Calculating Tension in a Flying Pig's Rope: Centripetal Force Explained

In summary, centripetal force is the force that keeps an object moving in a circular path by pulling it towards the center. It is equal to the tension in the string or rope that is responsible for maintaining the circular motion. The formula for calculating centripetal force is Fc = mv²/r. It can change if there are changes in the mass, velocity, or radius of the object. Real-life examples of centripetal force to tension include a ball on a string, a car turning a corner, a satellite orbiting a planet, and a rollercoaster going through a loop.
  • #1
Centripetal X
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My mission:

Find the force of tension in the rope supporting your flying pig. No joke. We have a pig with mass .1618 kg that is attached to a string of "negligable mass". It flies around from a supsended point in uniform circular motion. Using the radius and period I found, I got the centripetal force to be .955 N. How do I relate this into the force of tension?
 
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  • #2
Where do you suppose the centripetal force is coming from?
 

1. What is centripetal force?

Centripetal force is the force that acts on an object moving in a circular path, directed towards the center of the circle. It keeps the object on its circular path and prevents it from flying off in a straight line.

2. How is centripetal force related to tension?

Centripetal force is equal to the tension in the string or rope that is pulling the object towards the center of the circle. This is because tension is the force that is responsible for keeping the object in its circular path.

3. What is the formula for calculating centripetal force?

The formula for calculating centripetal force is Fc = mv²/r, where Fc is the centripetal force, m is the mass of the object, v is the velocity of the object, and r is the radius of the circular path.

4. Can centripetal force change?

Yes, centripetal force can change if the mass, velocity, or radius of the object changes. Any change in these factors will result in a change in the centripetal force needed to keep the object in its circular path.

5. What are some real-life examples of centripetal force to tension?

Some examples of centripetal force to tension include a ball on a string being swung in a circular motion, a car turning a corner, a satellite orbiting around a planet, and a rollercoaster moving through a loop. In each of these cases, the tension in the string, the friction between the tires and the road, the gravitational force, and the normal force respectively act as the centripetal force to keep the object in its circular path.

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