An object traveling in a circle at a variable speed
A) experiences a tangential acceleration.
B) experiences a centripetal acceleration.
C) has a velocity directed along the tangent.
D) can be described by all of the above statements.
E) cannot be described by any of the above statements.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The object traveling in a circle at a variable speed experiences a tangential acceleration (A) because its speed changes as it moves around the circle. It also experiences a centripetal acceleration (B) because there is a force acting towards the center of the circle that is necessary for the object to continue moving in a circle. Finally, the object has a velocity directed along the tangent (C) because it is moving in a circular path and its velocity is always tangent to the circle at any given point. Therefore, all of the above statements are true and the best choice is D.

An Object Traveling in a Circle at a Variable Speed