Question

describe the relationship between the direction of the velocity vector and the direction of the acceleration for a body moving in a circle at constant speed

Answer 1

The direction of the velocity vector in circular motion at constant speed is tangent to the circle, while the acceleration vector, known as centripetal acceleration, points toward the center of the circle.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the specific scenario of a body moving in a circle at a constant speed, the relationship between the direction of the velocity vector and the direction of the acceleration vector is vital to understand. The velocity vector is always tangent to the circle, which means it is drawn along the direction that the body is moving at any point on the circle. The acceleration vector, on the other hand, points toward the center of the circle; this is known as centripetal acceleration. Thus, while the speed remains constant, the direction of the velocity is continuously changing as the body moves along the circular path, resulting in an acceleration towards the center of that path.

Answer 2

Uniform circular motion can be described as the motion of an object in a circle at a constant speed. As an object moves in a circle, it is constantly changing its direction.

At all instances, the object is moving tangent to the circle. Since the direction of the velocity vector is the same as the direction of the object's motion, the velocity vector is directed tangent to the circle as well.

An object moving in a circle is accelerating. Accelerating objects are objects which are changing their velocity - either the speed (i.e., magnitude of the velocity vector) or the direction. An object undergoing uniform circular motion is moving with a constant speed. Nonetheless, it is accelerating due to its change in direction. The direction of the acceleration is inwards.