Understanding the Units and Origin of a Velocity^2 vs. Centripetal Force Plot

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on determining the units of the slope in a velocity squared versus centripetal force plot, concluding that the units are mass divided by radius (m/r). It emphasizes that the slope represents the relationship between centripetal force and velocity squared, derived from the equation for centripetal force. The line is expected to pass through the origin because when velocity is zero, centripetal force must also be zero, indicating a direct proportionality. Participants encourage further mathematical exploration to solidify understanding. Overall, the thread clarifies the units and the significance of the origin in the graph.
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Homework Statement


what are the units of the slope of a velocity^2 vs. centripetal force plot? and why should the line pass through the origin?

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


I'm getting m/km for units but I'm not sure what that actually means so I don't know why it should go through the origin of the graph.
 
Last edited:
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Welcome to the forum!

According first to the relevant equations we got the following:

Centripetal Force = \frac{mass * velocity^2}{radius}

By this we deduce that such a slope of velocity would lead us to be:

m =\frac{mass}{radius}

That is mainly due because we have set up the Centripetal Force to be the Y axis and the velocity square in the X one.

Hope that helped, you may try now work out the math to see why does it pass through the origin.
 
Thank you! That helped a lot. :)
 

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