Which direction does centripetal acceleration point?

Always toward the center of the circular path — it's what continuously changes the direction of the object's velocity to keep it moving in a circle rather than a straight line.

How is this related to centripetal force?

Centripetal force equals mass × centripetal acceleration (F = ma), so once you know acceleration, multiply by the object's mass to find the required force.

Centripetal Acceleration Calculator

Calculate the centripetal acceleration experienced by an object moving along a circular path, given its speed and the radius of the circle. This acceleration always points toward the center of the circular path.

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Centripetal Acceleration: 20 m/s²

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Formula

a = v² / r

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