A 0.5 kg object moves in a horizontal circular path of radius 2.0 m at a constant speed of 4.0 m/s. What is the centripetal force acting on the object?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. 4.0 N
- Step 1: Recall the formula for centripetal force: Fc = m * v^2 / r.
- Step 2: Substitute values: m = 0.5 kg, v = 4.0 m/s, r = 2.0 m.
- Step 3: Compute numerator: v^2 = 16.0 m^2/s^2, so m v^2 = 0.5 16.0 = 8.0.
- Step 4: Divide by radius: Fc = 8.0 / 2.0 = 4.0 N.
Answer
4.0 N.
Why not the others: '8.0 N' omits dividing by the radius r = 2.0 m; '2.0 N' calculates m * v / r without squaring velocity; '16.0 N' squares the speed without multiplying by mass.
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