Question

Consider a point on a bicycle wheel as the wheel turns about a fixed axis, neither speeding up nor slowing down. Compare the linear and angular accelerations of the point.
a. Both are zero.
b. Only the angular acceleration is zero.
c. Only the linear acceleration is zero.
d. Neither is zero

Explain your choice

Answer 1

Answer:

c. Only the linear acceleration is zero.

Explanation:

The linear acceleration is defined as the rate of change of linear velocity. Since the bicycle is moving in the same direction, with the same speed, without speeding up or slowing down. Therefore, there will be no change in linear velocity and as a result, linear acceleration will be zero.

The angular acceleration is the rate of change of angular velocity. Since the angular velocity is changing its direction constantly. Therefore, it has a certain component of acceleration at all times called centripetal acceleration.

Therefore, the correct option is:

c. Only the linear acceleration is zero.