amdspotter
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Can someone explain how to derive ac = v^2/r ? (1 Viewer)
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Akshara Patil
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Fc = f = ma (just equate newton's second law with the centripetal force equation) 
The equation for centripetal accelaration is a kinematic one. It is a bit algebraically involved, so I'll point you to two sources
1. http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/cf.html
2. https://physics.info/centripetal/
Note that since accelaration is a vector, there are two things that need to be explained:
1. why the magnitude of a_c = v^2/r
2. why the direction of a_c is towards the centre of the circle.
I also note that the response above
1. http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/cf.html
2. https://physics.info/centripetal/
Note that since accelaration is a vector, there are two things that need to be explained:
1. why the magnitude of a_c = v^2/r
2. why the direction of a_c is towards the centre of the circle.
I also note that the response above
is not a satisfactory one because that just begs the question as to why F_c = mv^2/r is true.Fc = f = ma (just equate newton's second law with the centripetal force equation)