Forces involved in circular motion

AI Thread Summary
In circular motion, a ball on a string experiences centripetal acceleration, with tension providing the necessary centripetal force directed towards the center of the circle. According to Newton's third law, the reaction force to the tension in the string is the force exerted by the ball on the string, which acts outward along the radius. The confusion arises around centrifugal force, which is not a true force but rather a perceived effect in a rotating reference frame. The discussion also highlights the gravitational interaction between the Earth and the Moon, illustrating action-reaction pairs with tides as evidence of this relationship. Understanding these forces is crucial for grasping the dynamics of circular motion.
scottnobles
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Homework Statement



hey, i was looking at an explanation in a textbook where it says a ball on the end of a string is swung horizontally in circular motion. There is a centripetal acceleration therefore tension acts as the centripetal force and acts along the radius of the circular path. What i want to know is that Newtons third law states that every action has an opposite and equal reaction. So what is the reaction force of the tension acting on the string?


Homework Equations



F=mv^2/r

The Attempt at a Solution


I can't seem to be able to figure out what it is but i think mass would not be the reaction force because mass is a scaler and has no direction. The other explanation would be centrifugal force but isn't centrifugal force a reaction force of centripetal force? which is what I am trying to find? This is why I am a little confused.
 
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Moon rotates around the Earth because the gravitational force of the Earth pulls the moon towards it. It is action of Earth on moon. Because of the initial horizontal velocity the moon is no falling towards the earth. As as reaction moon pulls the earth. Tides are the evidence of that.
 
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