An object moves with constant speed along a circular path of radius

PHYSICS · Subjective · CBSE · Physics · Motion in a Plane · Motion in a Plane

Problem

An object moves with constant speed

v

along a circular path of radius

r

. Consider two very close positions

P

and

Q

on the path. (i) Draw the velocity vectors

\vec{v}_P

and

\vec{v}_Q

tangential to the circle at points

P

and

Q

respectively. (ii) Use a vector subtraction diagram to represent the change in velocity

\Delta \vec{v}=\vec{v}_Q-\vec{v}_P

. (iii) Describe the direction of

\Delta \vec{v}

with respect to the centre of the circle. (iv) Using your answer in part (iii), explain why the motion of the object is regarded as accelerated motion.

Related theory

Uniform Circular Motion
Centripetal Acceleration
Motion in a Plane

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