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Mechanics
Mechanics

Centripetal Force

Fc=mv2r=mω2rF_c = \frac{mv^2}{r} = m\omega^2 r

Net force required for circular motion.

Variables

F_c
Centripetal force
Force toward center
N
m
Mass
Object mass
kg
v
Tangential velocity
Speed along circle
m/s
r
Radius
Radius of path
m

Derivation

F = ma with a = a_c: F_c = mv²/r.

Your notes

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Common questions

What is the Centripetal Force formula?

Centripetal Force is written F_c = mv²/r = mω² r. Net force required for circular motion. It belongs to Mechanics, under Rotational Motion.

What are the units in F_c = mv²/r = mω² r?

In SI units, F_c is centripetal force, measured in kg·m/s²; m is mass, measured in kg; v is tangential velocity, measured in m/s; r is radius, measured in m.

How is the Centripetal Force formula derived?

F = ma with a = a_c: F_c = mv²/r. The result is F_c = mv²/r = mω² r.