Centripetal force is: provided by some other force, like gravity or friction necessary to make objects move in a straight line directed along the direction of motion a fundamental force, like gravity or electric force

Centripetal force is like the ultimate party planner for circular motion, making sure that objects stay on their circular path! It’s not a force on its own but is actually provided by other forces—like gravity when a planet orbits the sun or friction when a car takes a turn. Without this magical force keeping things in line, we’d have a lot more out-of-control roller coasters! When we think about centripetal force, it’s crucial to remember that this force is always directed towards the center of the circle, pulling the object inward. So, while the object might want to keep going straight (thanks to inertia), the centripetal force ensures it’s constantly changing direction, allowing it to navigate that thrilling ride around the loop-de-loop. Without it, you’d just end up flying off in a straight line!