Question

An apple (mass = 0.25 kg) on a string 1 m in length is whirled above a student's head in a circle. The apple has a tangential speed of 12 m/s. What is the magnitude of the centripetal force on the apple?

Answer 1

36N

Step-by-step explanation:

Given parameters:

Mass of apple = 0.25kg

length of string = 1m

tangential speed = 12m/s

Unknown:

magnitude of centripetal force = ?

Solution:

The centripetal force keeps a body moving along a circular path.

It is mathematically derived using the expression below;

F =
`(mv^(2) )/(r)`

F is the centripetal force

m is the mass

v is the tangential speed

r is the radius

Now insert the parameters and solve;

F =
`(0.25 x 12^(2) )/(1)` = 36N