Here's why:

* Acceleration is a change in velocity, which can be a change in speed, direction, or both.

* Centripetal acceleration specifically refers to the acceleration that is directed towards the center of a circular path.

* When an object moves in a circle at a constant speed, its velocity is constantly changing direction, even though its speed remains the same. This change in direction is what causes the centripetal acceleration.

Examples:

* A car turning a corner at a constant speed.

* A satellite orbiting the Earth.

* A ball on a string being swung in a circle.