Question

The equation for the acceleration of a body moving in a circle is
`a = (v^(2) )/(r)`, where a is acceleration, v is velocity and r is the radius of the circle. Acceleration has units of m/
`s^(2)`.

a. What is the acceleration of a body moving with a velocity of 30 m/s in a circle of radius 10 m?

b. Solve the equation for velocity

c. What is the velocity of a body that has an acceleration of 20 m/
`s^(2)` and is moving in a circle of radius 2 m?

Answer 1

a. Since the acceleration equation is given to us, we can just plug in:

`a = (30^(2) )/(10) =(900)/(10) = 90` m/s²

b. Use algebra:

`a = (v^2)/(r)`

`ra = v^2`

`v = √(ra)`

c. Use the equation derived in b and plug in:

`v = √(20(2)) = √(40) = 6.32455532` m/s