Why is 'the velocity' in circular motion changing?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the nature of velocity in circular motion, specifically why it is considered to be changing even when speed remains constant. Participants explore the relationship between speed, direction, and velocity, as well as the implications of these changes in the context of circular motion.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that velocity is a vector that changes due to changes in direction, even if speed remains constant.
  • Others clarify that constant speed does not imply constant velocity, as velocity requires both speed and direction to remain unchanged.
  • A participant illustrates the concept using an example of an airplane changing direction while maintaining the same speed, highlighting the change in velocity.
  • One participant proposes a diagrammatic approach to understanding changes in velocity during uniform circular motion, emphasizing the non-zero change in velocity vector.
  • There is a reiteration of the idea that changing direction while maintaining speed results in a change in velocity, prompting further questioning about the implications of this in practical scenarios, such as driving a car.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that velocity is affected by changes in direction, but there is ongoing debate about the implications of constant speed versus constant velocity. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the nuances of these concepts.

Contextual Notes

Some statements depend on specific definitions of speed and velocity, and the discussion does not resolve the mathematical implications of the changes in velocity vectors.

Medicalboy
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Why is the velocity in circular motion changing, why not constant?
 
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Because velocity is a vector that has direction. The direction is changing so the vector is changing.
 
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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.
 
'
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?
 
Medicalboy said:
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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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
Medicalboy said:
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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.
 

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