Final answer:
Centripetal force is the net force that causes an object to follow a uniform circular path, always directed towards the center of the circle and perpendicular to the object's linear velocity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Centripetal force is a net force that is required for an object to move in uniform circular motion. It is sometimes referred to as a "center-seeking" force because it always points toward the center of the circle in which the object is moving. The force is perpendicular to the object’s linear velocity and is responsible for the constant change in direction that characterizes circular motion, which is also known as centripetal acceleration. The magnitude of the centripetal force can be calculated using the formula Fc = m * ac, where m is the mass of the object and ac is the centripetal acceleration.