Question

Ethan drove a 1500 kg car around a circular track with a radius of 75 m. If the magnitude of the centripetal acceleration is 2 m/s2, what is the car's speed?

A)2.25 m/s
B)20 m/s
C)37.5 m/s
D)150 m/s ​

Answer 1

12.25 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

The following data were obtained from the question:

Mass (m) = 1500 Kg

Radius (r) = 75 m

Centripetal acceleration (a) = 2 m/s²

Velocity (v) =?

Centripetal acceleration (a) is related to the velocity (v) and radius (r) according to the following formula:

a = v²/r

Thus, we can obtained the velocity of the car by using the above formula as illustrated below:

Radius (r) = 75 m

Centripetal acceleration (a) = 2 m/s²

Velocity (v) =?

a = v²/r

2 = v²/75

Cross multiply

v² = 2 × 75

v² = 150

Take the square root of both side.

v = √150

v = 12.25 m/s

Thus, the speed of the car is 12.25 m/s.