A centripetal force is a force that makes a body follows a curved path. Its direction is always orthogonal to the velocity of the body and towards the fixed point of the instantaneous centre of curvature of the path. Any motion in a curved path represents accelerated motion, which needs a force which should be directed toward the centre of the curvature and this force associated to it is known as the centripetal force which means “centre seeking” force.
Para 2: Acceleration
An object moving in a circle experiences acceleration. Even if the object is moving around the perimeter circle with a fixed speed, the velocity still changes and subsequently the object attains acceleration.The direction of this acceleration is towards the centre of the…show more content… Without a net centripetal force, no object can travel in a circular motion. In reality, if all the applied forces are balanced, then the object in motion continues in motion in a straight line at a fixed constant speed.
Image ID: 288195815
Caption: How the forces work.
Para 4:Acceleration due to centripetal force
An object moving in a circle constantly changesits direction. This means that, even if its speed remains constant, its velocity is constantly changing. If the object’s velocity is changing, then it must be accelerating. The centripetal force causes this acceleration; it is always directed towards the centre of the circle. Without the resultant centripetal force, an object would travel at a constant velocity (constant speed and direction). It would move off in a straight line, as is the case when a bowlerbowls the ball towards the batsman.
Para 5: Factors affecting centripetal force
The centripetal force needed to keep an object moving in a circle increases if: • the mass of the object increases
• the speed of the object