Centripetal Force — NOT a new force

Overview

Centripetal force is NOT a separate type of force — it is whatever real force happens to point toward the centre: Gravity → satellite in orbit. Tension → ball on a string. Friction → car turning on a flat road. Normal force → car in a loop-the-loop at the top. Always identify the real force in your FBD first, then set it equal to mv²/r.