A compressed spring mounted on a disk can project a small ba

A compressed spring mounted on a disk can project a small ball. When the disk is not rotating, as shown in the top view above, the ball moves radially outward. The disk then rotates in a counterclockwise direction as seen from above, and the ball is projected outward at the instant the disk is in the position shown above. Which of the following best shows the subsequent path of the ball relative to the ground?

Solution

Answer: E

Once projected, the ball is no longer subject to a force and will travel in a straight line with a component of its velocity tangent to the circular path and a component outward due to the spring