Centripetal Acceleration

Centripetal acceleration, abbreviated as \( a_c \), is the change in the velocity, which is a vector, either in speed or direction as an object makes its way around a circular path.  Abbreviated a_c, centripetal acceleration points towards the center of the circular path that keeps an object in an elliptical orbit with the direction of the velocity vector constantly changing.

 

Centripetal acceleration formula
\(\large{ a_c = \frac{ v^2 }{ r }   }\)
Symbol	English	Metric
\(\large{ a_c }\) = centripetal acceleration	\(\large{\frac{ft}{sec^2}}\)	\(\large{\frac{m}{s^2}}\)
\(\large{ r }\) = radius	\(\large{ft}\)	\(\large{m}\)
\(\large{ v }\) = velocity	\(\large{\frac{ft}{sec}}\)	\(\large{\frac{m}{s}}\)

 

Centripetal acceleration formula
\(\large{ a_c = \omega^2 \; r  }\)
Symbol	English	Metric
\(\large{ a_c }\) = centripetal acceleration	\(\large{\frac{ft}{sec^2}}\)	\(\large{\frac{m}{s^2}}\)
\(\large{ \omega }\)  (Greek symbol omega) = angular velocity	\(\large{\frac{ft}{sec}}\)	\(\large{\frac{m}{s}}\)
\(\large{ r }\) = radius	\(\large{ft}\)	\(\large{m}\)

 

Centripetal Acceleration Calculator