Creating Artificial Gravity in Space: Using Centripetal Force on a Space Station

[jdawg]

Homework Statement

Could centripetal force be used to create a sort of artificial gravity aboard the space station?
If so, how would you go about this?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

At first I wanted to say yes, but how fast would the space station have to rotate to generate enough acceleration? And wouldn't the acceleration come from every direction pointing towards the center of the circular motion? And wouldn't this make the person stuck in the very center of the station, and not able to walk on the ground of the station? Sorry if my questions are poorly worded.

 

[azizlwl]

Have you seen movie "Elysium"?

 

[jdawg]

No I haven't, I've heard it's pretty cool though! If I watched it would it help me understand?

 

[azizlwl]

In the year 2154, the very wealthy live on Elysium, a Stanford torus high-tech space station governed by President Patel (Faran Tahir)......
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanford_torus

 

[jdawg]

Ohhh so centripetal force wouldn't work? You would use centrifugal force?