Centripetal Force; calculating speed

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the speed and centripetal force of a towel spinning in a washing machine, focusing on the concepts of centripetal acceleration and the forces involved in circular motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the equations for centripetal force and speed, with some attempting to calculate values based on given parameters. Questions arise regarding potential errors in calculations and the interpretation of frequency in relation to circular motion.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided intermediate calculations and suggested checking for arithmetic errors. There is acknowledgment of correct equations being used, and a specific calculation for speed has been presented, though the correctness of the original poster's values is still under scrutiny.

Contextual Notes

The original poster's calculations resulted in values that differ from expected answers, prompting further discussion on the methodology and assumptions regarding the problem setup.

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Homework Statement


A wet towel, of mass 0.65 kg, travels in a horizontal circle of radius 26cm in the spin cycle of a washing machine. The frequency of rotation is 4.6Hz.

a)Name the force causing the centripetal acceleration. What object exerts that force?
b) What is the speed of the towel?
c) Determine the magnitude of the centripetal force on the towel.

Homework Equations



Fc=4pi^2mrf^2
Fc=(mv^2)/r

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried plugging in the values into the first equation and got 30.69 then i tried putting it into the second equation to solve for velocity but got 3.5 and the answer is 7.5. Someone please help me on this question.
 
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Probably some algebra error or arithmetic mistake.

Show us some intermediate steps.
 
equations are correct.
 
4.6hz means that the towel travels 4.6 of its circumference per second.

v=4.6(2piR)cm/s
=9.2 x 26 x pi cm/s
= 751cm/s
= 7.51m/s
 
which is correct answer!
 

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