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NDA 2021 GAT · General Knowledge · Motion, Forces and Gravitation · easy

A stone tied to a string is whirled in a horizontal circle. If the string suddenly breaks, the stone will move along

Single correct option

A stone tied to a string is whirled in a horizontal circle. If the string suddenly breaks, the stone will move along
  1. A. the radius towards the centre
  2. B. the radius away from the centre
  3. C. the tangent to the circle at that point
  4. D. a parabola curving back to the centre
Show answer and solution

Answer: (C) the tangent to the circle at that point

By Newton's first law the stone keeps the velocity it had at the instant of breaking, which is directed along the tangent. No outward force really acts; the apparent outward flight is only inertia. Once free it falls under gravity, but horizontally it travels straight along the tangent.
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Original question written in the NDA 2021 GAT pattern and checked twice for the correct answer. Not an official question paper. How we write and check questions · Corrections policy · Report a mistake