Centripetal Acceleration

Centripetal Acceleration

• Acceleration in a circular path at constant speed

• ac=(vt2)/r

• Centripetal acceleration=(tangential speed)2/radius of circular path

• Centripetal acceleration is always directed toward the center

Centripetal Force

• The net force that is directed toward the center of an object’s circular path

• Fc=mvt2/r

• Centripetal force=mass x (tangential speed)2/ radius of circular path

Torque

• Torque a quantity that measures the ability of a Force to rotate an

object around an axis

Torque = Force x lever arm x sin qt = Fdsinq Measured in Nm.

Maximum Torque occurs at 900.

To increase Torque- increase either Force or lever arm distance or both.

• For a system to be balanced, the torques must be balanced.

t (clockwise) = t (counter-clockwise)

Ex: Two students sitting on a see-saw. One student m=40 kg, d = 3 m. Second student m=45 kg, d = ?