A body weighing 188N moves with a speed of 5m/s in a horizontal circular path of radius 5m. Calculate the magnitude of the centripetal force acting on the body

Respuesta :

The centripetal acceleration a of the body is

a = v ² / R

where

• v = tangential speed of the body

• R = radius of the circle

Substituting these into the acceleration gives

a = v ² / R = (5 m/s)² / (5 m)

a = 5 m/s²

We're given the body's weight W = 188 N, so its mass is m = W / g. Use Newton's second law to get the magnitude of the centripetal force:

F = m a = (W / g) a ≈ (188 N) / (9.80 m/s²) (5 m/s²)

F95.9 N