Centripetal Force Calculator
Calculate the centripetal force and acceleration needed to keep an object moving in a circle.
How it works
F = m·v² / r · a = v² / r
Anything moving in a circle is constantly changing direction, which is an acceleration directed toward the centre. The inward force that produces it is the centripetal force — supplied by tension, friction, gravity or a track, depending on the situation. It grows with the square of speed, so cornering forces climb sharply as you go faster.
Worked example
A 1,000 kg car rounding a 50 m bend at 15 m/s needs a = 15² ÷ 50 = 4.5 m/s² and F = 1,000 × 4.5 = 4,500 N of inward force, supplied by tyre friction.
Sources: Centripetal force — Wikipedia
Frequently asked questions
Is centrifugal force real?
Centripetal force is the real inward force. The outward "centrifugal" feeling is an apparent force that appears only in the rotating frame — it is your body’s inertia trying to continue in a straight line.
Why does speed matter so much?
Force depends on velocity squared, so doubling the speed quadruples the required force. That is why taking a corner twice as fast demands four times the grip.
What provides the centripetal force?
It varies: friction for a cornering car, tension for a whirled ball, gravity for an orbiting satellite, and the normal force for a banked track. The formula gives the magnitude whatever the source.
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Educational estimate. Check the formula and units for your exact case.