NEET2026PhysicsChapterActual
A particle is moving along a circular path. If its speed is continuously increasing, the net force acting on the particle is directed:
Options
- Aexactly towards the centre of the circular path
- Bexactly along the tangent to the circular path
- Cat an acute angle to the direction of its instantaneous velocity
- Dat an obtuse angle to the direction of its instantaneous velocity
Correct answer
C. at an acute angle to the direction of its instantaneous velocity
Step-by-step solution
The particle is moving in a circular path, so it experiences a centripetal force F _c directed towards the centre of the circle, which is perpendicular to the instantaneous velocity v . Since the speed of the particle is continuously increasing, there is a tangential force F _t acting in the direction of the instantaneous velocity v . The net force acting on the particle is the vector sum of the centripetal and tangential forces: F _ net = F _c + F _t . The angle between the net force F _ net and the velocity v is