The force that pulls objects towards the center of a circle when they are moving in a circular path is called centripetal force.

Here's why:

* Centripetal means "center-seeking".

* An object moving in a circle wants to travel in a straight line (Newton's First Law of Motion).

* To keep the object moving in a circle, a force needs to constantly pull it inwards, towards the center of the circle.

Examples of centripetal forces include:

* Gravity: Keeps the Moon orbiting the Earth and the Earth orbiting the Sun.

* Tension in a string: When you swing a ball on a string, the tension in the string provides the centripetal force.

* Friction: A car turning a corner relies on friction between the tires and the road to provide the centripetal force.

Let me know if you'd like more details about any of these!