Centripetal acceleration has a direction towards the center of the rotating object and if the magnitude of the speed of rotation remains same, then why do we call it an centripetal acceleration? Doesn't both the direction and magnitude remain same?
[Physics] In a uniform circular motion why is centripetal acceleration called acceleration if the speed remains the same
accelerationcentripetal-forcespeedvectorsvelocity
Best Answer
Firstly in rotational motion there is a continuous change of velocity vector. Since the direction of linear velocity of the rotating particle change constantly.And we know the rate of change of velocity is acceleration. Here centripetal acceleration is arise due to change of this linear velocity vector. In another point of view we can explain it. According newton's first law of motion, an object either remains at rest or continues to move in a straight line at a constant velocity, unless acted upon by an external force. Now when the particle moves in a circular path, it always try to move in a straight line not in a carve path. So for making move in a circular path a constant force directed along the center of the circle is require. This force is called centripetal force and centripetal acceleration is corresponding to this force.