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How can a body have acceleration when it has constant velocity in circular motion

User Mina Matta
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1 Answer

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Let's determine how a body can have acceleration when it has constant velocity in circular motion.

When a body has constant velocity, the acceleration is zero. This means a body travelling at constant velocity has no acceleration.

But when a body is in circular motion, it experiences a change in either the magnitude or a change in the velocity vector's direction.

Acceleration can be defined as a change in velocity, either in direction or magnitude.

Since there is a change in magnitude or the direction of vector in a circular motion, a body can have acceleration when it is at constant speed if the acceleration is kept perpendicular to the velocity.

ANSWER:

A body can have acceleration when it is at constant speed if the acceleration is kept perpendicular to the velocity.

User DTRT
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