A wheel starts from rest and spins with a constant angular acceleration.As time goes on the acceleration vector for a point on the rim:
A)decreases in magnitude and becomes more nearly tangent to the rim
B)decreases in magnitude and becomes more nearly radial
C)increases in magnitude and becomes more nearly tangent to the rim
D)increases in magnitude and becomes more nearly radial
E)increases in magnitude but retains the same angle with the tangent to the rim

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The acceleration vector for a point on the rim of a wheel that starts from rest and spins with a constant angular acceleration includes both the tangential acceleration (due to the change in speed) and the radial (centripetal) acceleration (due to the change in direction). While the tangential acceleration remains constant due to the constant angular acceleration, the radial acceleration increases in magnitude because it is proportional to the square of the tangential speed, which increases as the wheel spins faster. Thus, the overall acceleration vector increases in magnitude and becomes more nearly radial as the tangential speed increases.

A Wheel Starts from Rest and Spins with a Constant