Circular Motion: Acceleration Direction

AI Thread Summary
In circular motion, an object moving uniformly has its acceleration directed toward the center of the circle, confirming the initial understanding. When an object is accelerating in circular motion, it possesses both a radial component, directed inward, and a tangential component, which indicates a change in speed. To determine the total acceleration direction, one must consider both components together. This dual-component approach is essential for accurately analyzing circular motion dynamics. Understanding these concepts is crucial for studying physics related to circular motion.
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How would you know the direction of the acceleration of an object
a) moving uniformly in a circular motion
b) accelerating in a circular motion.

I'm pretty sure the answer to a is toward the center of the circle but I'm not so sure about b.

thanks.
 
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Just by virtue of moving in a circle, the object must have a radial component of acceleration--so your answer for a is correct. If the object is accelerating in a circle, not just moving at constant speed in a circle, then it will also have a tangential component of acceleration. To find the direction of the total acceleration, you need both components.
 

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