Course Notes

Notes: Circular Motion Dynamics (PDF - 2.8MB)^#

Suggested Textbook Reading (Optional)

Chapter 5.4, 12.6. Young, Hugh D., Roger A. Freedman, and A. Lewis Ford. Sears and Zemansky's University Physics: with Modern Physics. 12th ed. San Francisco, CA: Addison-Wesley, 2007. ISBN: 9780805321876.

Video Excerpts

Watch the following excerpts from the Physics I lecture videos:

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» Clip 1: Motion of Planets around the Sun (5 min)
» Transcript (PDF)

From Lecture 5 of 8.01 Classical Mechanics, Fall 1999

» Clip 2: Swirling Objects Around (5 min)
» Transcript (PDF)

From Lecture 5 of 8.01 Classical Mechanics, Fall 1999

» Clip 3: Creating Artificial Gravity via Rotation (10 min)
» Transcript (PDF)

From Lecture 5 of 8.01 Classical Mechanics, Fall 1999

» Clip 4: A Centrifuge in Action (10 min)
» Transcript (PDF)

From Lecture 5 of 8.01 Classical Mechanics, Fall 1999

» Clip 5: Swinging a Bucket of Water on a String (9 min)
» Transcript (PDF)

From Lecture 5 of 8.01 Classical Mechanics, Fall 1999

Download the complete lectures from this course:

» iTunes U
» Internet Archive

Guided Activities

Read through the class slides carefully. They explain all of the concepts from the module.

Slides: Circular Motion Dynamics (PDF)

Self-Assessment

Do the Concept Questions first to make sure you understand the main concepts from this module. Then, when you are ready, try the Challenge Problems. If you are struggling with the Challenge Problems, watch the Homework Help Session videos, which will give you tips on how to tackle problems of this type.

Concept Questions

Concept Questions (PDF)

Solutions (PDF)

Challenge Problems

Challenge Problems (PDF)

Solutions (PDF - 3.4MB)

Problem Solving Help

In the following videos Prof. Walter Lewin explains how to approach the Challenge Problems.

Help Session 1

Help Session 2

There are countless resources available online to help you learn physics. Try these:

• Learn about centripetal force from the Regents Exam Prep Center.
• Try out the Ladybug Revolution interactive simulation from PhET.
• Read about circular motion on Wikipedia.
• Learn how to do centripetal force calculations from HyperPhysics at Georgia State University.