Elementary derivations of centripetal acceleration and works of Huygens and Newton: a revisit with a simple physical derivation

Abstract

This work shows how two simple derivations of the centripetal acceleration are fundamentally related to seminal works of Huygens and Newton. A different, more physically motivated derivation is then given.

arXiv comment7 pages with 3 figures; of interest to students and instructors of physics. Revised title and discussion on Newton's derivation