Any force directed toward a

fixed center is called a V

centripetal force. Centripetal
means "center seeking" or F
"toward the center."
r
Centripetal force:
Centripetal force is defined
as the radial force directed
towards the center acting
on a body in circular
motion.
Centripetal force

Anything that moves in a circular path does so

because it's acted upon by a centripetal force.
Nature of Centripetal force:
1. Magnitude of centripetal force V
remains constant
2. Always it acts along the radius F
3. Centripetal force is not a basic
force of nature; r
4. It is always directed towards
the center

Centripetal force
Centripetal force depends on the
mass m, tangential speed v, and
radius of curvature r of the V
circularly moving object. You'll
likely use the exact relationship F

r
mv 2
f
r

Centripetal acceleration:

v2
a
r
Centripetal force
What happens if the V
centripetal is stopped
when the body is moving F
in a circular path?
r
If the centripetal force o
is stopped the body
moves along the tangent
to the circle.

STOP
This apparent outward force is
called centrifugal force.
centrifugal means "center
fleeing" or "away from the
center."

“Centrifugal Force” is
• a fictitious force –
• It’s not an interaction between 2 objects,

and therefore not a real force.

• Nothing pulls an object away from

the center of the circle.
 The centrifugal force effect is
caused not by a real force, but by
inertia-the tendency of the moving
object to follow a straight-line path.

object on the
“Centrifugal Force” is
dashboard
• a fictitious force –
• It’s not an interaction between 2
straight line
object naturally objects, and therefore not a
follows real force.
• Nothing pulls an object away
from the center of the circle.