Circular motion worksheet with answers

Free printable Circular motion worksheet: 6 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

New worksheet Practise online with hints

For teachers: free to print, copy and use in class. Every new worksheet has new values and its own answer key. A link to ExamProblems on your course page is appreciated.

Name: ____________________ Date: ____________

1.Easy

A 900 kg car drives around a flat curve of radius 100 m at a constant 14 m/s. Find the inward (centripetal) force F_c needed.

m = 900 kgv = 14 m/sr = 100 m

F_c = N

2.Easy

A small object sits 95 cm from the axis of a disc that turns at a steady 90 revolutions per minute. Find the speed v of the object.

n = 90 rpmr = 0.95 m

v = m/s

3.Medium

A small ball on a string of length 2 m moves in a horizontal circle so that the string makes a constant angle of 30° with the vertical (a conical pendulum). Use g = 9.81 m/s². Find the speed v of the ball.

L = 2 mθ = 30°g = 9.81 m/s²

v = m/s

4.Medium

A small ball on a string of length 2 m moves in a horizontal circle so that the string makes a constant angle of 30° with the vertical (a conical pendulum). Use g = 9.81 m/s². Find the time T for one revolution.

L = 2 mθ = 30°g = 9.81 m/s²

T = s

5.Hard

A 1.2 kg ball on a string 1.4 m long is swung in a vertical circle. At the lowest point it moves at 5 m/s. Use g = 9.81 m/s². Find the tension T in the string at the lowest point.

m = 1.2 kgr = 1.4 mv = 5 m/sg = 9.81 m/s²

T = N

6.Hard

A curve of radius 160 m is banked at 20°, and the coefficient of static friction between tyres and road is 0.1. Use g = 9.81 m/s². Find the highest speed v_max at which a car can take the curve without sliding up and out.

r = 160 mθ = 20°μ_s = 0.1g = 9.81 m/s²

v_max = m/s

Answer key

1. F_c = 1764 N
2. v = 8.954 m/s
3. v = 2.38 m/s
4. T = 2.64 s
5. T = 33.2 N
6. v_max = 27.49 m/s

Full step-by-step solutions: practise this topic on examproblems.com.