Question

A particle moves horizontally in uniform circular motion. What is the nature of the particle's motion?

1) Linear motion
2) Rotational motion
3) Oscillatory motion
4) Circular motion

Answer 1

The motion of a particle in uniform circular motion is circular motion, characterized by the movement along a circular path at a constant speed, experiencing centripetal force and acceleration.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nature of a particle moving horizontally in uniform circular motion is circular motion. Circular motion is defined as the motion of an object when it follows a circular path. In the case of uniform circular motion, the object travels on the circular path at a constant speed, indicating that the speed does not change though the direction of velocity changes continuously. Because of this, even at a constant speed, the particle undergoes acceleration known as centripetal acceleration, directed towards the center of the circular path. This acceleration is due to the centripetal force that keeps the object moving in a circle. Thus, while the particle is not undergoing linear motion, rotational motion, or oscillatory motion, it is indeed engaged in circular motion.