In uniform circular motion, what happens if the centripetal force is increased?

In uniform circular motion, an increase in centripetal force affects how the object moves in relation to its speed and radius. The centripetal force is responsible for keeping an object moving in a circular path, and it is directed toward the center of the circle. According to the formula for centripetal force, which is ( F_c = \frac{mv^2}{r} ) (where ( m ) is mass, ( v ) is tangential speed, and ( r ) is the radius), if the centripetal force increases, several outcomes are possible.

When the centripetal force increases while keeping the mass constant, either the tangential speed must increase, or the radius must decrease to maintain the balance defined by the equation. If the tangential speed increases, it allows the object to maintain its circular path at a greater speed. Conversely, if the radius decreases, this allows for the same constant speed while increasing the necessary centripetal force.

Thus, the correct choice acknowledges that with an increased centripetal force, the tangential speed will increase and/or the radius will decrease, demonstrating the interplay between force, speed, and radius in uniform circular motion.