Question regarding Centripetal Acceleration

In summary, the conversation discusses the use of two formulas to find centripetal acceleration in a lab report. The question of which formula is more accurate is raised, and it is noted that the formulas should yield the same accuracy, but the difference may lie in the accuracy of the measurements made. Further consideration of the measurements and their potential errors is necessary to determine which formula yields the best answer.
  • #1
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Hi I'm doing a lab report on centripetal acceleration and we are asked to find the centripetal acceleration using 2 formulas.
(1)Acceleration Centripetal=Force Centripetal/Mass

(2)Acceleration Centripetal=Velocity^2/Radius

I get answers that are very close but I also have to answer the question (Which value of Acceleration Centripetal would be considered more accurate? ie: which formula would be more accurate?)

hope someone can help me out here. thanks
 
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  • #2
The formulas should yield the same "accuracy". The difference will be in your ability to measure. Which of your measurements are the most accurate?
 
  • #3
I get answers that are very very close. .625 for the first formula and .631 with the second formula
 
  • #4
What measurements did you make? How did you make them? What are the measurement errors?

You need to consider the answers to these questions in order to determine which of the given forumlas yield the best answer.
 

Related to Question regarding Centripetal Acceleration

1. What is centripetal acceleration?

Centripetal acceleration is the acceleration of an object moving in a circular path. It always points towards the center of the circle and is perpendicular to the object's velocity.

2. How is centripetal acceleration calculated?

Centripetal acceleration can be calculated using the formula a = v^2/r, where v is the velocity of the object and r is the radius of the circle it is moving in.

3. What is the difference between centripetal acceleration and centrifugal force?

Centripetal acceleration is the actual acceleration of an object moving in a circular path, while centrifugal force is a fictitious force that appears to act on the object in the opposite direction of centripetal acceleration. Centrifugal force is a result of inertia and does not actually exist.

4. How does centripetal acceleration affect the motion of objects?

Centripetal acceleration causes an object to continuously change direction, which results in circular motion. It also determines the speed of the object in its circular path.

5. What are some real-life examples of centripetal acceleration?

Some examples of centripetal acceleration include the motion of a car around a circular track, the rotation of planets around the sun, and the motion of a satellite in orbit around the Earth.

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