Experts please help me in filling the first blank....The answer in my book is given downwards but I don't understand how....Please explain

Dear Student,

(1)Towards.
Since the body is rotating,there should be some force balancing the outward force.
(2)$\frac{v^2}{r}$
As the Centripetal force=ma=$\frac{m{v}^2}{r}$.
Frome here a=$\frac{v^2}{r}$​

Regards