How does centripetal force cause circular motion?

Question

mani_jha · Answer

A force causes an acceleration. An acceleration is a change of either magnitude or direction of velocity.
Now suppose a centripetal force acts towards a fixed point(The center). Let the point move tangentially with a speed v. Now, the tangential speed wants to displace the particle in a 'STRAIGHT LINE'. But the centripetal force attracts it towards the center. As a result, the point TURNS ABOUT the center. Or the direction of velocity is changed due to the centripetal force. This turning occurs at every instant, and results in the circular path.
|dw:1333329225709:dw|
Get it?