Learn what centripetal force is, how it acts on objects moving in circular paths, and what sources and formulas apply. Explore examples of centripetal force in astronomy, engineering, physics, and everyday life. Learn the difference between centripetal and centrifugal forces, which are two ways of describing the physics of circular motion. Centripetal force is real and points inward, while centrifugal force is fictitious and outward, depending on the frame of reference. Explaining simply, centripetal force is the force that keeps an object bound to a curved path and not letting it go out of the path . This force is not a new force but is the result of other forces, such as tension, gravity, or friction, acting in such a way that it pulls the object toward the center. Learn what centripetal force is, how to calculate it and see examples of it in daily life. Compare centripetal force with centrifugal force and test your knowledge with a quiz.
