1. What is Centripetal Force?

Centripetal force is the force required to keep an object moving in a circular path at constant speed. It's directed towards the center of rotation and is calculated based on mass, rotational speed, and radius.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the centripetal force formula:

Where:

• \( F \) — Centripetal force (N)
• \( m \) — Mass of the object (kg)
• \( \text{RPM} \) — Rotations per minute (rev/min)
• \( r \) — Radius of circular path (m)

Explanation: The formula converts RPM to angular velocity (rad/s) then calculates the force needed to maintain circular motion.

3. Importance of Centripetal Force

Details: Understanding centripetal force is crucial in designing rotating machinery, amusement park rides, vehicle dynamics, and analyzing planetary motion.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in kilograms, RPM in revolutions per minute, and radius in meters. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between centripetal and centrifugal force?
A: Centripetal force is the real inward force needed for circular motion. Centrifugal force is a fictitious outward force that appears in a rotating reference frame.

Q2: How does radius affect centripetal force?
A: For constant RPM, increasing radius increases the required centripetal force. For constant linear speed, increasing radius decreases the required force.

Q3: What are some real-world applications?
A: Used in designing centrifuges, roller coasters, car turns, satellite orbits, and washing machine spin cycles.

Q4: Why convert RPM to rad/s?
A: The standard formula uses angular velocity in radians per second, so we convert RPM to maintain unit consistency.

Q5: Can this be used for planetary motion?
A: The same principle applies, but gravitational force provides the centripetal force in that case.