Question

What is the magnitude of a force acting in the outward radial direction acting on a particle traveling in a circle?

Answer 1

Answer:

mv^2 / R

Explanation:

If a particle of mass m is going in a circle of radius R with velocity v, then the centripetal force is

$F=\frac{mv^2}{R}$

Now, the force that counters centripetal force is the normal force ( which is the result of Newton's third law - every force comes with an equal and opposite force) and its magnitude is exactly to that of the centripetal force.

$F_N=-\frac{mv^2}{R}$