Identify different sources of centripetal force in real-life examples.

Centripetal force is not a specific type of force; instead, it is the resultant force that causes an object to follow a circular path. Several forces can act as sources of centripetal force in different scenarios:

  1. Gravitational Force:

    • Example: The Earth’s gravity provides the centripetal force for the Moon’s orbit around the Earth. The Sun’s gravity provides the centripetal force that keeps the planets in orbit around it.
  2. Tension Force:

    • Example: A ball on a string being swung around in a circle; the tension in the string provides the centripetal force that keeps the ball moving in a circular motion.
  3. Frictional Force:

    • Example: A car turning around a bend. The friction between the tires and the road provides the centripetal force that keeps the car moving in the curve.
  4. Normal Force (in some cases):

    • Example: A roller coaster moving along a circular track. The normal force from the track provides the centripetal force that keeps the coaster on its curved path.
  5. Electric Force:

    • Example: In an atom, the centripetal force is provided by the electrostatic attraction between the negatively charged electrons and the positively charged nucleus, causing the electrons to move in orbit around the nucleus.