What Determines the Direction of Centripetal Force and Acceleration?

[shizzledizzle]

Homework Statement

How do I find the direction of the centripetal force and acceleration?

Homework Equations

mv^2/r - centripetal force
v^2/r - centripetal acceleration

The Attempt at a Solution

Would it be inward or outward the radius?

 

[azure kitsune]

Think of this: If you wanted to keep a ball rolling in a circular path, which way would you push it (once it has started moving)? Towards the center or away from it?

 

[shizzledizzle]

So that would be the same for both acceleration and force?

 

[azure kitsune]

Yes, because F=ma, where F and a are vectors and m is a (positive) scalar.