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"Centripetal" means "seeking the center" or "toward the center".

If there were no force on an object in orbit, it wouldn't be 'in orbit' at all, and it would

just sail off in a straight line at a constant speed. Gravitational force between it and

the center of the Earth bends its path into a curve.

-- If its speed is too great, it curves part way around the Earth and takes off on a

'hyperbolic' path without settling into an orbit.

-- If its speed is too slow, its path gets curved so much that the object falls to Earth.

-- If its speed is in the 'mid-range', it settles into a closed, elliptical orbit.

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What is the formula to find centripetal force?

Centripetal force is always directed towards the center of the circle of motion that an object is traveling in.


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!!


What direction of the gravitational force and centripetal force on a satellite?

The gravitational force on a satellite is towards the center of the Earth. The gravitational force IS the centripetal force is this case, so the centripetal force pulls the satellite towards the center of the Earth. There is no balancing force that pulls the satellite outwards (if there were, it wouldn't accelerate, i.e., change direction).


An object experiencing a centripetal force will what?

follow a curved path


How do they affect the centripetal force?

If an object moves in a circle, the centripetal acceleration can be calculated as speed squared divided by the radius. The centripetal force, of course, is calculated with Newton's Second Law: force = mass x acceleration. Therefore, the centripetal force will be equal to mass x speed2 / radius.

Related Questions

What happens to the motion of an object tied with a string being whirled in absence of gravitation when the centripetal force acting on it stops and the object is still tied with the string?

the object will go in its tangential direction of that instant. centripetal force pulls the object toward its rotational axis, so if there is no force pulling it inward; inertia will make the object go in the direction it "wants to go" aka- its tangential direction


What is the significance of including a free body diagram (FBD) when analyzing the centripetal force acting on an object?

Including a free body diagram (FBD) when analyzing the centripetal force acting on an object is significant because it helps to visually represent all the forces acting on the object. This allows for a clearer understanding of how these forces contribute to the centripetal force required to keep the object moving in a circular path. By breaking down and analyzing the forces in a systematic way, the FBD helps in accurately determining the magnitude and direction of the centripetal force needed for the object's circular motion.


Does the centripetal force acting on an object in uniform circular motion do work on the object?

No


What is the inward force on an object?

The inward force on an object is the force acting towards the center of the object. This force is required to keep an object moving in a circular path and is known as centripetal force. It is responsible for changing the direction of an object's velocity without changing its speed.


Is centripetal force is acting when ab body is moving in stright line?

No, centripetal force is not acting when a body is moving in a straight line. Centripetal force is required to keep an object moving in a curved path.


What is the direction of the force that's keeps and object moving in a circle?

The force that keeps an object moving in a circle is directed towards the center of the circle. This force is called the centripetal force and it is responsible for changing the object's direction continuously, keeping it in circular motion.


Explain why a centripetal force does not do work on a circularly moving object?

A centripetal force does not do work on a circularly moving object because the force is always directed towards the center of the circle, while the object moves tangentially to the circle. Since work is defined as force acting in the direction of displacement, the centripetal force and the displacement are perpendicular to each other, resulting in no work being done.


What is the relationship between the net force acting on an object and the direction in which the object moves?

The net force acting on an object determines the acceleration of the object in the direction of the force. If the net force is in the same direction as the object's motion, the object will accelerate in that direction. If the net force is in the opposite direction, the object will decelerate or change direction.


Why is an object in uniform motion experiencing centripetal force?

An object in uniform motion does not experience centripetal force. Centripetal force is only present when an object is moving in a circular path, causing it to change direction. Uniform motion refers to constant velocity in a straight line without any change in speed or direction.


How does the centripetal force cause an object to change in motion?

Centripetal force is the force that acts inward towards the center of rotation of an object moving in a circle. This force allows the object to continually change direction and maintain its circular motion. Without centripetal force, the object would move in a straight line tangent to the circle.


What is the relationship between the normal force and the centripetal force acting on an object in circular motion?

In circular motion, the normal force is the force exerted by a surface on an object to prevent it from falling through. The centripetal force is the force that keeps an object moving in a circular path. The normal force and the centripetal force are related because the normal force provides the centripetal force needed to keep the object in circular motion.


What provides the centripetal force that keeps an object moving in a circular path?

The centripetal force that keeps an object moving in a circular path is provided by the inward force acting towards the center of the circle.