How does an object in circular motion experience acceleration when it is going at a constant speed?

Acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity. The important thing to realise here is that velocity is a vector quantity while speed is a scalar one. An object going in circular motion has constant speed at every point on the circle but the velocity is changing because the direction at which the object is moving is changing. The velocity is always tangential to the path defined by the movement. So, because the velocity is changing at every point, this means that there is a change of velocity at time progresses. By the previously mentioned definition of acceleration, the object experiences a change of velocity at different time intervals and thus is said to be accelerating. The acceleration of the object at every point is towards the centre of the circle. 

Answered by Loukas K. Physics tutor

2546 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Calculate the flight time of a ball moving in parabolic motion, with initial velocity 5.0m/s at angle 30 degrees from the horizontal travelling for 23 metres.


Initially, trucks A and B are travelling in opposite directions. A has mass 1000 kg and is travelling at speed 7ms^-1. B has mass 4000kg and is travelling at speed 2ms^-1. What is their speed and direction after collision if they move together?


What would happen to n and Emax when  a) the intensity is reduced to 1/2 I but the wavelength λ is unchanged? b) the wavelength λ is reduced but the intensity is unchanged?


When a particle travels in a circle of radius r, at constant speed v, what is its acceleration


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences