Velocity is a vector quantity which has both magnitude and direction. It is used to describe the object’s velocity. Comment on the direction: both the magnitude and direction of the velocity vector are important. The velocity vector can be represented as v = 4a/o_ Co C (culj ~f(o ) Ve 499 n’J of He 06)= hogent (emaas Ine Sax€ 64+ ‘ 4, di reclim €h909 % And 9i~e 67 pS #e Gcfe_. TRUE or FALSE? If an object moves in a circle at a constant speed, the velocity vector will be constant. Explain your answer. In the diagram at the right, a variety of positions about a circle are shown. Draw the velocity vector at the various positions; direct the arrows in the proper direction and label them as v. Draw the acceleration vector at the various positions; direct the arrows in the proper direction and label them as a.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Answer: FALSE The velocity vector is not constant when an object moves in a circle at a constant speed. While the magnitude of velocity remains the same, its direction continuously changes, making velocity a non-constant vector.
Explanation: Velocity is a vector quantity defined by both magnitude and direction. In uniform circular motion, the magnitude remains constant, but the direction of the velocity vector changes continuously as the object moves along the circular path. This change in direction means the velocity vector is always varying, even though the speed remains unchanged.
At each point along the circle, the velocity vector is tangent to the path. This means that if we plot velocity vectors at different points, they will always point perpendicular to the radial direction at that location. As the object moves, the direction of the velocity vector shifts along the circumference, indicating that the velocity is not constant.
Since the velocity is changing in direction, the object undergoes acceleration. This acceleration, known as centripetal acceleration, always points toward the center of the circle. Centripetal acceleration is responsible for continuously altering the direction of velocity, ensuring the object remains in circular motion. If the acceleration were removed, the object would move in a straight line tangent to the circle.
In the provided diagram, the velocity vectors should be drawn tangentially at each position along the circle, labeled as v, and the acceleration vectors should be drawn radially inward, labeled as a. Together, these vectors illustrate the nature of uniform circular motion, where the velocity continuously changes direction but maintains a constant magnitude, and the acceleration directs toward the center, ensuring circular motion persists.
