This experiment is for advanced students. Circular motion is a little different from straight-line motion in a few different ways. Objects that move in circles are roller coasters in a loop, satellites in orbit, DVDs spinning in a player, kids on a merry go round, solar systems rotating in the galaxy, making a left turn in your car, water through a coiled hose, and so much more.

Velocity is always tangent to the circle in the direction of the motion, and acceleration is always directed radially inward. Because of these two things, the acceleration that arises from traveling in a circle is called centripetal acceleration (a word created by Sir Isaac Newton). There’s no direct relationship between the acceleration and velocity vectors for a moving particle.

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2 Responses to “Circular Motion”

  1. Feel free to send an email if you need help! Mass is “m” and gravity is “g”. If you’re using metric (like kilograms and meters), then g = 9.81 m/s^2.

  2. delpozolisa says:

    Aurora what does m and g mean I am sorry I am just so confused I am confused.