Centripetal Force and Acceleration Calculator
Works out the inward force needed to hold something on a circular path at steady speed.
Centripetal force
—
Share sends a link that reopens these numbers. Copy details pastes the full breakdown as a list.
Centripetal acceleration — m/s²
In g — g
Speed —
Period, one lap —
Revolutions per minute — rpm
The formula
a = v² ÷ r F = m v² ÷ r T = 2πr ÷ v
The acceleration points to the centre of the circle. The force comes from something real, such as tyre grip, tension or gravity.
What to watch out for
Doubling the speed takes four times the force, while doubling the radius halves it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What force turns a 1,000 kg car at 20 m/s on a 50 m bend?
8 kN, at 0.82 g.
What is the difference between centripetal and centrifugal?
Centripetal is the real inward force. Centrifugal is the outward push you seem to feel from inside the turning frame.