Why is there acceleration if speed is constant?

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity, which is a vector. Even at constant speed, the direction changes continuously, so the velocity vector changes.

What direction does centripetal acceleration point?

It always points radially inward, toward the center of the circular path.

How does centripetal acceleration relate to angular velocity?

Since v = omega * r, we can write a_c = omega² * r, where omega is the angular velocity in radians per second.

Free Centripetal Acceleration Calculator

Calculate centripetal acceleration for uniform circular motion using a = v² / r.

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Tangential Velocity

m/s

Radius

Centripetal Acceleration

20.0000 m/s²

Centripetal Acceleration vs Tangential Velocity

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Centripetal Acceleration

An object moving in a circle at constant speed still accelerates because its direction changes.

Formula

a_c = v² / r

This acceleration always points toward the center of the circular path.

Example Calculation

A car travels at 10 m/s around a curve of radius 5 m.

01a_c = v² / r
02a_c = 100 / 5
03a_c = 20 m/s²

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Understanding Newton's Laws of Motion

A comprehensive guide to Newton's three laws of motion. Learn about inertia, force and acceleration, action-reaction pairs, and how these principles govern everyday physics.

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