15 Uniform Circular Motion Examples: Detailed Explanations

The object moving in a circular path at a constant speed is said to have a uniform circular motion.

A uniform circular motion is due to the centripetal force exerting upon the object that keeps it moving at a constant velocity unless felt by some external force. Here is a list of uniform circular motion examples we are going to discuss in this article:-

Polar Satellites

The polar satellites are used to capture the images of the Planet at regular intervals and the entire places frequently.

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Satellite around the Earth; Image Credit: Pixabay

The momentum and the velocity of the polar satellite are fixed, thus traveling in a uniform circular motion around the planet to take the pictures.

Ferries Wheel

The motion of the ferries will is also in a uniform circular motion. The direction of a tangential velocity differs all the time, but the rate of acceleration and the velocity of a person with respect to the ferries wheel remain constant.

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Ferries Wheel; Image Credit: Pixabay

Read more on How To Find Normal Force In Circular Motion: Several Approaches and Problem Examples.

Merry-go-round

A person sitting on a chair suspended by a string or a rope of a merry-go-round accelerates in a circular motion due to the centripetal force exerting on his body. At the same time, the centrifugal force generated in response to the centripetal force balances the force and prevents the person from falling down.

Moon

Our planet’s only natural satellite revolving around the Earth is also an example of a uniform circular motion around the planet. The moon revolves around the planet at a constant speed in an orbit.

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Moon revolving around the Earth; Image Credit: Pixabay

Read more on Centripetal Force vs Centripetal Acceleration: Comparative Analysis.

Wall Clock

The hour hand, minute hand, and the second hand go round the clock making a 360-degree angle moving in a uniform circular motion at a constant speed.

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Wall Clock; Image Credit: Pixabay

Each hand elapses a particular degree every second and moves in a continuous uniform circular motion.

Planets around the Sun

The speed of all the planets revolving around the Sun is constant as they are bounded in an orbit around the Sun unlike the comets approaching the solar nebula during a specific number of times. All the planets revolve at a constant speed and in a uniform circular motion around the Sun.

Read more on How to Find Centripetal Force: Problem and Examples.

Windmill

The propellers of the windmill accelerate as the wind speed in an area is high enough to set the propellers into motion.

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Windmills; Image Credit: Pixabay

This speed gained by the propellers to enhanced and maintained by the shaft attached to the propellers. The acceleration of the propellers of the windmill is in a uniform circular motion and at a fixed rate.

Electrons Revolving around the Nucleus

The nucleus of an atom constitutes of the positive and neutral charges and the electrons which are negatively charged revolving around the nucleus attracted the central mass due to the charge difference. Consequently, the electron would have collapsed into the proton mass and get neutralized. But, this is restrained by the centrifugal force exerted on the electron that prevents this incident.

Particles in Swirl Motion

Upon stirring a solution, you observe a swirling motion of a solution. The particles constituting in a solution accelerate in a circular motion while you are stirring the mixture.

Read more on How to find centripetal acceleration: different use cases and problems with facts.

Ceiling Fan

The propellers of a ceiling fan accelerate at a constant speed once you regulate a fan for a particular speed. The propellers of a fan move in a uniform circular motion. The centrifugal force due to the acceleration of a fan is felt around the propellers.

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Ceiling Fan; Image Credit: Pixabay

Read more on How to find constant angular acceleration: problems and examples.

Accelerating Ball

The ball accelerating in a projectile or a linear motion at a constant speed is also an example of a uniform circular motion of a ball. If you give torque to a ball and throw or release it, it will accelerate in a circular motion due to its round shape.

Athletic Running in a Circular Path

An athletic running in a circular track at a constant speed is an example of uniform circular motion too. The velocity of the player running is constant and the motion of a player is in a circular motion.

Electric Motor

As the electric current passes through the coil wounded in a motor, the electromagnetic effect is generated and the motor starts rotating converting the electric energy into mechanical energy. The acceleration of a motor is at a constant speed and in a circular motion.

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Shaft attached to motor; Image Credit: Pixabay

Read more on 8+ Example Of Electrical To Mechanical Energy: Detailed Explanations.

Mixer

The blades of the mixer rotate at a constant speed depending upon the regulator. The rotating blades grind the mixture into fine particles. The acceleration of the blades is in a uniform circular motion and is due to the electromagnetic effect enhanced by the shaft attached to the motor.

Wheels of a Car Moving at a Constant Speed

The rotation of the wheels of a car moving at a constant speed is in a uniform circular motion as well as horizontal. The tires undergo friction at the same time and air resistance. The motion of a wheel of an accelerating car is in a centripetal motion.

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Wheels of an accelerating Car; Image Credit: Pixabay

Read more on 17+ Constant Velocity Example: Detailed Explanation And Facts.

Grinder

The shaft of the grinder machine sets the rotor in a centripetal motion which generates friction and set the container of a mixture to accelerate in a uniform centripetal motion. The centripetal force is accompanied by the centrifugal force parallelly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a force exerted on the object in a uniform circular motion?

The object to accelerate in a circular motion at a uniform velocity the speed of the object has to be conserved.

The force experienced on the object is a centripetal force equal to F=mv2/r and the equal amount of centrifugal force in the direction opposite to the centripetal force.

Can a car taking a sharp turn on a curve path is an example of a uniform circular motion?

A car is taking a curve turn on a circular path at a constant speed.

This is definitely an example of a uniform circular motion as the car is moving at a constant velocity and in a circular path.

Please click to read more on 20+ Non Uniform Circular Motion Examples.

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