What is the role of torque in circular motion?

Torque is essential in circular motion as it causes an object to rotate around an axis.

In circular motion, an object moves in a circular path around a fixed point or axis. This motion requires a force to act on the object to change its direction. This force is known as torque, which is the rotational equivalent of force. Torque is a vector quantity that describes the amount of force applied to an object to cause it to rotate around an axis. The magnitude of the torque depends on the force applied and the distance from the axis of rotation.

The direction of the torque is perpendicular to the plane of rotation and follows the right-hand rule. The right-hand rule states that if you curl your fingers in the direction of rotation, your thumb will point in the direction of the torque.

Torque plays a crucial role in circular motion as it causes an object to rotate around an axis. It is responsible for changing the angular velocity of the object, which is the rate of change of the object's angle with respect to time. The greater the torque applied, the faster the object will rotate.

In summary, torque is essential in circular motion as it causes an object to rotate around an axis. It is a vector quantity that describes the amount of force applied to an object to cause it to rotate. The direction of the torque is perpendicular to the plane of rotation and follows the right-hand rule. Torque plays a crucial role in changing the angular velocity of the object and determining the speed of rotation.