How can an object be accelerating if it does not change in speed?

Speed is a scalar quantity, meaning that it only has a magnitude. Acceleration is a vector quantity, meaning that it has a magnitude and a direction. Velocity is the vector quantity equivalent of speed, as it has both magnitude and direction. Acceleration is dependent on velocity, rather than speed. Therefore, the object can be accelerating if it is changing direction without changing it's speed.

CC
Answered by Chantelle C. Physics tutor

11161 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A car travelling at 28 m/s brakes until it stops completely after travelling a distance of 15 m. Calculate the deceleration of the car.


What is "half-life"?


What is the period and frequency of a wave? - GCSE or A-Level students may ask this


Light with a frequency of 200nm is shone on a sodium plate with a work function of 2.28eV and electrons start escaping the surface of the plate due to the photoelectric effect. What is the maximum kinetic energy of one of these electrons in eV?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning