When an object experiences uniform circular motion, the direction of the acceleration is
A) in the same direction as the velocity vector.
B) in the opposite direction of the velocity vector.
C) is directed toward the center of the circular path.
D) is directed away from the center of the circular path.
E) depends on the speed of the object.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to the equation for centripetal acceleration, a = v^2/r, the direction of the acceleration is always directed toward the center of the circular motion. This is because the acceleration is necessary to maintain the object's circular path, and is caused by the force that keeps the object moving in a circle - known as the centripetal force.

When an Object Experiences Uniform Circular Motion, the Direction of the Acceleration