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Circular Motion

This report gives a description of the features of circular motion in mathematics. It also gives descriptions about examples related to circular motion.

Circular motion can be defined as the moving of any object along the circumference of a circle. It can also be defined as rotation along with the circular type of path. Circular motion can be a uniform type of motion or a non-uniform type of motion. This report sheds light on different types of features that are related to circular motion and examples of circular motion. 

Features of circular motion

The features of circular motion are given in the following points.

  • The circular motion can be present with a constant rate of angular rotation and with constant speed. This type of circular motion is known as the uniform type of circular motion. 
  • During this type of motion, there is a modification of the velocity vector and it modifies its direction at all the points present in the circle.
  • The circular motion is called non-uniform when there is a constant modification of the rate of rotation. 

What is circular motion description?

Circular motion can be described as the movement of the object along the circumference of the circle. The motion of a ceiling fan can be considered as a circular motion like the blades of the fan moving along the circumference of a circle. The circular motion is considered to be uniform when there is no change of velocity. However, there can be a change in velocity of the circular motion because of the presence of accelerating force which causes the change of the velocity. There is the presence of constant magnitude of this acceleration and it can be directed towards the axis of motion. Radian in the case of a circular motion can be defined as the ratio of the length of the arc to the radius of the circle. The radian does not contain any unit as it gives a representation of a ratio. Angular velocity of a uniform type of circular motion can be defined as the measurement of the change of angle over time. It can be defined as the rotational analogue which is present in the linear type of velocity. SI unit of angular velocity is radian per second. 

Centripetal type of acceleration can be defined as the acceleration which is pointed to the centre of the curved path and is always perpendicular to the velocity of the object. It is responsible for the change of direction of the object. It is not responsible for the change of speed in the circular type of pathway. Centripetal type of acceleration can also be termed as radial acceleration and it is responsible for the modification of the direction of the object. The period can be defined as the total amount of time which is required for one complete revolution in the uniform type of circular motion. This period is inversely proportional to the frequency of the uniform type of circular motion. Frequency can be defined as the total revolutions that can be completed by the rotating object within one second. Angular velocity is used for the measurement of the total amount of rotation that has been done by the object in a unit of time

What are the circular motion examples?

The circular motion examples can include artificial satellites, which constantly move around the earth at a constant speed. Planets which are revolving around the sun in the solar system can also be considered as an example of circular motion. A notable example includes the blades of the ceiling fan which are constantly rotating around a central object and is performing the circular motion. Another example of circular motion includes a stone which has been tied up to a string and the stone is performing circular motion at a certain speed. A significant example of a circular type of motion is the atom where the electrons are constantly moving around the nucleus in certain orbits and at certain speeds. An atom contains negatively charged electrons, positively charged protons and a nucleus. The structure of the atom is such that the electrons are constantly revolving around the nucleus and the motion of the electrons is considered a circular type of motion. A giant wheel can also be considered as an important example related to circular motion. 

Conclusion

It can be concluded that circular motion is that type of motion of a particular object along the circumference of the circle. It can move with uniform velocity or there can be the presence of change of velocity because of the presence of centripetal force. The centripetal force is an accelerating type of force and is responsible for causing change of velocity of the object of circular motion.