Question

Calculate the centripetal force on the end of a 100-m (radius) wind turbine blade that is rotating at 0.5 rev/s. Assume the mass is 4 kg.

a) 5,000 N
b) 10,000 N
c) 20,000 N
d) 40,000 N

Answer 1

The centripetal force on the wind turbine blade is 20,000 Newtons. Option (C) is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the centripetal force on the end of a wind turbine blade, we can use the formula:

F = m * (ω^2) * r

Where F is the centripetal force, m is the mass of the blade, ω is the angular velocity in radians per second, and r is the radius of the blade.

Plugging in the given values: m = 4 kg, ω = 0.5 rev/s = 2π * 0.5 rad/s, and r = 100 m.

F = 4 kg * (2π * 0.5 rad/s)^2 * 100 m = 20,000 N

Therefore, the centripetal force on the wind turbine blade is 20,000 Newtons.

A centripetal force is a net force that acts on an object to keep it moving along a circular path. In our article on centripetal acceleration, we learned that any object traveling along a circular path of radius ‍ with velocity ‍ experiences an acceleration directed toward the center of its path, a = v 2 r ‍.