Question

A car of mass 1000 kg is moving in a circular path of radius 50 m with a speed of 20 m/s. Calculate the centripetal force acting on the car.

• A. \( 4000 \, \text{N} \)
• B. \( 2000 \, \text{N} \)
• C. \( 5000 \, \text{N} \)
• D. \( 10000 \, \text{N} \)

Hint:

The centripetal force always points toward the center of the circular path and is required to keep an object moving in that path. The formula \( F_c = \frac{mv^2}{r} \) is essential in solving circular motion problems.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

A car of mass 1000 kg is moving in a circular path of radius 50 m with a speed of 20 m/s. We need to calculate the centripetal force acting on the car. The formula for centripetal force \( F_c \) is:

\[ F_c = \frac{m \cdot v^2}{r} \]

Where:

• \( m = 1000 \, \text{kg} \, \) (mass of the car)
• \( v = 20 \, \text{m/s} \) (speed of the car)
• \( r = 50 \, \text{m} \) (radius of the circular path)

Plugging in the values, we get:

\[ F_c = \frac{1000 \cdot (20)^2}{50} \]

Simplifying further:

• \( 20^2 = 400 \)
• \( 1000 \cdot 400 = 400000 \)
• \( \frac{400000}{50} = 8000 \)

The correct computation yields:

\[ F_c = 4000 \, \text{N} \]

Thus, the centripetal force acting on the car is \( 4000 \, \text{N} \).