Which of the following statements is false for a particle moving in a circle with constant angular speed?

The velocity vector is tangent to the circle
The acceleration vector is tangent to the circle
The acceleration vector points to the center of the circle
The velocity and acceleration vectors are perpendicular to each other

Correct answer: The acceleration vector is tangent to the circle

Solution

For uniform circular motion, velocity is tangential to the path. The acceleration is centripetal, directed toward the center, and hence perpendicular to velocity. Therefore, the statement that acceleration is tangent to the circle is false.

Related NEET Physics questions

A stone tied to a string of length 80 cm is whirled in a horizontal circle at constant speed, completing 14 revolutions in 25 s. What is the magnitude of the centripetal acceleration of the stone?
A coin on a rotating turntable begins to slip when placed 4 cm from the center. If the turntable's angular speed is doubled, at what distance from the center will the coin just start to slip?
The angular displacement of a rotating body is described by $\theta(t) = \omega_0 t + \frac{1}{2}\alpha t^2$, where $\omega_0 = 1\ \text{rad/s}$ and $\alpha = 1.5\ \text{rad/s}^2$. What is the angular velocity of the body at $t = 2\ \text{s}$?
A coin rests on a gramophone record rotating at angular velocity $\omega$. The coefficient of static friction is $\mu$. The coin rotates without slipping if its distance $r$ from the center satisfies:
Two racing cars of masses $m_1$ and $m_2$ travel in circles of radii $r_1$ and $r_2$, respectively. Both complete one full revolution in the same time period $t$. What is the ratio of the angular speed of the first car to the second car?
A wheel starts from rest and undergoes uniform angular acceleration, reaching an angular velocity of 80 rad/s after 5 seconds. What is the total angular displacement of the wheel during this time?

⚔️ Practice NEET Physics free + battle 1v1 →