What Determines the Direction of Centripetal Force and Acceleration?

AI Thread Summary
Centripetal force and acceleration always act towards the center of the circular path. To maintain an object in circular motion, a force must be applied inward, counteracting the object's inertia that would otherwise cause it to move outward. The equations for centripetal force (mv^2/r) and centripetal acceleration (v^2/r) reinforce that both quantities are directed towards the center of the circle. This inward direction is essential for keeping the object in a stable circular trajectory. Understanding this concept is crucial for solving problems related to circular motion.
shizzledizzle
Messages
3
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


How do I find the direction of the centripetal force and acceleration?


Homework Equations


mv^2/r - centripetal force
v^2/r - centripetal acceleration

The Attempt at a Solution


Would it be inward or outward the radius?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Think of this: If you wanted to keep a ball rolling in a circular path, which way would you push it (once it has started moving)? Towards the center or away from it?
 
So that would be the same for both acceleration and force?
 
Yes, because F=ma, where F and a are vectors and m is a (positive) scalar.
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'Calculation of Tensile Forces in Piston-Type Water-Lifting Devices at Elevated Locations'

Thread 'Calculation of Tensile Forces in Piston-Type Water-Lifting Devices at Elevated Locations'

Figure 1 Overall Structure Diagram Figure 2: Top view of the piston when it is cylindrical A circular opening is created at a height of 5 meters above the water surface. Inside this opening is a sleeve-type piston with a cross-sectional area of 1 square meter. The piston is pulled to the right at a constant speed. The pulling force is（Figure 2）： F = ρshg = 1000 × 1 × 5 × 10 = 50,000 N. Figure 3: Modifying the structure to incorporate a fixed internal piston When I modify the piston...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Uniform Circular Motion: Tension Force at Top of Circle
Replies
4
Views
1K
How is centripetal force involved here? (charged mass sliding down a conducting hemisphere)
Replies
31
Views
1K
Friction direction change in a inclined circular bend (car on a road)
Replies
11
Views
1K
Calculate the centripetal acceleration of the car
Replies
4
Views
1K
Normal force at the top of a vertical loop -- Circular Motion Dynamics
Replies
8
Views
6K
Car turning and centripetal force
Replies
18
Views
2K
Circular Motion Questions (energies, forces, angular velocities, etc.)
Replies
2
Views
1K
Find g, measured to be 9.78 at the equator, when Earth is still
Replies
17
Views
2K
What actually is the centripetal acceleration formula?
Replies
28
Views
3K
Is My Calculation of Centripetal Acceleration and Tangential Velocity Correct?
Replies
12
Views
1K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top