A ball on a string is swung in a horizontal circle at increasing speed. What happens to the centripetal force needed to keep it moving in that circle?
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Correct answer to question 199 (Mechanical Comprehension): it increases as the speed increases
Method
Centripetal force needed to maintain circular motion increases with the square of speed, which is why swinging the ball faster requires a stronger pull on the string.
Updated: November 2026