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GCSE Questions: Circular Motion

Q1. The diagram below shows a cyclist moving at a constant speed around a circular part of a cycle track. There is a centripetal force acting on the cyclist when he is in the position shown in the position he is drawn in.

(a)

(i) When the cyclist is in the position shown above, in which direction, A, B or C, does the centripetal force act? B

[1 mark]

(ii) What effect does the centripetal force have on the cyclist?

The force accelerates him towards the centre of the circle OR makes him change direction.

The examiner would not accept 'pulls or pushes him towards the centre of the curve'. The force does act towards the centre of the circle and does push/pull him in that direction, so quite frankly I cannot see why they wouldn't accept that. But there you go! They wouldn't award the mark.

[1 mark]

(b)

(i) The cyclist moves around the circular part of the track a second time, at the same speed. This time he is closer to the outside of the bend. What effect does this have on the magnitude of the centripetal force needed?

The centripetal force needed is smaller.

[1 mark]

(ii) A second cyclist moves around the circular part of the track. The second cyclist has a greater mass than the first cyclist. What effect does the greater mass have on the magnitude of the centripetal force needed?

The centripetal force needed is bigger.

[1 mark]

(c) The illustration shows a stationary cyclist with both feet on the pedals.

Use the correct answers from the boxes below to complete the sentence. Each answer may be used once, more than once or not at all.

heavy
high
low
narrow
wide

 

The cyclist on the stationary bicycle is unstable and is likely to topple over. This is because the cyclist and bicycle have a high centre of mass and a narrow base.

[2 marks]

[6 Marks TOTAL]