In the demonstration by Cal’s teacher, the string represents the force that keeps the planet in orbit. Which statement BEST describes what would happen first if the string broke while swinging the ball during the demonstration?

Question

The ball would move in a spiral getting farther away from the teacher.

The ball would immediately fall to the ground.

The ball would continue orbiting.

The ball would fly in a straight line away from the teacher.

Answer 1

If the string broke while swinging the ball during the demonstration, the best statement that describes what would happen first is:

The ball would fly in a straight line away from the teacher.

This is because, according to Newton's first law of motion, an object in motion will remain in motion in a straight line at a constant speed unless acted upon by an external force. When the string breaks, the centripetal force that was acting on the ball to keep it moving in a circular path is removed, and the ball will move off in a straight line in the direction it was traveling at the moment the string broke.