Centripetal Force Calculator - F = mv²/r Calculator
Calculate centripetal force from mass, velocity, and radius, or solve for any one of the four given the other three.
Result
33.3333
F = m × v² / r = 2 × 5² / 1.5 = 33.3333 N
How to Use the Centripetal Force Calculator
Centripetal force is the net force that keeps an object moving in a circular path, always directed toward the center of the circle. This calculator solves for any one of force, mass, velocity, or radius given the other two — or three, in the case of solving for force — using the standard circular motion formula.
F = m × v² / r | m = F × r / v² | v = √(F × r / m) | r = m × v² / F
Example
A 2 kg object moving at 5 m/s around a circle of radius 1.5 m requires a centripetal force of F = 2 × 5² / 1.5 = 2 × 25 / 1.5 ≈ 33.33 newtons directed toward the center of the circle.
Common Use Cases
- Physics coursework covering circular motion and centripetal force.
- Estimating the force a rotating part or object experiences at a given speed and radius.
- Understanding how tighter turns or higher speeds increase the force needed to stay on a circular path.
FAQs
- How is this different from the Force Calculator? The Force Calculator uses Newton's second law (F = ma) for straight-line, linear force. This calculator is specifically for objects moving in a circular path, where the force depends on mass, velocity, and the radius of the circle rather than linear acceleration.
- What units does this use? Standard SI units: mass in kilograms, velocity in meters per second, radius in meters, and force in newtons.
- Why does force increase so much with speed? Velocity is squared in the formula, so doubling the speed while keeping mass and radius the same quadruples the required centripetal force — this is why tight, high-speed turns require dramatically more force than slower ones.