1. What is Circular Velocity?

Circular velocity is the velocity of an object moving along a circular path. It's calculated using the centripetal acceleration and the radius of the circular path.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the circular velocity formula:

Where:

• \( v \) — Circular velocity (m/s)
• \( a \) — Centripetal acceleration (m/s²)
• \( r \) — Radius of the circular path (m)

Explanation: The formula shows that velocity increases with either greater acceleration or larger radius.

3. Importance of Circular Velocity

Details: Understanding circular velocity is essential in physics and engineering applications like satellite orbits, amusement park rides, and particle accelerators.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the centripetal acceleration in m/s² and radius in meters. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between linear and circular velocity?
A: Linear velocity is straight-line speed, while circular velocity describes motion along a curved path with constant speed but changing direction.

Q2: How does radius affect circular velocity?
A: For a given acceleration, larger radius means higher velocity (v ∝ √r).

Q3: What are typical units for circular velocity?
A: The SI unit is meters per second (m/s), but km/h or mph may be used in practical applications.

Q4: Can this formula be used for planetary orbits?
A: Yes, with the centripetal acceleration provided by gravity (a = GM/r²).

Q5: What if the speed isn't constant?
A: This formula applies only to uniform circular motion. For changing speeds, angular acceleration must be considered.