Moderate

When an object moves with uniform speed in a circular orbit, its centripetal acceleration must be directed:

Correct answer: B. Towards the centre of the circle

  • A. Along the direction of motion
  • B. Towards the centre of the circle
  • C. Perpendicular to the center of the circle
  • D. Away from the centre of the circle

Explanation

Centripetal acceleration is the acceleration directed towards the center of a circular path. When an object moves with uniform speed in a circular orbit, the centripetal acceleration is crucial in keeping the object in its circular path. It prevents the object from moving in a straight line tangent to the circle by continuously changing its direction towards the center. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Towards the centre of the circle.' The other options are incorrect because they do not align with the concept of centripetal acceleration in circular motion.

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About Force and Motion

Displacement, velocity and acceleration describe motion, including the horizontal and vertical components of projectile motion. The chapter connects these quantities with Newton's laws, momentum and impulse, then applies conservation of momentum to collisions, distinguishing elastic collisions from inelastic ones.

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