Circular Motion Formula Sheet:

Centripetal Acceleration:
2 2
v 4π r
Ac = A c = 2
r T

Note: Ac always point toward the center of the circle.

Revolving Speed:

2 πr
v= c=2 πr
T

Frequency:

1 ¿ of Cycles
f= f=
T time

The frequency represents the number of cycles that occur in

1 second.
Period:

1 time
T= T=
f ¿ of cycles

The period is the time it takes to complete 1 cycle.

Centripetal Force:
2
mv
F c= F c =m A c
r

Note: Fc always point toward the center of the circle.

Tension Force – Horizontal Circles: (when v is high)
2
mv
T ≈ F c=
r
Horizontal Circle – Tetherball: (when v is low)
2
mv
T y =mg T x ≈ F c =
r

T =√ T x +T y θ=tan
2 2 −1
( )
Ty
Tx

T x =T cos θ T y =T sin θ

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Vertical Circle: Tension Force – Point A:
2
mv
T= −mg
r

Points B & D:
2
mv
T≈ when v is high
r

√ ( ) when v is low
2 2
v2
T =m g +
r

Tension Force - Point C:

2
mv
T= +mg
r

Minimum Rollercoaster Speed:

v=√ rg

A Car Rounding a Curve on a Flat Road:

F s=F c

Maximum Speed:
v=√ us rg

Coefficient of Static Friction:

2
v
u s=
rg

Valleys and Hills: Normal Force – Point A:

2
mv
FN= +mg
r

Normal Force – Point B:

2
mv
F N =mg−
r

Note: If FN < 0, the object will lose contact with the road
at point B.

Banked Turn:
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 mg
F g=mgsin θ F N =
cos θ

Speed and Angle Needed to Avoid Sliding Up or

Down: (No Friction)

( )
2
v
v=√ rg tan θ θ=tan
−1
rg

Maximum Speed Needed to Avoid Sliding Up: (With

Friction)

v=
√ rg(sinθ +us cos θ)
cos θ−u s sinθ

Minimum Speed Needed to Avoid Sliding Down:

(With Friction)

v=
√ rg(sinθ−u s cos θ)
cos θ+u s sin θ

Non-Uniform Circular Motion:

−1 A c
( )
2
v
Ac = θ=tan
r a tan

Tangential Acceleration:

v F −v 0
a tan=
t

Net Acceleration:

a=√ a tan2+ A c 2

Gravitational Force of Attraction:

G M1 M2
F= 2
R
−11 2 2
Universal Gravitation Constant :G=6.67 x 10 N∗m /kg
30
Mass of the Sun : M S=1.99 x 10 kg
11
Earth ¿ Sun Distance : R ES=1.496 x 10 m

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 Satellite Speed:

v=
√ G ME
R
R=R E +h

Period:
2 πR
T=
v

Gravitational Acceleration:
G ME
24 g= 2
M E =5.97 x 10 kg R
6
R E=6.38 x 10 m
Kepler’s Third Law:

( ) ()
2 3
T1 r1
=
T2 r2

Period:

T =2 π
√ R3
GM

Orbital Radius:

R= 3
√ GM T 2
4π
2

Planetary Mass:
2 3
4π R
M= 2
GT

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