Question

question 5 of 10
a toy car is tied to a post with string, causing it to drive in a tight circle. this is shown in the picture below.
in which direction will the toy car go if the string breaks?
a. b
b. d
c. a
d. c

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Newton's first law

An object in motion will continue in motion with a constant velocity in a straight - line unless acted upon by an external force.

Step2: Analyze circular motion

When the toy car is moving in a circle, the string provides the centripetal force to keep it moving in a circular path. When the string breaks, there is no centripetal force.

Step3: Determine the direction

The car will move in the direction of its instantaneous velocity at the moment the string breaks. In circular motion, the instantaneous velocity is tangent to the circle. Looking at the diagram, the direction tangent to the circle at the position of the car is direction A.

Answer:

C. A