Circular motion and angular velocityEdexcel A-Level Physics: Mind map

Exam questions on Circular motion and angular velocity

1. A fairground wheel of radius 12 m turns at a steady rate, completing one revolution every 40 s. A rider sits at the rim of the wheel.
   Calculate the magnitude of the rider's centripetal acceleration.2 marks
2. A laboratory centrifuge rotor spins at a steady 6000 revolutions per minute. A sample tube holds its contents at a distance of 0.080 m from the axis of rotation.
   Calculate the speed of the contents of the tube.2 marks
3. A small body moves at constant speed v in a horizontal circle of radius r. In a short time Δt it turns through a small angle Δθ, so that its velocity changes from v₁ to v₂, both of magnitude v. The Moon is such a body to a good approximation: it orbits the Earth in a circle of radius 3.84 × 10⁸ m with a period of 27.3 days.
   Show that the acceleration of the body is v²/r and state its direction.3 marks