If a body is moving in a circular path with a constant speed, which of the follo
Practice Questions
Q1
If a body is moving in a circular path with a constant speed, which of the following statements is true?
The body is in equilibrium
The net force acting on the body is zero
The body experiences a centripetal force
The body has no acceleration
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
If a body is moving in a circular path with a constant speed, which of the following statements is true?
Correct Answer: A body moving in a circular path with constant speed experiences a centripetal force directed towards the center of the circle.
Step 1: Understand that a body moving in a circular path is always changing direction, even if its speed is constant.
Step 2: Recognize that changing direction means there is an acceleration, even if the speed doesn't change.
Step 3: Identify that this acceleration is called centripetal acceleration, which is directed towards the center of the circular path.
Step 4: Realize that to maintain this circular motion, a force must act on the body, which is called centripetal force.
Step 5: Conclude that the centripetal force is always directed towards the center of the circle, keeping the body in its circular path.
Centripetal Force – A force that acts on an object moving in a circular path, directed towards the center of the circle, necessary for maintaining circular motion.
Uniform Circular Motion – Motion of an object traveling at a constant speed along a circular path, where the direction of the velocity vector changes continuously.
