Question

When you whirl a can at the end of a string in a circular path, what is the direction of the force that acts on the can

Answer 1

Toward the centre of the circular path

Step-by-step explanation:

The can is moved in a circular path: this means that it is moving by circular motion (uniform circular motion if its tangential speed is constant).

In order to keep a circular motion, an object must have a force that pushes it towards the centre of the circular trajectory: this force is called centripetal force, and its magnitude is given by

`F=m(v^2)/(r)`

where m is the mass of the object, v its tangential speed, r the radius of the trajectory. This force always points towards the centre of the circular path.