Centripetal Acceleration - AP® Physics Definition

In AP® Physics, centripetal acceleration is the component of an object’s acceleration directed toward the center of the object’s circular path. Centripetal acceleration is always directed toward the center of an object’s circular path along the radius of the circle.

According to Newton's second law the centripetal force that produces the centripetal acceleration is also directed towards the center of the circle.

Centripetal acceleration can result from a single force, more than one force, or components of forces exerted on an object in circular motion. The centripetal force can be any type of force, depending on the situation, which keeps an object moving in a circular path.

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