An Object is in Uniform Circular Motion

[lampshader]

Homework Statement

Starting off a physics paper here about circular motion:

An Object is in Uniform Circular Motion. So Its acceleration is constant because acceleration is a vector quantity, its radial acceleration component is constant in magnitude and its tangential acceleration component is constant in magnitude.

A+ ? :x

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 

[Cherrybawls]

I don't believe a tangential acceleration exists in uniform circular motion, the magnitude of the tangential velocity should be constant...

 

[lampshader]

Ok so let's break it up, an object in uniform circular motion has:

1) Constant Acceleration
2) Has radial acceleration component that is constant in magnitude

So why can't it have a tangential acceleration component that is constant in magnitude?

 

[pgardn]

Ok so let's break it up, an object in uniform circular motion has:

1) Constant Acceleration
2) Has radial acceleration component that is constant in magnitude

So why can't it have a tangential acceleration component that is constant in magnitude?

I think he might be saying the tangential acceleration is a constant zero... the speed is not changing, only the direction of the velocity is.

 

[vela]

The acceleration isn't constant either as its direction is always changing as the object goes around the circle.

 

[lampshader]

Vela,

The acceleration is very constant..Given that the velocity is constant..I am kinda getting sidetracked here. I need to do small paragraph on the effects of uniform circular motion. So is it correct when I say that,

1) Its acceleration is constant given that acceleration is a vector quantity
2) Its radial acceleration component is constant in magnitude

But Not
---------
1) Its tangential acceleration component is constant in magnitude

 

[songoku]

Hi lampshader

1) Its acceleration is constant given that acceleration is a vector quantity
2) Its radial acceleration component is constant in magnitude

Point 2 is right, but not point 1. The magnitude of the acceleration is constant but not the acceleration itself because it is a vector quantity as you said so we must take account the direction. Vela explained the rest.

But Not
---------
1) Its tangential acceleration component is constant in magnitude

You can say that its tangential acceleration component is constant in magnitude, which is zero (as pgardn said)