Circular Motion: Why an Object Moves When Acceleration is Perpendicular

In summary, when an object is moving in a circular motion with constant speed, the direction of its velocity is constantly changing and the change in velocity points towards the center of the circle. This change in velocity is perpendicular to the velocity and is known as acceleration, causing the object to continue moving in a circular path.
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songoku
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Why an object will move in circular when the acceleration is perpendicular to the velocity?
 
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If the acceleration is always perpendicular to the linear velocity, then the linear velocity will never change. That means that the acceleration is always a rotational acceleration.
 
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songoku said:
Why an object will move in circular when the acceleration is perpendicular to the velocity?
It may not be intuitive to you but read FactChecker's reply carefully (and rigorously). His argument is sufficient if you follow his logic.
 
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songoku said:
Why an object will move in circular when the acceleration is perpendicular to the velocity?

Acceleration causes a change in velocity. But velocity is a vector quantity with a magnitude (speed) and a direction. In circular motion with constant speed, the direction of the velocity is constantly changing and the change in velocity points toward the center of the circle. That is the direction of the acceleration.

Look at the diagram here: http://ibphysicsstuff.wikidot.com/uniform-circular-motion It shows the velocity vector at two different times as well as the difference v2 - v1 (the blue vector). If you imagine the two instances (blue dots) to be closer together, you can see that the difference vector would point toward the center, perpendicular to the velocity. That difference vector is in the direction of the acceleration.
 
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1. What is circular motion and how is it defined?

Circular motion is when an object moves along a circular path or trajectory. It is defined as a type of motion in which an object moves at a constant speed along a circular path, with the direction of motion constantly changing. This means that the object is constantly accelerating, even though its speed remains constant.

2. Why does an object in circular motion accelerate even though its speed remains constant?

This is due to the fact that acceleration is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. In circular motion, the direction of the object's velocity is constantly changing, even though its speed remains the same. This change in direction results in a changing acceleration, causing the object to accelerate perpendicular to its velocity.

3. What is the relationship between centripetal acceleration and centripetal force in circular motion?

Centripetal acceleration is the acceleration of an object moving in a circular path, while centripetal force is the force that causes the object to move in that circular path. These two quantities are inversely proportional, meaning that as one increases, the other decreases. This means that in order to maintain circular motion, the centripetal force must be equal to the centripetal acceleration.

4. Are there any real-life examples of circular motion?

Yes, there are many real-life examples of circular motion. Some common examples include the motion of planets around the sun, the motion of a car around a curved road, and the motion of a ball in a game of basketball. Any object that moves along a curved path or trajectory can be considered to be in circular motion.

5. How does centripetal force differ from centrifugal force in circular motion?

Centripetal force is the force that keeps an object moving in a circular path, while centrifugal force is a fictitious force that appears to push an object outwards from the center of rotation. In reality, centrifugal force is simply the result of inertia, or an object's tendency to resist changes in its motion. It is not a true force, but rather a perceived force due to the object's inertia.

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