What is centripetal acceleration?
Consider an object moving in a circle of radius r with constant angular velocity. The tangential speed is constant, but the direction of the tangential velocity vector changes as the object rotates. Definition: Centripetal Acceleration Centripetal acceleration is the rate of change of tangential velocity: = (17) Note: The direction of the centripital acceleration is always inwards along the radius vector of the circular motion. The magnitude of the centripetal acceleration is related to the tangential speed and angular velocity as follows: ac = = r.
First, acceleration is measured by velocity over time. velocity is measured by distance over time. When moving in a straight line the distance you move divided by the time it took you to move that amount of distance is the velocity. if you then put this number over the time, you will get acceleration. Centripetal acceleration is acceleration that comes from a force that is not in a straight line, rather it is in a circular pattern with radius, r. Every force has an acceleration (F=ma) the acceleration found for a centripetal force is given with this equation: (v^2/r) if you are given the velocity of an object moving in a circle. If you are given the angular velocity of an object moving in a circle, you will then use the formula (u^2*r) sidenote: normal average acceleration in a straight line has an acceleration in the direction of the force. Centripetal acceleration has an acceleration tangential to the force because the force is “imaginary” and it is not along the line of movement of
