Circular Motion (AQA GCSE Physics)

• Velocity is a vector quantity, and the velocity of an object is its speed in a given direction
• When an object travels along a circular path, its velocity is always changing
  • The speed of the object moving in a circle might be constant - that is, it is travelling the same distance every second
  • However, the direction of travel is always changing as the object moves along the circular path

• The image below shows an example of a famous object that moves in a circular path with a constant speed but changing direction:

The International Space Station’s velocity is always changing - it whizzes around the Earth at a constant speed of about 7660 m/s but is always changing direction