Question

The figure shows a circular path taken by a particle.
If the instantaneous velocity of the particle is
, through which quadrant is the particle
moving at that instant if it is traveling (a) clockwise
and (b) counterclockwise around the circle? For both
cases, draw :v on the figure.

Answer 1

When the instantaneous velocity is clockwise, the particle will be in first quadrant and when the instantaneous velocity is anticlockwise the particle will be in third quadrant.

Explanation:

(a) The direction of instantaneous velocity vector v of a moving particle at any point on the path of the particle is always along the tangent to the path at that point or position.

when the instantaneous velocity is clockwise, the particle would be travelling through the first quadrant as in this case vx will be positive and vy will be negative.

(b) When the instantaneous velocity is anticlockwise, the particle would be travelling through the third quadrant as in this case vx will be positive and vy will be negative.