Circular Motion Conceptual Physics - Space Station

[Dysprositos]

Homework Statement

Suppose you are standing within the rim of a circular space station, in outer space. The rim revolves around the center of the space station at 290 m/s. If the radius of the station is 8784 meters, what will you weigh? (Hint: Find v^2/r and compare it to g.)

Homework Equations

v^2/r=a
F=m*v^2/r
a=(4╥^2)/t^2

The Attempt at a Solution

290² m/s /8784 m =9.57 m/s² What do I do with this now?

 

[Nabeshin]

I quote from your original statement of the problem:

(Hint: Find v^2/r and compare it to g.)

Since you've done the first part, now go for the second.

 

[Dysprositos]

ok. How do I compare it to g? Isn't 9.57 m/s² g? I know the acceleration of gravity on Earth is 9.81 m/s². I am stuck on how I am supposed to compare it to find my mass?

 

[Nabeshin]

Right, g is ~9.81m/s^2. And for your acceleration, you get 9.57m/s^2. How do the two compare? You're looking for a statement like: The acceleration is .75 x g (.75 made up), or simply .75g. And since g determines weight on earth, you can figure out your "weight" in this accelerating environment from the same conversion factor.

 

[Dysprositos]

Right, g is ~9.81m/s^2. And for your acceleration, you get 9.57m/s^2. How do the two compare? You're looking for a statement like: The acceleration is .75 x g (.75 made up), or simply .75g. And since g determines weight on earth, you can figure out your "weight" in this accelerating environment from the same conversion factor.

Okay thanks a lot!