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Centripetal Acceleration

Part of the Mechanics section of Coddy's Physics journey. Lesson 73 of 94.

In uniform circular motion the velocity keeps turning toward the centre, so there is an acceleration, pointing to the centre: the centripetal acceleration.

An object on a circle shown at two positions: at each, the velocity v points along the circle and the acceleration a points from the object toward the centre, at a right angle to v

The velocity is along the circle; the acceleration points to the centre.

a = v² / r

Twice the speed: four times the acceleration. A tighter curve, with a smaller r, also needs more.

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Challenge

A car takes a curve of radius 50 m with a centripetal acceleration of 8 m/s². Find its speed v.

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This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.

All lessons in Mechanics

1Vectors and Newton's Laws

Right TrianglesWhat is a Vector?Adding VectorsAxes and DirectionsVector ComponentsForces Around UsFriction and TensionNewton's First LawNewton's Second LawNewton's Third LawRecap - Net Force

4Kinematics in 1D

Position and DisplacementVelocityAccelerationMotion GraphsEquations of MotionRecap - Braking Car

7Kinematics and Newton

From Forces to MotionFrom Motion to ForcesTwo-Stage MotionRecap - Elevator

10Springs

Hooke's LawSprings in SeriesSprings in ParallelRecap - Spring Scale

13Momentum in 2D

Momentum as a Vector2D CollisionsExplosionsRecap - Billiards

16Gravitation

Law of GravitationGravity and AltitudeSatellitesKepler's LawsGravitational EnergyEscape VelocitySatellite EnergyRecap - Mission to Orbit

2Friction

What is Friction?Static FrictionKinetic FrictionFriction and Newton's LawsRecap - Sliding Crate

5Vertical Motion

Free FallThrowing UpwardTime in the AirRecap - Dropped Ball

8Project: Delivery Drone

Mission BriefingTakeoff ThrustClimb to AltitudeCruise and BrakePackage Drop

11Elastic Energy

Elastic Potential EnergySpring LaunchersEnergy with SpringsRecap - Spring Launcher

14Circular Motion

Uniform Circular MotionCentripetal AccelerationHorizontal CirclesVertical CirclesLoop the LoopRecap - Car on a Curve

17Final Challenges

Recap - Stunt RampRecap - Crash TestRecap - Space Probe

3Inclined Planes

Forces on an InclineGravity ComponentsFrictionless InclineIncline with FrictionWill It Slide?Recap - Ramp Challenge

6Projectile Motion

Independent AxesHorizontal LaunchLaunch at an AngleRange and Max HeightRecap - Hit the Target

9Work and Energy

WorkKinetic EnergyWork-Energy TheoremGravitational PEConservation of EnergyPowerRecap - Roller Coaster

12Impulse and Momentum

MomentumImpulseConservation of MomentumElastic CollisionsInelastic CollisionsRecap - Air Track

15Simple Harmonic Motion

What is SHM?Mass on a SpringThe PendulumSHM GraphsEnergy in SHMRecap - Oscillator