Final answer:
The force acting on an object moving in a circular pattern that holds the object on its circular path is the a)centripetal force.
Step-by-step explanation:
The force acting on an object moving in a circular pattern that holds the object on its circular path is the a)centripetal force.
Centripetal force is a force that always points toward the center of rotation and causes uniform circular motion. It is responsible for keeping an object moving in a circle by continuously changing its direction.
For example, when a car travels around a curved road, the friction between the tires and the road provides the centripetal force that keeps the car on its circular path.