A satellite is in uniform circular motion around the moon.whagt happens to the direction of the acceleration vector during one full orbit
the acceleration vector always points inward
the acceleration vector always points in the direction of motion
the acceleration vector oscillates back and forth
the acceleration vector always points outward
The correct statement is: the acceleration vector always points inward.
In uniform circular motion, the acceleration vector is always directed towards the center of the circular path. This is required in order to keep the satellite moving in a curved path instead of a straight line. In the case of a satellite orbiting the moon, the acceleration vector will always be directed towards the moon, pointing inward towards the center of the moon's gravitational field.
The direction of the acceleration vector always points inward. In uniform circular motion, an object experiences a centripetal acceleration, which is always directed towards the center of the circle. Therefore, the acceleration vector of the satellite will always point inward towards the center of its circular orbit.
During one full orbit of a satellite in uniform circular motion around the moon, the direction of the acceleration vector always points inward. This is because the satellite is constantly changing its direction as it moves in a circular path. The acceleration vector is directed towards the center of the circular path and is responsible for keeping the satellite in its orbit.
To understand why the acceleration vector points inward, we can use the concept of centripetal acceleration. In uniform circular motion, an object moves in a circular path at a constant speed. However, because the object is constantly changing its direction, it is actually experiencing acceleration towards the center of the circle.
To calculate the centripetal acceleration, you can use the formula:
a = v^2 / r
Where:
- a is the acceleration
- v is the velocity (speed) of the satellite
- r is the radius of the circular path (distance from the center of the moon to the satellite)
Since the satellite is in uniform circular motion, its speed remains constant, but its direction is continuously changing. Therefore, the acceleration vector always points towards the center of the circular path, which in this case is inward towards the moon.
So, in summary, during one full orbit of a satellite in uniform circular motion around the moon, the direction of the acceleration vector always points inward.