Ball & String Simulator

Watch circular motion in 3D. Centripetal force (red) points inward; tangential velocity (green) is tangent to the path. Release the string to see inertia carry the ball in a straight line.

Controls

Radius R (m) 2.0

Angular speed ω (rad/s) 1.5

Mass m (kg) 1.0

Live Data

Speed v3.00 m/s

Centripetal F4.50 N

Centripetal a4.50 m/s²

StateCircular

Physics

F = mv² / R = mω²R

Tension provides centripetal force. On release, tension vanishes and the ball flies with its instantaneous tangential velocity (Newton’s 1st law).

F — Centripetal v — Tangential a — Centripetal

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