Centripetal Force


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Centripetal Force

Motion of Moon around Earth and Centripetal Force:

The motion of the moon around the earth is due to centripetal force provided by the force of attraction of the Earth. The force that keeps a body moving along the circular path is acting towards the centre and responsible for the change in direction of velocity or acceleration is called centripetal (centre seeking) force. The motion of the moon around the earth is due to the centripetal force. The centripetal force is provided by the force of attraction of the earth. If there were no such force, then the moon would pursue a uniform straight line motion. If an object of mass m moves with a uniform speed (v) along a circular path of radius (r), its acceleration is

a = frac{v^2}{ r}

. Then by Newton’s second law of motion, the centripetal force is

F = ma = frac{mv^2}{ r}.

Example:

1. Spinning a ball on a string or twirling a lasso.

2. Turning a car.

3.Going through aloop on aroller coaster.

4. Planets around the sun.

Sample Questions
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Question : 1

Which of the following are correct :

(a) The motion of the moon around the earth is due to centripetal force provided by the force of attraction of the Earth.

(b) Planets around the sun is due to centripetal force.

Right Option : C
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Question : 2

A truck of mass 5000 Kg is moving around a circle with radius 50m, How much centripital force should be applied so that the truck gains a velocity of 25 m/s.

Right Option : C
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Question : 3

What should be the velocity of an object with mass 3000g moving around a circle of 30m radius when a force of 2N is applied.?

Right Option : B
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