Circular Motion and Gravitation

CHAPTER 7
Centripetal Force
Definition
The force that causes an object to move along a curve (or a curved path) is called
centripetal force.
Mathematical Expression
We know that the magnitude of centripetal acceleration of a body in a uniform
circular motions is directly proportional to the square of velocity and inversely
proportional to the radius of the path Therefore,
a(c ! v" (#ere ! represents the sign of proportionality do not write this in your
e$amination and " represents square of v
a(c ! %&r
Combining both the equations'
a(c ! v"&r (rom )ewton*s +econd ,aw of Motion' ( - ma -. ((c - mv"&r
Where,
(c - Centripetal (orce
m - Mass of ob/ect
v - 0elocity of ob/ect
r - 1adius of the curved path
actors on !hich c Depends"
(c depends upon the following factors'
2ncrease in the mass increases (c3
2t increases with the square of velocity3
2t decreases with the increase in radius of the curved path3
Examples
The centripetal force required by natural planets to move constantly round a circle is
provided by the gravitational force of the sun3
2f a stone tied to a string is whirled in a circle, the required centripetal force is
supplied to it by our hand3 4s a reaction the stone e$erts an equal force which is felt
by our hand3
The pilot while turning his aeroplane tilts one wing in the upward direction so that the
air pressure may provide the required suitable (c3
Centrifugal Force
Definition
# force supposed to act radiall$ out!ard on a bod$ moving in a curve is %no!n as
centrifugal force.
Explanation
Centrifugal force is actually a reaction to the centripetal force3 2t is a well5known fact
that (c is directed towards the centre of the circle, so the centrifugal force, which is a
force of reaction, is directed away from the centre of the circle or the curved path3
4ccording to )ewton*s third law of motion action and reaction do not act on the same
body, so the centrifugal force does not act on the body moving round a circle, but it
acts on the body that provides (c3
Examples
2f a stone is tied to one end of a string and it is moved round a circle, then the force
e$erted on the string on outward direction is called centrifugal force3
The aeroplane moving in a circle e$erts force in a direction opposite to the pressure of
air3
When a train rounds a curve, the centrifugal force is also e$erted on the track3
Law of Gravitation
&ntroduction
)ewton proposed the theory that all ob/ects in the universe attract each other with a
force known as gravitation3 the gravitational attraction e$ists between all bodies3
#ence, two stones are not only attracted towards the earth, but also towards each
other3
'tatement
6very body in the universe attracts every other body with a force, which is directly
proportional to the product of masses and inversely proportional to the square of the
distance between their centres3
Mathematical Expression
Two ob/ects having mass m% and m" are placed at a distance r3 4ccording to
)ewton*s ,aw of 7niversal Gravitation3
( ! m%m" ((#ere ! represents the sign of proportionality do not write this in your
e$amination
4lso ( ! %&r" (#ere " represents square of r
Combining both the equations '
( ! m%m"&r"
1emoving the sign of proportionality and introducing a constant'
( - G (m%m"&r"