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.

Since this acceleration is perpendicular to the velocity of a particle at

every instant, it is only changing the direction of velocity and not
magnitude and that’s why the motion is uniform circular motion. We call
this acceleration centripetal acceleration (or radial acceleration), and
the force acting towards the centre is called centripetal force.

In the case of uniform circular motion, the acceleration is:

Frequently Asked Questions
ar = v2/r = ω2r

If the mass of the particle is m, we can say from the second law of What is the tendency to overturn by a cyclist
motion that:
if he turns around a curve at 15 miles/hour
F = ma
and if he doubles the speed?
mv2/r= mω2r
From formula, we know that

NOTE F=mv2r
. This means that
So if a particle is moving in a uniform circular motion: F∝v2
1) Its speed is constant . Therefore, it can be said that if v becomes double, then F will become
four times. So the tendency to overturn is quadrupled.
2) Velocity is changing at every instant

3) There is no tangential acceleration Name the device used for measuring the
4) Radial (centripetal) acceleration = ω2r speed of rotation.
5) v=ωr The tachometer is a device that is used for measuring the speed of
rotation.

Uniform Circular Motion Examples

What happens to the velocity vector of a
Following are the examples of uniform circular motion:
particle, if the particle is moving in a circle,
● Motion of artificial satellites around the earth is an example at equal angles in equal times.
of uniform circular motion. The gravitational force from the
earth makes the satellites stay in the circular orbit around The velocity vector of a particle will change its direction. This is
the earth. because it is always directed in the direction of the tangent to the circle.
● The motion of electrons around its nucleus.
● The motion of blades of the windmills.
Which property is conserved when a particle
● The tip of second’s hand of a watch with a circular dial
is moving with constant angular velocity?
shows uniform circular motion.

When a particle is moving with constant angular velocity, the energy of

the particle is conserved. This is because in a uniform circular motion,
kinetic energy remains unchanged and the momentum of the particle
varies with a change in velocity.

What happens to the direction when a vector

is multiplied by a positive number?
The work done by the body when it moves along a circle with a constant
speed is zero. This means that the work done by the centripetal force is
zero.