Answer to Question #38384 in Mechanics | Relativity for Aly

Question

If a point on a bike is momentarily in contact with the ground at a constant speed, what would the direction of acceleration for this point be?

Answer 1

When an object is executing such a motion where it changes direction, but not speed, it is said to be undergoing centripetal (directed towards the center) acceleration. a_centripetal is always directed towards the axis of rotation, in this case, direction of acceleration for this point is upward.