Centripetal force sources – sources of centripetal forces

In this post, you will find a List of Common circular motions and the sources of centripetal force (in tabular format) for each of these motions.

Any force can be a centripetal force. Centripetal force is an umbrella term given to any force that is acting perpendicular to the motion of an object and thus causing it to go in a circle.

sources of centripetal forces

List of Common circular motions and the sources of centripetal forces:

Circular Motion	Provider or source of centripetal force
Whirling rock on a string	The tension in the string provides the necessary centripetal force
An Electron orbiting nucleus of the atom	Centripetal force is provided by the electrical attraction (Coulomb Force) between the electron and the nucleus
Car cornering on the road	Centripetal force is sourced by the Friction between tyres and the road
The Moon revolving around the Earth	The moon-Earth gravitational attraction provides the centripetal force
Artificial Satellite revolving around Earth	The gravitational attraction between the artificial Satellite and the Earth supplies the centripetal force

Note that this centripetal force is a real force. In all the above examples, you can see that this force is supplied by real forces like gravitational force, electric force, or frictional force.

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