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

2017 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is the derivative of distance with respect to time.


This Question is a multi-parter but all around the same scenario. Similar to an end of paper A-level physics question.


How do you calculate the Earth's escape velocity?


What's the difference between Potential Difference and Electromotive Force


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