has a maximum value, e.g. rocket motors on a spacecraft,
friction on a road surface, etc. Maximum
If velocity increases the path’s radius will increase, e.g. car
on a flat road surface.

Example 2: Car on a flat road surface

1. Which force(s) contribute to the centripetal force: …………………………………………………………………..

2. Calculate the maximum speed that the car can travel around the bend in the road:

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

3. Describe what happens if the car enters the bend at a higher speed: ……………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

4. If the road surface is wet, describe the adjustments should the driver make:

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

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Example 3: child on a roundabout
A child stands on the edge of a flat
wooden roundabout.

The roundabout rotates at 20 rpm.

(a) Calculate angular speed of the child:

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

(b) Calculate linear velocity of the child:

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

(c) Calculate centripetal acceleration of the child:

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

(d) State the name of the force keeping the child moving in a circle: ………………………………………….

(e) Describe what would happen to the child if there wasn’t enough friction between the child
and the roundabout:

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Page 13
Circular motion – vertical motion
In vertical circular motion there must be at least two forces taken into account:
• a force that acts radially, e.g. tension, normal contact force,
• the weight of the object. Weight always acts vertically downwards so its contribution to the
centripetal force will vary during each revolution. Weight is fixed for a given mass (W=mg).

Increasing speed:
radius: ………………………………… ………………………….. …………………………….
centripetal force: ………………………………… …………………………… …………………………….

Activity 8: (i) Draw the force vectors on a diagram for the position in the circle that is of interest. This
position could be: crest of a hill/bridge, top of a roller-coaster, bottom of a loop, etc.
(v) Label the diagrams above to show what changes would occur in the radius and/or
the centripetal force if the objects moved at higher speed

General hints and tips

• Show on the diagram all of the known and unknown quantities:
linear velocity, v angular speed,  radius, r
weight, W other forces, centripetal force, Fc
centripetal acceleration, ac
position around the loop (top/bottom, left/right or angle, )
• Consider whether:
▪ the forces are fixed/limited (e.g. lift in loop-the-loop) and so the radius would change if the
velocity changes:
Consider using vector addition the radial component of the resultant force at the
point of interest – this is the centripetal force.
▪ the radius is fixed (e.g. roller-coaster) so the force (normal contact in this case) changes if the
velocity changes:
Consider the centripetal force required and use vector addition to find the magnitude of
the variable force (remember, weight is fixed in magnitude and direction)
• Forces at an angle should be resolved it into two components. For circular motion we may need to
resolve forces into horizontal/vertical, parallel/perpendicular or radial/tangential components:
Radial - directed towards the centre of the circular path; this contributes to the centripetal force
Tangential - perpendicular to this radius – in uniform circular motion the resultant’s tangential
component will be zero. If it is non-zero it will generate a torque that will increase the
speed of the object.

Page 14
1.9 Fixed radius circular motion in a vertical plane
For AQA exams you should only be asked about positions B and D.
You should not be asked about A and C for A level since either
• a string like object is providing the tension and so the ball is slowing down at A and speeding
up at C, so its not circular motion at constant speed
• a rigid object keeps the object rotating at constant speed which requires a shear force [force at
right angles to the tension], which is not covered by AQA.
You could be asked about A or C on Olympiad or University admissions tests.
The weight of the object must be taken into account. Weight
always acts downwards so its contribution to the centripetal force
will vary during each revolution.

Example 4: Ball on a string (vertical plane)

1. If the ball is of 0.45 kg mass and is attached to a 0.80

m length of string which rotates at constant angular
speed of 8.4 rad.s-1.
(i) Calculate the centripetal force:

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(ii) State the location on the ball where the tension is at a maximum and minimum

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(ii) Calculate the maximum and minimum tension in the string :

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(iii) What is the minimum speed the ball can travel and still travel in circles?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Example 5: Bucket of water on a string

The forces are the same as for the ball on the string.
Explain why the water does not fall out of the bucket at the top.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Page 15
1.10 Fixed/limited force circular motion in a vertical plane
Again, the weight of the object must be taken into account.
Weight always acts downwards so its contribution to the
centripetal force will vary during each revolution.

Example 6: Car travelling over a hill

1. Draw force vectors for the weight (mg) of the car and the normal contact force (N)
acting on the car at the top of the hill.
2. Write an expression for the resultant force acting towards the centre of curvature:
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. If a car of mass 900 kg travels at 10 ms-1 over a hill with 20 m radius of curvature.
(i) Calculate the centripetal force required: ……………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(ii) Calculate the normal reaction force at this speed: ……………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. (i) State the maximum normal contact force and the speed of the car required to
produce this magnitude of normal contact force.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(ii) State what happens to the normal contact force as the speed increases:
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(iii) Calculate the highest speed at which this car could travel over the hill and
remain in contact with the road:
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(iv) State and explain whether your answer to (iii) changes for a car with a greater mass.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Page 16
 Circular motion – advanced problems
There are three types of problem in circular motion that are more advanced: conical/smooth banking
problems, banking problems with friction and leaning into turns. The last two will not be asked at A
level but maybe in Olympiad or University admission tests.

1.11 Conical & smooth banking problems

These are at the top-end of difficulty you would expect to see at A level.
In these problems, the force producing centripetal acceleration are components of diagonal
forces. At A level two forces is the largest number of forces you are likely to encounter. Olympiad
and university admissions tests may involve more.
Circular motion will be in the horizontal plane, so there will be a resultant force in the horizontal
direction causing the centripetal acceleration.
There will be no resultant force in the vertical plane, so forces are in equilibrium, one of these
forces will be the weight of the object (acting vertically downwards and fixed in magnitude,
W=mg).

General hints and tips

• Diagrams: draw the force vectors on a diagram. The diagram is usually in the vertical plane with
the object moving into/out of the page.
• Label the diagram to show all of the known and unknown quantities:
linear velocity, v angular speed,  radius, r
weight, W diagonal force, F angle (to vert/horiz), 
vertical component, Fv horizontal component, Fh

• For equilibrium in the vertical: weight must be equal and opposite to the vertical component of the
diagonal force; this allows you to find either the magnitude of the diagonal force

• The horizontal component of the diagonal force will produce the centripetal acceleration.

• The vector sum of the diagonal force and the weight = centripetal force.

Page 17
Conical pendulum
In the conical (or circular) pendulum the object moves in a
horizontal circular path.
The centripetal acceleration is caused by the horizontal
component of tension, while the weight is in equilibrium
with the vertical component of tension.
If speed is increased the angle of the string to the vertical
would increase, which would (delete as applicable):
• Increase/decrease the radius,
• Increase/decrease the tension.

Example 7: conical/circular pendulum

1. Draw the force vectors acting on the ball.
2. Weight is in equilibrium with the vertical component of the tension in the string. Calculate the
tension in the string:

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. Calculate the horizontal component of the tension in the string:

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4. State the force(s) that is causing the ball’s centripetal acceleration:

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

5. Calculate the velocity of the ball given the centripetal force calculated above:

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

6. State what would happen to the angle of the string to the vertical if the velocity of the ball
was increased:

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Page 18
Banked circular motion – without friction
Without friction, this problem is similar to the
conical pendulum.
Weight is in equilibrium in the vertical with the R
vertical component of the normal contact force.
With no friction, the horizontal0020component of
the normal contact force causes the centripetal
acceleration. The car can only travel around the
banking if is travels at exactly the right speed. mg

Example 8: motor racing on a smooth banked track

1. Calculate the normal contact force from the above diagram: …………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
2. Calculate the speed at which the car would need to travel: ……………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3. State what would happen if the car travelled

(i) Slower than the above speed: …………………………………………………………………………………………….

(ii) Faster than the above speed: …………………………………………………………………………………………….

Page 19
Exam Questions

Q1.
A bob of mass 0.50 kg is suspended from the end of a piece of string 0.45 m
long. The bob is rotated in a vertical circle at a constant rate of 120 revolutions
per minute.

What is the tension in the string when the bob is at the bottom of the circle?

A 5.8 N

B 31 N

C 36 N

D 40 N
(Total 1 mark)

Q2.
A string passes through a smooth thin tube. Masses m and M
are attached to the ends of the string. The tube is moved so that
the mass m travels in a horizontal circle of constant radius r and
at constant speed v.

Which of the following expressions is equal to M ?

B mv2rg

(Total 1 mark)

Page 20
Q3.
A lead ball of mass 0.25 kg is swung round on the end of a string so that the ball
moves in a horizontal circle of radius 1.5 m. The ball travels at a constant speed of
8.6 m s–1.

(a) (i) Calculate the angle, in degrees, through which the string turns in 0.40 s.

angle ____________________ degree

(3)

(ii) Calculate the tension in the string.

You may assume that the string is horizontal.

tension ____________________ N
(2)

(b) The string will break when the tension exceeds 60 N.

Calculate the number of revolutions that the ball makes in one second when
the tension is 60 N.

number of revolutions ____________________

(2)

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(c) Discuss the motion of the ball in terms of the forces that act on it. In your
answer you should:

• explain how Newton’s three laws of motion apply to its motion in a circle
• explain why, in practice, the string will not be horizontal.

You may wish to draw a diagram to clarify your answer.

The quality of your written communication will be assessed in your answer.

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

(6)
(Total 13 marks)

Page 22
Q6.
Figure 1 shows a side view of an act performed by two acrobats. Figure 2 shows the
view from above.

Figure 1 Figure 2

The acrobats, each of mass 85 kg, are suspended from ropes attached to opposite
edges of a circular platform that is at the top of a vertical pole. The platform has a
diameter of 2.0 m
A motor rotates the platform so that the acrobats move at a constant speed in a
horizontal circle, on opposite sides of the pole.

When the period of rotation of the platform is 5.2 s, the centre of mass of each
acrobat is 5.0 m below the platform and the ropes are at an angle of 28.5° to the
vertical as shown in Figure 1.

(a) Show that the linear speed of the acrobats is about 4.5 m s–1

(2)

Page 23
(b) Determine the tension in each rope that supports the acrobats.

tension = ____________________ N
(3)

(c) Discuss the consequences for the forces acting on the pole when one acrobat
has a much greater mass than the other.

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

(3)
(Total 8 marks)

Page 24
Summary
Definitions
Angular speed – angle turned through in 1 second.
Centripetal force – resultant force required to rotate an object in circle at constant speed. Always
acts towards the centre of rotation.
Centripetal acceleration – the acceleration of an object moving in circle at constant speed, always
directed towards the centre of rotation.

Terms you might come across (but won’t be asked to define)

Banking
• a sloped track which allows a car to turn with a tighter radius than a flat track at a given
speed
• a aircraft turns by tilting so that a component of the lift from the wings provides a
centripetal force
Conical Pendulum – a object rotating in a horizontal circle attached to an angled string
Fiducial marker – a marker that allows timing to be made for periodic motion, the number of
rotations / timer started and stopped when the rotating object passes the marker.
Limiting force – a force that can vary up to a maximum value e.g. friction.
Radial – acts towards the centre of rotation
Tangential – acts at a tangent to a circle, at right angles to the radius of the circle.
Normal contact force – when an object touches a surface, the force directed perpendicular to and
away from that surface. (May be equal to, greater than or less than the weight)
Tension – pulling force from a string/rope/rod/chain… directed away from the object towards the
centre, the tension pulls inward on both ends with the same magnitude.

Things to remember
𝜃
𝜔=
𝑡
2𝜋
𝜔=
𝑇
angle in ° angle in rad
=
180 𝜋
2𝜋
𝜔 = 𝑓(𝑟𝑝𝑚) × = 𝑓(𝑟𝑝𝑠) × 2𝜋
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Direction of forces
Weight – always acts down (unless its set in space)
Normal Reaction force – always away from and perpendicular to the surface
Tension – always along the string/rod away from the object moving in a circle
Friction – towards the centre of rotation (for AQA scenarios)
(for circular motion friction is not in the opposite direction to velocity)
Lift (aircraft wing) – away from the aircraft wing, perpendicular to the wing, towards the “top” of the
aircraft (may not be vertically up)

Why is an object moving in a circle accelerating without increasing its kinetic energy?
The direction of the velocity is changing and velocity is a vector, so the velocity is changing.
Acceleration is a change in velocity in one second.
The force is perpendicular to displacement, so no work is done (𝑊 = 𝐹𝑠 cos 𝜃 = 𝐹𝑠 cos 90° = 0).
So there is no increase in kinetic energy.

Skills
Convert between radians and degrees.
Convert between rpm, frequency in Hz, period and angular speed.
Add forces to a diagram for circular motion.
Construct an equation to add the forces as vectors to equal the centripetal force.
Use the following equations
𝑣
𝜔 = 𝑟 = 2𝜋𝑓
𝑣2
𝑎= 𝑟
= 𝜔2 𝑟
𝑚𝑣 2
𝐹= 𝑟
= 𝑚𝜔2 𝑟
2𝜋
Recall and use 𝜔 = 𝑇

Explain why a body in circular motion at constant speed accelerates without increasing its kinetic
energy.

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