Question

In circular motion, why is the direction of instantaneous velocity tangential to its path?

Answer 1

Think of what would happen to an object if the centripetal force was suddenly stopped. Explanation follows...

Explanation:

A stone being swung at the end of a rope is a classic example. If the string should break, the stone would instantly cease its centripetal motion (in a circle) and would fly off at a tangent to the circle at the point where it was when the string broke.

This verifies that its velocity at that moment was tangential to the circle.