Question

A penny is placed on a rotating turntable. Where on the turntable does the penny require the largest centripetal force to remain in place? Give your reasoning.

Answer 1

Answer:

m = mass of the penny

r = distance of the penny from the center of the turntable or axis of rotation

w = angular speed of rotation of turntable

F = centripetal force experienced by the penny

centripetal force "F" experienced by the penny of "m" at distance "r" from axis of rotation is given as

F = m r w²

in the above equation , mass of penny "m"  and angular speed "w" of the turntable is same at all places. hence the centripetal force directly depends on the radius .

hence greater the distance from center , greater will be the centripetal force to remain in place.  

So at the edge of the turntable , the penny experiences largest centripetal force to remain in place.

Explanation: