1. What is Centripetal Acceleration?

Definition: Centripetal acceleration is the acceleration experienced by an object moving in a circular path, directed toward the center of the circle.

Purpose: This calculator helps determine the acceleration of an object moving along a curved path without considering angular measurements.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( a \) — Centripetal acceleration (m/s²)
• \( v \) — Linear velocity (m/s)
• \( r \) — Radius of the circular path (m)

Explanation: The square of the velocity is divided by the radius to calculate the acceleration needed to maintain circular motion.

3. Importance of Centripetal Acceleration

Details: Understanding centripetal acceleration is crucial in designing roads, roller coasters, and analyzing planetary orbits.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the velocity in meters per second and the radius in meters. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between centripetal and centrifugal acceleration?
A: Centripetal acceleration is real acceleration toward the center, while centrifugal is an apparent outward force in a rotating frame.

Q2: Can this formula be used for planetary motion?
A: Yes, it's fundamental in calculating orbital velocities and accelerations.

Q3: What happens when radius approaches zero?
A: Acceleration becomes infinite, which is physically impossible - indicating the limits of this formula.

Q4: How does velocity affect acceleration?
A: Since velocity is squared, doubling velocity quadruples the centripetal acceleration.

Q5: What units should I use?
A: Use meters for distance and seconds for time (m/s for velocity, m/s² for acceleration) for consistent SI units.