Question

An illustration of a car in a valley with hills on both sides and a velocity vector to the right. Addition vectors are below. The east vector is labeled A. The west vector is labeled B. The north vector is labeled C. The south vector is labeled D.
Which vector correctly indicates the direction of centripetal acceleration experienced by the car?

A
B
C
D

Answer 1

C

Centripetal acceleration is v^2/r and always points toward the center of curvature of the path (perpendicular to the velocity). At the bottom of a valley the center of curvature is above the car, so the acceleration vector points upward (north).