Question

A body moving along a circular path has

• A. a constant speed
• B. a constant velocity
• C. no tangential velocity
• D. no radial acceleration

Answer 1

The correct option is A

a constant speed

Explanation for the correct option:

(A) a constant speed:

1. When the body is moving in a circular motion its speed is constant.
2. Speed is a scalar quantity and hence, it does not change with change in direction.

Explanation for the incorrect option(s):

(B) a constant velocity:

Velocity will not be constant because:

1. Velocity is a vector quantity.
2. The direction of velocity keeps changing at every point in a circular motion due to the centripetal force.

(C) no tangential velocity:

1. It has tangential velocity.
2. It is directed perpendicular to the direction of motion at every point of the circular path.

(D) no radial acceleration:

1. Since the centripetal force acts radially inwards, it has centripetal acceleration.
2. Hence, it will have radial acceleration.

Hence, the correct option is (A).