In non-uniform circular motion, what component of acceleration causes a change in the object's speed?
Understand the Problem
The question asks which component of acceleration is responsible for changing the speed of an object undergoing non-uniform circular motion. Non-uniform circular motion implies that the object's speed is not constant, and we need to identify the acceleration component that causes this change in speed.
Answer
Tangential acceleration changes an object's speed in non-uniform circular motion.
In non-uniform circular motion, the tangential component of acceleration causes a change in the object's speed. This component acts in the direction tangent to the circular path, speeding up or slowing down the object.
Answer for screen readers
In non-uniform circular motion, the tangential component of acceleration causes a change in the object's speed. This component acts in the direction tangent to the circular path, speeding up or slowing down the object.
More Information
In non-uniform circular motion, an object's speed changes as it moves along a circular path. This is unlike uniform circular motion, where the speed remains constant. The tangential acceleration is responsible for this change in speed.
Tips
A common mistake is to confuse tangential acceleration with centripetal acceleration. Centripetal acceleration changes the direction of the velocity, keeping the object moving in a circle, while tangential acceleration changes the magnitude of the velocity (i.e., the speed).
Sources
- Tangential Acceleration and Nonuniform Circular Motion - aklectures.com
- Circular Motion Formulas | Normal & Tangential Acceleration - study.com
AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify critical information
