Centripetal Acceleration

Definition

Centripetal acceleration is the acceleration experienced by an object moving in a circular path. It is always directed towards the center of the circle and its magnitude can be calculated using the equation a = v^2/r, where v is the velocity of the object and r is the radius of the circle.

Analogy

Imagine you are riding a roller coaster on a circular track. The centripetal acceleration would be like the force that pushes you towards the center of the track, keeping you from flying off.

Related terms

Centripetal Force: This term refers to the force that acts towards the center of a circular path, causing an object to move in that path.

Mass: Mass is a measure of how much matter an object contains. It determines an object's inertia and its resistance to changes in motion.

Velocity: Velocity is a vector quantity that describes both speed and direction. It represents how fast an object is moving in a specific direction.