Centripetal Acceleration and Force

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving centripetal acceleration and force, specifically related to a truck moving in a circular path. The original poster presents calculations for both centripetal acceleration and centripetal force based on given parameters.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate centripetal acceleration and force but expresses concern about the high values obtained. They seek confirmation of their understanding and calculations.

Discussion Status

Some participants affirm the original poster's calculations as correct, while others engage in a light-hearted discussion about the implications of the results, suggesting that high forces might be expected in such scenarios.

Contextual Notes

The original poster mentions having limited instruction on the topic, which may influence their confidence in the calculations presented.

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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