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MotionLab
The inward force required to keep anything moving in a curve, from cars on a track to planets in orbit.
Centripetal force isn't a distinct type of force like gravity or friction — it's the name for whatever force (tension, friction, gravity) is actually causing the circular motion in a given situation. A car turning relies on friction; a satellite orbiting relies on gravity.
Force scales inversely with radius — halving the turning radius at the same speed doubles the required centripetal force, which is why tight highway curves have lower speed limits than gentle ones.
Centripetal force (N)
50
F = mv² / r
What you entered
F = mv² ÷ r
2 × 5² ÷ 1= 50 NResult
Centripetal force (N): 50
A 2kg mass moving at 5 m/s in a 1m circle needs 50 N of centripetal force.