Centripetal force is a force that acts on an object moving in a circular path, always directed towards the center of the circle. It is responsible for keeping the object in its circular motion.
Centripetal force is the force that pulls an object towards the center, while centrifugal force is the apparent outward force acting on an object moving in a circular path. Centrifugal force is a result of inertia and is not a true force.
Some examples of centripetal force include the force of gravity keeping planets in their orbits around the sun, the force of a car's tires on the road when turning a corner, and the force of a string on a ball in a game of tetherball.
The formula for calculating centripetal force is F = mv²/r, where F is the centripetal force, m is the mass of the object, v is its velocity, and r is the radius of the circular path.
Centripetal force is important because it explains the cause of circular motion and is essential for keeping an object in its circular path. It also helps us understand the relationship between an object's speed, mass, and the radius of its circular path.