The Speed of Circular Motion calculator computes the speed (s) of a particle or point in uniform circular motion based on the radius (r) of the orbit and the period of rotation, T.
INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:
- (r) This is the radius defining the orbit of circular motion.
- (T) This the orbital period of rotation.
Speed of Circular Motion (v): The calculator computes the velocity in meters per second. However this can be automatically converted to numerous other velocity units via the pull-down menu.
Exercise: Choose Years as the units for period, and Astronomical Units as the unit for radius. Then enter 1 as the value for both. The resulting velocity is the speed that the Earth travels about the Sun. Then use the pull-down menu to see the result in miles per hour (mph).
The Math
The angular frequency is the number of increments of `2*pi` radians (`2*pi` radians is one complete rotation) divided by the period of the rotation, outputting simply rotations per unit time.
The distance around the circular path is ` d = 2*pi*r` (`2*pi` radians is one complete rotation) and then `v = d / T` is the velocity.
So, `v = (2*pi*r) / T`
Related Astro Calculators:
- Kepler's 3rd Law Calc has Kepler's 3rd law solved for each parameter.
- Astronomy Calculator contains basic formulas for a college level Introduction to Astronomy
- Exoplanet Calculator contains formulas for studying planets outside of our Solar System.
- Astronomical Distance Calculator provides the distance from the Earth to numerous astronomical bodies (e.g. Sun, Moon, planets, stars, Milky Way's Center and Edge, Andromeda Galaxy)
- Astronomical Distance Travel Time Calculator computes the time to travel to distant parts of space at different velocities.
- Ellipse Calculator
- 3D Vector Calculator:
- Drake Equation Calculator
- Seager Equation Calculator
- Friedman Equation Calculator
- Exoplanet Calculator contains formulas for studying planets outside of our Solar System.
- Astronomical Distance Calculator provides the distance from the Earth to numerous astronomical bodies (e.g. Sun, Moon, planets, stars, Milky Way's Center and Edge, Andromeda Galaxy)
- Astronomical Distance Travel Time Calculator computes the time to travel to distant parts of space at different velocities.
- Radius of Perigee
- Radius of Apogee
- Centripetal Acceleration as a function of tangential velocity and radius, CLICK HERE.
- Angular Frequency as a function of orbital period,.
- Radial Acceleration as a function of orbital period and radius, CLICK HERE.
- Acceleration in non-uniform Circular Motion, CLICK HERE.
- ^ Young, Hugh and Freeman, Roger. University Physics With Modern Physics. Addison-Wesley, 2008. 12th Edition, (ISBN-13: 978-0321500625 ISBN-10: 0321500628 ) Pg 89, eq 3.29