Need help- Force of friction in a circle.

[Socom]

Homework Statement

A 45-kg merry-go-round worker stands on the ride's platform 6.3m from the center. If her speed as she goes around the circle is 4.1 m/s, what is the force of friction necessary to keep her from falling off the platform?

Homework Equations

f=ma
Ac=v^2/r
mu=v^2/rg (derived from [mu]g=v^2/r

The Attempt at a Solution

I don't believe the 6.3m is relevant to the problem.

I believe Fnet=sigmaFx=theta=m*a

I am not really sure how to attack this problem and some help would be very nice.

 

[Pythagorean]

Homework Statement

A 45-kg merry-go-round worker stands on the ride's platform 6.3m from the center. If her speed as she goes around the circle is 4.1 m/s, what is the force of friction necessary to keep her from falling off the platform?

Homework Equations

f=ma
Ac=v^2/r
mu=v^2/rg (derived from [mu]g=v^2/r

The Attempt at a Solution

I don't believe the 6.3m is relevant to the problem.

I believe Fnet=sigmaFx=theta=m*a

I am not really sure how to attack this problem and some help would be very nice.

You got the right equation:

$$\mu = \frac{v^2}{rg}$$

now tell me... what does the r mean in:

$$A_c = \frac{v^2}{r}$$

 

[kerimek]

Hello,

To solve this problem, we can use the equation F=ma, where F is the force of friction, m is the mass of the worker, and a is the centripetal acceleration. The centripetal acceleration can be calculated using the equation a=v^2/r, where v is the speed of the worker and r is the radius of the circle.

First, we need to find the centripetal acceleration. Since the worker is standing on the platform, the radius of the circle is 6.3m. We are given that the speed of the worker is 4.1 m/s. So, the centripetal acceleration is:

a = (4.1 m/s)^2 / 6.3m = 2.67 m/s^2

Now, we can plug this value into the equation F=ma. The mass of the worker is given as 45 kg, so:

F = (45 kg)(2.67 m/s^2) = 120.15 N

Therefore, the force of friction necessary to keep the worker from falling off the platform is 120.15 N.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any further questions.

Best,