Unit 5 - Part 2 Centripetal acceleration Assessment Objects moving in a circle have a centripetal force push them in which direction? up down toward the center of the circular path toward the outside of the circular path

## Step 1<br />Centripetal force is a force that acts on an object moving in a circular path. This force is always directed towards the center of the circle. <br /><br />## Step 2<br />The term "centripetal" comes from the Latin words "centrum" meaning "center" and "petere" meaning "to seek". This force is always directed towards the center of the circle, which is why it is called "centripetal".<br /><br />## Step 3<br />The centripetal force is responsible for keeping the object in its circular path. Without this force, the object would move in a straight line due to inertia.