Question

if a body is moving in a circular path with constant speed, what will be its acceleration constant or variable? please explain your answer in simple words.

Answer 1

Answer on Question #37839 - Physics – Mechanics | Kinematics | Dynamics

if a body is moving in a circular path with constant speed, what will be its acceleration constant or variable? please explain your answer in simple words.

Solution:

The magnitude of the centripetal acceleration in circular path is related to the tangential speed and angular velocity as follows:

$$a_{c} = \frac{V^{2}}{R}, \quad V = \text{speed}, \quad R = \text{radius}.$$

If $V = \text{constant} \Rightarrow V^{2}$ is constant and $R = \text{constant} \Rightarrow a_{c}$ will be constant.

Answer: acceleration will be constant.