Centripetal acceleration is the acceleration experienced by an object moving in a circular path. It is always directed towards the center of the circle and is responsible for keeping the object in its circular motion.
Centripetal acceleration can be calculated by using the formula a = v^2/r, where a is the centripetal acceleration, v is the velocity of the object, and r is the radius of the circular path.
Centripetal acceleration is the actual acceleration experienced by an object moving in a circular path, while centrifugal force is the perceived outward force that seems to pull an object away from the center of the circle. Centrifugal force is a reaction to centripetal acceleration and does not actually exist.
Some examples of centripetal acceleration in daily life include a car turning a corner, a satellite orbiting the Earth, and a carousel ride at an amusement park.
Centripetal acceleration is related to the concept of inertia because it is the force that acts on an object to overcome its inertia and keep it moving in a circular path. Without centripetal acceleration, an object would continue moving in a straight line due to its inertia.