# Centripetal Acceleration and Force

1. Feb 3, 2013

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

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.

2. Relevant equations
$a_{centripetal} = {v^2 \over r} \\ F_{centripetal} = {mv^2 \over r}$
3. 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
$a_{centripetal} = {70^2 \over 40} \\ a_{centripetal} = 122.5 m/s^2$

And part b
$F_{centripetal} = \frac{1600 \times 70^2}{40} \\ F_{centripetal} = \frac{7840000}{40} \\ F_{centripetal} = 196kN$

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.

2. Feb 3, 2013

### Staff: Mentor

Looks fine to me.

3. Feb 3, 2013

OK, thanks :)

4. Feb 3, 2013