Explain why an object moving around a circle is said to be accelerating when it has no resultant force acting upon it.

If an object has no resultant force acting upon it then it is moving at a constant speed. Acceleration is a vector quantity meaning that it includes magnitude and direction. When it is moving around a circle the direction in which an object is moving is continuously changing; therefore, the object is constantly accelerating.

HO
Answered by Henry O. Physics tutor

1862 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Show that gravitational force within a nuclei is negilible compared with the electric repulsion.


If a ball of mass 5kg is dropped from rest, how far will it travel in the 3 seconds after it reaches 150m from it's original position? Write down the change in it's total energy after the 3 seconds. (ignoring air resistance)


Using Newton's law of gravitation, derive a suitable formula for the escape velocity of an object at Earth's surface.


What is a potential divider?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning