Why is an object that moves in a circular path accelerating when it has constant speed?
Think about the definition of acceleration - it is the rate of change of velocity. Your statement that the object's speed is constant is correct, can you think about why the object's velocity isn't constant? Velocity is a vector which means it has a direction as well as a magnitude, and the object's velocity is changing directiion (constantly) as it moves in a circle, therefore the rate of change of velocity = acceleration is non zero.
IS
Related Physics A Level answers
All answers ▸A ball is launched from ground level at 5m/s at an angle of 30 degrees above the horizontal. What is its height above ground level at the highest point in its trajectory?
Name the four fundamental forces.
What is the difference between potential energy and potential?
Describe and explain how a constant rate of fission is maintained in a reactor by considering what events or sequence of events may happen to the released neutrons. (6 marks)