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Uniform Circular Motion

Part of the Mechanics section of Coddy's Physics journey. Lesson 75 of 97.

An object in uniform circular motion goes around a circle at a constant speed. Its velocity keeps turning: it always points along the circle, at a right angle to the radius.

An object moving counterclockwise around a circle of radius r, shown at four positions a quarter turn apart; at each one its velocity arrow v has the same length and points along the circle, at a right angle to the radius

Same speed everywhere, but the velocity keeps turning: it always points along the circle.

In one period TT the object travels the circumference 2πr2\pi r:

v=2πrTv = \frac{2\pi r}{T}

A point farther from the centre moves faster.

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Challenge

The tip of a fan blade is 0.3 m0.3\ \mathrm{m} from the axle, and one turn of the fan takes 0.1 s0.1\ \mathrm{s}. Find the speed vv of the tip.

Try it yourself

Physics diagram: orbit, path, pulley, ball, vec; arrows v = ?

Solve for vv

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This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.

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