Question

Answer Problems 3 through 5 by choosing one of the eight labeled acceleration vectors or selecting option $\text{I}:\overrightarrow{a}=\overrightarrow{0}$

5. At this instant, the particle is speeding up and curving downward. What is the direction of its acceleration?

Short answer

The acceleration vector of the particle for the given instant can be best represent by the vector arrow E.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Introduction

The particle is speeding up and curving downward.

The following figure shows the initial velocity vector of the particle.

The car is initially speeding up in the direction towards $D$, and then it is curving in the downward direction. Since the car is having positive velocity, so the car will have positive acceleration, directing toward the direction of its motion.

The following figure shows the possible acceleration vector of the particle at a given instant.

Step 2. Explanation

The following figure shows the direction of the acceleration of the particle at the given instant.

it can be seen that the direction of acceleration vector of the particle at the instant is directing towards the point E. Thus, the acceleration vector of the particle for the given instant can be best represent by the vector arrow E.

Therefore, the acceleration vector of the particle for the given instant can be best represent by the vector arrow E.