IB Physics

First Assessment 2025

Topical Question Bank

A.2: Forces and Momentum
(Book 3: Circular Motion) (SL & HL)

Name: _______________
School: ________________
 Multiple Choice Questions

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IB Physics 2025 A2 (Book 3: Circular Motion)
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17. A particle moves along a circular path of radius R moving from X to Y in time T.

What is the average linear speed, magnitude of average velocity and average angular speed of the
particle?

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IB Physics 2025 A2 (Book 3: Circular Motion)
 18. A body of mass m is on a horizontal table. A string joins it with another body of mass M through a
hole in the table. The mass m rotates on a horizontal circle of radius R such that M is stationary.

How many revolutions per second does m make?

A. A

B. A

C. A

D. A

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IB Physics 2025 A2 (Book 3: Circular Motion)
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 Structured Questions

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 2.

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IB Physics 2025 A2 (Book 3: Circular Motion)
 3. A ball is attached to a string and moves on a horizontal circular path with constant speed.

(a) Students claim that the ball is in equilibrium because the speed is constant. Explain [2]
why the students are not correct.

(b) Draw and label the forces on the ball. [2]

(c) (i) Show that where v is the speed and R the radius of the circular path. [3]

(ii) Suggest why it impossible for the ball to rotate with the string horizontal. [1]

(d) The following data are available:

Mass of ball 2.0 kg

Radius of path 0.80 m
Speed v 6.2 m s-1

Calculate the tension in the string. [3]

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IB Physics 2025 A2 (Book 3: Circular Motion)
 4. A small ball is placed at the top of a sphere of radius R. The ball is given the slightest of pushes,
so it begins to move. The ball will lose contact with the sphere at position L. Position C is an
intermediate position.

(a) Draw, on the diagrams, the forces on the ball at positions C and L [3]

(b) The speed of the ball at L is given by v2 = 2gR(1-cos).

Determine the angle  at position L where the ball leaves the sphere. [2]

(c) The sphere is replaced by another, larger sphere. Suggest the effect of this change, if [2]
any, on the answer to (b) (ii).

5.

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IB Physics 2025 A2 (Book 3: Circular Motion)
 6.

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 7.

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 8.

The speed of the marble is 3.0 m s-1

(iii)

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10.

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 11.

12.

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IB Physics 2025 A2 (Book 3: Circular Motion)
 13.

14.

15. A lead ball of mass 0.55 kg is swung round on the end of a string so that the ball moves in a
horizontal circle of radius 1.5 m. The ball travels at a constant speed of 6.2 m s-1.

(a) Calculate the time taken for the string to turn through an angle of 170°. [3]

(b) Calculate the tension in the string. [2]

(c) The string will break when the tension exceeds a maximum tension. The ball makes
three revolutions per second at the maximum tension of the string.

Calculate the tension above which the string will break. [2]

(d) Describe, using just one of Newton’s Laws, why the ball is accelerating even when its [3]
angular speed is constant.

You may wish to draw a diagram to clarify your answer.

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IB Physics 2025 A2 (Book 3: Circular Motion)
 16. (a) Explain why a particle moving in a circle with uniform speed is accelerating. [2]

(b) The diagram shows a fairground ride called a Rotor. Riders stand on a wooden floor
and lean against the cylindrical wall.

The fairground ride is then rotated. When the ride is rotating sufficiently quickly the
wooden floor is lowered. The riders remain pinned to the wall by the effects of the
motion. When the speed of rotation is reduced, the riders slide down the wall and land
on the floor.

At the instant shown in below the ride is rotating quickly enough to hold a rider at a
constant height when the floor has been lowered.

Explain why the riders slide down the wall as the ride slows down. [2]

(c) A rotor accelerates uniformly from rest to maximum angular velocity of 3.6 rads s-1. At
the maximum speed the centripetal acceleration is 35 m s-2.

Calculate the diameter of the rotor. [2]

(d) The diagram shows the final section of a roller coaster which ends in a vertical loop.
Cars on the roller coaster descend to the start of the loop and then travel around it.

As the passengers move around the circle from A to B to C, the reaction force between
[4]
exerted by their seat varies. State the position at which this force will be a maximum
and the position at which it will be a minimum. Explain your answers.

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IB Physics 2025 A2 (Book 3: Circular Motion)
 17. A centrifuge is often used in astronaut training. This is to simulate Earth’s gravity on board
the space station. The astronauts sit in a cockpit at the end of each arm, each rotating about
an axis at the centre.

At its top speed, the centrifuge makes 1 full rotation every 2.30 s.

(a) Calculate the frequency of the centrifuge. State an appropriate unit and express your [3]
answer to an appropriate number of significant figures.

(b) Calculate the angular speed of the centrifuge in rad s-1. [2]

(c) Each astronaut is placed 6.30 m from the rotation axis.

Calculate the magnitude of the centripetal acceleration on each astronaut. [2]

(d) Sketch the direction of the acceleration on each astronaut. [1]

18. A section of a roller coaster carries a passenger over a curve in the track. The radius of
curvature of the path of the passenger is r and the roller coaster is travelling at constant speed
v. The mass of the passenger is m.

(a) (i) Draw the forces that act on the passenger as they pass over the highest point on [1]
the curved track.

(ii) Write down an equation that relates the contact force R between the passenger [1]
and the seat to m, v, r and the gravitational field strength, g.

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IB Physics 2025 A2 (Book 3: Circular Motion)
 (b) At a particular point on the track, the car moves with a linear velocity of 22 m s-1. The
reaction force between the car and the track at this point is 210 N and the passenger
has a mass of 65 kg.

Calculate the distance from the passenger to the centre of curvature of the curved [3]
track.

(c) State and explain what would happen to the magnitude of R if the rollercoaster passed [2]
over the curved track at a higher speed.

(d) When the rollercoaster passes over a curved section of a track above a certain speed,
the passenger is momentarily lifted off their seat and experiences weightlessness.

Calculate the speed at which the rollercoaster must be travelling for the passenger to [3]
experience weightlessness.

19. The London Eye shown in the diagram has a radius of approximately 68 m and the passengers
in the capsules travel at an angular speed of 3.5 × 10 rad s-1.

(a) Calculate the speed of each passenger in the capsules. [2]

(b) Assume the London Eye is rotating clockwise. Sketch the following on any capsule:

(i) The direction of the centripetal force F [1]

(ii) The direction of the linear speed v. [1]

(c) Each capsule weighs about 98.1 kN. Calculate the centripetal force on an empty [3]
capsule.

(d) Dan has travelled to London to watch an exciting Physics show. Being an eager tourist,
he arrives early and plans to ride the London Eye. When he gets to the front of the
queue however, he realises he only had 40 minutes before he needs to leave for the
show.

State, with a calculation, whether Dan is still able to ride the London Eye and leave to [4]
see the show on time.

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IB Physics 2025 A2 (Book 3: Circular Motion)
 20. A proton of mass m moves with uniform circular motion. The proton moves in a clockwise
circle of circumference 1.25 mm. The net force on the proton is 65 fN.

(a) Determine the linear speed of the proton. [3]

(b) Calculate the proton's orbital frequency. [3]

21. A small ball is attached to a string and moves in a horizontal circular path. It completes one
revolution every 2.5 s, with the string at an angle θ to the vertical.

(a) Calculate the orbital radius r if θ = 12°. [3]

(b) Show that the length of the string l is given by: [2]

(c) The equation in part (b) seems to suggest that the length of the string l is dependent
on the angle it makes to the vertical, θ.

Comment on the relationship between the length of the string l and the angle it makes [2]
to the vertical, θ.

22. A marble rolls from the top of a bowling ball of radius R.

(a) when the marble has moved so that the line joining it to the centre of the sphere
subtends an angle of θ to the vertical, its speed v is given by:

Deduce that, at the instant shown in the image in part (a), the normal reaction force N [4]
on the marble from the bowling ball is given by:

(b) Hence, determine the angle θ at which the marble loses contact with the bowling ball. [2]

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IB Physics 2025 A2 (Book 3: Circular Motion)
 23. The 'loop-the-loop' is a popular ride at amusement parks, involving passengers in cars
travelling in a vertical circle.

The loop has a radius of 8.0 m and a passenger of mass 70 kg travels at 10 m s when at the
highest point of the loop.

(a) Calculate, at the highest point:

(i) the centripetal acceleration of the passenger, [1]

(ii) the force that the seat exerts on the passenger. [2]

(b) Operators must ensure that the speed of the vehicle carrying passengers into the
loop-the-loop is above a certain value.

Suggest a reason for this, and determine the minimum required speed in terms of g [2]
and radius r.

24 A popular trick to impress young observers is to swing a bucket of water in a vertical circle. If
the bucket is swung fast enough, no water spills out.

(a) Estimate the minimum linear speed v required to swing a bucket in a vertical circle, [3]
such that no water spills.

(b) When the bucket of water is stirred with a spoon in uniform circular motion near the rim,
the level of water in the bucket is observed to change from a flat horizontal dashed line
to a curved solid line, as shown.

By considering the circular motion of a fluid particle in the water, explain this observation [4]
using relevant physical principles.

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IB Physics 2025 A2 (Book 3: Circular Motion)
 25. The earth rotates once per day about an axis passing through the north and south poles, an
axis that is perpendicular to the plane of the equator. Assuming the earth is a sphere with a
radius of 6.38 x 106 m, determine the speed and centripetal acceleration of a person situated

(a) at the equator [2]

(b) at a latitude of 30.0 north of the equator. [2]

26. An 830-kg race car can drive around an unbanked turn at a maximum speed of 58 m s-1
without slipping. The turn has a radius of curvature of 160 m. Air flowing over the car’s wing
exerts a downward-pointing force (called the downforce) of 11 000 N on the car.

(a) What is the coefficient of static friction between the track and the car’s tires? [2]

(b) What would be the maximum speed if no downforce acted on the car? [2]

27. A motorcycle has a constant speed of 25.0 m s-1 as it passes over the top of a hill whose
radius of curvature is 126 m. The mass of the motorcycle and driver is 342 kg. Find the
magnitudes of

(a) The centripetal force [2]

(b) the normal force that acts on the cycle. [2]

28. A child is twirling a 0.0120 kg plastic ball on a string in a horizontal circle whose radius is
0.100 m. The ball travels once around the circle in 0.500 s.

(a) Determine the centripetal force acting on the ball. [2]

(b) If the speed is doubled, does the centripetal force double? If not, by what factor does [2]
the centripetal force increase?

29. On a banked race track, the smallest circular path on which cars can move has a radius of
112 m, while the largest has a radius of 165 m, as the drawing illustrates. The height of the
outer wall is 18 m. Find

(a) The smallest speed at which cars can move on this track without relying on friction. [2]

(b) The largest speed at which cars can move on this track without relying on friction. [2]

30. A “swing” ride at a carnival consists of chairs that are swung

in a circle by 15.0-m cables attached to a vertical rotating
pole, as the drawing shows. Suppose the total mass of a
chair and its occupant is 179 kg.

(a) Determine the tension in the cable attached to the chair. [2]

(b) Find the speed of the chair. [2]

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IB Physics 2025 A2 (Book 3: Circular Motion)
MCQ Mark Scheme:
1. A 11. A 21. A 31. C

2. D 12. B 22. D 32. D

3. B 13. B 23. D 33. B

4. D 14. D 24. C 34. D

5. C 15. D 25. D 35. C

6. D 16. A 26. B 36. B

7. A 17. C 27. B 37. B

8. B 18. A 28. C

9. D 19. C 29. A

10. A 20. B 30. A

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IB Physics 2025 A2 (Book 3: Circular Motion)
Structured Question Mark Scheme:

1. a

1. b

1. c

2. a i

2. a ii

2. a iii

2. b

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IB Physics 2025 A2 (Book 3: Circular Motion)
 2. c

2. d

3. a

3. b

3. c i

3. c ii

3. d

4. a

4. b

4. c

5. a

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IB Physics 2025 A2 (Book 3: Circular Motion)
 5. b

5. c

6. a i

6. a ii

6. b i

6. b ii

6. b iii

6. b iv

6. c

6. d i

6. d ii

7. a i

7. a ii

7. b

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IB Physics 2025 A2 (Book 3: Circular Motion)
 8. a

8. b i

8. b ii

8. b iii

9. a

9. b

10. a i

10. a ii

10. a iii Distance = 38.4 m

10. b i

10. b ii

10. c i

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IB Physics 2025 A2 (Book 3: Circular Motion)
 10. c ii

11. a

11. b

12. a

12. b

13. a i

13. a ii

13. b

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IB Physics 2025 A2 (Book 3: Circular Motion)
 14. a

14. b

15. a

15. b

OR

15. c

15. d Newton’s First Law

The ball does not travel in a straight line, so a force must be acting on it; [1 mark]
Although the ball has a constant speed, its velocity is not constant because its direction changes constantly; [1 mark]
Since its velocity is changing, it is accelerating; [1 mark]

OR

Newton’s Second Law

The force on the ball causes the ball to accelerate (or changes the momentum of it) in the direction of the force; [1
mark]
The acceleration (or change in momentum) is in the same direction as the force; [1 mark]
The force is centripetal – it acts towards the centre of the circle; [1 mark]

OR

Newton’s Third Law

The ball must pull on the central point of support with a force that is equal and opposite to the force pulling on the ball
from the centre; [1 mark]
The force acting on the point of support acts outwards; [1 mark]
This means the ball does not go flying off the end of the string; [1 mark]

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IB Physics 2025 A2 (Book 3: Circular Motion)
 16. a EITHER

The velocity of the particle is constant in magnitude but continuously changes direction; [1 mark]
Since acceleration is the rate of change in velocity, the particle must therefore be accelerating; [1 mark]

OR

An object in a circle has a resultant force which is its centripetal force (acting towards the centre); [1 mark]
Due to Newton’s second law (F = ma), a particle (of constant mass) must therefore have centripetal acceleration;
[1 mark]
16. b The centripetal force / reaction force becomes smaller; [1 mark]

And any one from:

The frictional force reduced; [1 mark]
The frictional force is less than the weight of each rider; [1 mark]
The resultant force is now downwards; [1 mark]
The frictional force is proportional the (normal) reaction force; [1 mark]
16. c

16. d • The reaction force is a maximum at A / at the bottom and a minimum at C / at the top; [1 mark]
• The centripetal force / acceleration is provided by the weight / reaction; [1 mark]
OR
The centripetal force is the resultant force on the passengers; [1 mark]

17. a

17. b

17. c

17. d Arrow from centre of each astronaut

AND
Towards the rotation axis; [1 mark]

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IB Physics 2025 A2 (Book 3: Circular Motion)
 18. a i Arrows to show R (or N) vertically up and mg (or W) vertically down along the same line;
[1 mark]

18. a ii

18. b

18. c

18. d

19. a

19. b i Arrow towards the centre of the London Eye, labelled F; [1 mark]

19. b ii Arrow perpendicular to the centripetal force in the clockwise direction, labelled v; [1 mark]

19. c

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IB Physics 2025 A2 (Book 3: Circular Motion)
 19. d

20. a

20. b

21. a

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IB Physics 2025 A2 (Book 3: Circular Motion)
 21. b

21. c

22. a

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 22. b

23. a i

23. a ii

23. b

24. a

24. b

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IB Physics 2025 A2 (Book 3: Circular Motion)
 25. a

25. b

26. a

Therefore,

26. b

27. a

27. b

28. a

28. b

29. a

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IB Physics 2025 A2 (Book 3: Circular Motion)
 29. b

30. a

30. b

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IB Physics 2025 A2 (Book 3: Circular Motion)