Describe the kinematic quantities that describe the circular motion of an object.
Be able to explain the meaning of analytic expressions for those kinematic quantities. using various physical quantities.
Be able to explain the direction and magnitude of the acceleration of an object moving in a circle.
Explain the direction and magnitude of acceleration of an object moving in a circle by vector subtraction of velocities.
Be able to describe the motion of an object moving in a circular path using appropriate models: constant speed model or non-constant speed model.
Constant speed model: Be able to describe the direction and magnitude of acceleration of an object moving at constant speed (v) in a circle.
Non-constant speed model: Be able to describe the tangential component of the acceleration of an object moving in a circle with changing speed.

Course Notes

Notes: Uniform Circular Motion (PDF - 4.5MB)^#

Video Excerpts

Watch the following excerpts from the Physics I lecture videos:

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» Clip 1: Centripetal Acceleration (6 min)
» Transcript (PDF)

From Lecture 5 of 8.01 Classical Mechanics, Fall 1999

» Clip 2: There must be a Pull or a Push (2 min)
» Transcript (PDF)

From Lecture 5 of 8.01 Classical Mechanics, Fall 1999

» Clip 3: What Happens if there is no Pull or Push (4 min)
» Transcript (PDF)

From Lecture 5 of 8.01 Classical Mechanics, Fall 1999

» Clip 4: Uniform Circular Motion (19 min)
» Transcript (PDF)

From Lecture 9 of 8.01 Classical Mechanics, Fall 1999

Download the complete lectures from this course:

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Guided Activities

Read through the class slides carefully. They explain all of the concepts from the module.

Slides: Circular Motion Kinematics (PDF - 1.7MB)

Self-Assessment

Do the Concept Questions first to make sure you understand the main concepts from this module. Then, when you are ready, try the Challenge Problems. If you are struggling with the Challenge Problems, watch the Homework Help Session videos, which will give you tips on how to tackle problems of this type.