Question

4. A boy is whirling a stone tied with a string in an horizontal circular path. If the string
breales, the stone
(a) will continue to move in the circular path
(b) will move along a straight line towards the centre of the circular path
(c) will move along a straight line tangential to the circular path
(d) will move along a straight line perpendicular to the circular path away from the boy​

Answer 1

The Correct option is C - will move along a straight line tangential to the circular path

When the boy is whirling a stone tied with a string in a  circular path, the centripetal force acts towards the center of the circular path. However, when the string breaks the centripetal force ceases and there is no force acting. Thus, as per Newton's first law, the stone will continue in a straight line and fly off along the tangent to the circular path.