A mass moves in a circle at a steady rate. Its velocity always points along the tangent, while the resultant force points to the centre. Change the radius, the angular speed and the mass, and read how the speed, the acceleration and the centripetal force respond.
MissionSet it spinning, then predict what happens to the centripetal force if the radius is doubled at fixed angular speed.Streak 0Best 0
Keeping ω fixed, doubling the radius r changes the centripetal force F to:
angular speed ω3.0 rad/s
linear speed v = rω3.6 m/s
centripetal acceleration a = rω²10.8 m/s²
centripetal force F = mrω²16.2 N
period T = 2π/ω2.1 s
v points along the tangent; a and F point to the centre. F = mrω² = mv²/r.