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.

Answered by Henry O. Physics tutor

1375 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Discuss how the graph of orbital velocities in rotational galaxies against distance from the galactic centre implies the existence of dark matter.


A yacht is sailing through water that is flowing due west at 2m/s. The velocity of the yacht relative to the water is 6m/s due south. The yacht has a resultant velocity of V m/s on a bearing of theta. Find V and theta


The friction coefficient of Formula 1 car tyres are around 1.7 in dry weather. Assuming sufficient power from the engine, calculate the theoretical best 0-100 km/h acceleration time in seconds. (neglect downforce, g=9.81m/s^2)


Why are neutrinos hard to detect?


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