Centripetal Acceleration Calculator (a = v²/r)
Centripetal Acceleration Calculator (a = v²/r)
Centripetal acceleration is the acceleration that keeps an object moving in a circular path, always directed toward the center of the circle. Choose which quantity you want to solve for, enter the other two known values, and this calculator computes the missing one.
This acceleration never changes an object's speed — only the direction it's moving — which is exactly why circular motion at a perfectly constant speed still technically counts as accelerated motion in physics, a point that trips up many students first encountering the concept. A smaller radius at the same speed requires dramatically more centripetal acceleration, which is the underlying reason tight turns (a car cornering, a rollercoaster loop) feel so much more forceful than the same speed traveled on a gentle curve.
- The core formula is a = v² / r, so an object moving at 10 m/s around a circle of radius 5 m experiences 20 m/s² of centripetal acceleration.
- This acceleration doesn't change the object's speed - only its direction - which is why circular motion at constant speed still counts as accelerated motion.
- A smaller radius or higher speed both increase the required centripetal acceleration - this is why tight, fast turns feel more forceful than wide, slow ones.
How do I calculate centripetal acceleration?
Square the velocity and divide by the radius of the circular path: a = v² / r.
What is the centripetal acceleration of an object moving at 10 m/s in a 5 m radius circle?
a = 10² / 5 = 20 m/s².
Centripetal Acceleration Calculator (a = v²/r)
Centripetal acceleration is the acceleration that keeps an object moving in a circular path, always directed toward the center of the circle. Choose which quantity you want to solve for, enter the other two known values, and this calculator computes the missing one.
This acceleration never changes an object's speed — only the direction it's moving — which is exactly why circular motion at a perfectly constant speed still technically counts as accelerated motion in physics, a point that trips up many students first encountering the concept. A smaller radius at the same speed requires dramatically more centripetal acceleration, which is the underlying reason tight turns (a car cornering, a rollercoaster loop) feel so much more forceful than the same speed traveled on a gentle curve.
- The core formula is a = v² / r, so an object moving at 10 m/s around a circle of radius 5 m experiences 20 m/s² of centripetal acceleration.
- This acceleration doesn't change the object's speed - only its direction - which is why circular motion at constant speed still counts as accelerated motion.
- A smaller radius or higher speed both increase the required centripetal acceleration - this is why tight, fast turns feel more forceful than wide, slow ones.
How do I calculate centripetal acceleration?
Square the velocity and divide by the radius of the circular path: a = v² / r.
What is the centripetal acceleration of an object moving at 10 m/s in a 5 m radius circle?
a = 10² / 5 = 20 m/s².