AP Physics 1 · Unit 2, Part 2 · Circular Motion and Gravity

Vertical Circular Motion Practice Problems

Analyze a swing, an inside loop, a rounded hill, and an upright Ferris-wheel cabin. Use the speed given at each point to find support forces and accelerations.

12 questions6 conceptual · 6 calculation

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Simulation scene from the Vertical Circular Motion lesson. — A scene from the related lesson. Open the practice to work through the questions.

What you’ll practice

Choose inward at the point being analyzed

Write local radial force equations

Compare tension or support with weight at the bottom, top, and side of a curved path.

Check whether contact is possible

Find a limiting speed from zero tension or zero normal force. Recognize when a rope goes slack or a body leaves a surface.

Combine acceleration components

Resolve weight at an angled swing and distinguish radial acceleration from total acceleration. Compare cabin contact forces around a Ferris wheel.

A question from this set

Support at the bottom of a swing

A rider passes the lowest point of a taut-rope swing with nonzero speed. How does rope tension compare with the rider’s weight at that instant?

Tension equals weight because the rider is momentarily moving horizontally.
Tension is greater than weight because the net force must point upward.
Tension is less than weight because gravity points downward.

Try it in the practice set

The rider is at the bottom of a taut-rope swing and is moving horizontally at that instant.

Key ideas

A circular path does not make every force point inward

Inward changes direction around the path

At the bottom, inward is upward; at the top of an inside loop, it is downward. Choose that direction before adding the force components.

A zero support reading does not remove gravity

Weight can remain nonzero when tension or normal force falls to zero. Beyond that boundary, the assumed contact or taut-rope path may fail.

See the physics

Inspect the marked point before comparing trials

After attempting a question, run the prepared swing, loop, crest, or cabin scene. Compare support forces and motion at the specified location, then examine the available contact-boundary variants.

Use a hint for a starting point or open a worked solution to follow the reasoning. Your progress saves in this browser, so you can return to unfinished questions.

Ready for vertical circular motion?

Begin with a conceptual question, then work through the calculations.

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