In which situations do we encounter centripetal forces in space?

Answer 1

Jay gal has the right idea. Anywhere you find objects in orbit, gravity provides the centripetal force that keeps them in orbit. without that, things would just move off in straight lines.

Answer 2

Any object in space that is moving in other than a straight line is being acted upon by a Centripetal force. It is the force that causes an object to travel in a curve. Centripetal force keeps the planets in orbit. According to Newton’s 1st law, all masses have inertia and would like to move at constant speed in a straight line. Earth wants to move straight but it is prevented from doing so due to the sun’s gravity. The sun applies a centripetal force.

Other examples include:
- Swinging a bucket of water over your head such that no water spills out. You are applying Centripetal force.
- A roller-coaster track applies Centripetal force to the cars in an inside loop.
- A toy airplane zipping around in a circle, the wire or string attached to the pole around which it flies applies Centripetal force to the airplane.

Hope that helps explain it for you.
Have fun!

Answer 3

The Gemini 11 mission attempted to produce artificial gravity by rotating the capsule around the Agena Target Vehicle which it was attached to by a 36 meter tether. The resultant force was too small to be felt by either astronaut, but objects were observed moving towards the 'floor' of the capsule. The tether supplied the centripetal force, and the centrifugal force is what made the objects move toward the floor.

Answer 4

All satellite systems are maintained by gravity,which is a centripetal force.

Answer 5

the moon orbiting the earth and the earth orbiting the sun