m/s2

Centripetal Acceleration Calculator

If you want to find an acceleration of an object which tends to move in a circular path ( around its axis), then you can use our centripetal acceleration calculator.

Before describing the centripetal acceleration, let us know what the acceleration is? It is defined as a change in velocity (final velocity - initial velocity) over a specific time. Now we can explain centripetal acceleration as the property of an object moving in a circular path. When a thing moves around its axis, it has a vector acceleration that leads to the circle's center. The unit used to represent centripetal acceleration is m/s2.

 

Formula of Centripetal Acceleration Calculator

To determine how to find the centripetal acceleration, you can use the formula listed below; or to evaluate your query instantly, jump to our free online calculator.

ac = v2/r

Where,

ac = centripetal acceleration

v = velocity of an object (measured in m/s).

r = radius (measured in meters m).

Note:

To calculate centripetal force, you can use our Centripetal Force Calculator.

Example

For a more precise understanding of the concept of centripetal acceleration, let us have an example below:

Suppose a car is moving in a circular path with a velocity of 10m/s, whereas the radius of a path is 10m. Find out the centripetal acceleration of a moving object.

Given data

Velocity = v = 10 m/s
Radius = r = 10m

To Find

The centripetal acceleration of a car = ?

Solution

To find out the centripetal acceleration of a car, we will use the formula listed below:

ac = v2/r

Putting values in the formula:

ac = (10m/s)2/10m = (100m2/s2) / 10m
ac = 10 m/s2

How to use the Centripetal Acceleration Calculator?

The steps to use the centripetal acceleration calculator are as follows:

Step 1: Enter the value of an object's velocity in the first required input.

Step 2: Enter the value of the radius in the second required input.

Step 3: The calculator will automatically display an answer on the screen.

Calculator use

You can use our centripetal acceleration calculator in various physics principles, such as finding the acceleration of the revolution of planets around the Sun, using a liquid mirror telescope, etc.