Centripetal Acceleration and Force

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating centripetal acceleration and force for a truck with a mass of 1600 kg moving in a circle with a radius of 40 m at a speed of 70 m/s. The centripetal acceleration is calculated as 122.5 m/s², and the centripetal force is determined to be 196 kN. Some participants express concern that these values seem excessively high, questioning their understanding of the calculations. However, others reassure them that the results are reasonable, emphasizing the significant force required to maintain circular motion. The conversation concludes with a light-hearted acknowledgment of the physical demands of centripetal force.
FaraDazed
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Homework Statement



A small truck of mass 1600kg rides in a circle of which has a radius of 40m at a constant speed of 70m/s

Calculate:
(a) its centripetal acceleration
(b)the centripetal force acting.

Homework Equations


<br /> a_{centripetal} = {v^2 \over r} \\<br /> F_{centripetal} = {mv^2 \over r}<br /> <br />

The Attempt at a Solution


I think I got the correct answers its just the figures seem absurdly high, so can someone check my understanding please?

So for part a
<br /> a_{centripetal} = {70^2 \over 40} \\<br /> a_{centripetal} = 122.5 m/s^2<br />

And part b
<br /> F_{centripetal} = \frac{1600 \times 70^2}{40} \\<br /> F_{centripetal} = \frac{7840000}{40} \\<br /> F_{centripetal} = 196kN<br />

The figures just seem to high to me, we only had one lesson on this so I may have taken down something wrong or might have misunderstood the question.
 
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Looks fine to me.
 
Doc Al said:
Looks fine to me.

OK, thanks :)
 
Hi FaraDazed! :wink:
FaraDazed said:
The figures just seem to high to me …

looks ok to me, too :smile:

imagine you had to pull on a rope to keep it in a circle …

wouldn't you expect to pull really hard? :wink:
 
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