Which of the following forces acts inward on an object in circular motion?

Centripetal force is the key force that acts inward on an object in circular motion, ensuring that it continues to move along a circular path. This force is required to keep an object moving in a curve and is always directed toward the center of the circular path. Without this inward force, an object would move off in a straight line, as dictated by Newton’s first law of motion.

In the context of circular motion, centripetal force can be provided by different means, such as tension in a string for a pendulum, gravitational pull for planets orbiting a star, or frictional force for a car navigating a curve. The essential aspect is that this force continually pulls the object towards the center of the circle, maintaining its circular trajectory.

Understanding centripetal force is vital for various applications in physics and engineering, particularly in aerospace, where it helps in analyzing the dynamics of aircrafts and spacecraft in curved paths or orbits.