A car traveling at a constant speed goes around a sharp curve. Is the car accelerating? Explain.

Question options:

No the car is not accelerating because it didn't change speeds.

Yes the car is accelerating because it had to slow down to go around the curve.

Yes the car is accelerating because it is changing direction as it goes around the curve.

No the car is not accelerating because it is going at a constant speed.

Question

Chemistry

Steven Wagner

19 January, 07:04

A car traveling at a constant speed goes around a sharp curve. Is the car accelerating? Explain.

Question options:

No the car is not accelerating because it didn't change speeds.

Yes the car is accelerating because it had to slow down to go around the curve.

Yes the car is accelerating because it is changing direction as it goes around the curve.

No the car is not accelerating because it is going at a constant speed.

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Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Aiden Bernard · Answer 1

The answer is: Yes, the car is accelerating because it is changing direction as it goes around the curve.

- Because the direction of motion of an object even if the object is maintaining a constant speed still count as acceleration.

- Acceleration is a change in velocity, either in its magnitude i. e speed or in its direction or both.

- So, In a uniform circular motion, the direction of the velocity changes constantly, So there is always an associated acceleration, even though the speed might be constant.

-So when you go around a sharp curve if you hold the wheel steady during a turn and move at constant speed, you are in uniform circular motion. What you notice is a sideways acceleration because you and the car are changing direction.