Multiple choice general knowledge science & technology

A ball attached to a string is rotating in horizontal circle. If the string breaks the the direction in which ball goes is __ .

  1. it moves radially inwards.

  2. it moves radially outward.

  3. it can move in any direction.

  4. it moves in direction of tangent at the point of break.
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D Correct answer
Explanation

When a ball rotates in a horizontal circle, it has centripetal acceleration directed toward the center, provided by string tension. When the string breaks, this centripetal force vanishes. According to Newton's first law, the object continues in its current velocity direction - the tangent to the circle at the point of release. It does not fly radially outward (a common misconception), as that would require a force in that direction.

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