answersLogoWhite

0

The word "centripetal" did not develop naturally over time because it was coined by Newton when he discovered the force. However, he derived the term from the Latin noun "centrum" meaning center and the verb "petere" meaning "to rush." Thus, centripetal force is the force which causes items to fly /towards/ the center of whatever circular path it moves in.

Just to clarify the science a little, the force IS pulling objects to the center of a circular path, even though they appear to be trying to move outwards. Their inertia and velocity is what keeps them moving away from the epicenter and so the centripetal force is the force required to keep the object moving in it's circular path.

The measurements of the inertia/velocity pushing the object out is referred to as centrifugal force, though many scientists object to this term because centrifugal force isn't actually a force in and of itself at all. The etymology of centrifugal is very similar to that of centripetal. It also comes from the Latin "centrum," for center, but instead of "petere" it is derived from the verb "effugere" which means to flee. Fugere is also the root of words like fugitive.

I'm sure that's more information than you actually wanted, but there you go :p

CENTER...center

-iRLANDA♥
User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

The word means center-seeking?

centripetal


Which word means center-seeking?

Centripetal


The word means center seeking?

centripetal


The word centripetal means center?

center-seeking


What word means center seeking?

The center-seeking force in physics is centripetal.


What means center seeking?

its centripetal


What does the word centripetal means?

Centripetal refers to a center-seeking force or direction, often used to describe the force that keeps an object moving in a circular path. It is the force that keeps objects moving inward toward the center of rotation.


What is the definition of Centripetal?

"Center-seeking" or "directed to the center" is the definition of centripetal.


What does 'centripetal' mean?

This word means 'directed toward the center'.


What is the root word of centripetal?

The root word of centripetal is "petere," which means "to seek or go towards." It is a Latin word that forms the basis of many English words related to movement or direction.


Does centripetal mean balanced or unbalanced?

Centripetal force acting on an orbiting object is unbalanced since the object is being accelerated.Velocity is continually changing direction if not speed. This means an orbiting object is accelerating and the direction of acceleration is toward the center. In fact, centripetal means "center seeking."A person at rest on the surface of the Earth is being acted upon by a centripetal force (toward the center of the Earth, that is, down) which is exactly equal and opposite to the spring force of the Earth's matter pushing up. Thus, in this case, the centripetal force is balanced.The previous answer (below) is generally incorrect.No,because when a body revolves round an orbit,its CENTRIPETAL force is balanced by the WEIGHT of the body!thank you!!


Is centripetal force also called an inward force?

Yes. Centripetal is center seeking force. Centrifugal is center fleeing force.