What happens when an object in UCM no longer experiences centripetal force?

An object in uniform circular motion (UCM) relies on centripetal force to maintain its curved path. This force acts towards the center of the circular path, continuously changing the direction of the object's velocity, allowing it to move in a circle.

When the object no longer experiences centripetal force, it will not be able to continue moving in that circular path. Instead, at the moment the force is removed, the object will continue to move in the direction it was heading at that instant, which is tangent to the circular path. This behavior is a direct consequence of Newton's first law of motion, which states that an object in motion will continue in a straight line unless acted upon by an external force.

Therefore, when centripetal force is no longer present, the object will move in a straight line at the point of release, demonstrating how the principles of motion are applied in scenarios involving UCM.