Science
What is Centripetal force?
Centripetal force is the inward force that keeps an object moving in a circle. Without it, the object would fly off in a straight line. It's what holds a car on a curved road, a ball on a string, and the Moon in orbit around Earth.
See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains centripetal force.
Key things to understand
- 1It's the inward force that keeps motion circular.
- 2It always points toward the center of the circle.
- 3Without it, objects move off in a straight line.
- 4Gravity provides it for orbiting moons and planets.
Frequently asked questions
- What is centripetal force?
- The inward force that keeps an object moving along a circular path.
- What provides centripetal force?
- It depends — tension in a string, friction on a road, or gravity for orbiting bodies.
- What's the difference between centripetal and centrifugal force?
- Centripetal force is the real inward force; 'centrifugal force' is the apparent outward push you feel.