What does the green vector (whatever color it is on your device - it points from the object toward the center of the circular path) represent and why does it always point toward the center of the circular path? Are there any conditions that would make it change direction? If so, describe those conditions.

College Physics
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305952300
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1CQ: Estimate the order of magnitude of the length, in meters, of each of the following; (a) a mouse, (b)...
icon
Related questions
Question
What does the green vector (whatever color it is on your device - it points from the object toward the center of the circular path) represent and why does it always point toward the center of the circular path? Are there any conditions that would make it change direction? If so, describe those conditions.
This is a simulation of a ball experiencing uniform circular motion, which means it travels in a circle at constant speed. Use the sliders to adjust the speed and the radius of the path.

If you show the vectors, you will see the ball’s velocity vector, in blue, and its acceleration vector, in green. The velocity vector is always tangent to the circle, and the acceleration vector always points toward the center of the circle.

If the vectors are shown, and the ball has gone about three-quarters of the way around the circle, you will also see a vector triangle. The vector triangle is showing why the ball’s acceleration vector points toward the center. We’re thinking about which way the acceleration vector points at the bottom of the circle. The purple vector shows the velocity just before the ball reaches the bottom point, so we can consider it to be the initial velocity. The light blue vector shows the velocity just after the ball passes through the bottom point, so we can consider it to be the final velocity. The black vector therefore represents the change in velocity at the bottom point - note that the change in velocity points up, which is toward the center of the circle for that lowest point. The acceleration is proportional to the change in velocity (it is the change in velocity divided by the time it takes the ball to move from the purple point to the light blue point), so the acceleration points in the same direction as the change in velocity - toward the center.

### Diagram Explanation
The diagram features a circular path with a point representing the ball in motion. The sliders below adjust the speed (currently 2.00 m/s), time (t = 0.00 s), and the radius (1.00 m) of the circle. 

Simulation written by Andrew Duffy, and first posted on 8-09-2017.

This work by Andrew Duffy is licensed under a [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/). 
This simulation can be found in the collection at [http://physics.bu.edu/~duffy/classroom.html](http://physics.bu.edu/~duffy/classroom.html).

The counter has been running on this page since 8-10-2018. The number of people accessing the page since then is shown at the bottom of the page.
Transcribed Image Text:This is a simulation of a ball experiencing uniform circular motion, which means it travels in a circle at constant speed. Use the sliders to adjust the speed and the radius of the path. If you show the vectors, you will see the ball’s velocity vector, in blue, and its acceleration vector, in green. The velocity vector is always tangent to the circle, and the acceleration vector always points toward the center of the circle. If the vectors are shown, and the ball has gone about three-quarters of the way around the circle, you will also see a vector triangle. The vector triangle is showing why the ball’s acceleration vector points toward the center. We’re thinking about which way the acceleration vector points at the bottom of the circle. The purple vector shows the velocity just before the ball reaches the bottom point, so we can consider it to be the initial velocity. The light blue vector shows the velocity just after the ball passes through the bottom point, so we can consider it to be the final velocity. The black vector therefore represents the change in velocity at the bottom point - note that the change in velocity points up, which is toward the center of the circle for that lowest point. The acceleration is proportional to the change in velocity (it is the change in velocity divided by the time it takes the ball to move from the purple point to the light blue point), so the acceleration points in the same direction as the change in velocity - toward the center. ### Diagram Explanation The diagram features a circular path with a point representing the ball in motion. The sliders below adjust the speed (currently 2.00 m/s), time (t = 0.00 s), and the radius (1.00 m) of the circle. Simulation written by Andrew Duffy, and first posted on 8-09-2017. This work by Andrew Duffy is licensed under a [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/). This simulation can be found in the collection at [http://physics.bu.edu/~duffy/classroom.html](http://physics.bu.edu/~duffy/classroom.html). The counter has been running on this page since 8-10-2018. The number of people accessing the page since then is shown at the bottom of the page.
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Relativistic speed and time
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
Recommended textbooks for you
College Physics
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781305952300
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
University Physics (14th Edition)
University Physics (14th Edition)
Physics
ISBN:
9780133969290
Author:
Hugh D. Young, Roger A. Freedman
Publisher:
PEARSON
Introduction To Quantum Mechanics
Introduction To Quantum Mechanics
Physics
ISBN:
9781107189638
Author:
Griffiths, David J., Schroeter, Darrell F.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Physics
ISBN:
9781337553278
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Lecture- Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy
Lecture- Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy
Physics
ISBN:
9780321820464
Author:
Edward E. Prather, Tim P. Slater, Jeff P. Adams, Gina Brissenden
Publisher:
Addison-Wesley
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Editio…
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Editio…
Physics
ISBN:
9780134609034
Author:
Randall D. Knight (Professor Emeritus), Brian Jones, Stuart Field
Publisher:
PEARSON