Question

A 3.0 X 10^3 grams rock swings in a circle with a diameter of 1000 cm. Given the constant speed around the circle is 17.90 mph (a) what is the centripetal acceleration. *

Answer 1

a = 12.8 m/s^2

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the centripetal acceleration you use the following formula:

`a_c=(v^2)/(r)` (1)

v: tangential speed of the rock = 17.90mph

r: radius of the orbit = 1000cm/2 = 500cm = 0.5m

You first change the units of the tangential velocity in order to replace the values of v and r in the equation (1):

`17.90mph*(1609.34m)/(1\ m)*(1\ h)/(3600\ s)=8m/s`

Then, you use the equation (1):

`a_c=((8m/s)^2)/(5m)=12.8(m)/(s^2)`

hence, the centripetal acceleration is 12.8 m/s^2