WQ4.13 6/6 points (graded) Assume that an object moves in counter-clockwise direction on an elliptical path at constant speed, as shown below. a b C a) What are the velocity vectors at points a and b? C 0 € O
As you can see, the curvature changes along the elliptical path, but we can approximate the path locally at points a and b by two circles with different radii. b) What are the acceleration vectors at points a and b? O C C > c) Where do the acceleration vectors point to? O The center of the elippse, c. The center of the respective dotted circles. >
d) Assuming that the speed at points a and b is the same, the magnitude of the acceleration is O 0 V e) Explain your answer to part d) above. Around which point is the change in the velocity's direction quicker? Is this consistent with the equation for radial (centripetal) acceleration from your formula sheet: GR =? velocity V f) Will the acceleration always be perpendicular to the instantaneous velocity if the speed remains constant, but the direction changes? Yes. No.