Uniform Circular Motion
When any object moves in a circular path at some constant speed then we say that the object is in uniform circular motion. Their is no change in the speed of the object and hence there is no acceleration produced. However, it is to be noted that the object is moving in a circular direction and the direction of the object is changing at every point of the path. Hence the centripetal acceleration is applying on the object at every point. This acceleration is inward in direction. But the tangential or linear acceleration is zero as the linear velocity is same.
Let’s look at some examples now.
Uniform Circular Motion Examples
Uniform circular motion has many examples which can be seen around us in everyday life. In these examples the speed is constant which results in stable angular velocity. Such examples are discussed below:
- Motion of Planets: The planets are revolving around the Sun shows nearly uniform motion. Although the orbital motion are slightly elliptical in nature, they can be considered to be a circular motion.
- Ceiling Fan Blades: The blades of the ceiling fan when in full speed shows uniform circular motion, where the blades are moving at a constant speed in the circular path.
- Clock Hands: The hands of the clock moves at a contact speed in a particular circular direction. All the three different hands of the clock, i.e., the second hand, the minute hand, and the hour hand moves at constant speed, respectively.
- Ferris Ball: The pods of the Ferris wheel when moving at a constant speed, shows a uniform circular motion.
- Merry-Go-Round: The merry-go-round is a classic example of uniform circular motion. When the ride starts moving at a constant speed, the carts or the horses of the merry-go-round displays uniform circular motion as it moves along with the circular platform on which it is mounted.
Acceleration in Uniform Circular Motion
Centripetal Acceleration can be written in terms of linear velocity of the object and the radius of the circular path, and is given by,
ac = V2/R
where,
- ac is Centripetal Acceleration
- V is Magnitude of Linear Velocity of Object
- R is Radius of Circular Path
Centripetal acceleration is inversely proportional to the radius of the circular path, which means as the radius of the path decreases the centripetal acceleration increases and vice versa.
Circular Motion
Circular Motion is defined as the movement of an object rotating along a circular path. Objects in a circular motion can be performing either uniform or non-uniform circular motion. Motion of a car on a bank road, the motion of a bike well of death, etc. are examples of circular motion.
In this article, we will learn about circular motion and some related concepts, such as examples, equations, applications, etc.
Table of Content
- What is Circular Motion?
- Equations for Circular Motion
- Centripetal Force
- Centrifugal Force
- Types of Circular Motion
- Circular Motion and Rotational Motion
- Circular Motion Formulas