Definition:Centripetal Force
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Definition
A centripetal force is a force $\mathbf F$ that causes a body $B$ moving in a straight line to deviate that it moves in a curved path, or constrains it to move in a curved path.
$\mathbf F$ is directed towards the center of curvature of the curved path.
Its magnitude is equal to the mass of $B$ multiplied by the centripetal component of the acceleration of $B$.
Also see
- Results about centripetal force can be found here.
Sources
- 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): centripetal force
- 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): centripetal force