Question

Explain why centripetal acceleration changes the direction of velocity in circular motion but not its magnitude.​

Answer 1

To summarize, an object in uniform circular motion experiences an inward net force. ... The fact that the centripetal force is directed perpendicular to the tangential velocity means that the force can alter the direction of the object's velocity vector without altering its magnitude.

Answer 2

Centripetal acceleration changes the direction of velocity in circular motion but not its magnitude because the centripetal force and acceleration both act perpendicular to the velocity direction.

• In a circular motion, the centripetal force and acceleration both act perpendicular to the velocity direction. It can vary the direction of uniform circular motion, but not the magnitude.
• The magnitude of the velocity vector is called speed. As a result, the centripetal force does not affect circular motion speed.
• If in any case, the centripetal force changes during circular motion, the motion would no longer be called circular.