A centripetal force causes circular motion because it accelerates an object in which direction?

• A. Toward the center of the $\mathrm{circle}$
• B. Tangential to the $\mathrm{circle}$
• C. Away from the center of the $\mathrm{circle}$
• D. In the direction of $\mathrm{gravity}$

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that centripetal force is the force responsible for keeping an object moving in a circular path.
2. Recall that acceleration is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.
3. Recognize that in uniform circular motion, the velocity vector is always tangent to the circle, but the acceleration vector points toward the center of the circle.
4. Know that centripetal acceleration is caused by the centripetal force, which always acts perpendicular to the velocity and points inward, toward the center of the circle.
5. Therefore, the centripetal force causes acceleration directed toward the center of the circle, enabling the object to follow a curved path.