Define centripetal acceleration. Give examples.
Acceleration needed for a particle to undergo uniform circular motion is called “centripetal acceleration”. It is directed along the radius of circular path towards its centre. Two common examples are: (i) An electron revolving around the nucleus of an atom in a uniform circular motion experiences a centripetal acceleration on account of Coulombian electrostatic force on electron due to nucleus. (ii) A satellite revolving around the earth in a circular orbit experiences a centripetal acceleration on account of gravitational force due to the earth
