0:00
What is centripetal force in physics?
0:02
Centripetal force is the force that
0:04
keeps an object moving in a circular
0:06
path by continuously pulling it toward
0:09
the center of the circle. Centripetal
0:11
force is always directed toward the
0:13
center of the circular path and is
0:16
responsible for changing the direction
0:18
of the object's velocity without
0:20
necessarily changing its speed. This
0:23
force can be provided by tension,
0:25
gravity, friction, or any other force
0:28
depending on the situation. Without
0:30
centripetal force, an object moving in a
0:32
circular path would move off in a
0:34
straight line due to inertia. Imagine
0:37
tying a stone to a string and swinging
0:39
it in a circle. The tension in the
0:41
string pulls the stone toward the
0:43
center, keeping it moving in a circular
0:47
This pulling force is the centripetal
0:49
force. Examples: A stone tied to a
0:52
string and swung in a circle. Planets
0:55
orbiting the sun due to gravitational
0:57
force. A car moving around a circular
0:59
bend. A satellite orbiting Earth. Motion
1:02
of a roller coaster in a loop.
