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Grade 12th passMechanics

An object moves in circular path due to centripetal force on it, which pulls it towards the centre. But, why doesnt the object fall into the centre?

Profile image of Fathima Niloofar
6 Years agoGrade 12th pass
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2 Answers

Profile image of Arun
6 Years ago
As the centripetal force acts upon an object moving in a circle at constant speed, the force always acts inward as the velocity of the object is directed tangent to the circle. This would mean that the force is always directed perpendicular to the direction that the object is being displaced
Profile image of Vikas TU
6 Years ago
As the centripetal force acts upon an object moving in a circle at constant speed, the force always acts inward as the velocity of the object is directed tangent to the circle. This would mean that the force is always directed perpendicular to the direction that the object is being displaced.
The direction of centripetal force when applied to an object is perpendicular to the object's motion. Centripetal force, or even net force, will always be in the direction of acceleration. For example, the earth is always accelerating towards the sun.