Dynamics: Tangential acceleration in uniform circular motion Statement to evaluate for truth: "When a particle moves along a circular path with uniform velocity (constant speed), there will be no tangential acceleration." Choose whether the statement is correct or incorrect.

ConceptAcceleration in circular motion has two perpendicular components: tangential (changes speed) and normal/centripetal (changes direction).

ReasoningFor uniform circular motion, the speed is constant. Therefore the rate of change of speed is zero and the tangential acceleration component is zero. Only centripetal acceleration remains: a_n = v^2 / r = ω^2 r.

Common pitfallZero tangential acceleration does not imply zero total acceleration; direction still changes, so centripetal acceleration is nonzero.

Final AnswerCorrect