Circular Motion: Why an Object Moves When Acceleration is Perpendicular

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of circular motion, specifically addressing why an object moves in a circular path when the acceleration is perpendicular to its velocity. The scope includes theoretical explanations and conceptual clarifications related to physics principles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the reasoning behind an object's circular motion when acceleration is perpendicular to velocity.
  • Another participant suggests that if acceleration is always perpendicular to linear velocity, then linear velocity remains unchanged, implying that this type of acceleration is rotational.
  • A third participant emphasizes the importance of following a specific argument presented by another contributor, indicating that it may clarify the concept.
  • Another participant explains that acceleration results in a change in velocity, noting that in circular motion, the direction of velocity changes while maintaining constant speed, with acceleration directed towards the center of the circle.
  • This participant references a diagram to illustrate how the difference in velocity vectors points toward the center, reinforcing the relationship between acceleration and circular motion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying interpretations of the relationship between acceleration and circular motion, with no consensus reached on the explanations provided.

Contextual Notes

Some arguments depend on specific definitions of acceleration and velocity, and the discussion does not resolve the implications of these definitions on the overall understanding of circular motion.

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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