5
QuizMultiple Choice

Lesson 5: Circular Motion

Question 5 • 2003390-Physics 1 Honors Sem. 1 - Peters

Without inertia, how would an object that is experiencing a centripetal force behave?

Answer
A
It would move in a line away from the circle’s center.
B
It would move in a line toward the circle’s center.
C
It would move in a curved, circular path.
D
It would move in a line tangent to the circular path.

Explanation

In circular motion, centripetal force points toward the circle’s center. Inertia normally keeps an object moving along its tangent while that inward force continually changes its direction. Without inertia, it would not keep moving along the tangent, so it would move in a line toward the center: choice B.

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