text: how does centriptal force work.?   centriptal force  any motion in a curved path represents accelerated motion, and requires a force directed toward the center of curvature of the path. this force is called the centripetal force which means "center seeking" force. the force has the magnitude  swinging a mass on a string requires string tension, and the mass will travel off in a tangential straight line if the string breaks.  the centripetal acceleration can be derived for the case of circular motion since the curved path at any point can be extended to a circle.  note that the centripetal force is proportional to the square of the velocity, implying that a doubling of speed will require four times the centripetal force to keep the motion in a circle. if the centripetal force must be provided by friction alone on a curve, an increase in speed could lead to an unexpected skid if friction is insufficient.