Basic Physical Quantities & Terms

Angular Position : The angle between line joining the centre

of circle and particle with a reference line is called angular
position. It is generally denoted by θ.
Angular Displacement : The change in Particle’s
angular position is called angular Δθ Position
displacement. It is denoted by Δθ or dθ. 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫
Small angular displacement is a vector Final C
θ
𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Position
quantity whose direction is defined by Reference
Right Hand Thumb Rule. Line

dθ1 + dθ2 = dθ2 + dθ1 but Δθ1 + Δθ2 ≠ Δθ2 + Δθ1

 Basic Physical Quantities & Terms
Angular Velocity : Rate of change of angular displacement with
respect to time is called instantaneous angular velocity. Average
Angular Velocity is the ratio of Angular Displacement to time taken.
𝐝𝛉 ∆𝛉
𝛚inst = & 𝛚avg =
𝐝𝐭 ∆𝐭
Instantaneous angular velocity is a vector quantity. If the Right Hand
is curled in direction of circle, the stretched thumb points in direction
of angular velocity.
For uniform circular motion (with constant angular velocity), the
𝟐𝛑 𝟏 𝛚
time period of revolution is T = and frequency is f = =
𝛚 𝐓 𝟐𝛑
 Basic Physical Quantities & Terms
Angular Acceleration : Rate of change of angular velocity is
called instantaneous angular acceleration. To find average
angular acceleration, we can take ratio of change in angular
𝐝𝛚 ∆𝛚
velocity to time. 𝛂inst = & |𝛂avg|=
𝐝𝐭 ∆𝐭

(Anti-Clockwise as seen from above) (Clockwise as seen from above)

𝛚 (Increasing) 𝛚 (Decreasing)
 Circular Motion with constant angular acceleration
The equations used for analysing motion are :
𝟏
𝛚 = 𝛚0 + 𝛂t ∆𝛉 = 𝛚0t + 𝛂t2 𝛚2 = 𝛚02 + 2𝛂 ∆𝛉
𝟐
Don’t forget to use appropriate sign convention.
Circular Motion with variable angular acceleration
The equations used for analysing motion are :
𝐝𝛉 𝐝𝛚 𝐝𝟐 𝛉 𝐝𝛚
𝛚= 𝛂= = 𝟐 =𝛚
𝐝𝐭 𝐝𝐭 𝐝𝐭 𝐝𝛉
 Relation between Linear & Angular Variables
Distance & Angular Displacement :
i
Δθ
Linear Speed & Angular Speed : f C

𝛚 𝐯
Velocity & Angular Velocity :

𝐑
Linear acceleration in Circular Motion
 Linear acceleration in Circular Motion
What is 𝛚 × (𝛚 × 𝐑)?

𝐑
 Linear acceleration in Circular Motion
What is 𝛂 × 𝐑 ?

𝛚 (Increasing)
𝐯

𝐑
 Linear acceleration in Circular Motion
We can say that there are two components of acceleration
which are Centripetal acceleration [= 𝛚 × (𝛚 × 𝐑)] directed
towards centre and Tangential acceleration (= 𝛂 × 𝐑) along
tangent.
The centripetal acceleration cannot change the magnitude of
velocity (i.e. speed) & can only change it’s direction.
The tangential acceleration cannot change the direction of
velocity but can change it’s speed. If it is in direction of
velocity, the speed will increase and vice versa.
 Linear, Centripetal and Tangential Accelerations
𝐝𝐯
We can write, tangential acceleration at =
𝐝𝐭
𝐝𝐯 𝐝𝐯
Note that & are different.
𝐝𝐭 𝐝𝐭
ac = 𝛚 × (𝛚 × 𝐑) and at = 𝛂 × 𝐑

C
 Finding Angular Velocity about a Point
Suppose a particle is moving with
velocity ‘𝐯’ relative to a point ‘O’ (O 𝐯
may be a fixed or moving point) and
P
𝐑 is the position (or radius) vector
of particle wrt O.
𝐑

O
Q) A particle is moving along a circular path with a constant
speed of 10 m/s. What is the magnitude of change in velocity
of the particle when it moves through an angle of 600 around
the centre of circle?
a) 10 𝟑 m/s b) zero c) 10 m/s d) 10 𝟐 m/s

HW Ans : (c)
Q) A particle is moving along a circle of radius ‘R’ with an
angular speed ‘𝛚’ which is constant. The magnitude of it’s
displacement in time ‘t’ will be
a) 2R cos(𝛚t/2) b) 2R cos(𝛚t)
a) 2R sin(𝛚t) d) 2R sin(𝛚t/2)

HW Ans : (d)
Q) A particle is moving with a constant speed in a circular
path. Find the ratio of magnitude of average velocity to
magnitude of it’s instantaneous velocity when the particle
rotates through an angle of 900.
Q) A particle travels in a circle of radius 20 cm at a speed that
increases uniformly. If the speed changes from 5 m/s to
6 m/s in 2 seconds, then find the angular acceleration.
Q) Find the angular velocity of ‘A’ wrt a fixed point ‘O’ at the
instant shown in figure.

d v
A

O
Q) A particle ‘P’ is moving in a circle of radius ‘r’ with a
uniform speed ‘u’. ‘C’ is the centre of circle and AP is one of
it’s diameter. The angular velocity of ‘P’ about ‘A’ and ‘C’ are
in ratio
a) 1 : 2 b) 2 : 1 c) 1 : 3 d) 3 : 1
Q) A particle moves in a circle of radius 1 meter at a speed
given by v = 2t, where ‘v’ is in m/s and ‘t’ is in seconds. At
t = 1 s, find the
i) radial acceleration of particle
ii) tangential acceleration of particle
iii) magnitude of linear acceleration
Q) A ring of radius 2 m rotates about Z-axis as shown in
figure. The ring rotates in XY Plane. At a certain instant, the
acceleration of particle ‘P’ (as shown in the figure) on the
ring is (6𝐢Ƹ - 8𝐣)Ƹ m/s2. At that instant Y
a) the angular acceleration of P
ring is 3 rad/s2.
b) the angular acceleration of
ring is 1 rad/s2.
c) the angular velocity of ring C X
is 2 rad/s.
d) the angular velocity of ring
is 3 rad/s. HW Ans : a, c
Q) A point ‘P’ moves in counter- Y
clockwise direction on a circular path B
centered at ‘O’ as shown in the figure. P
The movement of ‘P’ is such that it
covers a distance s = t3 + 5, where ‘s’ is
in metre and ‘t’ is in second. The radius
of the path is 20 m. The acceleration of O A X
‘P’ at t = 2 s is nearly
a) 13 m/s2 b) 12 m/s2
c) 7.2 m/s2 d) 14 m/s2
Q) A particle travels along the arc of a circle of radius ‘r’. It’s
speed depends on distance travelled ‘d’ according to the
relation v = a 𝐝 where, ‘a’ is constant. The angle ‘𝛂’
between the vectors of total acceleration and the velocity of
the particle is:
a) 𝛂 = tan-1 (2d/r) b) 𝛂 = sin-1 (2d/r)
c) 𝛂 = tan-1 (d/r) d) 𝛂 = sin-1 (d/r)
 Dynamics of Circular Motion
As we have seen that there are two accelerations of a
particle in circular motion viz. centripetal/radial acceleration
(= 𝛚2R = v2/R) and tangential acceleration (= 𝛂R). These
accelerations are provided by centripetal and tangential
forces.
Fc = m𝛚2R = mv2/R & Ft = mR𝛂
For uniform circular motion, there is only centripetal force
(as 𝛂 = 0) which may be in form of Friction, Tension or
Gravitational or Electromagnetic Forces.
 Dynamics of Circular Motion
The tangential and centripetal forces may be different in
some cases or they may be components of a single force in
other cases.
If a motorcycle is turning and speeding up on a horizontal
road, both centripetal and tangential forces are provided by
friction itself. However, if it’s speeding up in a death well, the
centripetal force is provided by Normal Reaction, whereas
the tangential force to accelerate the motorcycle is provided
by Friction.
Dynamics of Circular Motion
Pseudo Forces in Circular Motion (Centrifugal Force)
If a body is at rest in a rotating frame of 𝛚 (constant)
reference (rotating with constant
angular velocity 𝛚), then we must
apply a centrifugal force (m𝛚2R
radially outwards) to explain R
it’s Dynamics.
However, if the body is not at
rest or the angular velocity of frame is
changing, then in addition to centrifugal force, there are
Coriolis and Euler’s Force which is beyond our scope.
Pseudo Forces in Circular Motion (Centrifugal Force)
𝛚 (constant)

r Y

R
X
Z
Q) You are driving a motorcycle on a horizontal road. It is
moving with uniform velocity. Is it possible to accelerate the
motorcycle without putting higher petrol input rate into the
engine?

Ans : Yes. By turning the motorcycle.

Q) A particle of mass ‘m’ rotates in a circle of radius ‘a’ with a
uniform angular speed ‘𝛚’ about z-axis. It is viewed from a
frame rotating about z-axis with a uniform angular speed
‘𝛚 0’. The origin of rotating frame and centre of circular
motion of particle coincides. The centrifugal force on the
particle is:
a) m𝛚2a b) m𝛚02a c) m(𝛚-𝛚0)2a d) m𝛚𝛚0a
Q) A block of mass ‘m’ tied to one end of a string of length ‘L’
is rotated about the other end on a frictionless horizontal
table. The string will break if tension in it exceeds ‘T0’. Find
the maximum frequency with which the block can be
rotated.
Q) A heavy mass ‘m’ is hanging from a string in equilibrium
without breaking it. When the same mass is set into
oscillations, the string breaks. Explain.
Q) Consider the circular motion of the Earth around the Sun.
Which of the following statements is more appropriate?
i) Gravitational attraction of the Sun on the Earth is equal
to centripetal force.
ii) Gravitational attraction of the Sun on the Earth is the
centripetal force.
Q) A smooth block loosely
fits in a circular tube fixed
on a horizontal surface.
The block moves in a
uniform circular motion
along the tube as shown
in figure. Which wall
(inner or outer or both)
will exert a non zero
normal contact force on
the block?
Ans : Outer Wall
Q) Some washing machines have cloth dryers. It contains a
drum in which wet clothes are kept. As the drum rotates, the
water particles get separated from the clothes. The general
description of this action is that “the centrifugal force throws
the water particles away from the drum”. Comment on this
statement from the viewpoint of an observer rotating with
the drum and the observer who is on the ground.
Ans : The statement is correct from the viewpoint of
observer rotating with the drum. However, for the observer
on the ground, there isn’t any centrifugal force. Rather, the
inertia of water droplets separates them from clothes.
Q) A car travels with constant speed on
a circular road on horizontal ground.
The resistance of air opposes the
motion of car. The car is moving in
clockwise sense as seen from above as FA
shown in figure. Which force best
FB
represents the horizontal force of the
road on the car’s tires?
FC FD
a) FA b) FB c) FC d) FD
Q) A particle is moving with a uniform speed in a circular
orbit of radius ‘R’ under the action of central force inversely
proportional to the nth power of ‘R’. If the time period of
rotation of particle is ‘T’, then
a) T ∝ R3/2 b) T ∝ R(n+2)/2 c) T ∝ R(n+1)/2 d) T ∝ Rn/2
Q) A particle of mass ‘m’ is suspended from a ceiling through
a string of length ‘L’ as shown in figure. The particle moves in
a horizontal circle of radius ‘r’ with constant speed. Find the
i) speed of particle
ii) time period of revolution
iii) tension in string
L
H = 𝐋𝟐 − 𝐫 𝟐

r
Q) Figure shows a rod of length L = 75 cm pivoted near one
end and is made to rotate in a horizontal plane with constant
angular speed. A ball of mass ‘m’ is suspended by a string
also of length ‘L’ from the 𝛚
other end of the rod. If L
the angle made by string

370
with the vertical is 370, L
find the angular speed of
rotation.

HW Ans : 2.5 rad/s

Q) In a rotor, a hollow vertical cylindrical structure rotates
about it’s axis and a person rests against the inner wall. At a
particular angular speed of the rotor, the floor below the
person is removed and the person hangs resting against the
wall without any floor. If the radius of cylinder is 2 m and the
coefficient of friction between the wall and the person is 0.2,
then find the minimum angular speed of rotor at which the
floor may be removed.
Q) A car goes on a
horizontal circular
road of radius 25 m.
The speed of car is
increasing at a rate
of 3 m/s2. If the
friction coefficient
between the road
and tyre is 0.5, then
at what speed the
car will skid?
Q) A block of mass ‘m’ moves in a horizontal circle against
the wall of a cylindrical room of radius ‘R’. The floor of the
room on which the block moves is smooth but the friction
coefficient between the wall and the block is ‘’. The block is
given an initial speed ‘u’. As a function of it’s speed ‘v’, write
i) the normal reaction by the wall on the block.
ii) the frictional force by the wall.
iii) the tangential acceleration of the block.
iv) Using integration techniques, find the speed of block
after one revolution.
Q) A table with smooth horizontal surface is turning at a
constant angular speed ‘𝛚’ about it’s axis. A groove is made
on the surface along a radius and a particle is gently placed
inside the groove at a distance ‘a’ from the centre. Find the
speed of particle as it’s distance from centre becomes ‘2a’.
Q) A metal ring of
mass ‘m’ and radius
‘R’ is placed on a
smooth horizontal
table and is set
rotating about it’s
own axis with an
angular speed ‘𝛚’.
Find the tension
developed in the
ring.
Q) A hemispherical bowl of
radius ‘R’ is set rotating about
it’s axis of symmetry which is
kept vertical. A small block
kept in the bowl rotates with
it without slipping on it’s
surface. If the surface of the
bowl is smooth and the angle
made by radius through the
block with the vertical is ‘’,
find the angular speed at
which the bowl is rotating.
Q) In the figure, PQRS is a frictionless horizontal table in which a
particle ‘A’ of mass ‘m’ moves in a circle of radius ‘r’ centered at
𝐠
‘O’ with an angular velocity ‘𝛚 (= )’. Another particle ‘B’ of
𝟑𝐫
equal mass ‘m’ is tied to ‘A’ by S R
an inextensible massless string A
going through hole in the table O
at ‘O’. ‘B’ is constrained to move
only vertically. The tension in
P Q
the string at this instant will be:
a) mg/3 b) 2mg/3
c) mg/6 d) None B
 S R
A
O

P Q

B
Q) A table with smooth horizontal surface is placed in a cabin which
moves in a circle of large radius ‘R’ as shown in figure. A smooth
pulley of small radius is fastened to the table. Two masses ‘m’ and
‘2m’ placed on the table are connected through a string going over
the pulley. The length of string is much less than radius ‘R’. Initially
the masses are held by a person with the strings along the outward
radius and then the system is released from rest wrt cabin. Find the
magnitude of initial acceleration of the masses as seen from the
cabin and the tension in the string.
𝛚
R

A B
𝛚𝟐 𝐑 𝟒𝐦𝛚𝟐 𝐑
HW Ans : ,
𝟑 𝟑
Q) A rod is given angular acceleration ‘’ from rest so that it
rotates in horizontal plane about a fixed vertical axis. It has a
ring at a distance ‘r’ from the axis of rotation. The friction
coefficient between the ring and the rod is ‘’. Assume
gravity to be present, find the time after which the ring will
slip on the rod.

𝟏
𝛍 𝐠 𝟐 𝟐
HW Ans : + 𝐑𝟐
𝐑 𝛂
 Finding Radius of Curvature of Trajectory
If the equation of trajectory is known as y = f(x), then radius
of curvature can be found using the equation
𝟑
𝟐 𝟐
𝟏+ 𝐟 ′ (𝐱)
R=
𝐟 ′′ (𝐱)
Q) A particle moves along the plane trajectory which is
parabolic of the form y = 𝛂 x2 with a constant speed ‘v’. Find
the radius of curvature and centripetal acceleration of the
particle’s motion at point ‘x = 0’. Assume ‘𝛂’ to be positive
constant.
 Finding Radius of Curvature of Trajectory
If the velocity and acceleration of particle is known then also
we can find radius of curvature. First we will have to find the
component of acceleration perpendicular to velocity i.e. the
centripetal acceleration ‘ac’. Now the radius of curvature will
be R = v2/ac.
Q) A particle is projected with
a speed 100 m/s at an angle
370 with horizontal. What is
the radius of curvature of
path at highest point and
point of projection. Note that
for uniformly accelerated
motion, the radius of
curvature is minimum where
velocity is perpendicular to
acceleration.
Circular Turnings on Horizontal Roads
𝐦𝐯 𝟐
𝐑

f
Banking of Roads

θ
Banking of Roads
 Banking of Roads

For less wearing of tyres or on frictionless road or for friction to not

come into play, µ = 0 i.e. ∅ = 0  v = Rg tan𝛉
Q) A bird while flying takes a left turn. Where does it get the
necessary centripetal force from?

Ans : While turning, the bird tilts at an angle to the vertical.

The force on wings generate a centripetal force for turn.
Q) A circular road of radius 40 m has the angle of banking
equal to 450. At what speed should a vehicle go on this road
so that friction is not used? Take g = 10 m/s2.

HW Ans : 20 m/s
Q) A turn of radius 20 m on the road is banked such that for
any vehicle going at a speed of 36 km/h, friction is not used.
If the coefficient of static friction between the tyre and road
is 0.4, then what are the possible speeds of a vehicle such
that it neither skids up nor slips down?

HW Ans : Between 14.1 km/h and 54 km/h