Cambridge International A Level · Physics (9702)

Motion in a circle: Practice Questions

5 multiple-choice questions marked as you go, and 5 written questions with worked solutions. All on Motion in a circle.

10 questions25 marksFree, no account

Question 1

1 mark

A point on a spinning disc is located \(0.040 \text{ m}\) from the centre. If the disc rotates at a constant angular speed of \(30 \text{ rad s}^{-1}\), what is the linear speed of this point?

Question 2

1 mark

A ball of mass \(0.5\, kg\) is whirled in a horizontal circle of radius \(0.8\, m\) by a string. If the ball makes \(2.0\) revolutions per second, what is the tension in the string?

Question 3

1 mark

A mass is attached to a string and swings in a horizontal circle, forming a conical pendulum. The length of the string is \(L\), and the angle the string makes with the vertical is \(\theta\). What is the angular speed of the mass?

Question 4

1 mark

Which statement correctly defines the radian?

Question 5

1 mark

A cooling fan blade completes \(1200\) revolutions every minute. What is the angular speed of the blade in \(\text{rad s}^{-1}\)?

Question 6

2 marks

State the relationship between the linear speed \(v\) and the angular speed \(\omega\) of a particle moving in a circle of radius \(r\), and name the SI unit for angular displacement.

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

Question 7

3 marks

A particle of mass \(0.50 \, \text{kg}\) moves in a horizontal circle of radius \(0.40 \, \text{m}\) at a constant linear speed of \(2.0 \, \text{m s}^{-1}\). Calculate the centripetal force acting on the particle.

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

Question 8

6 marks

A pilot of mass m performs a vertical loop-the-loop of radius r at a constant speed v. Determine the ratio of the normal contact force at the bottom point P to the normal contact force at the top point Q of the loop.

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

Question 9

4 marks

(a) Define the radian.
(b) A small ball is attached to a string and whirled in a horizontal circle of radius \(0.65 \text{ m}\) with a constant angular speed. The ball completes \(20\) full revolutions in \(15 \text{ s}\). Calculate the angular speed \(\omega\) of the ball in \(\text{rad s}^{-1}\).
(c) Determine the linear speed \(v\) of the ball.

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

Question 10

5 marks

A ball of mass \(0.25 \text{ kg}\) is attached to a string of length \(1.2 \text{ m}\). The ball describes a horizontal circle with the string making an angle of \(30^\circ\) to the vertical.

Assume the acceleration of free fall \(g = 9.81 \text{ m s}^{-2}\).

(a) Draw a free-body diagram for the ball, showing all forces acting on it.

(b) Calculate the tension in the string.

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

* The content provided by thinka is generated by AI and may not always be accurate or up-to-date. Please use it as a supplementary resource and verify with official materials.

You've seen the model answer. Now get yours marked.

This page can show you how a good answer looks. It cannot tell you what your answer was missing. thinka marks your written work against the real mark scheme in about 15 seconds.

Get My Answers Marked Back to the notes

Want more questions like these? Get a fresh set on this topic, marked as you go.

Practise More