5 easy steps for solving circular motion questions


5 easy steps for solving circular motion questions:

  1. Draw a free body diagram showing all the forces acting on the body. (Note: the centripetal force should not be drawn in unless asked for, since it is a resultant of the other forces acting on the body).
  2. Determine the centre of the circular path.
  3. Resolve the forces along the two axis:
    • i) in the direction of the centre of the circle and
    • ii) in a direction perpendicular to the direction in i).
  4. Write down an expression for the net force (towards the centre of the circular path). This is the force that causes the centripetal acceleration.
  5. Apply Newton’s 2nd law along each axis.

 

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