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

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Give a brief description of the Big Bang and describe its link to cosmic microwave background radiation.


a ball is dropped from rest off a cliff of height 50m, determine the final velocity of the ball assuming no air resistance.


A bullet is fired horizontally from a gun at a height of 1.5m at 280m/s. Calculate the time taken for it to hit the ground. A second bullet is fired from an adjacent gun at 370m/s. Calculate the distance it travel before the first bullet hits the ground.


What is the difference between distance and displacement?