When you whirl a rock at the end of a string it will follow a circular path. What will happen to the rock if the string breaks?
The rock will fly off in a straight line.
The rock will continue to move in a circular path.
The rock will immediately fall to the ground.

Question

When you whirl a rock at the end of a string it will follow a circular path. What will happen to the rock if the string breaks?
The rock will fly off in a straight line.
The rock will continue to move in a circular path.
The rock will immediately fall to the ground.

anonymous · Answer

According to Newton's first law, since the object is traveling at a constant speed, when the string breaks the rock will continue to move at a constant speed and it will travel in a straight line because there will be no force which will cause it to travel in a circular path