Verified Solution • 2025–26 Session
moderate
Q3.16: NCERT Physics - Part 1 MOTION IN A PLANE 3.16 Solution: Read each statement below carefully and state, with reasons, if …
⚠️ Common Exam Traps & Conceptual Pitfalls
Students frequently assume the net acceleration of any particle on a circular path points solely toward the centre, forgetting that a changing speed introduces a tangential component; remember that only uniform circular motion has purely radial (centripetal) acceleration, while non‑uniform motion adds a tangential term.
Read each statement below carefully and state, with reasons, if it is true or false: (a) The net acceleration of a particle in circular motion is always along the radius of the circle towards the centre (b) The velocity vector of a particle at a point is always along the tangent to the path of the particle at that point (c) The acceleration vector of a particle in uniform circular motion averaged over one cycle is a null vector
Step-by-Step Verified Solution
**Answer:** (a) False. (b) True. (c) True.
**Step-by-Step Explanation:**
(a) False. Net acceleration has radial and tangential components; it is along the radius only in uniform circular motion.
(b) True. Velocity is always tangent to the path.
(c) True. Average acceleration over one cycle is zero.
All Questions in this Chapter
Related Learning Resources & Exam Preparation
Chapter Practice Bank
Practice all topic-wise questions from MOTION IN A PLANE
Reference Textbook Solutions
Explore complete chapter exercises for NCERT Physics - Part 1
Competitive PYQ Question Bank
Browse year-wise authentic previous years' questions with solutions
Authentic CBT Mock Tests
Simulate official exam environment with live timer and percentile scoring