Question

What is centripetal force?

Answer 1

Centripetal force :

1. For a body to undergo uniform circular motion, a force is required on the body which is directed towards the center of the circle. This is known as centripetal force.
2. Mathematically the centripetal force is represented as :

$F=\frac{m{v}^2}{r}$

where, $F\to$centripetal force

$m\to$mass of the body executing uniform circular motion

$v\to$velocity of the moving body

$r\to$circular radius

3. The SI unit of centripetal force is Newton $\left(N\right)$.

4. The centripetal force of an object moving in a circular path always acts towards the center of the circle.