Question

If the centripetal force acting on an object in uniform circular motion is removed the object will.

a. continue moving in a spiral until it reaches the center of the circular path.

b. stop moving.

c. continue moving in a straight line with constant speed.

d. move depending on the type of force providing the centripetal force.

Answer 1

If the centripetal force acting on an object in uniform circular motion is removed, the object will continue moving in a straight line with constant speed.

In uniform circular motion, the centripetal force is responsible for keeping the object moving in a circular path. If this force is removed, there is no longer a force acting towards the center of the circle to change the object's direction, and the object will move in a straight line with a constant speed tangent to its previous circular path.

Option c. "continue moving in a straight line with constant speed" is therefore the correct answer.