Circular motion calculation
Formula used
How to use
Select the quantity you need to calculate. Then choose the known-value relationship. Required inputs appear automatically.
Enter each value and select its unit. Choose precision and output units. Press Calculate to view results.
Review the formula, conversions, and derived values. Copy or export the result. Check assumptions before practical use.
Example data
These examples show typical circular-motion calculations. Values are rounded for readability.
| Example | Mass | Velocity | Radius | Acceleration | Force |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car on a curve | 1,200 kg | 20 m/s | 50 m | 8 m/s² | 9,600 N |
| Ball on a string | 0.5 kg | 6 m/s | 1.5 m | 24 m/s² | 12 N |
| Laboratory centrifuge | 0.02 kg | 30 m/s | 0.1 m | 9,000 m/s² | 180 N |
| Amusement ride | 75 kg | 12 m/s | 8 m | 18 m/s² | 1,350 N |
Common applications
Centripetal calculations apply to vehicles, satellites, centrifuges, rotating drums, turbines, rides, laboratory equipment, and circular machinery.
The inward force may come from tension, gravity, friction, contact forces, electric forces, magnetic forces, or combined interactions.
Centripetal force is not an extra force. It describes the inward net force. Always identify the real force source.
Frequently asked questions
What is centripetal force?
It is the net inward force that keeps an object moving along a curved or circular path.
Is centripetal force a separate physical force?
No. It is a role performed by tension, gravity, friction, normal force, or another real interaction.
Why does speed have such a strong effect?
Force depends on velocity squared. Doubling speed requires four times the inward force when mass and radius remain fixed.
What happens when the radius increases?
For fixed mass and speed, increasing radius decreases centripetal force because the path curves less sharply.
Can the calculator use RPM?
Yes. RPM is converted into angular velocity and frequency before related values are calculated.
What is centripetal acceleration?
It is the inward acceleration that continuously changes the direction of velocity during circular motion.
What is the difference between centripetal and centrifugal force?
Centripetal force points inward in an inertial frame. Centrifugal force is an apparent outward effect in a rotating frame.
Why are values converted to SI units?
SI conversion keeps formulas consistent. The calculator then converts results into your selected output units.
Can these results replace engineering review?
No. Real systems may include friction changes, vibration, material limits, safety factors, and non-uniform rotation.