Circular Motion (chapters 7 and 8)

Equations sheet

q = 1 rad = 57.3^o = 180/p

1^o radian = 6 minutes

Note that V = V_T = tangent velocity or orbital velocity.

S = arc length = distance traveled along the circumference of a circle

Units: meters

S = rq = Vt = rwt = r2pft = r(2p/T)t

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a_c = centripetal acceleration

Units: m/s²

a_c = V²/r = (rw)2/r = rw² = r(2pf)² = r(Dq/Dt)²

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F_c = force acting in the centripetal (center) direction

Units: Newtons

F_c = ma_c = mV²/r = m(rw)²/r = mrw²

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a = angular acceleration

Units: m/s²

a = Dw/Dt = DV/t = rw/t