Does changing radius or speed affect centripetal acceleration?

In summary, the centripetal acceleration depends on both the speed and radius, with a stronger dependence on the inverse of the radius due to its non-linear relationship. Varying each parameter can help determine the specific effects on the acceleration.
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Kla
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Does changing the radius or changing the speed affect centripetal accelereation more? Why?
 
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Welcome to PF,

HOW does the centripetal acceleration depend on the speed and radius? If this is homework, it should be posted in the homeowork help section, whose posts have a template that forces you to include helpful things like *relevant equations* and your attempt at a solution (things that are helpful to YOU for arriving at a solution).

So, try varying each parameter and seeing what happens. If you double the speed, what happens to the centripetal acceleration (keeping the radius constant)? How about if you double the radius (keeping the speed constant)? On which variable does the acceleration seem to have a stronger dependence, the speed, or the inverse of the radius? (Hint: it's pretty obvious because one of them is a non-linear dependence)
 
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1. Does increasing the radius affect centripetal acceleration?

Yes, increasing the radius of the circular motion will decrease the centripetal acceleration. This is because a larger radius means a longer distance for the object to travel in the same amount of time, resulting in a slower speed and therefore, a lower centripetal acceleration.

2. Does decreasing the speed affect centripetal acceleration?

Yes, decreasing the speed of the object in circular motion will also decrease the centripetal acceleration. This is because centripetal acceleration is directly proportional to the square of the speed, meaning that as the speed decreases, the centripetal acceleration decreases as well.

3. How does changing the radius and speed simultaneously affect centripetal acceleration?

Changing both the radius and speed simultaneously can have varying effects on the centripetal acceleration. If the radius decreases while the speed increases, the centripetal acceleration will remain the same. However, if both the radius and speed increase or decrease at the same time, the centripetal acceleration will be affected accordingly.

4. Is there a mathematical relationship between radius, speed, and centripetal acceleration?

Yes, there is a mathematical relationship between these three variables. Centripetal acceleration (a) is equal to the square of the velocity (v) divided by the radius (r). This relationship is represented by the formula a = v^2/r.

5. Why does changing the radius or speed affect centripetal acceleration?

Changing the radius or speed affects centripetal acceleration because these variables are directly related to each other. As the radius or speed changes, the other variable must also change in order to maintain a constant centripetal acceleration. This is due to the fact that centripetal acceleration is dependent on both the speed and radius of the circular motion.

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