Final answer:
Centripetal means "center-seeking" in physics, and refers to the direction of the force or acceleration that is directed inward, toward the center of a circular path.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word centripetal means "center-seeking."
In physics, centripetal refers to the direction of the force or acceleration that is directed inward, toward the center of a circular path. It is the force or acceleration that keeps an object moving in a circular path. For example, when you swing a ball on a string, the string pulls the ball inwards, providing the centripetal force. This force is necessary to prevent the ball from flying off in a straight line away from the center.