The online circular motion simulations on this page will allow you to deepen your knowledge of this important type of motion. We will discover what are the main characteristics of circular motion in physics and the most important types of circular motion
What is circular motion in physics
Circular motion is the motion in which an object moves around a fixed point in a circular path.
Characteristics of circular motion in physics
The main characteristics of circular motion in physics include the presence of a closed trajectory around a fixed point and the need for forces to keep the object on that trajectory. The object describes a circle, so that at each instant its velocity has a tangent direction to the trajectory, while the centripetal acceleration always points towards the center of the circle. In circular motion it is essential to consider two quantities: the angular velocity and the period.
Angular velocity
The angular velocity determines how fast the object moves around the fixed point. Angular velocity is measured in radians per second.
Period
The period is the time required for the object to complete one full revolution around the fixed point. The period is related to the angular velocity and the radius of the path by the equation T = 2π/ꙍ, where T is the period and ꙍ is the angular velocity.
Types of circular motion in physics
There are mainly two types of circular motion: uniform circular motion (UMC) and non-uniform circular motion (NCM).
Uniform circular motion (UCCM)
In UCCM, both the magnitude of the velocity and the centripetal acceleration remain constant, allowing the object to travel equal distances in each time interval.
Non-uniform circular motion (NUCM)
In NUCM, the object experiences changes in angular velocity, so angular acceleration comes into play, changing how fast the object rotates around the fixed point.
Understanding the difference between these two types is essential for analyzing real situations involving forces and velocity variations, such as the rotation of wheels or the ride of a roller coaster.
Applications of circular motion
Circular motion has many practical applications, such as, for example, the manufacture of wheels, gears and pulleys or the dynamics of planets and satellites. In addition, circular motion is used in physics and engineering to describe the trajectory of subatomic particles and the rotation of molecules and atoms.
These online circular motion simulations will be a great help for you to learn more about this important type of motion.
Circular motion simulations
Circular motionconditions
This simulation allows us to study the conditions under which circular motion occurs. Find out the angle that the velocity and acceleration must form for the motion to be circular. What happens if the angle is greater? What happens if the angle is smaller?
Circular acceleration
Circular motion
This simulation shows what circular motion looks like. Observe the relationship between period, radius and linear velocity.
Change of velocity in circular motion
This animation shows the change of the velocity vector in a circular motion. Click on the boxes of the different steps (1, 2…) and observe the results.
Centripetal acceleration
This animation shows the velocity and acceleration vectors in a circular motion.
Car in a circular motion
When a car moves in a circular motion, centripetal force is generated by friction with the surface. On a wet surface, the friction is reduced, the car will tend to move outwards.
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