How do inertia and centripetal force combine to keep an object moving in circular motion?

Centripetal force points toward the center of the circle and continually changes the direction of the object’s velocity. Inertia is the tendency to keep moving in a straight line, so the object continues forward rather than moving directly toward the center. Together, these produce circular motion. Inertia does not act outward as a force, so choice A is not accurate.

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