KE constant in circular motion?

In summary, the kinetic energy in a car undergoing circular motion is constant, but the velocity is constantly changing.
  • #1
LanguageNerd
14
0
I was just wondering how the kinetic energy in, for example, a car undergoing circular motion is constant. We know that it's constantly acceleration due to the constant change in velocity, but surely that means that in the KE equation (1/2mv^2) the velocity is constantly changing as well. This would mean that the KE is also constantly changing, no?

Thanks for any help in advance!
 
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  • #2
Kinetic energy is a scalar quantity. It does not have a direction. So nothing will change. Since the magnitude of the velocity is constant, kinetic energy will stay the same.
 
  • #3
But how can it be a scalar quantity when it contains a vector quantity?
 
  • #4
LanguageNerd said:
But how can it be a scalar quantity when it contains a vector quantity?
the inner product of two vector quantity is certainly a scalar quantity..
$\vec{v}\cdot\vec{v}$
 
  • #5
Brilliant. Thanks all!
 
  • #6
A nit-pick… For a body going in a circle at constant speed, the acceleration isn't constant. Its magnitude is constant, but its direction keeps changing, because it's radial, and the particular radius keeps changing!
 
  • #7
Philip Wood said:
and the particular radius keeps changing!
What do you mean by this? The radius of circular rotation is changing?
 
  • #8
adjacent said:
What do you mean by this? The radius of circular rotation is changing?
Think of the radius as a vector from the center to a particular point on the circle. It changes as you move around the circle.

At any point, the radial acceleration points toward the center of the circle (opposite to the radius vector at that point). That direction changes as you move around the circle.
 
  • #9
Doc Al said:
Think of the radius as a vector from the center to a particular point on the circle. It changes as you move around the circle.

At any point, the radial acceleration points toward the center of the circle (opposite to the radius vector at that point). That direction changes as you move around the circle.
Oh. I thought he said that the radius(Length) is changing :shy:
 
  • #10
He ought to have been clearer!
 
  • #11
Philip Wood said:
He ought to have been clearer!
:rofl:
 

1. What is the KE constant in circular motion?

The KE constant in circular motion refers to the kinetic energy that remains constant throughout the motion of an object in a circular path. It is also known as the conservation of energy principle.

2. How is the KE constant calculated in circular motion?

The KE constant in circular motion can be calculated using the formula KE = 1/2 * m * v2, where m is the mass of the object and v is its velocity. This formula represents the relationship between an object's mass, velocity, and kinetic energy.

3. Why is the KE constant important in circular motion?

The KE constant is important in circular motion because it helps us understand the energy conservation principle. It shows that although the speed and direction of an object may change in circular motion, its kinetic energy will remain constant as long as no external forces act on it.

4. How does the KE constant affect the motion of an object in a circular path?

The KE constant plays a crucial role in the motion of an object in a circular path. As the object moves in the circular path, its speed and direction change, but its kinetic energy remains constant. This means that the object will continue to move at a constant speed unless an external force acts on it.

5. Can the KE constant change during circular motion?

No, the KE constant cannot change during circular motion as long as there are no external forces acting on the object. This is because of the conservation of energy principle, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed.

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