Calculating Artificial Gravity: v, r & g

[solars]

A rotating spacecraft uses centripetal force to produce artificial gravity. If i know the radius of the space station and how fast it spins at, what is the apparent value of g on the surface of the station?

I know how to calculate the centripetal acceleration: a=v^2/r

But I was thinking could it be just 9.8? or is it zero, because in space everything is weightless.

 

[cryptoguy]

well they're asking about the apparent g value which means what the astronauts feel the gravity is on the station. You're right, you have to use a=v^2/r because rotation is what is providing the artificial gravity. It's not 0 because they are not in fact weightless and it's not 9.8 because they are not on the surface of the Earth.

 

[solars]

thanks :)