When an object moves in a circle at a constant speed, what is the direction of its acceleration?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the direction of acceleration for an object undergoing uniform circular motion. Understanding that uniform circular motion involves a constant speed but changing velocity (due to changing direction) is key. The acceleration in this case is centripetal acceleration, which always points towards the center of the circle.
Answer
The direction of acceleration is towards the center of the circle.
When an object moves in a circle at a constant speed, the direction of its acceleration is towards the center of the circle. This is known as centripetal acceleration.
Answer for screen readers
When an object moves in a circle at a constant speed, the direction of its acceleration is towards the center of the circle. This is known as centripetal acceleration.
More Information
Even though the speed is constant, the object is accelerating because its direction is constantly changing. This acceleration is always directed towards the center of the circle and is called centripetal acceleration.
Tips
A common mistake is thinking that constant speed means no acceleration. However, acceleration is the rate of change of velocity, and velocity is a vector (it has both magnitude and direction). Therefore, a change in direction also means there is acceleration.
Sources
- An object moving in a circle at a constant speed is a accelerating in the direction of motion b accelerating toward the center of the circle c accelerating away from the center of the circle d not accelerating because its speed is constant. - homework.study.com
- Centripetal Acceleration | Physics - Lumen Learning - courses.lumenlearning.com
- Acceleration - The Physics Classroom - physicsclassroom.com
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