Which of the following statements is false for a particle moving in a circle with a constant angular speed?
Which of the following statements is false for a particle moving in a circle with a constant angular speed?
(a) The velocity vector is tangent to the circle.
(b) The acceleration vector is tangent to the circle
(c) the acceleration vector points to the centre of the circle
(d) the velocity and acceleration vectors are perpendicular to each other.
3 Answers
(b) : The acceleration vector acts along the radius of the circle. The given statement is false.
Correct option (b) The acceleration vector is tangent to the circle
Explanation :
For a particle moving in a circle with constant angular speed, velocity vector is always along the tangent to the circle and the acceleration vector always points towards the centre of circle or is always along radius of the circle.
Since, tangential vector rs perpendicular to radial vector, therefore velocity vector will be perpendicular to the acceleration vector. But in no case, acceleration vector is tangent to the circle.