# 6.3 Centripetal force

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• Calculate coefficient of friction on a car tire.
• Calculate ideal speed and angle of a car on a turn.

Any force or combination of forces can cause a centripetal or radial acceleration. Just a few examples are the tension in the rope on a tether ball, the force of Earth’s gravity on the Moon, friction between roller skates and a rink floor, a banked roadway’s force on a car, and forces on the tube of a spinning centrifuge.

Any net force causing uniform circular motion is called a centripetal force    . The direction of a centripetal force is toward the center of curvature, the same as the direction of centripetal acceleration. According to Newton’s second law of motion, net force is mass times acceleration: net $\text{F}=\text{ma}$ . For uniform circular motion, the acceleration is the centripetal acceleration— $a={a}_{c}$ . Thus, the magnitude of centripetal force ${\text{F}}_{\text{c}}$ is

${\text{F}}_{\text{c}}={m\text{a}}_{\text{c}}.$

By using the expressions for centripetal acceleration ${a}_{c}$ from ${a}_{c}=\frac{{v}^{2}}{r};\phantom{\rule{0.25em}{0ex}}{a}_{c}={\mathrm{r\omega }}^{2}$ , we get two expressions for the centripetal force ${\text{F}}_{\text{c}}$ in terms of mass, velocity, angular velocity, and radius of curvature:

${F}_{c}=m\frac{{v}^{2}}{r};\phantom{\rule{0.25em}{0ex}}{F}_{c}=\text{mr}{\omega }^{2}.$

You may use whichever expression for centripetal force is more convenient. Centripetal force ${F}_{\text{c}}$ is always perpendicular to the path and pointing to the center of curvature, because ${\mathbf{a}}_{c}$ is perpendicular to the velocity and pointing to the center of curvature.

Note that if you solve the first expression for $r$ , you get

$r=\frac{{\mathrm{mv}}^{2}}{{F}_{c}}\text{.}$

This implies that for a given mass and velocity, a large centripetal force causes a small radius of curvature—that is, a tight curve.

## What coefficient of friction do car tires need on a flat curve?

(a) Calculate the centripetal force exerted on a 900 kg car that negotiates a 500 m radius curve at 25.0 m/s.

(b) Assuming an unbanked curve, find the minimum static coefficient of friction, between the tires and the road, static friction being the reason that keeps the car from slipping (see [link] ).

Strategy and Solution for (a)

We know that ${F}_{\text{c}}=\frac{{\mathrm{mv}}^{\text{2}}}{r}$ . Thus,

${F}_{\text{c}}=\frac{{\mathrm{mv}}^{\text{2}}}{r}=\frac{\left(\text{900 kg}\right)\left(\text{25.0 m/s}{\right)}^{\text{2}}}{\left(\text{500 m}\right)}=\text{1125 N.}$

Strategy for (b)

[link] shows the forces acting on the car on an unbanked (level ground) curve. Friction is to the left, keeping the car from slipping, and because it is the only horizontal force acting on the car, the friction is the centripetal force in this case. We know that the maximum static friction (at which the tires roll but do not slip) is ${\mu }_{\text{s}}N$ , where ${\mu }_{\text{s}}$ is the static coefficient of friction and N is the normal force. The normal force equals the car’s weight on level ground, so that $N=\mathit{mg}$ . Thus the centripetal force in this situation is

${F}_{\text{c}}=f={\mu }_{\text{s}}N={\mu }_{\text{s}}\text{mg}\text{.}$

Now we have a relationship between centripetal force and the coefficient of friction. Using the first expression for ${F}_{\text{c}}$ from the equation

$\begin{array}{c}{F}_{\text{c}}=m\frac{{v}^{2}}{r}\\ {F}_{\text{c}}=\text{mr}{\omega }^{2}\end{array}\right\},$

can some one tell me how v=RW is dimensionally correct?
ms-1 = m X Hz
babar
What is displacement
shortest distance b/w two points
bilal
distance+direction
A.d
explain distanace+direction
bilal
the change of postion from one point to another with direction
A.d
if we change thrle direction then displacement is destroy?
bilal
change the direction then?
bilal
what do u mean by i didnt understand bro
A.d
displacement is one dimension...?
bilal
displacement is the total length an object cover from initial to the final with respect to direction as Well as time.
mohammed
thanks
bilal
displacement is the ratio of speed with respect to particular time
Bhautik
shortest distance travel from initial point to final point
ankit
is straight shortest line that connect initial pt with final pt.
Zeleke
what are the differences between vector and scalar quantity
vector is assigned to those physical quantity that has both direction and magnitude! example velocity ,scalar just has magnitude example Mass of an object. hope it helps
Mudang
velocity is produce in fan...?
how many electrons are there in 5 microcouloumb
can a given total amount of mechanical energy be totally converted into heat energy..if so give example
human running
Emmanuel
what is the fumula for calculating specific heat capacity, fusion,fission and vaporization?
Q=cm(∆t)
Emmanuel
Q=cm∆T
what is difference b/w vaporization and evaporation
evaporation is the process of extracting moisture while vaporization is process of becoming a vapor or gas
Emmanuel
From a molecular standpoint they are both cooling processes. Also, you may want to explore states of matter😊 #myTwoCents ~Shi~
Shii
cooling is a similarlity in both process I am confused in difference
1- Evaporation is a process where a liquid change to gas without reaching its boiling point. 2- Vaporization is a process where a liquid change to gas after reaching its boiling point. 3- Sublimation is a process where a solid changes into vapour without passing through a liquid state
Victor
I see. Evaporation is a type of vaporization, that occurs on the surface of a liquid as it changes into the gaseous phase before reaching its boiling point. hope that aids
Shii
vaporisation is cooling process while vaporization is heating process
Emmanuel
I mean to write evaporation is an heating process while vaporization is cooling process
Emmanuel
Yea here are two applications. 1- your wet washed clothes dry under the sun, the water EVAPORATES 2- when u are cooking, it reaches a point where u need to add more water because the water you added previously is getting dried. this is VAPORIZATION. Am not sure which is a cooling or heating process
Victor
vaporization occur only when the evaporation get to level where the above cloud is been (saturated) so cooling take place and started to change to liquid (eg rain fall)
Emmanuel
They are both properties of the same process so they're both cooling
Shii
what about sublimation? cooling or heating process?
Victor
exact
evaporation is the increase in kinetic energy of the liquid which can be gone by adding heat
Emmanuel
so its an heating process
Emmanuel
sublimation is when a solid change to gas
Emmanuel
evaporation is very definitely a cooling process. respectfully@Emmanuel when liquid turns to gas it requires more energy from its surroundings, this energy is in the form of heat, and when heat energy leaves the evaporating liquid it leaves it cooler. Thus, cooling process.
Shii
.
Shii
evaporation is very definitely a cooling process. respectfully@Emmanuel
Shii
kk
Emmanuel
You're right @Shi. I get your point
Victor
eascape velocity on the surface of Earth is 11.2 kms-1 the escape velocity on the surface of another planet of same mass as that of Earth but of 1/4 times of radius of Earth is a5.6kms-1 b11.2 kms-1 c22.4kms-1 d5.6ms-1
Emm.. is that a question? or..
Victor
it is McQ
a)5.6km/s
Alvis
c= Q/cm◇T
A.d
units...
Shii
vital
Shii
the time period of the artificial satellite is given by ?
raza
Why is there no 2nd harmonic in the classical electron orbit?
how to reform magnet after been demagneted
A petrol engine has a output of 20 kilowatts and uses 4.5 kg of fuel for each hour of running. The energy given out when 1 kg of petrol is burnt is 4.8 × 10 to the power of 7 Joules. a) What is the energy output of the engine every hour? b) What is the energy input of the engine every hour?
Issac Newton devised a genius way to calculate changing quantities...
Shii
what is the error during taking work done of a body..
what kind of error do you think? and work is held by which force?
Daniela
I am now in this group
smart
theory,laws,principles and what-a-view are not defined. why? you
A simple pendulum is used in a physics laboratory experiment to obtain an experimental value for the gravitational acceleration, g . A student measures the length of the pendulum to be 0.510 meters, displaces it 10 o from the equilibrium position, and releases it. Using a s
so what question are you passing across... sir?
Olalekan
Two masses of 2 kg and 4 kg are held with a compressed spring between them. If the masses are released, the spring will push them away from each other. If the smaller mass moves off with a velocity of 6m/s, what is the stored energy in the spring when it is compressed?
54 joule
babar
how?
rakesh
Reduce that two body problem into one body problem. Apply potential and k. E formula to get total energy of the system
rakesh
i dont think dere is any potential energy... by d virtue of no height present
Olalekan
there is compressed energy,dats only potential energy na?
rakesh
yes.. but... how will u approach that question without The Height in the question?
Olalekan
Can you explain how you get 54J?
Emmanuel
Because mine is 36J
Emmanuel
got 36J too
Douglas
OK the answer is 54J Babar is correct
Emmanuel
Conservation of Momentum
Emmanuel
woow i see.. can you give the formula for this
joshua
Two masses of 2 kg and 4 kg are held with a compressed spring between them. If the masses are released, the spring will push them away from each other. If the smaller mass moves off with a velocity of 6m/s, what is the stored energy in the spring when it is compressed? Asume there is no external force.
Emmanuel
Inuwa
By using the Quotient Rule dy/dx = 3y/(x +y)²
Emmanuel
3y/(x+y)²
Emmanuel
may be by using MC^2=MC^2 and Total energy=kinetic energy +potential energy so 1st find kinetic energy and den find potential energy which is stored energy
rakesh
i think i m correct
rakesh
But how?
Emmanuel
3y/(x+y)²
Douglas