■ Physics Notes
Velocity, Acceleration &
Uniform Circular Motion
Class 7 | Chapter: Motion
Clear explanations · Formulas · Solved Examples
■ Topics Covered
1. Speed vs Velocity Scalar & Vector
2. Acceleration Formula & Units
3. Uniform Circular Motion Speed vs Velocity
4. Key Formulas Quick Reference
5. Solved Examples Practice Ready
Chapter 1: Speed & Velocity
1.1 What is Speed?
Speed tells us how fast an object is moving. It only tells us the rate of motion — not the
direction. Speed is a scalar quantity (magnitude only).
Speed = Distance ÷ Time → s = d / t
Units of Speed:
Unit Symbol Used When
Metres per second m/s Science / Physics
Kilometres per hour km/h Cars, trains
Miles per hour mph UK / US roads
1.2 What is Velocity?
Velocity tells us how fast AND in which direction an object moves. Velocity is a vector
quantity — it has both magnitude and direction.
Velocity = Displacement ÷ Time → v = s / t
Speed vs Velocity — At a Glance
Speed Velocity
Rate of covering distance Rate of change of displacement
Scalar (no direction) Vector (has direction)
Always positive or zero Can be positive, negative or zero
e.g. 60 km/h e.g. 60 km/h North
■ Solved Example 1
A car travels 150 km in 3 hours.
Find: Speed and Velocity (if it travels in a straight line East).
Solution:
Speed = Distance / Time = 150 km ÷ 3 h = 50 km/h
Velocity = 50 km/h towards East (direction matters!)
■ Remember!
• Speed has no direction; Velocity does.
• If an object moves in a circle at constant speed, its velocity is STILL changing
(direction keeps changing).
• Displacement = shortest path from start to end.
Chapter 2: Acceleration
2.1 What is Acceleration?
Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. Whenever velocity changes — whether in
speed or direction — acceleration is present. Acceleration is a vector quantity.
Acceleration (a) = (Final Velocity − Initial Velocity) / Time a = (v − u) /
t
Where:
Symbol Meaning Unit
a Acceleration m/s² (metres per second squared)
v Final velocity m/s
u Initial velocity m/s
t Time taken s (seconds)
2.2 Types of Acceleration
Type What happens? Example
Uniform Velocity increases by equal
Ball rolling down a ramp
Acceleration amounts in equal time
Non-uniform Velocity changes by unequal
Car in city traffic
Acceleration amounts
Deceleration
Object slows down; a is negative Braking car
(Negative Acc.)
Zero Acceleration Constant velocity (no change) Steady cruise on highway
■ Solved Example 2
A bicycle starts from rest and reaches a velocity of 10 m/s in 5 seconds.
Find its acceleration.
Given: u = 0 m/s (starts from rest)
v = 10 m/s
t=5s
a = (v − u) / t = (10 − 0) / 5 = 2 m/s²
The bicycle accelerates at 2 m/s².
■ Solved Example 3 (Deceleration)
A car moving at 20 m/s brakes and stops in 4 seconds.
Find the acceleration.
Given: u = 20 m/s, v = 0 m/s, t = 4 s
a = (0 − 20) / 4 = −20 / 4 = −5 m/s²
Negative sign shows deceleration (slowing down).
■ Remember!
• Acceleration = 0 does NOT mean the object is stationary; it means constant
velocity.
• Deceleration is just negative acceleration.
• SI unit of acceleration is m/s² (read: metres per second squared).
• Acceleration is a vector — direction matters!
Chapter 3: Uniform Circular Motion
3.1 What is Uniform Circular Motion?
When an object moves in a circular path at constant speed, it is said to be in Uniform
Circular Motion (UCM). Even though the speed stays the same, the direction of motion keeps
changing — so the velocity keeps changing. This means the object is always accelerating!
Key Idea: Constant Speed ≠ Constant Velocity in circular motion.
Because direction changes continuously, velocity changes → acceleration exists.
3.2 Key Terms in UCM
Term Symbol Formula Unit
T = Circumference /
Period (time for 1 round) T seconds (s)
Speed = 2πr / v
Frequency (rounds per
f f=1/T Hz (hertz)
sec)
Speed in circular motion v v = 2πr / T m/s
Centripetal Acceleration a a = v² / r m/s²
3.3 Centripetal Force
For an object to keep moving in a circle, a force must act towards the centre of the circle. This
is called centripetal force. Without it, the object would fly off in a straight line (Newton's 1st
Law).
Centripetal Force F = mv² / r
Real-Life Examples of UCM
Situation What provides centripetal force?
Earth orbiting the Sun Gravity of the Sun
Car turning on a curved road Friction between tyres and road
Ball on a string swung in a circle Tension in the string
Satellite orbiting Earth Gravity of Earth
Electron orbiting nucleus (model) Electrostatic force
■ Solved Example 4
A stone tied to a 0.5 m string moves in a horizontal circle with speed 4 m/s.
Find: (a) Centripetal acceleration (b) Period
Given: r = 0.5 m, v = 4 m/s
(a) a = v² / r = (4)² / 0.5 = 16 / 0.5 = 32 m/s²
(b) T = 2πr / v = (2 × 3.14 × 0.5) / 4 = 3.14 / 4 ≈ 0.785 s
■ Remember!
• In UCM, speed is constant but velocity is NOT — direction keeps changing.
• Centripetal acceleration always points toward the centre of the circle.
• If the centripetal force disappears, the object moves in a straight line (tangent
to circle).
• Period (T) and Frequency (f) are related: T × f = 1.
Quick Reference: All Formulas
Concept Formula Unit
Speed s=d/t m/s
Velocity v = displacement / t m/s
Acceleration a = (v − u) / t m/s²
Distance (uniform acc.) d = ut + ½at² m
Velocity (uniform acc.) v² = u² + 2as m/s
Speed in UCM v = 2πr / T m/s
Period T = 2πr / v s
Frequency f=1/T Hz
Centripetal Acceleration a = v² / r m/s²
Centripetal Force F = mv² / r N
Practice Questions
1. A train travels 240 km in 4 hours. Calculate its speed.
2. A motorbike accelerates from 5 m/s to 25 m/s in 10 s. Find acceleration.
3. A car decelerates from 30 m/s to rest in 6 s. Find the deceleration.
4. An object moves in a circle of radius 2 m with speed 6 m/s. Find centripetal
acceleration.
5. In Question 4, find the period of one complete revolution.
6. Explain why an object in uniform circular motion is always accelerating, even
if its speed is constant.
Class 7 Physics Notes · Velocity, Acceleration & Uniform Circular Motion · Study Well! ■