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 worksheetPractise 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
r = 30 m14 m/sF = ?

A 1300 kg car drives around a flat curve of radius 30 m at a constant 14 m/s. Find the inward (centripetal) force Fc needed.

m = 1300 kgv = 14 m/sr = 30 m
Fc = N
2.Easy
r = 1.9 mvmax​ = ?

A 1.7 kg stone is whirled in a horizontal circle of radius 1.9 m on a smooth, level table, held by a string that breaks at a tension of 200 N. Find the highest speed vmax the stone can have.

m = 1.7 kgr = 1.9 mTmax = 200 N
vmax = m/s
3.Medium
r = 25 mvmax​ = ?

A car takes a flat curve of radius 25 m. The coefficient of static friction between tyres and road is 0.6. Use g = 9.81 m/s². Find the highest speed vmax at which the car can take the curve without skidding.

r = 25 mμs = 0.6g = 9.81 m/s²
vmax = m/s
4.Medium
r = 70 mvmax​ = ?

A car takes a flat curve of radius 70 m. The coefficient of static friction between tyres and road is 0.3. Use g = 9.81 m/s². Find the highest speed vmax at which the car can take the curve without skidding.

r = 70 mμs = 0.3g = 9.81 m/s²
vmax = m/s
5.Hard
r = 0.5 m6 m/svtop​ = ?

A 1.6 kg ball on a light string 0.5 m long is swung in a vertical circle. At the lowest point its speed is 6 m/s. Ignore air resistance and use g = 9.81 m/s². Find the tension Ttop in the string at the highest point.

m = 1.6 kgr = 0.5 mvbottom = 6 m/sg = 9.81 m/s²
Ttop = N
6.Hard
r = 1.1 mv = ?

A ball on a string 1.1 m long is swung in a vertical circle. Use g = 9.81 m/s². What is the smallest speed vmin at the top for which the string just stays tight?

r = 1.1 mg = 9.81 m/s²
vmin = m/s

Answer key

  1. 1. Fc = 8493 N
  2. 2. vmax = 14.95 m/s
  3. 3. vmax = 12.13 m/s
  4. 4. vmax = 14.35 m/s
  5. 5. Ttop = 36.72 N
  6. 6. vmin = 3.285 m/s

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