Physics Formula
Centripetal Force Formula Formula
Calculates the force required to keep an object moving in a circular path.
Formula Summary
Centripetal Force Formula
Calculates the force required to keep an object moving in a circular path.
- Category
- Physics
- Equation
- Fᶜ = mv² / r
- Calculator
- Use Centripetal Force Formula Calculator →
Equation
Fᶜ = mv² / r
Variables
- Fᶜ = centripetal force
- m = mass
- v = velocity
- r = radius
Units
- Force: Newton (N)
- Mass: kilogram (kg)
- Velocity: meters per second (m/s)
- Radius: meters (m)
When To Use This Formula
Use this formula when calculating the inward force needed to keep an object moving along a circular path.
Rearranged Equations
- m = Fᶜr / v²
- v = √(Fᶜr / m)
- r = mv² / Fᶜ
How to Use This Formula
- Identify the known values from the problem statement.
- Convert all values into compatible units.
- Substitute the values into the equation and calculate the result.
- Check that the final answer has the correct unit and meaning.