Question

2. When travelling at a constant speed, the pilot directs the aeroplane into a tight turn
that follows a circular path.
Explain why the aeroplane is accelerating even though its speed is not changing.

Answer 1

Acceleration refers to the rate of change of velocity.

Velocity is a vector quantity. In other words, velocity has both magnitude(numerical value) and direction. If any of these two factors changes, then there is a net acceleration of the body.

The areoplane is travelling with a constant speed, therefore, the velocity has a constant magnitude in this case but the direction of the areoplane keeps on changing while moving in a circular path. Therefore, the velocity is constantly changing due to the change in direction. Therefore, the aeroplane is accelerating even though its speed is not changing.