Centripetal Force of merry-go-round

In summary, a 22 kg child riding a merry-go-round rotating at 40 rpm and 1.25 m from its center needs to exert a centripetal force of 482.9 N to stay on. Similarly, on a merry-go-round rotating at 3 rpm and 8 m from its center, the child needs a centripetal force of 17.36 N. Comparing each force with her weight, the first force is approximately 21.95 times her weight, while the second force is approximately 0.789 times her weight.
  • #1
nautica
a) A 22 kg child is riding a merry-go-round that is rotating at 40 rpm. What centripetal Force must she exert to stay on if she is 1.25 m from its center?

40 rpm = 4.19 rad/s
r = 1.25 m

Ac = (4.19 rad/s)^2 * (1.25 m) = 21.95 m/s^2

F = (22 kg) * ( 21.95 m/s^2) = 482.9 N


b) What cent Force does she need to stay on one that rotates at 3 rpm if she is 8 m from its center

3 rpm = .314 rad/s

Ac = (.314 rad/s)^2 (8 m) = .789 m/s^2

Force = (22 kg) (.789 m/s^2) = 17.36 N

c) compare each force with her weight.

Force 1 is 21.95 x's her weight
Force 2 is .789 x's her weight

how does this look
thank
nautica
 
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  • #2
Looks good to me.
 
  • #3
Cool, thanks

Nautica
 
  • #4
This is the wrong forum. This should be posted in K12 section not College.
 

1. What is centripetal force?

Centripetal force is the force that acts on an object moving in a circular path, directing the object towards the center of the circle.

2. How does centripetal force relate to merry-go-rounds?

In the context of merry-go-rounds, centripetal force is the force that keeps the riders moving in a circular path around the center of the ride, preventing them from flying off due to their inertia.

3. How is centripetal force calculated?

Centripetal force can be calculated using the formula Fc = mv^2/r, where Fc is the centripetal force, m is the mass of the object, v is the velocity, and r is the radius of the circular path.

4. What factors affect the centripetal force of a merry-go-round?

The centripetal force of a merry-go-round is affected by the mass and velocity of the riders, as well as the radius of the circular path. The larger the mass and velocity, or the smaller the radius, the greater the centripetal force required to keep the riders on the ride.

5. Why is centripetal force important in understanding the motion of a merry-go-round?

Centripetal force is important in understanding the motion of a merry-go-round because it helps explain how objects move in a circular path and how they are able to stay on the ride without falling off due to their inertia. It also helps in designing and engineering safe and efficient merry-go-rounds.

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