1. What is Centripetal Force?

Centripetal force is the force that keeps an object moving in a circular path. It's directed towards the center around which the object is moving and is essential for maintaining circular motion.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the centripetal force formula:

Where:

• \( F \) — Centripetal force (newtons)
• \( m \) — Mass of the object (kg)
• \( v \) — Velocity of the object (m/s)
• \( r \) — Radius of the circular path (meters)

Explanation: The force required to keep an object moving in a circle increases with mass and the square of velocity, but decreases with larger radius.

3. Importance of Centripetal Force

Details: Centripetal force is crucial in many physical systems from planetary orbits to amusement park rides. Understanding it helps in designing safe circular motion systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in kilograms, velocity in meters per second, and radius in meters. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is centripetal force a real force?
A: Yes, it's a real force that causes acceleration towards the center of rotation. It's not a separate force but rather the net force causing circular motion.

Q2: What's the difference between centripetal and centrifugal force?
A: Centripetal force is real and acts inward, while centrifugal force is a fictitious force that appears to act outward in a rotating reference frame.

Q3: What are some everyday examples of centripetal force?
A: Car turning a corner (friction provides centripetal force), Earth's orbit around Sun (gravity provides centripetal force), washing machine spin cycle.

Q4: What happens if centripetal force is removed?
A: The object will move in a straight line tangent to its circular path (Newton's first law).

Q5: How does velocity affect centripetal force?
A: Force increases with the square of velocity - double the speed requires four times the force for the same radius.