In this post, we describe uniform circular motion in terms of a force acting on an object in a perpendicular direction to the velocity of the object. This syllabus dot point is a part of the QCE Physics course under the topic of Gravity and Motion and sub-part Circular Motion.
What is uniform circular motion?
It is the motion of an object traveling in a circular path at a constant speed. It is a type of motion that occurs when an object moves in a circle at a steady pace without accelerating or decelerating.
It is a crucial concept in physics, used to describe the movement of various objects in our everyday lives and in the natural world.
In uniform circular motion, the object experiences a centripetal acceleration, which is directed towards the centre of the circle. This acceleration is proportional to the square of the object’s speed and inversely proportional to the radius of the circle.
The centripetal force required to keep an object in uniform circular motion is supplied by a combination of gravitational force, tension, or any other force directed towards the centre of the circle.
This concept is widely used to describe the motion of satellites, planets, and amusement park rides. It is also a fundamental aspect of the study of rotational motion and can be used to analyse the movement of rotating objects such as wheels, gears, and flywheels.
Additionally, this concept plays a critical role in the understanding of celestial mechanics, helping to explain the movements of the celestial bodies in our solar system.
The following video is a crash course on the concept.
Uniform circular motion and centripetal force
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