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Physics 211, Quiz 11A

Question 1:

Pauline and her poodle puppy Fifi are jogging around a circular track of radius r = 100 m at a constant speed v = 3 m/s. Is the centripetal force on Pauline

Explain.
  Answer:  Both Pauline and Fifi share the same centripetal acceleration:

                            v^2        (3 m/s)^2
                    a  =  -------  =  ------------  =  0.09 m/s^2
                             r           100 m

           The centripetal force on each one must be


                    F  =  m * a =  (mass) * 0.09 m/s^s

           Since Pauline has a greater mass than her little puppy,
           she must experience a greater centripetal force.
               

Creative Commons License Copyright © Michael Richmond. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.