Unit: Circular Motion
Year: 1990 Question#: 62
Question: While the object is undergoing uniform circular motion, its acceleration
(1 ) Has a magnitude of 0
(2 ) Increases in magnitude
(3 ) Is directed towards the center of the circle
(4 ) Is directed away from the center of the circle
What is this question really asking?
Explanation by: Chris and Kate
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Answer 1
Has magnitude of 0
INCORRECT
Speed is constant, but acceleration is not zero due to the object's changing direction. return to top
Answer 2
Increases in magnitude
INCORRECT
Although the acceleration changes, it changes only in direction, not in magnitude. return to top
Answer 3
Is directed towards the center of the circle.
CORRECT
Centripetal acceleration is always towards the center. When a force on an object (in this case, acceleration) is perpendicular to the direction of the object's motion, the path of the object bends. This is a basic principle of uniform circular motion. return to top
Answer 4
Is directed away from the center of the circle.
INCORRECT
The force away from the center is a fictitious force. This force is felt by observers in the frame of reference of the revolving object. return to top
What's this question really asking?
In which direction is the object instantaneously accelerating? return to top
