What is the net force on an object in circular motion?

In circular motion, an object is constantly changing direction, which means it is accelerating even if its speed is constant. This acceleration is directed towards the center of the circular path and is known as centripetal acceleration. The net force required to keep an object in circular motion is also directed towards the center, and this force is termed the centripetal force.

This centripetal force can be the result of various factors depending on the context of the circular motion. For example, it could be provided by tension in a string (for a mass being swung in a circle), gravitational force (in the case of planets orbiting the sun), or friction (for a car taking a turn on the road). However, regardless of its source, the important aspect is that it acts towards the center of the circle, enabling the object to maintain its circular path.

In contrast, the gravitational force acting on the object may or may not contribute to the centripetal force, depending on the situation, and it does not account for the entirety of the net force required for circular motion. Similarly, the concept of centrifugal force is a perceived effect in a rotating reference frame and does not represent an actual force acting on the object in an inertial frame of reference.