Final answer:
a. The centripetal force acting on the swinging wrecking ball is the force that keeps it moving in a circular path. b. The conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. c. Angular momentum is a property of rotating objects.
Step-by-step explanation:
a. The centripetal force acting on the swinging wrecking ball is the force that keeps it moving in a circular path. It is directed towards the center of the circular arc and is equal to the tension in the cable.
b. The conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. In this case, the potential energy of the ball when it is lifted is converted into kinetic energy as the ball swings through the lowest point of its arc.
c. Angular momentum is a property of rotating objects. In this scenario, the wrecking ball has angular momentum as it swings on the cable. The angular momentum is conserved throughout the motion as there are no external torques acting on the system.