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Circular motion and rotational kinematics (application)

Module by: Sunil Kumar Singh. E-mail the author

Summary: Solving problems is an essential part of the understanding process.

Questions and their answers are presented here in the module text format as if it were an extension of the treatment of the topic. The idea is to provide a verbose explanation, detailing the application of theory. Solution presented is, therefore, treated as the part of the understanding process – not merely a Q/A session. The emphasis is to enforce ideas and concepts, which can not be completely absorbed unless they are put to real time situation.

Representative problems and their solutions

We discuss problems, which highlight certain aspects of the study leading to the circular motion and rotational kinematics. The questions are categorized in terms of the characterizing features of the subject matter :

  • Measurement of angular displacement
  • Angular speeds
  • Centripetal acceleration

Measurement of angular displacement

Example 1

Problem : A particle in uniform circular motion about the center has angular velocity "ω ". What is its angular velocity with respect to a point "P" on the circumference of the circle ?

Figure 1
Uniform circular motion
Uniform circular motion (cmrkq2.gif)

Solution : Angular velocity is a measure of angle in unit time. In the question, measurement of angular velocity about the center of circle is given. It is, therefore, imperative that we seek a relation of angles formed by the motion of the particle at two points of references.

We consider a small arc AA' as shown in the figure, which is covered by the particle in time "dt". By geometry, if the arc subtends an angle "dθ" at "P", then the arc subtends an angle "2dθ" at the center.

Figure 2
Uniform circular motion
Uniform circular motion (cmrkq3a.gif)

Let ω P ω P be the angular velocity of the particle with respect to point "P", then

ω P = đ θ đ t ω P = đ θ đ t

From the relation between angles as obtained earlier, the angular velocity of the particle with respect to center is :

⇒ ω = đ ( 2 θ ) đ t = 2 đ θ đ t = 2 ω P ⇒ ω = đ ( 2 θ ) đ t = 2 đ θ đ t = 2 ω P

⇒ ω P = ω 2 ⇒ ω P = ω 2

Angular speeds

Example 2

Problem : Let ω H ω H and ω E ω E respectively be the angular speeds of the hour hand of a watch and that of the earth around its own axis. Compare the angular speeds of earth and hour hand of a watch.

Solution : The time periods of hour hand and that of the earth are 12 hours and 24 hours respectively. Now,

ω H = 2 π 12 ω H = 2 π 12

and

ω E = 2 π 24 ⇒ ω H = 2 ω E ω E = 2 π 24 ⇒ ω H = 2 ω E

Example 3

Problem : A particle is kept on a uniformly rotating turn table at a radial distance of 2 m from the axis of rotation. The speed of the particle is “v”. The particle is then shifted to a radial distance of 1 m from the axis of rotation. Find the speed of the particle at the new position.

Solution : The angular speed of rotation is constant. Now, linear velocities of the particle at the two positions are :

v 1 = ω r 1 = ω x 2 = v ( given) v 2 = ω r 2 = ω x 1 = ω ⇒ v 2 = v 2 v 1 = ω r 1 = ω x 2 = v ( given) v 2 = ω r 2 = ω x 1 = ω ⇒ v 2 = v 2

Centripetal acceleration

Example 4

Problem : Find the centripetal acceleration (in km / hr 2 km / hr 2 ) at a point on the equator of the earth (consider earth as a sphere of radius = 6400 km).

Solution : The centripetal acceleration in terms of angular speed is given by :

a = ω 2 r a = ω 2 r

Now, angular speed, in terms of time period is :

ω = 2 π T ω = 2 π T

Combining two equations, we have :

a = 4 π 2 r T 2 a = 4 π 2 r T 2

⇒ a = 4 x ( 3.14 ) 2 x 6400 24 2 = 439 km / hr 2 ⇒ a = 4 x ( 3.14 ) 2 x 6400 24 2 = 439 km / hr 2

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