Centripetal Acceleration

Key points

In uniform circular motion, even if the linear velocity is constant, the angular velocity changes because the direction of the motion changes.
- This change of velocity means that there is acceleration.
  - This is called centripetal acceleration.
The direction of centripetal acceleration is always towards the center of the circle.
- The magnitude of the acceleration is constant if the linear velocity is constant.

Centripetal Acceleration is the change of velocity that takes place within uniform circular motion.

From the motion unit, recall that acceleration occurs whenever the velocity changes.
- In circular motion, the direction of motion changes as the object travels along the circumference.
  - Velocity is a vector, so it changes as direction changes.
    - If the velocity vector changes, then there is acceleration.
The direction of this acceleration is towards the center of the circle.
- The centripetal acceleration vector is normal (perpendicular) to the velocity vector.
The magnitude of the acceleration is constant if the linear velocity is constant.