Question

A large centrifuge is used to expose aspiring astronauts to accelerations similar to those experienced in rocket launches and atmospheric reentries. At what angular velocity is the centripetal acceleration 10 g if the rider is 15.0 m from the center of rotation

Answer 1

Answer:

ω = 2.55 rad/sec

Explanation:

Assuming no other external forces acting in the horizontal plane, the only force keeping the  rider in a circular path of a radius equal to his distance to the center of rotation, is the centripetal force.

According to Newton's 2nd law, in the horizontal direction, we have:

F = Fc = m*a = m*ω²*r

We know that a = ac = 10*g = 98.0 m/s², and that r = 15.0 m.

Replacing these values in (1), and solving for ω, we get:

ω = √98.0m/s²/ 15.0 m = 2.55 rad/sec