What is Centripetal Force?

Centripetal force ($F_c$) is the net force that acts upon an object to keep it moving in a circular path. The word “centripetal” means “center-seeking.” This force is always directed inward toward the center of rotation, perpendicular to the object’s velocity.

Without a centripetal force, an object moving in a circle would continue in a straight line, as dictated by Newton’s First Law of Motion. Examples include the tension in a rope when swinging a bucket, the gravitational force keeping satellites in orbit, or the friction between a car’s tires and the road when turning.

The relationship is shown by the equation: $F_c = \frac{mv^2}{r}$ , where $m$ is mass, $v$ is velocity, and $r$ is the radius of the circular path.

How To Use This Calculator

1. Enter Mass ($m$): Input the mass of the object in kilograms (kg). This is the object being rotated.
2. Enter Velocity ($v$): Input the linear speed of the object in meters per second (m/s).
3. Enter Radius ($r$): Input the radius of the circular path in meters (m). This value must be greater than zero.
4. Click Calculate: Press the “Calculate Centripetal Force ($F_c$)” button.
5. View Result: The computed centripetal force will appear in the result box, expressed in Newtons (N) and rendered clearly using LaTeX.

All inputs must be non-negative numbers. The radius must be positive.