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NEET PHYSICSEasy

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

A

constant acceleration

B

constant velocity but varying acceleration

C

varying velocity and varying acceleration

D

constant velocity

Step-by-Step Solution

  1. Analyze Velocity: In uniform circular motion, the speed (magnitude of velocity) is constant. However, the direction of the velocity vector changes continuously at every point along the circular path. Since velocity is a vector quantity, a change in direction implies that the velocity is varying .
  2. Analyze Acceleration: The particle experiences centripetal acceleration directed towards the centre of the circle. The magnitude of this acceleration is ac=v2/Ra_c = v^2/R, which is constant because vv and RR are constant. However, the direction of the acceleration vector always points towards the centre, which changes continuously as the particle moves around the circle. Since the direction changes, the acceleration is varying .
  3. Conclusion: Both the velocity and the acceleration vectors vary due to the continuous change in direction.
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