Final answer:
The student's question involves calculating the centripetal acceleration at a distance of 80 meters from the center of a rotating space station, which simulates artificial gravity. The centripetal acceleration formula a = ω²r (where ω is angular velocity and r is the radius) is used, yet specific angular velocity information is required to provide an exact answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student asks about determining the artificial gravity experienced by a person on the floor of a space station rotating to create centrifugal force as a substitute for gravitational force. Specifically, they ask about the artificial gravity 80 meters from the center of a rotating disk-shaped station with a radius of 120 meters. To answer this, we must calculate the centripetal acceleration provided at the 80-meter distance, which will represent the artificial gravity experienced at that point. Assuming we have the angular velocity (from the previous knowledge that an angular velocity at the rim produces 9.80 m/s² of acceleration for a 200 m diameter space station), we would use the centripetal acceleration formula, which is a = ω²r, where a is the centripetal acceleration, ω is the angular velocity, and r is the radius from the axis of rotation. In order to provide the exact value of artificial gravity at 80 meters from the center, we need the specific angular velocity, which was not provided in the question. However, with that information, you would insert 80 meters for r and the known angular velocity for ω to find the centripetal acceleration at that distance from the center of the space station.