Friction is the correct answer.
The calculation of the centripetal acceleration of an object following a circular path is based on the equation,
a = v² / r
where a is the acceleration, v is the velocity, and r is the radius.
Substituting the known values from the given above,
4.4 m/s² = (15 m/s)² / r
The value of r from the equation is 51.14 m.
Answer: 51.14 m
The distance it falls is given by
x = (1/2)at^2
where a = acceleration due to gravity = 9.8 m/s^2
x = (1/2)(9.8)(18)^2
x = 1587.6 m
The answer is 1587.6 meters
