A particle has speed 10 m/s. Its total acceleration is 5 m/s² and its tangential acceleration is 3 m/s². If the radius of curvature is N m, find N.

Question

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

The total acceleration is the perpendicular vector sum of tangential and normal accelerations: a² = aₜ² + aₙ². Thus 5² = 3² + aₙ² ⇒ aₙ² = 16 ⇒ aₙ = 4 m/s². Radius of curvature R = v²/aₙ = 100/4 = 25 m. Hence N = 25.