What is the role of centripetal force in circular motion?

The role of centripetal force in circular motion is to cause an object to move in a circle. This force acts towards the center of the circular path, providing the necessary inward pull that keeps an object following the curved trajectory rather than moving off in a straight line, which is in accordance with Newton's first law of motion. When an object is in circular motion, it constantly changes direction, and this change in direction requires a net force towards the center of the circle to maintain that motion. This inward force is what is referred to as centripetal force, and it can arise from various sources such as tension, gravitational attraction, or friction, depending on the context of the motion.

Other options discuss concepts like outward forces or temperature maintenance, which are not relevant to the definition or function of centripetal force in the context of circular motion.