Constant acceleration changes direction twice

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An object with constant acceleration cannot change direction twice, as confirmed in a practice physics problem. When considering an object attached to a string spinning at constant velocity, the tangential acceleration is zero due to no change in speed. However, the overall acceleration in uniform circular motion is not constant because it continuously changes direction. The distinction between tangential and radial acceleration is crucial in understanding motion dynamics. Thus, while tangential acceleration remains zero, the total acceleration varies in direction.
spikehoward
Hello,

I just did a practice physics problem that asked if an object with constant acceleration can change direction twice. The answer was no. What if you had an object attached to a string spinning at constant velocity. Is the tangential acceleration constant?
 
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spikehoward said:
What if you had an object attached to a string spinning at constant velocity. Is the tangential acceleration constant?

the tangential acceleration is zero because there is no change in speed and the direction of the acceleration is radial
 
spikehoward said:
I just did a practice physics problem that asked if an object with constant acceleration can change direction twice. The answer was no. What if you had an object attached to a string spinning at constant velocity. Is the tangential acceleration constant?
Although the "tangential acceleration" is constant (and equal to zero), the "acceleration" in the case of uniform circular motion is not constant.
 
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