Define centripetal force. Can any type of force (for example, tension, gravitational force, friction, and so on) be a centripetal force? Can any combination of forces be a centripetal force?

Glencoe Physics: Principles and Problems, Student Edition
1st Edition
ISBN:9780078807213
Author:Paul W. Zitzewitz
Publisher:Paul W. Zitzewitz
Chapter7: Gravitation
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 56A
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Define centripetal force. Can any type of force (for
example, tension, gravitational force, friction,
and so on) be a centripetal force? Can any
combination of forces be a centripetal force?
Transcribed Image Text:Define centripetal force. Can any type of force (for example, tension, gravitational force, friction, and so on) be a centripetal force? Can any combination of forces be a centripetal force?
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A centripetal force is a force that makes a body follow a curved path. Its direction is always perpendicular to the motion of the body and towards the fixed point of the instantaneous center of curvature of the path. 

Fc = mv2/r 

 

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