Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]PhysicsCircular Motion
When a particle travels in a circular path at a uniform speed,
Options
- Aboth its velocity and acceleration change
- Bits acceleration is constant but its velocity changes
- Cits velocity and acceleration are both constant
- Dits velocity is constant but its acceleration changes
Correct answer
A. both its velocity and acceleration change
Step-by-step solution
When a particle moves in a circular path with uniform speed, its direction of motion changes continuously at every point. Since velocity is a vector quantity, a change in direction means the velocity changes continuously. The acceleration of the particle is centripetal, which is always directed towards the center of the circular path. As the particle moves, the direction towards the center changes continuously, meaning the acceleration vector also changes continuously. Therefore, both velocity and acceleration chan