Vertical circular motion is a widely used example to explain non-uniform circular motion in most
undergraduate general physics textbooks. However, most of these textbooks do not elaborate on the
case when this motion turns into projectile motion under certain conditions. In this paper, we
describe thoroughly when a mass attached to a cord, moving in a vertical circular motion, turns into
a projectile and its location and velocity when it rejoins the circular orbit. This paper provides
an intuitive understanding, supported by basic kinematic equations, to give an interesting elegant
connection between circular motion and projectile motion—something lacking in most physics
textbooks—and will be very useful to present to an undergraduate class to deepen their understanding
of both models of motion.