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Question
A particle is acted upon by a force of constant magnitude which is always perpendicular to the velocity of the particle The motion of he particle takes place in a plane It follows that ________
A particle is acted upon by a force of constant magnitude which is always perpendicular to the velocity of the particle The motion of he particle takes place in a plane It follows that ________
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Solution
The correct option is D None of these
Answer is D.
In this case, it is centripetal motion. Assuming that there are no other forces acting upon this object, the particle will curve into a circular path of which the center is a point that the force will always point towards. Now let's consider the various answers:
(a) The velocity is constant: Because its direction is constantly changing as it travels along its circular path (to always be tangent to that path), the velocity of the particle cannot be considered constant,
(b) The acceleration is constant. Since the direction of the force is always changing (to be perpendicular to the path of motion), the direction of the acceleration is as well, and therefore the acceleration cannot be constant.
(c) Centripetal forces do no work (as they are always perpendicular to the displacement vectors). Since they do no work, it follows that the energy of the particle will remain unchanged as it orbits around the center point of its path.
Hence, none of the options are correct.
Answer is D.
In this case, it is centripetal motion. Assuming that there are no other forces acting upon this object, the particle will curve into a circular path of which the center is a point that the force will always point towards. Now let's consider the various answers:
(a) The velocity is constant: Because its direction is constantly changing as it travels along its circular path (to always be tangent to that path), the velocity of the particle cannot be considered constant,
(b) The acceleration is constant. Since the direction of the force is always changing (to be perpendicular to the path of motion), the direction of the acceleration is as well, and therefore the acceleration cannot be constant.
(c) Centripetal forces do no work (as they are always perpendicular to the displacement vectors). Since they do no work, it follows that the energy of the particle will remain unchanged as it orbits around the center point of its path.
Hence, none of the options are correct.
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