If the acceleration of the particle is constant in magnitude but not indirection, what type of path does the particle follow?

When an object has a constant magnitude of acceleration but its direction is continuously changing, the path it follows can typically be classified as circular motion. This is because constant acceleration in the context of motion often indicates that the object’s speed remains the same while its direction is continuously altered.

1. Constant Magnitude of Acceleration: This means that the object experiences a uniform force, resulting in a constant acceleration in terms of its strength but with variable direction.

2. Changing Direction: Since the direction of acceleration is not constant but its magnitude is, the particle experiences centripetal acceleration if it is moving in a circular path. This type of acceleration always points towards the center of the circle around which the particle is moving.

3. Resulting Path: Thus, when both the acceleration is constant in magnitude and the direction is not constant, the most common type of path taken by the particle is a circular trajectory. This is a key characteristic of uniform circular motion, where the speed is constant, but the velocity is changing due to the change in direction.

In summary, the particle follows a circular path when subjected to constant magnitude acceleration with varying direction.