Uniform Circular Motion Directions

Steps:

• Identify velocity as tangential to the orbit, perpendicular to the radius, pointing in the direction of motion.
• Identify acceleration as centripetal, directed radially inward toward the Sun.
• Match velocity to arrow R, which aligns with the forward tangential path.
• Match acceleration to arrow O, which points toward the orbital center.

Why D is correct:

• In uniform circular motion, velocity is tangent to the path (perpendicular to radius vector), while centripetal acceleration is radial inward (a = v²/r toward center, Newton's second law).

Why the others are wrong:

• A: P likely radial or opposite, not tangential for velocity.
• B: Q likely inward, not tangential for velocity; P not inward for acceleration.
• C: R correct for velocity, but P not inward for acceleration.

Final answer: D