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What does the arc length measure for an object moving on a circle?
AThe radius of the circular path
BThe distance travelled along the path
CThe angle turned through in radians
DThe time taken for one revolution
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. The distance travelled along the path
1. Arc length is measured along the curved path itself, not across it.
2. It is therefore the distance travelled by the object as it moves round the circle.
3. Dividing that arc length by the radius of curvature gives the rotation angle.
4. For one complete revolution the arc length equals the circumference of the circle.
_Source: OpenStax College Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 6 "Uniform Circular Motion and Gravitation", section Rotation Angle_
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