Circular Motion

LECTURE 4
Vertical Circular Motion
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Circular Motion
Vertical Circular Motion
 Vertical Circular Motion
Till now, we have discussed motion of a particle in horizontal Circle.
i.e. gravity does not affect the particle’s motion
v4

v3

v2

m v1
Vertical Circular Motion

Circular Motion, under the effect of gravity is termed as

Vertical Circular Motion
For a particle moving in vertical circle, it attains different
heights w.r.t ground at different points (A, B, C, D, …)

The potential energy of body changes due to gravity in this

type of motion.
This results in unequal kinetic energy at different points, and
therefore, speed of the particle changes during its motion.
Vertical Circular Motion

We shall discuss vertical circular motion for 2 cases.

Velocity at maximum height CANNOT be zero

string
➔ Mass attached to Thread
➔ Mass inside a hollow sphere
Velocity at maximum height CAN be zero
➔ Mass attached to Rod
➔ Mass inside a Tube

massless
rod
 R

m
vmin

smooth
VCM - SUCCESS
VCM - FAIL
Find the minimum velocity for the particle to perform VCM !

massless rod
l

m vmin
Find the minimum velocity for the particle to perform VCM !

smooth circular
pipe

m vmin
Find the minimum velocity for the particle to perform VCM !

ideal string

m
vmin= ?
Find the minimum velocity for the particle to perform VCM !

m
vmin

smooth
Velocity at maximum height is NOT Zero

m u
smooth
Velocity at maximum height is not Zero
Consider a particle tied to one end of a A
thread (or inside a hollow sphere) and is v
whirled in a vertical circle. T + mg

The particle has some velocity at maximum

height (A)
⇒ Let this velocity be ‘v’
⇒ its radial acceleration (centripetal
acceleration) towards the center
should be equal to (v2/R)
⇒ In this case, at maximum
height, In this case, if the particle has 0
T + mg = mv
2

R velocity at ‘A’. It cannot

complete the circle.
⇒ In this case, at maximum height, mv2
R
T + mg = mv
2
A
R
v
mv2
⇒ mg = T + mg
l
⇒ v = √ gl
For mass to complete the
circle with minimum v, at
maximum height T = 0
Vertical Circular Motion – with String

ideal string

m
u=?
Vertical Circular Motion – with thread
v4

v3

g
v2

m
v1
The potential energy of body changes due to gravity in this type of motion.
This results in unequal kinetic energy at different points, and therefore,
speed of the particle changes during its motion.
Velocity at maximum height is NOT
Zero
v≠0 A
Case - I
T + mg
Consider a particle tied to one end of a thread
(or inside a hollow sphere) and is whirled in a
vertical circle.

In this case, if the particle has 0 Velocity at ‘A’.

It cannot complete the circle.
Case - II
A
⇒ In this case, at maximum height, v
T + mg = mv 2
T + mg
R
mv2
⇒ mg = ⇒ v = √ gl
l

⇒ At Maximum height A, v = √ gl

For mass to complete the circle with

minimum v, at maximum height T = 0
 Case - III v = √ gl
v

⇒ Let’s find the minimum velocity (u)

required at the bottom most point
for the particle to complete the
vertical circle.
g

We shall now use, work energy

theorem, for motion from B to A,
to find velocity at B, ‘u’
m
u
⇒ Take the particle and earth as a system
v A
⇒ Gravitational force is internal force

⇒ Tension by thread is external force.

We know, according to work–energy theorem

C
Wext = ΔK.E + Δ P.E

Work done = 1 mv2 – 1 mu2 + mg( 2l ) – 0

by tension 2 2 u
B
v = √ gl
Taking P.E at B = 0
 Work done 1 mv2 – 1
= mu2 + mg(2l) – 0 v A
by tension 2 2
Work done
= ∫ T . dr = 0
by tension
1
⇒ 0 = m (v2 – u2) + mg (2l)
2
C
⇒ u2 – gl = 4mgl ⇒ u = √ 5gl

Note

u
A particle tied to a thread of length ‘l ’, should have B
a minimum velocity of √ 5gl at bottom most point to
complete a vertical circular motion. v = √ gl
Vertical Circular Motion – with Rod

l massless rod

m u
Velocity at maximum height is Zero

Consider a particle tied to one end of a A

v= 0
massless rod and is whirled in a vertical just reaches
circle.
Therefore, at A
⇒ vmin = 0

In this case, if the particle has 0 velocity at

l massless rod
‘A’. Due to the constrained of the rod, the
particle can yet complete the circle.
m u
⇒ Let’s find the minimum velocity (u) required at the bottom
most point for the particle to complete the vertical circle

A We shall now use, work energy

v= 0 just reaches
theorem, for motion from B to A,
to find velocity at B, ‘u’

l massless rod

m u
B
 ⇒ Take the particle and earth as a system
⇒ Gravitational force is internal force A
v= 0 just reaches
⇒ Tension by rod is external force.

We know, according to work–energy theorem

Wext = ΔK.E + Δ P.E
Work done 1 mv2 – 1
= mu2 + mg(2l) – 0
by tension 2 2
l massless rod
Work done
= = 0
by tension ∫ T . dr
1 m u
⇒ 0 = m (v2 – u2) + mg (2l)
2 B
Note ⇒ u = √ 4gl
⇒ u2 – 0 = 4mgl Taking P.E at B = 0

A particle tied to a massless rod of length ‘l’, should have a

minimum velocity of √4gl at bottom most point to complete a
vertical circular motion.
 Vertical Circular Motion

With String With rod

ideal
string

l l Massless
rod

m umin = √ 4gl
m umin = √ 5gl
Examples of Vertical Circular Motion
Example A particle of mass m is tied in a vertical plane to a thread of
length l. If the particle is given a velocity of √6gl at the
bottom most point. Find the tension in the string at the top
most point.
A. mg
B. 2 mg
C. 3 mg
D. None of these

m u = √6gl
Solution: To find the tension at the top most point (B), velocity at B,
must be known

Applying Work – Energy theorem between points A and B

Wext = ΔK.E + Δ P.E Taking P.E at A = 0

Work done by tension = ∫ T . dr = 0 Final P.E atB = mg(2l)

v B
Work done by tension = ΔK.E + Δ P.E

1 1
0 = m(v)2– m(√6gl)2 + 2mgl – 0
2 2
v2 = 6gl – 4gl = 2gl ⇒ v = √2gl 2l
l

√6gl
A
Now, at top most point B, v = √2gl

Net Force towards the center provides the Necessary Centripetal Force
mv2 v
T + mg = B
l
T + mg
T + mg = m (2g)

T = mg 2l
l

A √6gl
Example A particle (of mass m) is attached to a massless rod (length ‘l’) in
a vertical plane. If the system is released from horizontal position
as shown. Find the velocity of the particle and the tension in the
rod at the bottom most point.
A. √ 2gl , mg
B. √ 2gl , 2mg
C. √ 2gl , 3mg
D. None of these l
Solution:
To find the tension at the bottom most point(A), velocity at A, must be known
Applying Work – Energy theorem between points A and B

Wext = ΔK.E + Δ P.E

Work done by tension = ∫ T . dr

= 0
Work done by tension = ΔK.E + Δ P.E

1
0 = mv2 – 0 + 0 – mgl
2 Taking P.E at A = 0
Initial P.E atB = mg(l)
Þ v2 = 2gl ⇒ v = √2gl
Now, at bottom most point A, v = √2gl
Net Force towards the center provides the Necessary Centripetal Force

mv2
T – mg =
l

Þ T – mg = m (2g)

T = 3 mg
Example 2 point mass m are connected the light rod of length 2l and it is
free to rotate in vertical plane as shown. Calculate the minimum
horizontal velocity that should be given to bottom mass so that it
completes the circular motion in vertical plane.

A.

B.

C.

l
D. None of these massless rod
m

l
m u
 m

massless rod
l
massless rod
m

l
m u
Solution:
v = ωr
Relate v1 and v2 : v1 = ωl = v/2 v2 = ω(2l) = v

Velocity at the top most point is zero.

Applying Work energy Theorem

l
1 1
mv2 + m v2 = mg (4l) + mg (2l) v1
2 1 2 2 2l
m
1 1 v2 4l
mv2 + m = mg (4l) + mg (2l)
2 2 4
l v1

√ 48gl v2
⇒ v =
5 m

v2
Example Prove that a car moving over a convex bridge is lighter
than same car resting on the same bridge.
v
 Example Prove that a motor car moving over a convex bridge is lighter than
same car resting on the same bridge.

Solution:

Drawing the FBD

Net force towards center,

mv2
FC =
R
mv2 mv2
∴ mg – N = or N = mg – r
r

Clearly N < mg, i.e. the weight of the

moving car Is less than the weight of
the stationary car.
Example Prove that a car moving over a concave bridge is heavier than
same car resting on the same bridge.

v
 Example Prove that a motor car moving over a concave bridge is heavier
than same car resting on the same bridge.

Solution:

Drawing the FBD

Net force towards center,

mv2
FC =
R
mv2 mv2
∴ N - mg = or N = mg + r
r

Clearly N > mg, i.e. the weight of the

moving car is more than the weight of
the stationary car.
 Example A block of mass m is released from the top of a frictionless fixed
hemisphere as shown.
Find:
(i) the angle with the vertical where it flies off (loses contact),
(ii) the velocity at the instant when it flies off,
(iii) the height where it flies off. m

A.

B.

C.

D. None of these
m

θ
Solution:

Drawing the FBD.

At B; N = 0
Net force towards center,
mv2
FC =
R

mv2B
∴ mgcos θ =
R
∴ VB = √gR cos θ
Conserving Energy between A and B

0 + mgR = mv2B + mgh

R cosθ = R (1 − cosθ/2)

cosθ = 2/3

∴V = √ 23 gR
B

h = R cosθ
2R
h=
3
from the bottom
 11th Grade
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Mathematics 9 PM
 12th Grade
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