alleryStart learning →In which direction does centripetal acceleration point?
AAlong the direction of travel
BAway from the centre of curvature
CToward the centre of curvature
DVertically downward at all times
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Toward the centre of curvature
1. Acceleration points the same way as the change in velocity.
2. For an object on a circular path that change points straight at the centre of the circle.
3. So the centripetal acceleration is directed toward the centre of curvature.
4. The word centripetal itself carries the sense of seeking the centre.
_Source: OpenStax College Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 6 "Uniform Circular Motion and Gravitation", section 6.2 Centripetal Acceleration_
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