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 equation:

Where:

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

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 including planetary orbits, vehicle turning, roller coasters, and particle accelerators.

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, though it's often the result of other forces like tension, gravity, or friction.

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

Q3: What are some real-world examples?
A: Earth's gravity keeping the Moon in orbit, friction keeping cars on curved roads, tension in a spinning tetherball rope.

Q4: How does velocity affect the force?
A: Force increases with the square of velocity - double the speed requires four times the force for the same radius.

Q5: What happens if centripetal force disappears?
A: The object would move in a straight line (Newton's first law) tangent to its former circular path.