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Centripetal Force

Force needed to keep an object in circular motion.

Formula

F = \frac{mv^2}{r}

mMass

vSpeed

rRadius

A 1 kg ball at 2 m/s on a 0.5 m string needs F = 1·4/0.5 = 8 N inward.

The force that keeps you in a curve is directed inward — there is no real outward "centrifugal" force.