Question

Which of the following statement is correct about uniform circular motion?

• A. Force acting on the body is zero.
• B. Acceleration of the body is non-zero.
• C. Tangential acceleration is non-zero.
• D. Radial acceleration is zero.

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Acceleration of the body is non-zero.

In a uniform circular motion, the speed of the body must remain constant. Hence, force in the direction of motion should be zero. In the uniform circular motion, the direction of the body is always changing. Hence, there must be some non-zero force inwards which are perpendicular to the motion of the body to change its direction. Hence, the net force is non-zero. As the magnitude of velocity along the tangent is not changing, so the tangential acceleration is zero while we know that in a circular motion, a net force always acts towards the centre, so the radial acceleration cannot be zero.