Explaining The Universe on Instagram: "Centripetal force is the inward-directed force that keeps an object moving along a curved or circular path instead of flying off in a straight line. Whenever something turns—like a car rounding a corner, a ball being swung on a string, or a planet orbiting the Sun—it requires a constant pull toward the center of the circle to maintain that motion. This inward force can come from different sources, such as friction, tension, or gravity, depending on the situ