Mechanics: Circular Motion and Gravitation

Circular Motion and Gravitation: Audio Guided Solution

Problem 4:

Elmira, New York boasts of having the fastest carousel ride in the world. The merry-go-round at Eldridge Park takes riders on a spin at 18 mi/hr (8.0 m/s). The radius of the circle about which the outside riders move is approximately 7.4 m.

a. Determine the time for outside riders to make one complete circle.
b. Determine the acceleration of the riders.

Audio Guided Solution

Habits of an Effective Problem Solver

  • Read the problem carefully and develop a mental picture of the physical situation. If necessary, sketch a simple diagram of the physical situation to help you visualize it.
  • Identify the known and unknown quantities in an organized manner. Equate given values to the symbols used to represent the corresponding quantity - e.g., m = 61.7 kg, v= 18.5 m/s, R = 30.9 m, Fnorm = ???.
  • Use physics formulas and conceptual reasoning to plot a strategy for solving for the unknown quantity.
  • Identify the appropriate formula(s) to use.
  • Perform substitutions and algebraic manipulations in order to solve for the unknown quantity.

Read About It!

Get more information on the topic of Circular Motion and Gravitation at The Physics Classroom Tutorial.

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