Centripetal Force: Moving Away from the Centre

[v_pino]

The answer is as follow:


-force is needed toward the centre or there is acceleration toward the centre

-movement to the left/toward A/away from the centre

-right hand spring (attached to B) has to stretch to provide force



I understand that centripetal force acts towards the center as stated in the first point of the answer. But I don't know why M moves away from the center and that spring attached to B stretches. Thank you. :)

 

[Doc Al]

Look at it from above. M just "wants" to go straight--until the springs get compressed/stretched and start pulling it towards the center.

 

[v_pino]

Thanks! :D clears everything!