Physics Formula
Centripetal Acceleration Formula Formula
Calculates acceleration toward the center of circular motion.
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Formula Summary
Centripetal Acceleration Formula
Calculates acceleration toward the center of circular motion.
- Category
- Physics
- Equation
- aᶜ = v² / r
- Calculator
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Equation
aᶜ = v² / r
Variables
- aᶜ = centripetal acceleration
- v = velocity
- r = radius
Units
- Centripetal Acceleration: meters per second squared (m/s²)
- Velocity: meters per second (m/s)
- Radius: meters (m)
When To Use This Formula
Use this formula when calculating the acceleration directed toward the center of an object moving in a circular path.
Rearranged Equations
- v = √(aᶜr)
- r = v² / aᶜ
How to Use This Formula
- Identify the known values from the problem statement.
- Convert all values into compatible units.
- Substitute the values into the equation and calculate the result.
- Check that the final answer has the correct unit and meaning.