Is uniform circular motion perpetual?

[ViolentCorpse]

Whatever forces are acting, no energy is 'consumed' or transferred if there is no movement in the direction of those forces (i.e. the string / pencil gets no longer or shorter). Work done is Force times Distance moved in the direction of the force.

The distance covered is circular, so isn't there even some component of distance being covered in the direction of the centripetal force?

 

[sophiecentaur]

The distance covered is circular, so isn't there even some component of distance being covered in the direction of the centripetal force?

No. The Centripetal force is constantly at right angles to the direction of motion.

 

[Simon Bridge]

@violent corpse: sketch out the vectors and see.

 

[ViolentCorpse]

I understand. Thank you gentlemen!