1. What is Centripetal Force?

Centripetal force is the force that keeps an object moving in a circular path. It always acts perpendicular to the velocity of the object and toward the center of the circular path.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the centripetal force formula:

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 formula shows that centripetal force is directly proportional to the mass and the square of the velocity, and inversely proportional to the radius of the circular path.

3. Importance of Centripetal Force Calculation

Details: Calculating centripetal force is essential in various applications including vehicle design on curved roads, amusement park rides, planetary motion calculations, and particle physics experiments.

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: What's the difference between centripetal and centrifugal force?
A: Centripetal force is the real force that keeps an object moving in a circle, while centrifugal force is a perceived outward force experienced in a rotating reference frame.

Q2: Does centripetal force do work on an object?
A: No, centripetal force does not do work on an object because it always acts perpendicular to the direction of motion.

Q3: 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 of motion).

Q4: Can this formula be used for any circular motion?
A: Yes, this formula applies to any object moving in uniform circular motion at constant speed.

Q5: How does mass affect centripetal force?
A: Centripetal force is directly proportional to mass - doubling the mass doubles the required centripetal force for the same circular path.