Centripetal Force And Acceleration Calculator

Centripetal Force Equation:

\[ F_c = m \times \frac{v^2}{r} \]

Centripetal Force (F_c):

Centripetal Acceleration (a_c):

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1. What is Centripetal Force?

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

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the centripetal force equation:

\[ F_c = m \times \frac{v^2}{r} \]

Where:

\( F_c \) — Centripetal force (N)
\( m \) — Mass of the object (kg)
\( v \) — Tangential velocity (m/s)
\( r \) — Radius of the circular path (m)

Explanation: The equation shows that centripetal force is proportional to the mass and the square of 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 (curved roads, roller coasters), satellite orbit calculations, and understanding circular motion in 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 greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between centripetal and centrifugal force?
A: Centripetal force is the real force that keeps objects in circular motion, while centrifugal force is a perceived outward force in a rotating reference frame.

Q2: Can centripetal force change an object's speed?
A: No, centripetal force only changes the direction of motion, not the speed. It acts perpendicular to the velocity vector.

Q3: What are some real-world examples of centripetal force?
A: Examples include Earth's gravity keeping the Moon in orbit, tension in a string for a spinning ball, and friction between tires and road for a turning car.

Q4: How does radius affect centripetal force?
A: For the same mass and velocity, a smaller radius requires greater centripetal force to maintain circular motion.

Q5: What happens if centripetal force is removed?
A: The object will move in a straight line tangent to its previous circular path, following Newton's first law of motion.