Talk:Centripetal force

The result of the changing acceleration is surely the centrifugal force for which an equal and opposite centripetal force is required to constrain the circular motion. Rjstott

That's nonsense. Centrifugal force is an imaginary force that appears if you are in a rotating frame of reference. Centripetal force is the force that causes a motion to be circular, producing an acceleration that correspond to a change in the direction of the velocity. --AN

There's nothing imaginary about two opposing forces being equal and opposite. I agree that one is a result of the mass acceleration equation.Rjstott

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There is no "equal and opposite force required to constrain the circular motion".

The force equation is F=m a,

In the case of circular motion a=-v^2/r^2r, and F=-m v^2/r^2r. F points inside, and its nature depends on the problem, in the case of a satellite, F = G m M/R^2. Where is the "centrifugal force" in the equations?

There is also the reaction to F, but that acts on another body that depends on the problem, in the case of the satellite, is the force exerted on the earth by the satellite, is that a "centrifugal force". I don't think so. I think you have to reexamine your first year college physics textbooks. --AN