What causes an object to move in a circular path instead of a straight line?

An object moves in a circular path due to a centripetal force acting towards the center.

When an object moves in a circular path, it experiences a force that acts towards the center of the circle. This force is called the centripetal force. The centripetal force is responsible for keeping the object moving in a circular path instead of a straight line.

The magnitude of the centripetal force required to keep an object moving in a circular path depends on the mass of the object, the speed at which it is moving, and the radius of the circle. The formula for calculating the centripetal force is:

F = (mv^2)/r

Where F is the centripetal force, m is the mass of the object, v is the speed at which it is moving, and r is the radius of the circle.

If the centripetal force is not present, the object will move in a straight line tangent to the circle. This is known as the tangential velocity. The tangential velocity is the velocity of the object in the direction tangent to the circle at any given point.

In conclusion, an object moves in a circular path due to the presence of a centripetal force acting towards the center of the circle. The magnitude of the centripetal force required to keep the object moving in a circular path depends on the mass of the object, the speed at which it is moving, and the radius of the circle. Without the centripetal force, the object would move in a straight line tangent to the circle.