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1). If there is no force on the object, then it keeps moving in a straight line.

If you want it's path to bend away from a straight line, then you need a force

in order to accomplish that.

2). The force acts in the direction that bends the path away from a straight line. In

other words, in the direction in which the path curves. For a closed orbit, the force

has to be toward the center, or at least close to it. Conveniently, that's where the

big massive body happens to be, which sets up a nice, two-way gravitational force

between the central body and the orbiting body. Gravity is the centripetal force, and

it always points both ways between the two bodies, trying to draw them together.

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Q: Explain why an object in orbit needs a centripetal force acting on it in what direction does a centripetal force act?
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Related questions

What happens to the motion of an object tied with a string being whirled in absence of gravitation when the centripetal force acting on it stops and the object is still tied with the string?

the object will go in its tangential direction of that instant. centripetal force pulls the object toward its rotational axis, so if there is no force pulling it inward; inertia will make the object go in the direction it "wants to go" aka- its tangential direction


Does the centripetal force acting on an object in uniform circular motion do work on the object?

No


Explain Can there be forces acting on an object if the object is a rest?

Yes. Forces with identical value but with opposite direction will produce no displacement.


Is Centripetal force causes an object to accelerate in a fixed direction true about centripetal force?

Cettripetal Force causes an object to accelerate towards the center. The direction changes as the object moves around the center and is not fixed if the object moves.


In what direction does centripetal force act on an object?

Centripetal force acts towards the center of the circle of motion.


What is the direction of the force that's keeps and object moving in a circle?

The centripetal force which always acts perpendicular to the motion of the object


An object will accelerate in the direction of what?

An object will accelerate in the direction of the net force acting on that object.


What is the origin of centripetal force?

Centripetal force is the resultant force acting towards the centre of orbit of an object undergoing uniform circular motion.


Explain why a centripetal force does not do work on a circularly moving object?

Because the object never moves in the direction of the force. So the product of (force) times (distance) is zero, and F x D is the definition of work.


How does the centripetal force cause an object to change in motion?

Any net force will change an object's velocity. In the case of a centripetal force, it changes the direction of the movement, and therefore its velocity.


What is the force acting on an object that will change the direction of object?

inertia


What direction is weight acting on an object?

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