elementary idea of uniform circular motion.

Introduction To Uniform Circular Motion

We have come across different types of motions in our previous sessions. Rotatory motion, rectilinear motion, oscillatory motion, uniform circular, and periodic motion are some types of motion. Movement of an object while rotating along a circular path is known as circular motion. Circular motion can be either uniform or non-uniform. In this article, let us discuss in brief the uniform circular motion along with examples.

What is Uniform Circular Motion?

The movement of a body following a circular path is called a circular motion. Now, the motion of a body moving with constant speed along a circular path is called Uniform Circular Motion. Here, the speed is constant but the velocity changes.

NOTE -

So if a particle is moving in a uniform circular motion:

Its speed is constant

Velocity is changing at every instant

Uniform Circular Motion Examples

Following are the examples of uniform circular motion:

Motion of artificial satellites around the earth is an example of uniform circular motion. The gravitational force from the earth makes the satellites stay in the circular orbit around the earth.

The motion of electrons around its nucleus.

The motion of blades of the windmills.

The tip of second’s hand of a watch with circular dial shows uniform circular motion.

Formula for velocity in UCM -

V=2πR/T

where R is radius of circle, T is time taken