Physics — Circular Motion · Interactive uniform circular motion simulation

Uniform Circular Motion Simulation

Observe a mass moving in a circle while comparing tangential velocity with inward centripetal acceleration.

Landscape activity · use fullscreen on a phone for larger controls

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📝 Description

Uniform Circular Motion Simulation helps students visualize motion in a circle at constant speed. Learners observe radius, velocity, acceleration, angular motion, and changing vectors. It supports physics lessons, vector understanding, and classroom demonstrations.

📋 Instructions

Use the show/hide controls to view individual parameters. Change values and observe how velocity, acceleration, and circular motion are represented.

🎓 Learning Guide: Uniform Circular Motion Simulation

Learning focus: Observe a mass moving in a circle while comparing tangential velocity with inward centripetal acceleration.

Physics — Circular Motion Interactive uniform circular motion simulation

Learning objectives

Explain why a constant-speed circular motion still has acceleration.
Distinguish velocity direction from centripetal acceleration direction.
Relate radius, angular speed and linear speed using the ideal uniform-circular-motion model.

Concepts and principles

Instantaneous velocity is tangent to the circular path.
Centripetal acceleration points toward the circle’s centre, not along the direction of motion.
For ideal uniform circular motion v=ωr and a_c=v²/r=ω²r, provided units are consistent.

Examples and worked solutions

For speed 4 m/s and radius 2 m, find centripetal acceleration.: Worked solution: a_c=v²/r = 16/2 = 8 m/s² inward.

Try this investigation

Use the direction controls and stop function to examine motion at different positions.
Compare the displayed velocity and radial/vector indicators while the mass travels around the circle.
Make a prediction about how centripetal acceleration changes when speed doubles at fixed radius; then inspect supported controls.

Expected observations and explanations

The direction of velocity changes continuously even when its magnitude is constant.
At fixed radius, doubling speed increases centripetal acceleration by a factor of four.

Assessment questions and answers

If an object keeps the same speed but changes direction, is acceleration zero?: Answer: No. Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity, and velocity includes direction.
What is the relation between v, ω and r?: Answer: For uniform circular motion, v=ωr with ω measured in radians per second.