Question

R= 50

8. A speed skater goes around a turn with a 25 m radius. The skater has a velocity of 15
m/s and experiences a centripetal force of 720 N. What is the mass of the skater? (10
points - you must show your work)

Answer 1

Using the formula for centripetal force Fc = mv^2/r, the mass of the skater is calculated to be 80 kg.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the mass of the speed skater, we need to use the formula for centripetal force Fc = m*v2/r, where m is the mass of the skater, v is the velocity, and r is the radius of the circle. Given the centripetal force (Fc) is 720 N, the velocity (v) is 15 m/s, and the radius (r) is 25 m, we can plug these values into the formula to solve for m.

So,

• Fc = m*v2/r
• 720 N = m*(15 m/s)2/25 m
• 720 N = m*225 m2/s2/25 m
• 720 N = m*9 m/s2
• m = 720 N / 9 m/s2
• m = 80 kg

The skater's mass is 80 kg.