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JAMB Physics 2003 Question 10

Question 10

Motion

A piece of stone attached to one end of a string is whirled round in a horizontal circle and the string suddenly cuts. The stone will fly off in a direction

  1. A.perpendicular to the circular path
  2. B.parallel to the circular path
  3. C.tangential to the circular path
  4. D.towards the centre of the circle.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (tangential to the circular path)

Explanation

Once the string breaks there is no centripetal force, so the stone moves straight on along the tangent at that point.