Question

Melissa is riding on a carousel at a distance of 8.0 m from the center of the ride. She travels at a speed of 1.3 m/s. Melissa has a mass of 45 kg.
A) What is Melissa’s acceleration?
B) What is the net force on Melissa?

Answer 1

Answer:

(A) The acceleration of Melissa is 0.211 m/s²

(B) The net force on Melissa is 9.5 N

Explanation:

Given;

radius of the carousel, r = 8.0 m

speed of Melissa, v = 1.3 m/s

mass of Melissa, m = 45 kg

(A) The acceleration of Melissa is given by centripetal acceleration;

$a_c = \frac{v^2}{r} \\\\a_c = \frac{1.3^2}{8}\\\\a_c = 0.211 \ m/s^2$

(B) The net Force on Melissa is given by centripetal force;

$F_c = ma_c\\\\F_c = 45 *0.211\\\\F_c = 9.5 \ N$