A car rounds a corner at constant speed. Is it accelerating?
ANo, because its speed does not change at all
BYes, because its direction of travel is changing
CNo, because acceleration needs a straight path
DYes, because its distance travelled keeps rising
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Yes, because its direction of travel is changing
1. Velocity is a vector, so it can change in magnitude or in direction, or both.
2. Acceleration is a change in either speed or direction, or both.
3. A car turning a corner at constant speed changes direction, so it is accelerating.
4. The quicker the turn, the greater the acceleration.
5. Constant speed alone is not enough to rule acceleration out.
_Source: OpenStax College Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 2 "Kinematics", section 2.4 Acceleration_
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