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Physics Question 15 – NEET-UG 2024

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A particle moving with uniform speed in a circular path maintains :

Recall that velocity and acceleration are vector quantities, meaning they have both magnitude and direction.

Step 1: Analyze Velocity in Uniform Circular Motion✦ Active

In uniform circular motion, a particle moves with constant speed (magnitude of velocity). However, the direction of the velocity vector is continuously changing as the particle moves along the circular path. Since velocity is a vector quantity, a change in direction means the velocity itself is varying.

Step 2: Analyze Acceleration in Uniform Circular Motion○ Expand

For a particle to move in a circular path, there must be a centripetal acceleration directed towards the center of the circle. The magnitude of this acceleration is constant (a=v2/r), but its direction continuously changes, always pointing towards the center of the circle. Since acceleration is a vector quantity, a change in direction means the acceleration itself is varying.

💡 Teacher's Secret Hint

Remember that acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. Even if speed is constant, a change in velocity direction implies acceleration.

Step 3: Conclusion○ Expand

Based on the analysis, both the velocity (due to changing direction) and the acceleration (due to changing direction) of a particle in uniform circular motion are varying. Therefore, option (3) is the correct statement.

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