To move a body along a circular path the direction of centripetal force will be

Options

A. Towards the centre
B. Away from the centre
C. Along tangent
D. Normal to the plane of motion

Answer

To determine the direction of centripetal force required to move a body along a circular path, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Circular Motion**:
- When an object moves in a circular path, it is constantly changing direction. This change in direction requires a force to act on the object.

2. **Definition of Centripetal Force**:
- Centripetal force is the force that keeps an object moving in a circular path. It acts towards the center of the circle.

3. **Direction of Centripetal Force**:
- The centripetal force always acts along the radius of the circular path and is directed towards the center of the circle. This is crucial for maintaining circular motion.

4. **Relationship with Velocity**:
- The velocity of the object is tangential to the circular path, meaning it is perpendicular to the radius at any point. The centripetal force does not change the speed of the object; it only changes the direction of the velocity.

5. **Mathematical Expression**:
- The magnitude of centripetal force (F_c) can be expressed as:
\[ F_c = \frac{mv^2}{r} \]
where \(m\) is the mass of the object, \(v\) is its speed, and \(r\) is the radius of the circular path.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the direction of centripetal force is always towards the center of the circular path.

### Final Answer:
The direction of centripetal force is **towards the center of the circle**.

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