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  • Centripetal Force Formula: Understanding & Calculation
    The formula for centripetal force is:

    F = mv²/r

    where:

    * F is the centripetal force (measured in Newtons, N)

    * m is the mass of the object (measured in kilograms, kg)

    * v is the velocity of the object (measured in meters per second, m/s)

    * r is the radius of the circular path (measured in meters, m)

    Explanation:

    Centripetal force is the force that keeps an object moving in a circular path. It always acts towards the center of the circle. The formula shows that the force is directly proportional to the mass and the square of the velocity, and inversely proportional to the radius of the circular path.

    Important notes:

    * Centripetal force is not a separate force like gravity or friction. It's the name given to the force that acts towards the center of the circular path. This force could be caused by various forces like gravity, tension, friction, etc.

    * The formula assumes that the object is moving at a constant speed in a circular path. If the speed is changing, the formula needs to be modified.

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