Question

A Marry-go-round moves in a circle at a constant speed. is the merry-go-round accelerating? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

Sample response: Yes, the merry-go-round is accelerating. Acceleration is a change in speed, direction, or both. Even though the speed of the merry-go-round does not change, its direction constantly changes as it spins.

Answer 2

Basically, an acceleration is an increase in the speed or rate. Acceleration is a vector while on the other hand the speed is constant, so the direction of the vector is constantly changing. The marry-go round has a constant angular velocity. (Its outer rim moves faster than the center).