An object is moving in uniform circular motion. What will happen to the object's motion if the $F{c}_{\mathrm{entripetal}}$ force is suddenly removed?

• A. The object will move in a straight line tangent to the circle at the point where the force was removed.
• B. The object will spiral outward away from the center.
• C. The object will immediately stop moving.
• D. The object will continue moving in a circle with the same radius.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that uniform circular motion requires a centripetal force directed toward the center of the circle to continuously change the direction of the object's velocity.
2. Understand that the centripetal force causes the object to accelerate toward the center, keeping it moving along a curved path rather than a straight line.
3. Consider what happens if the centripetal force is suddenly removed: there is no longer a force causing the object to change direction.
4. According to Newton's first law of motion (the law of inertia), an object in motion will continue moving in a straight line at constant speed unless acted upon by a net external force.
5. Therefore, without the centripetal force, the object will move in a straight line tangent to the circle at the point where the force was removed.