Circular Motion: Centripetal acceleration and force for motion in a circle. This free calculator solves for Centripetal force/accel, ω, period and shows every step.
An object moving in a circle is constantly accelerating — not because its speed changes, but because its direction does. That acceleration points toward the centre and requires an inward (centripetal) force. Remove the force and the object flies off along a tangent.
v = 10 m/s, r = 5 m, m = 2 kg. a_c = 10²/5 = 20 m/s²; F_c = 2·20 = 40 N.
Satellite and planetary orbits, cars cornering, banked race tracks, centrifuges, fairground rides.
Circular Motion uses the formula a_c = v² / r. Centripetal acceleration and force for motion in a circle.
Choose which variable to solve for, enter the values you know (in any supported unit), and the calculator substitutes them into a_c = v² / r and shows every step of the working. It can solve for Centripetal force/accel, ω, period.
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