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Writer's picturekeshprad

Kaplan 10th Edition DT Q14


14) The problem asks us to find the diagram where the object travels with a constant velocity. An object travels with constant velocity if the magnitude of its acceleration is 0.

Where F is force, m is mass, and a is acceleration

There are two main ways an object could have a constant velocity while forces act on it. Either there is a net centripetal force acting towards the center of the object's path, or the net force acting on the object is 0 causing the acceleration to be 0.


In order to have circular motion from a centripetal force, the force should be acting perpendicular to the object's motion. Additionally, as the object turns, the force should also change direction to constantly point to the center of the path. However, we don't know the direction of the velocity, so we can't conclude whether or not the object is in uniform circular motion.


This means we need to have a net force of 0. The net force is the vector sum of the forces acting on the object.

I drew out an approximation of the net force and crossed out any forces that cancelled. Since all the forces are the same magnitude, and, in answer C, there are two forces acting in opposite directions, the net force is 0.


Answer: C

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