Centripetal Force Formula
F = m·v² / r
What it means
The inward force that keeps an object moving in a circle, depending on its mass, speed, and the radius of the circle.
Variables
| Symbol | Quantity | SI unit |
|---|---|---|
F | force | N |
m | mass | kg |
v | velocity | m/s |
r | radius | m |
Worked example
Given m = 2 kg, v = 5 m/s, r = 4 m, solve for F:
F = 12.5 N