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When the string of a whirling stone is suddenly released, the stone flies off in which direction?
ATowards the centre of the circle
BRadially outward from the centre
CAlong the tangent to the circle
DVertically downward to the ground
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Along the tangent to the circle
1. While the string is held, the centripetal force keeps the stone on the circular path.
2. On release, this force stops acting and no force pulls the stone toward the centre.
3. The stone then moves along the direction of its velocity at that instant.
4. The velocity at any point on a circle is along the tangent, so the stone flies off tangentially.
_Source: Balbharati (Maharashtra Board) Class 10 Science & Technology, Ch 1 "Gravitation", p.11_
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