Why is 'the velocity' in circular motion changing?

In summary: But if you are driving your car and your GPS indicates that you are going North at 40 km/h and you turn your steering wheel to the East, your velocity has not changed because the direction is still North.
  • #1
Medicalboy
6
2
Why is the velocity in circular motion changing, why not constant?
 
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  • #2
Because velocity is a vector that has direction. The direction is changing so the vector is changing.
 
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Likes davenn and CWatters
  • #3
Velocity is a vector that has components speed and direction.

Change speed or direction and velocity changes.

In addition any change to velocity implies an acceleration.
 
  • #4
'
CWatters said:
Velocity is a vector that has components speed and direction.

Change speed or direction and velocity changes.

In addition any change to velocity implies an acceleration.
As you said above 'Change speed or direction and velocity changes.
So, in constant speed or velocity, we can not change direction or If we change direction, the velocity would change? say, If we drive a car at a constant speed (40km/hr), can't we change the direction?
 
  • #5
Medicalboy said:
'
If we drive a car at a constant speed (40km/hr), can't we change the direction?
Certainly we can. And doing so will change the velocity.
 
  • #6
A constant speed does not imply a constant direction (Because speed does not have a direction component).

Velocity has components speed and direction. Constant velocity implies both components are constant.

So a car driving in a circle can have a constant speed but not a constant velocity.
 
  • #7
Consider an aeroplane flying north at 100mph. It's speed is 100mph. It's velocity is 100mph North.

If it turns around and heads South at 100mph it's speed is still 100mph. It's velocity has changed to 100mph South.
 
  • #8
Medicalboy said:
Why is the velocity in circular motion changing, why not constant?

Draw an arrow representing the velocity of a particle and label it ##\vec{v}_1##. Then do it again, some time ##\Delta t## later, for that same particle and label it ##\vec{v}_2##. If the particle is moving with uniform circular motion your two arrows have the same length. But in general they point in different directions. Can you now draw on your diagram an arrow representing ##\Delta\vec{v}## such that ##\vec{v}_1+\Delta \vec{v}=\vec{v}_2##.

If you can see why ##\Delta \vec{v}## is not zero then you have shown that the acceleration ##\vec{a}## cannot be zero since ##\vec{a}\approx\frac{\Delta \vec{v}}{\Delta t}## for small ##\Delta t##.

You can see diagrams illustrating this, accompanied by explanation, in any introductory physics textbook. If the one you see is not to your liking, find a different textbook. There are lots of them out there, many of them are free.
 
  • #9
Medicalboy said:
'
As you said above 'Change speed or direction and velocity changes.
So, in constant speed or velocity, we can not change direction or If we change direction, the velocity would change? say, If we drive a car at a constant speed (40km/hr), can't we change the direction?
Say you are driving your car and your GPS indicates that you are going North at 40 km/h. If you do something so that the 40 km/h changes or the "North" changes, then you velocity has changed.
 

1. Why does the velocity change in circular motion?

The velocity changes in circular motion because an object moving in a circular path is constantly changing direction. This change in direction requires a change in velocity, even if the speed remains constant.

2. What causes the change in velocity in circular motion?

The change in velocity in circular motion is caused by the centripetal force, which is directed towards the center of the circular path. This force is necessary to keep the object moving in a curved path.

3. How does the change in velocity affect the acceleration in circular motion?

The change in velocity directly affects the acceleration in circular motion. Acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity, so as the velocity changes, the acceleration also changes. In circular motion, the acceleration is always directed towards the center of the circular path.

4. Can the velocity in circular motion ever be constant?

Yes, the velocity in circular motion can be constant if the object is moving at a constant speed and the direction of motion remains the same. However, the velocity's magnitude may be constant, but its direction is constantly changing.

5. How does the radius of the circular path affect the change in velocity?

The radius of the circular path affects the change in velocity in circular motion. A smaller radius means a tighter curve, requiring a larger change in direction and therefore a larger change in velocity. A larger radius means a wider curve, requiring a smaller change in direction and velocity.

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