The answer lies within two natural forces that often get mixed up: centripetal and centrifugal. Centripetal force (from Latin centrum, meaning center, and petere, meaning to seek) is the real physical force that keeps an object moving in a curved path. Centrifugal force (from centrum, meaning center, and fugere, meaning to flee) feels the opposite of centripetal force. So, the difference between these two forces is this: centripetal force is real and inward, while centrifugal force is apparent and outward. In short, centripetal force acts, while centrifugal force is what we feel.