Circular Motion Concepts

Click a concept to see the definition and example

Uniform Circular Motion

Axis of Rotation

Radius

Circumference

Revolution

Rotation

Rotational Speed

Tangent Line

Tangential Speed / Velocity

Centripetal

Centrifugal

Period

Frequency

Centripetal Force

Centripetal Acceleration

Key Formulas

Centripetal Force

Fc = mv² / r
Where:
Fc = Centripetal force (N)
m = Mass of the object (kg)
v = Tangential velocity (m/s)
r = Radius of the circular path (m)

Centripetal Acceleration

ac = v² / r
Where:
ac = Centripetal acceleration (m/s²)
v = Tangential velocity (m/s)
r = Radius of the circular path (m)

Frequency

f = 1 / T
Where:
f = Frequency (Hz or s⁻¹)
T = Period (s)

Period

T = 1 / f = 2πr / v
Where:
T = Period (s)
f = Frequency (Hz)
r = Radius of the circular path (m)
v = Tangential velocity (m/s)