Final answer:
Centripetal force is not limited to being a contact force; it can be provided by contact forces such as tension and friction, or non-contact forces like gravity and electrical attraction. This force is essential in maintaining uniform circular motion for any object.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept that centripetal force is a contact force only is not accurate. Centripetal force is defined as any net force that causes an object to move in uniform circular motion. This force is always directed towards the center of the circular path and is perpendicular to the object's linear velocity. Examples of forces that can act as centripetal forces include tension, gravity, friction, electrical attraction, and the normal force. Centripetal force is essential in various situations, such as a car taking a turn, where the force provided by tire friction acts centripetally, or an object being swung in a circle on a string, where tension serves as the centripetal force.