Question
Question: Which of the following correctly describes the centripetal acceleration vector for a particle moving...
Which of the following correctly describes the centripetal acceleration vector for a particle moving in a circular path ?
A
Constant and always perpendicular to the velocity vector for the particle
B
Constant and always parallel to the velocity vector for the particle
C
Of constant magnitude and always perpendicular to the velocity for the particle
D
Of constant magnitude and always parallel to the velocity vector for the particle
Answer
Of constant magnitude and always perpendicular to the velocity for the particle
Explanation
Solution
We cannot choose (1) or (2) because the centripetal acceleration vector is not constant it continuously changes in direction. Of the remaining choices, only (3) gives the correct perpendicular relationship between ac and v.