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InformationUDP datagram service

UDP exchanges addressed messages without adding reliable stream delivery.

Definition InformationDNS names, records and caching

DNS distributes typed resource records through a delegated naming hierarchy.

Definition InformationCombinational digital-circuit model

A combinational output depends on current valid inputs after a bounded settling delay.

Model InformationBoolean gates and truth tables

Logic gates compute Boolean functions with truth values 0 and 1.

Definition InformationClocked storage and sequential state

Sequential circuits retain state, so current inputs alone do not determine their behavior.

Model InformationStored programs and instruction sets

Stored instructions control computation through a specified hardware/software interface.

Model PhysicsDisplacement, distance and average speed

Displacement compares endpoints; distance measures the travelled path.

Model PhysicsConstant-acceleration kinematics

Closed formulas require constant acceleration over the interval.

Model PhysicsInertial reference frames and inertia

Newtonian force balances need an inertial frame or explicit inertial terms.

Model PhysicsCircular motion and centripetal acceleration

A constant speed can still have an acceleration.

Model PhysicsMass, gravitational weight and apparent weight

Mass is in kilograms; gravitational weight is a force.

Model PhysicsNormal forces and tension

Contact geometry determines the force direction.

Model PhysicsFree-body diagrams and system boundaries

List forces on the selected body once.

Model PhysicsStatic and kinetic dry friction

Static friction is a responsive force with an approximate limit.

Model PhysicsFluid drag and terminal speed

Terminal speed depends on the chosen drag model.

Model PhysicsImpulse and momentum transfer

Time-integrated net force changes momentum.

Model PhysicsElastic and inelastic collisions

Momentum conservation and kinetic-energy conservation are different.

Model PhysicsConservative forces and potential energy

Potential-energy differences encode path-independent work.

Model PhysicsMechanical-energy conservation and dissipation

Mechanical energy is only part of the total energy.

Model PhysicsHooke’s spring model and elastic energy

A linear spring restores displacement toward equilibrium.

Model PhysicsMechanical power

Power measures the rate of work or energy transfer.

Model PhysicsRigid-body rotational kinetic energy

Rotation stores kinetic energy determined by mass distribution.

Model PhysicsRolling without slipping

No slip constrains velocity at the contact point.

Model PhysicsStatic equilibrium and torque balance

Zero net force alone does not prevent rotation.

Model Physics · Earth & cosmosYoung, shear and bulk elastic moduli

Stress and strain need a loading geometry and a constitutive range.

Model PhysicsDensity and fluid pressure

Density is mass per volume; pressure is normal force per area.

Model PhysicsAbsolute, gauge and differential pressure

A zero gauge reading need not be a vacuum.

Model PhysicsPascal’s principle and ideal hydraulics

A pressure change is transmitted; pressure need not be equal at different heights.

Model PhysicsNewtonian viscosity and Poiseuille flow

Viscosity relates shear stress to velocity gradient.

Model Physics · ChemistrySurface tension and capillary rise

Interface forces can support pressure jumps and capillary columns.

ModelSource checked

Circular motion and centripetal acceleration

Physics

A constant speed can still have an acceleration.

Key knowledge

For a particle on a circle of fixed radius R, acceleration has inward radial component v²/R and tangential component dv/dt. Uniform circular motion has v=Rω and inward acceleration Rω². “Centripetal force” names the inward net-force component required by the motion; tension, gravity or another interaction supplies it.

Values and equations

a=−(v²/R)e_r+(dv/dt)e_t; v=Rω; a_radial=v²/R=Rω²

a,a_radial: Vector acceleration and inward radial magnitude m s⁻²
v: Tangential speed m s⁻¹
R: Circle radius m
ω: Angular speed rad s⁻¹
e_r,e_t: Outward radial and forward tangential unit vectors 1
t: Time s

Conditions and scope

R>0; planar motion with a fixed circular centre in an inertial frame.
For nonuniform speed retain the tangential component; do not add a separate centripetal interaction to an already complete force diagram.

Sources · 1

References

Sources retain their recorded scope. A source link alone does not establish verification of every statement.

University Physics Volume 1, §4.4: uniform circular motionSamuel J. Ling, Jeff Sanny and William Moebs — OpenStax, Rice University, University Physics (2016)Textbook chapteropenstax.orgRead source

Evidence and review

Read §4.4 centripetal derivation, angular frequency and nonuniform-circular-motion decomposition. The force-label clarification follows application of the existing net-force equation, not a separate force law.

2026-10-10 · /root/audit_life_earth_chemistry — independent Chemistry/Life/Earth editor. Independent AI editorial review of this entry's statements, equations, applicability conditions and source coverage. Source checks apply to these claims within their stated limits.

Entry details

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Record identity: foundation-physics-circular-acceleration
Revision: foundations-refresh.1
Structured reference record: Foundational reference additions