Question

A 20-kg cart travels at 20 m/s in a circle with a radius of 20 m. What is the centripetal force?

20N

1N

400N

Answer 1

The equation for centripetal force is:

T = (mv^2)/r

T = centripetal force

m = mass

v = speed

r = radius

T = [20kg * (20 m/s * 20m/s)] / 20 m

T = [20kg * 400 m/s^2] / 20 m

T = 8,000 kg m/s^2 / 20 m

T = 400 N

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

Centripetal force = (mass) x (speed)² / (radius)

= (20 kg) x (20 m/s)² / (20 m)

= (20 x 20 / 20) (kg-meter/sec²)

= 20 newtons