9702 · 12.2
Common exam mistakes on 9702 Centripetal acceleration. Learn what loses marks, then practise the topic with Examiner’s Ink.
A common mistake in exams is to think of 'centripetal force' as a separate force on its own. Remember, it's the name given to the resultant force that causes circular motion. Identify which specific force (e.g., tension, friction, gravity component) is acting as the centripetal force in a given scenario.
It accelerates because its velocity is a vector, and even if its magnitude (speed) is constant, its direction is continuously changing. This change in direction constitutes acceleration.
Linear acceleration primarily causes a change in speed (magnitude of velocity), while centripetal acceleration primarily causes a change in direction of velocity, maintaining circular motion.
No, an object in circular motion must have a centripetal force acting on it. If the centripetal force were zero, the object would immediately move in a straight line tangent to its circular path, according to Newton's First Law.