Physics Review Question
Unit: Centripetal Acceleration Year: 1997 Question#:
59
Question: Base your answers to questions 58 through 60 on the information
and diagram below.
A 4.0 - Kilogram model airplane travels in a horizontal circular path of radius 12 meters
at a constant speed of 6.0 meters per second.
59. What is the magnitude of the centripetal acceleration of the airplane?
(1 ) 0.50 m/s2
(2 ) 2.0 m/s2
(3 ) 3.0 m/s2
(4 ) 12 m/s2
What is this question really asking?
Explanation by: Megan L
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Answer 1
0.50 m/s2
INCORRECT
Possibly you forgot to square the velocity and calculated v/r which is not equal to the
centripetal acceleration. return to top
Answer 2
2.0 m/s2
INCORRECT
You may have calculate 2v/r which is not the centripetal acceleration formula. return to top
Answer 3
3.0 m/s2
CORRECT
The formula for centripetal acceleration is:
where v = velocity and r = radius.
return to top
Answer 4
12 m/s2
INCORRECT
Maybe you thought radius was equal to the centripetal acceleration. However, the
centripetal acceleration formula is v2 / r. Plug in the velocity and radius given and you
have your answer. return to top
What's this question really asking?
If you know how to use the formula for centripetal acceleration. return to
top
