Dyn Ucm

8 MCQs3 revision cards9-step worked example
Source: NCERT Laws of MotionPYQ coverage: NEET 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025Official key: NTA-verifiedLast reviewed: May 2026

Lesson

The highest-yield trap in dynamics of uniform circular motion is treating centripetal force as a separate, additional force on the free-body diagram. It is not. Centripetal force is the label for the net inward radial component of whatever real forces act on the body — tension, friction, normal reaction, gravity, or some combination. Drawing a separate "centripetal force" arrow alongside real forces double-counts the inward force and wrecks the entire calculation.

In uniform circular motion, an object moves at constant speed v along a circle of radius r. Because the direction of velocity changes continuously, the object accelerates. This acceleration is centripetal — directed toward the centre — with magnitude a_c = v²/r (NCERT Class 11 Physics, Chapter 3, page 17). By Newton's second law, a net inward force F_c = mv²/r must exist to produce this acceleration (NCERT Class 11 Physics, Chapter 4, page 13).

The procedure is always the same: draw only real forces on the free-body diagram, resolve them along the radial direction, and set the net inward component equal to mv²/r. On a level road, static friction alone provides centripetal force, giving v_max = √(μ_s·g·r). On a banked road, the normal force's horizontal component contributes, leading to the banked-road formula.

A common confusion in NEET: the question asks which quantity is constant in UCM. Speed and kinetic energy are constant. Velocity is not — its direction changes every instant. Acceleration magnitude (v²/r) is constant, but acceleration direction keeps rotating inward. NEET distractors exploit the speed-versus-velocity conflation.

Watch out: if you ever draw "centripetal force" as a separate arrow on an FBD, you have invented a force that does not exist. Identify the real provider — then set it equal to mv²/r.


Practice MCQs

Select an option to see the explanation. Wrong answers show why your choice was tempting — and name the exact trap it exploits.

MCQ 1Easy RecallPractice

In uniform circular motion, which of the following quantities remains constant?

MCQ 2Direct ApplicationPractice

A stone of mass 0.50 kg is tied to a string and whirled in a horizontal circle of radius 1.0 m at a constant speed of 4.0 m/s. What is the centripetal force acting on the stone?

MCQ 3Direct ApplicationPractice

A car moves along a level circular road of radius 50 m. If the coefficient of static friction between the tyres and the road is 0.40 and g = 10 m/s², the maximum safe speed of the car is:

MCQ 4Easy RecallPractice

A student draws the free-body diagram of a ball on a string in horizontal circular motion. The student draws three arrows: tension (inward), weight (downward), and a separate "centripetal force" arrow (inward). What is wrong with this diagram?

MCQ 5Easy RecallPractice

In uniform circular motion at constant speed v, the centripetal acceleration has:

MCQ 6Direct ApplicationPractice

A body of mass 2.0 kg moves in a circle of radius 0.50 m. The centripetal force on it is 16 N. What is the speed of the body?

MCQ 7Concept TrapPractice

A car negotiates a frictionless banked curve. The banking angle is θ. Which force provides the centripetal acceleration?

MCQ 8Easy RecallPractice

A particle completes one full revolution in uniform circular motion of radius r at speed v. The magnitude of the displacement and the distance covered after one full revolution are, respectively:

Quick recall before you leave

Worked Example

Pattern: UCM properties at an instant (anchored to PYQ 2024 Q3 Q17)

  1. 1

    Given

    - Mass m = 0.20 kg - Radius r = 0.80 m - Frequency f = 5.0 rev/s (2 sig figs)

  2. 2

    Required

    (a) Centripetal acceleration a_c (b) Tension T in the string

  3. 3

    Concept

    In UCM, centripetal acceleration = ω²r, directed toward the centre. The string tension is the real force providing centripetal force: T = ma_c = mω²r.

  4. 4

    Formula

    - ω = 2πf - a_c = ω²r - T = ma_c = mω²r

  5. 5

    Substitution

    - ω = 2π × 5.0 = 10π rad/s - a_c = (10π)² × 0.80 = 100π² × 0.80 - T = 0.20 × a_c

  6. 6

    Calculation

    - ω = 31.4 rad/s (3 sig figs for intermediate) - a_c = 100 × 9.870 × 0.80 = 789.6 m/s² → 7.9 × 10² m/s² (2 sig figs, limited by f = 5.0) - T = 0.20 × 789.6 = 157.9 N → 1.6 × 10² N (2 sig figs) Note on exact values: π is an exact mathematical constant and the integer 2 in ω = 2πf is exact — neither limits the significant-figure count. The sig-fig count is governed by the measured values (m, r, f), all given to 2 significant figures.

  7. 7

    Final answer

    (a) a_c ≈ 7.9 × 10² m/s² (b) T ≈ 1.6 × 10² N

  8. 8

    Common trap

    A student might add a separate "centripetal force" on top of the string tension. That would double the inward force and yield T = mv²/r − F_centripetal, a meaningless equation. The tension IS the centripetal force here — no additional force exists.

  9. 9

    Similar NEET-style question

    A ball of mass 0.10 kg is attached to a string of length 0.50 m and whirled in a horizontal circle at 4.0 rev/s. Find the tension in the string. (Answer: T = mω²r = 0.10 × (8π)² × 0.50 ≈ 32 N.) ---

Before solving, remember these

An object moving in a circle of radius r with constant speed v has acceleration of magnitude a_c = v² / r directed toward the centre of the circle (centripetal). In terms of angular speed ω = v/r, a_c = ω² r. The acceleration changes direction continuously even though the speed is constant.

-- NCERT Class 11 Physics, Ch. 3, p. 17

For a body of mass m moving in a circle of radius r at uniform speed v, the centripetal force required (directed toward the centre) is F_c = m v² / r = m ω² r. This is the net INWARD radial force; it is provided by some real force (tension, friction, gravity, etc.).

-- NCERT Class 11 Physics, Ch. 4, p. 13

Formulas

9 formulas — click to collapse

Centripetal acceleration in uniform circular motion

An object moving in a circle of radius r at constant speed v has acceleration of magnitude v^2/r (or equivalently omega^2 * r) directed toward the centre. This is centripetal (radially inward), not tangential.

SymbolQuantitySI Unit
a_cCentripetal accelerationm/s^2
vTangential speedm/s
rRadius of circlem
omegaAngular speedrad/s

Valid when

  • Speed v is constant (uniform circular motion)
  • r and the centre are well-defined (instantaneous radius of curvature for general curved motion)

Do NOT use when

  • Non-uniform circular motion (then there is also a tangential acceleration component)

Maximum safe speed on a banked road (with friction)

v_\max = \sqrt{\tfrac{gr(\mu_s + \tan\theta)}{1 - \mu_s \tan\theta}}

On a road banked at angle theta from horizontal with tyre-road friction coefficient mu_s, this is the maximum speed for safe negotiation of a curve of radius r.

SymbolQuantitySI Unit
v_maxMaximum safe speedm/s
gGravitational accelerationm/s^2
rRadius of the curvem
mu_sCoefficient of static friction(dimensionless)
thetaBanking anglerad/deg

Valid when

  • Banked turn at angle theta (theta = 0 reduces to level-road formula)
  • 1 - mu_s*tan_theta > 0 (formula breaks down for very steep banks at high friction)
  • Optimum/no-friction speed v_o = sqrt(g*r*tan_theta) is a SPECIAL CASE

Do NOT use when

  • Banked angle so steep that 1 - mu_s*tan_theta <= 0 (use centripetal limit form)
  • Friction direction reversed (very low speed on a steep bank — vehicle slides inward)

Centripetal force in uniform circular motion

The net inward force required to keep a body of mass m moving in a circle of radius r at speed v is m*v^2/r. This 'centripetal' force is NOT a new fundamental force — it is whichever real force (tension, friction, gravity, etc.) provides the inward acceleration.

SymbolQuantitySI Unit
F_cCentripetal forceN
mMass of the bodykg
vTangential speedm/s
rRadius of the circlem
omegaAngular speedrad/s

Valid when

  • Speed is uniform (a_t = 0, only radial acceleration matters)
  • Identify the real force that provides F_c (tension, friction, normal component, etc.)

Conservation of linear momentum

If the net external force on a system of particles is zero, the total linear momentum of the system is conserved (vector equality of total p before and after any internal interaction). Basis of all collision and recoil analysis.

SymbolQuantitySI Unit
F_extNet external force on systemN
p_totalSum of m_i*v_i over all particleskg*m/s

Valid when

  • Net EXTERNAL force is zero (internal forces always cancel by Newton's 3rd law)
  • Conservation is vector — apply componentwise (x and y separately)
  • Holds independent of whether collisions are elastic or inelastic

Do NOT use when

  • External impulses present (gravity over a long time, friction)

Impulse of a force

Impulse equals the product of force and the time interval over which it acts. By Newton's Second Law, impulse equals the change in linear momentum during that interval.

SymbolQuantitySI Unit
JImpulse (vector)N*s = kg*m/s
FForce (treated as average)N
Delta_tTime intervals
Delta_pChange in momentumkg*m/s

Valid when

  • Useful when forces are large but act briefly (collisions, bat-on-ball, kicks)
  • Direction of impulse is the direction of average force

Kinetic friction

When two surfaces slide relative to each other, kinetic friction opposes the motion with magnitude proportional to the normal force.

SymbolQuantitySI Unit
f_kKinetic friction forceN
mu_kCoefficient of kinetic friction(dimensionless)
NNormal forceN

Valid when

  • Surfaces ARE sliding
  • Direction: opposite to instantaneous relative velocity of one surface vs the other

Maximum safe speed on a level circular road

v_\max = \sqrt{\mu_s g r}

Static friction is the only force available to provide centripetal acceleration on a level road. Setting mu_s*N = m*v^2/r and N = m*g gives this maximum-safe speed bound.

SymbolQuantitySI Unit
v_maxMaximum safe speed (no skid)m/s
mu_sCoefficient of static friction (tyre vs road)(dimensionless)
gGravitational accelerationm/s^2
rRadius of the circular pathm

Valid when

  • Road is level (no banking)
  • Tyres do not slide (static friction regime)
  • Driver maintains uniform speed on the curve

Do NOT use when

  • Banked road (use the banked-road formula)
  • Slippery / wet road where mu_s is reduced

Newton's Second Law of Motion

The net external force on a body equals the rate of change of its linear momentum. For a body of constant mass, this reduces to F = m*a — net force equals mass times acceleration. Both F and a are vectors; the acceleration is in the direction of the net force.

SymbolQuantitySI Unit
FNet external (vector) forceN
mMass of the bodykg
aAcceleration (vector)m/s^2
pLinear momentum (= m*v)kg*m/s
tTimes

Valid when

  • F is the resultant (net) of all external forces, not any single force
  • Mass is constant for the form F = m*a (use F = dp/dt for variable mass)
  • Inertial reference frame (no pseudo-forces); add inertial corrections in non-inertial frames

Do NOT use when

  • Frame is non-inertial (need pseudo-forces)
  • Mass is varying significantly (use F = dp/dt)
  • Quantum / relativistic regimes (Newtonian mechanics breaks down)

Maximum static friction

The maximum value of static friction between two surfaces in contact equals the coefficient of static friction times the normal force. Below f_s_max, static friction self-adjusts to whatever value is needed to prevent relative motion.

SymbolQuantitySI Unit
f_s_maxMaximum static frictionN
mu_sCoefficient of static friction(dimensionless)
NNormal forceN

Valid when

  • Surfaces in contact, no relative motion (impending motion limit)
  • Below f_s_max, actual static friction = applied tangential load (self-adjusting)
  • f_s_max is independent of the apparent area of contact (Coulomb-Amontons assumption)

Do NOT use when

  • Surfaces are sliding (use kinetic friction f_k = mu_k * N instead)
  • Lubricated / fluid-friction conditions

Exam Traps & Common Mistakes

These are the exact patterns that cause wrong answers in NEET. Each trap includes when it triggers and how to avoid it.

16 items — click to collapse

Category: Similar Terms

Student claims velocity is constant in uniform circular motion (it's not — direction changes).

When it triggers

Question asks 'in uniform circular motion at constant speed, which is also constant?'

How to avoid

In UCM: SPEED constant; KE constant. VELOCITY (vector) NOT constant. ACCELERATION (centripetal, magnitude v²/r) constant in MAGNITUDE but NOT in direction.

Category: Sign Convention

Student picks the direction of MOTION as the direction of the net force, instead of the direction of the change in momentum (Δp). When velocity changes direction at constant speed, the force is perpendicular to BOTH the initial and final velocity vectors (in the limit) — it's the direction of Δv.

When it triggers

Question describes a body changing direction (e.g. turning) and asks for the force direction or the direction of Δp.

How to avoid

F ∝ Δp = m Δv = m (v_f − v_i). Always draw v_i and v_f as vectors and subtract; the result (v_f − v_i) is the direction of net force.

Category: Unit Conversion

Student computes μmg (friction FORCE in Newtons) when asked for the friction-limited ACCELERATION. The two differ by a factor of m: a = μg, F = μmg.

When it triggers

Question gives μ, g, and a body's mass and asks for the maximum acceleration of the supporting surface OR the friction force on the body.

How to avoid

Read carefully: 'maximum acceleration of the vehicle so the body stays still' = μg (no mass). 'Friction force on the body' = μmg (mass present). Units expose the error: N for force, m/s² for acceleration.

Category: Sign Convention

Student forgets that velocity DIRECTION reverses on bounce; computes |v₁ - v₂| instead of |v₁ + v₂|.

When it triggers

Question describes ball dropped from height h₁, rebounding to height h₂; asks for impulse on ball.

How to avoid

Impulse J = Δp = m(v_after - v_before). Take down as positive: v_before = +v₁, v_after = -v₂. So J = m(-v₂ - v₁) = -m(v₁ + v₂); magnitude = m(v₁ + v₂).

Category: Sign Convention

Student writes a = g sin θ for a rough incline (which is the smooth-incline answer); forgets to subtract μ g cos θ.

When it triggers

Question contrasts rough vs smooth inclines, or asks for acceleration on a rough incline.

How to avoid

On a rough incline (block sliding down): a = g(sin θ - μ_k cos θ). On a rough incline (block sliding up): a = -g(sin θ + μ_k cos θ). Smooth case (μ = 0): just g sin θ.

Category: Overthinking

Student takes torque about the centre of mass (introducing all 4 forces with non-zero moment arms) instead of about the floor contact (where 2 forces have zero moment arm and the equation simplifies).

When it triggers

Question gives a uniform rod or ladder leaning against a wall; asks for friction coefficient or limiting condition.

How to avoid

Pick the pivot to ELIMINATE unknown forces from the torque equation. Floor-contact pivot: normal force and friction at floor contribute zero torque; only weight (mid-length) and wall normal (top) appear. Result: μ_min = 1 / (2 tan θ).

Category: Sign Convention

Student adds magnitudes of momenta of fragments instead of vectors; ignores cancellation when fragments fly perpendicular or in opposite directions.

When it triggers

Question describes a body at rest exploding into multiple fragments with given mass ratios and partial velocity info.

How to avoid

Total momentum is a VECTOR. Initial p = 0; therefore Σ m_i v_i = 0 as a vector equation. Decompose along chosen axes (often natural symmetry axes); sum = 0 in each.

Category: Overthinking

Student tries to apply F=ma to the system as a whole (using net force = (m1-m2)g and total mass m1+m2) but loses track of the tension. The correct approach writes Newton's Second Law SEPARATELY for each mass and treats T as an unknown in two simultaneous equations.

When it triggers

Question contains a frictionless pulley with two unequal masses tied to a string. Asks for tension T or acceleration a (or both).

How to avoid

Draw a free-body diagram for EACH mass. Write F=ma per body, treating T as the same magnitude on both sides of the string. Solve simultaneously: a = (m1 - m2) g / (m1 + m2); T = 2 m1 m2 g / (m1 + m2).

Category: Negative Marking

Multi-mass pulley problem requires computing acceleration first, then tension. T = 2 m1 m2 g/(m1+m2). Sign errors in m1−m2 propagate.

When it triggers

Atwood machine or pulley system with multiple masses.

How to avoid

Compute a = (m1-m2)g/(m1+m2) first with m1 the heavier mass and downward as positive. Then T from F=ma on either mass. Always re-check by plugging back into both Newton's 2nd Law equations.

Category: Overthinking

Student applies the full external force F to a single block instead of recognising the system needs to be analysed for the contact (internal) force.

When it triggers

Question gives horizontal force F on block A which pushes block B; asks for contact force between A and B or acceleration.

How to avoid

System acceleration: a = F / (m_A + m_B). Contact force on B from A = m_B × a. The full F acts on the system, not on each block independently.

Category: Overthinking

Student computes P = Mgv (just lifting against gravity) and ignores the friction-opposing-motion term.

When it triggers

Question describes a lift moving at constant speed with explicit friction force on cable or guides.

How to avoid

At constant speed, net force = 0, so cable tension T = Mg + f_friction. Power = T × v = (Mg + f) × v. Always add friction when stated.

Root cause: concept gap

Correction

Action-reaction pairs ALWAYS act on DIFFERENT bodies. The pair to the book's weight is the gravitational pull the book exerts on the Earth. The pair to the normal force from table on book is the force the book exerts on the table. Equal-and-opposite forces on the SAME body are an equilibrium statement, not third-law statement.

Wrong option pattern

Distractor labels two forces on the same body as a Newton's-third-law pair.

Root cause: concept gap

Correction

Centripetal force is NOT a new fundamental force. It is the NET inward radial component of the real forces (tension, friction, normal, gravity, etc.). On a free-body diagram, draw only the real forces; their net inward component must equal m*v^2/r.

Wrong option pattern

Distractor sums tension + 'centripetal force' as separate inward forces.

Root cause: unit error

Correction

Impulse J has dimensions of momentum (kg*m/s) and equals F*Delta_t. Force has dimensions kg*m/s^2. Confusing them inflates or deflates an answer by a factor of seconds. Always check units before declaring an answer.

Wrong option pattern

Distractor reports an answer in newtons where the correct answer is in N*s (or vice versa).

Root cause: concept gap

Correction

Linear momentum is conserved only when the net EXTERNAL force is zero. Gravity over a finite time changes momentum. For collision problems we use conservation because the collision happens over a brief time interval where external impulses are negligible compared to internal collision forces.

Wrong option pattern

Distractor sets initial momentum = final momentum for a free-fall problem where gravity has acted for several seconds.

Root cause: formula misuse

Correction

Static friction is SELF-ADJUSTING: f_s exactly cancels the applied tangential force up to a ceiling f_s_max = mu_s * N. Below the ceiling, f_s = applied force. At the ceiling, motion is impending. Substituting mu_s * N too early over-estimates the friction.

Wrong option pattern

Distractor uses mu_s * N for the static friction force in a no-slip scenario where the applied force is well below threshold.

Past Year Questions

10 questions from NEET 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025. Answers verified against NTA official keys. — click to collapse

How NEET usually asks this

10 recurring patterns from past papers — click to collapse

A body moving in one direction suddenly changes velocity direction (same or different speed); find the direction of the net force. Force direction = direction of momentum CHANGE (Δp = p_f − p_i), NOT direction of motion. Common shape: 'moving south, suddenly turning east at same speed' → Δp vector points north-east.

InterpretationEasy

Common distractors

force along final velocity

Default to thinking force points in direction of motion

force along initial velocity

Newton-1 misread: object 'wants' to keep moving in original direction

Atwood-style pulley with two unequal masses connected by an inextensible massless string over a frictionless pulley. Apply F = ma to each mass separately along the string direction. The tension is the same throughout the string; the magnitudes of acceleration are equal but oriented oppositely. Solve simultaneous equations for tension T and acceleration a. Common shape: given two masses m1, m2 and asked for a or T, with options testing common confusions (g vs a in equations, treating the system as one body).

Multi StepMedium

Common distractors

uses g where a belongs

Forgetting that the system accelerates, so weight is balanced by net force minus T

confuses tension with weight

Treating T = m·g for one of the masses (which is true only when a=0)

Sources

NCERT refs: Class 11 Physics Chapter 3, p.17 | Class 11 Physics Chapter 4, p.13

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