WORKSHEET: CIRCULAR MOTION AND GRAVITATION-ANSWERS

Part A: Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following statements are true of an object moving in a circle at a constant speed?
Include all that apply.

a. The object experiences a force which has a component directed parallel to the
direction of motion.
b. Inertia causes objects to move in a circle.
c. There can be a force pushing outwards on the object as long as the net force
in inwards.
d. Because the speed is constant, the acceleration is zero.
e. The acceleration and the net force vector are directed perpendicular to each
other.
f. If the net force acting upon the object is suddenly reduced to zero, then the
object would suddenly depart from its circular path and travel tangent to the circle.
g. The acceleration of the object is directed tangent to the circle.

Answer: CF

A is false; if the motion is in a circle at constant speed, the net force is perpendicular to the
direction of motion and there is neither a component parallel nor anti-parallel to the direction of
motion.)

B is false; it is centripetal force which causes the circular motion. Inertia (which is NOT a force) is
merely the tendency of any moving object to continue in its straight-line constant speed path.

C is true; an object which moves in a circle must have a net inward force. There are many
instances of individual outwards forces which are exceeded by an individual inward force (e.g., see
#5 below).

D is false; acceleration occurs when there is a change in velocity. Since the direction of the velocity
vector is changing, there is an acceleration - an inward acceleration.

E is false; the acceleration and net force are always directed in the same direction. In this case, F
and a are directed inward; this happens to be perpendicular to the tangential velocity vector.

F is true; if the net force is 0 N, then the moving object will maintain its state of motion. At the
instant that Fnet becomes 0 N, the object is moving tangent to the circle.

G is false; the acceleration is directed inwards; only the velocity is directed tangent to the circle.

For Questions #2-#5, identify the type of force which causes the following bold-faced objects
to travel along a circular path.

2. An eraseris tied to a string swung in a horizontal circle.

a. gravity b. normal c. tension d. applied

e. friction f. spring g. electrical h. magnetic

3. The moonorbits the earth.

a. gravity b. normal c. tension d. applied

e. friction f. spring g. electrical h. magnetic

4. A carmakes a sharp right-hand turn along a level roadway.

a. gravity b. normal c. tension d. applied

e. friction f. spring g. electrical h. magnetic

5. A roller coaster car passes through a loop. Consider the car at the bottom of the loop.

a. gravity b. normal c. tension d. applied

e. friction f. spring g. electrical h. magnetic

Answers:

2. C - Tension (A string is attached to the eraser and pulls it towards the center point of the circle.)

3. A - Gravity (All masses attract with a force of gravity. In the case of the moon and the earth,
gravity pulls on the moon in a direction which is roughly perpendicular to its path.)

4. E - Friction (Once the wheels are turned, friction can push perpendicular to the wheels' direction,
pushing the car towards the center of the circle.)

5. B - Normal (There are two forces at the bottom of the loop; gravity pulls outwards from the
center; but the normal force exceeds the magnitude of gravity, pushing inwards with sufficient
force to supply the needed centripetal force.)

6. A physics teacher ties an eraser to the end of a string and

then whirls it in a counter-clockwise circle. If the teacher lets
go of the string, then the eraser hits a student (or several
students) in the classroom. If the string is let go when the
eraser is at point X on the diagram at the right, then which
student(s) in the class will the eraser hit? Write the initials in
this space: ________________

Answer: JG and AF

Once the centripetal force is no longer present, the eraser will follow its straight-line, inertial path.
This path would be directed tangent to the circle and would pass through the locations where JG
and AF are sitting. View a reasonably cool animation.

7. Which of the following statements are true about gravitational force? Identify all that apply.

a. The gravitational force only acts between very, very massive objects.
b. The gravitational force between an object and the earth is inversely related to
the distance between the object's and the earth's center.
 c. The gravitational force can ALWAYS be accurately calculated by multiplying
the object mass by the acceleration of gravity (m•g).
d. The gravitational force acting upon an object is the same as the weight of the
object.
e. The gravitational force between two objects is independent of the mass of the
smaller of the two objects.
f. If object A gravitationally attracts object B with a force of X Newtons, then
object B will also gravitationally attract object A with the same force of X Newtons.
g. The doubling of the separation distance (measured from the center) between
two objects will halve the gravitational force between the objects.
h. It an object is placed two earth-radii above the surface of the earth, then the
force of gravitational attraction between the object and the earth will be one-fourth
the magnitude as on earth's surface.
i. Orbiting astronauts do not experience a force of gravity; this explains why
they feel weightless.
Answer: BCDF

A is false; gravitational forces are universal (Newton's big idea); they act between any two objects
which have mass.

B is true; if the distance is increased, then the force is decreased.

C is true; this is always the case. It is not true however to say that the gravitational force is equal
to mass•9.8 m/s/s. The value of g varies with location and so at distances significantly further from
the earth's surface, g is reduced and the gravitational force must be computed using a different
value of g.

D is true; weight and gravitational force are synonymous.

E is false; gravitational force is dependent upon the product of the two masses. Both masses are
important in the computation.

F is true; for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. This is Newton's third law, an
inescapable reality about forces.

G is false; doubling the separation distance will make the force one-fourth the size.

H is false; placing the object at two earth-radii above earth's surface will put 3-earth radii from
earth's center. This is equivalent to increasing the separation distance by a factor of 3; this
decreases the force by a factor of 9.

I is false; orbiting astronauts must be experiencing the force of gravity. Without this force, there
would be no centripetal force and no orbit.

8. Which of the following statements are true about the acceleration of gravity? Identify all that
apply.

a. The acceleration of gravity experienced by objects located near to (and far

from) from the earth depends upon the mass of the object.
b. The acceleration of gravity experienced by objects located near to (and far
from) from the earth depends upon the mass of the Earth.
c. The acceleration of gravity experienced by objects located near to (and far
from) the earth is inversely related to the distance between the center of the object
and the center of the earth.
d. Increasing the mass of an object will increase the acceleration of gravity
experienced by the object.
 e. Doubling the distance between an object and the earth's center will decrease
the acceleration of gravity by a factor of four.
f. The acceleration of an orbiting satellite is equal to the acceleration of gravity
at that particular location.
g. If the mass of the Earth were doubled (without an alteration in its radius),
then the acceleration of gravity on its surface would be approximately 20 m/s 2.
h. If the mass of the Earth were doubled and the radius of the earth were
doubled, then the two changes would offset each other and the acceleration of
gravity on its surface would still be approximately 10 m/s2.
Answer: BCEFG

A is false; check out the equation - g = GMcentral/R2. The value of g does not depend upon the
object's mass.

B is true; check out the equation again. The acceleration of gravity created by the earth depends
upon the earth's mass.

C is true; check out the equation one more time. The separation distance is located in the
denominator of the equation, indicating an inverse relationship.

D is false; like statement A, this statement makes a claim that the acceleration of gravity depends
upon the mass of the object. It does not. In the derivation of g from the Universal Gravitation
equation, the mass cancels. :)

E is true; gis inversely proportional to the square of the distance; a doubling of the distance means
that you must divide the force of gravity value by 4 (22) to obtain the new force of gravity value.

F is true; the acceleration of gravity is the acceleration which is caused by gravity when it is the
only force. For an orbiting satellite, gravity is the only force.

G is true; according to the equation, the g value is directly proportional to the mass of the earth.
An increase in Mresults in a proportional increase in g.

H is false; gis approximately 10 m/s/s on earth's surface. Doubling the mass of the earth would
increase g to approximately 20 m/s/s. Then doubling the distance from the surface of the earth to
its center would decrease g by a factor of 4. The new acceleration of gravity value would be
approximately 5 m/s/s. Clearly, these two alterations do not offset each other.

9. Which of the following statements are true about satellites? Identify all that apply.

a. Satellites are falling projectiles.

b. All satellites follow circular paths.
c. The orbital velocity required of a satellite is dependent upon the mass of the
satellite; a more massive satellite would require a greater orbital speed.
d. The orbital velocity of a satellite does not depend upon the mass of the planet
around which it orbits.
e. A high-altitude satellite will require a greater orbital speed than a low-
altitudesatellite.
f. By definition, a geosynchronous satellite orbits the earth in a perfect circle,
maintaining the same distance above the surface of the earth.
g. Satellites travel faster along their orbital path when they are closest to the
earth.
h. The acceleration of a satellite varies inversely with its distance from the
center of the earth. More distant satellites have smaller accelerations.

Answer: AGH
A is true (mostly); satellites are projectiles which are falling towards the Earth without falling into
the Earth. They are falling in the sense that (like any projectile), they are dropping below their
tangential direction of motion.

B is false; some satellites travel in elliptical and even very elliptical orbits. For instance, the planets
orbit the Sun in mildly elliptical paths.

C is false; the equation for the orbital velocity of a satellite is v = SQRT(G•M central/R). The Mcentralis
the mass of the central body - the body being orbited by the satellite. As seen in the equation, the
orbital velocity is independent of the mass of the satellite.

D is false; the equation for the orbital velocity of a satellite is v = SQRT(G•M central/R). The Mcentralis
the mass of the central body - the body being orbited by the satellite. Clearly the orbital velocity
depends upon the mass of the planet being orbited.

E is false the equation for the orbital velocity of a satellite is v = SQRT(G•M central/R). The R in the
denominator inside the radical is the radius of the orbit. The higher altitude satellites have a greaer
radius of orbit. As the R in the denominator increases, the required orbital velocity will decrease.

F is false; by definition, a geosynchronous satellite has synchronized or matched its orbital period
to the rotational period of the Earth about its axis - 24 hours.

G is true; this is an idea known since Kepler that is explained by Newton's gravitational law. As a
satellite orbits in an elliptical path, the force of gravitation is greatest at the times when it is closest
to the Earth; this force causes a greater acceleration and speed of the satellite along these nearest
locations of its orbit.

H is true; the acceleration of a satellite is given by the equation g=G•M central/R2where R is the radius
of the orbit. The larger the R value, the smaller the acceleration. This is an inverse square
relationship.

10. Which of the following statements are true about the motion of planets about the sun? Identify
all that apply.

a. The force of gravity is the only force which acts upon the planets.
b. Their trajectories are highly elliptical.
c. The planets which are furthest from the sun have the greatest period.
d. For any given planet, the speed is greatest when the planet is closest to the
sun.
e. The velocity vector is directed tangent to the elliptical path.
f. The net force vector is at all times directed perpendicular to the velocity
vector.
g. To keep the planet from escaping the sun's gravitational field, the net
force vector is greatest when the planet is furthest from the sun.
Answer: ACDE

A is true; gravity is the only force acting upon a planet. Think about it - what other physical push
or pull can you identify as acting upon the earth. (People pushing on it and pulling it don't count.)

B is false; their trajectories are indeed elliptical. Yet in most cases, the ellipses are very close to a
circle since the eccentricities are very close to 0.

C is true; this is in accord with Kepler's third law: T2/R3= constant. Expressing this equation
another way depicts the direct relationship between T and R: T2 = constant • R3.

D is true; this is Kepler's second law of planetary motion. In order to sweep out equal areas in
equal times, a satellite must be moving faster when closest to the earth. See a clever animation.

E is true; at all times during the orbital path, the velocity of the planet is tangent to the path. Since
the path has a slightly elliptical nature to it, the force and acceleration vector are not necessarily
perpendicular to this velocity vector. The perpendicular orientation of the Fand a vectors relative to
the vvector is unique to circular motion. An excellent and informative graphic about this can be found
online.

F is false; see above explanation and the link to the informative graphic.

G is false; the net force is a gravitational force. Gravitational forces vary inversely with distance.
Thus, a planet will experience less force when furthest from the sun. You might really need to view
the informative graphic.

Part B: Short Answer

11. Explain how something can be moving at a constant speed yet be accelerating at the same
time.

Answer:

The object would have to be traveling in a curved path since it is accelerating. Acceleration is
defined as a change in velocity over a change in time. If the speed is staying the same, then the
velocity must be changing by altering the direction in which the object is heading. A force is
required to do this. See an informative animation and further explanation.

12. How did Newton come up with the idea that the moon is actually "falling" toward the
Earth.

Answer:

Newton made the connection between objects falling (accelerating) towards the earth and objects
in space which are accelerating towards the earth while they are in circular motion around the
earth. Both are being pulled by the earth due to the gravitational force. The moon stays in orbit
due to it having the appropriate tangential velocity that keeps it from coming closer to the earth's
surface. The moon, however, is still accelerating at the rate any object would have at that distance
from the earth. In a sense, the moon is falling around the earth rather than into the earth.

13. Distinguish between true- and apparent-weightlessness.

Answer:

True weightlessness occurs when there is an absence of gravitational force on an object. This is not
a likely occurrence since every mass in the universe is attracted to every other mass in the
universe with some force of gravity. All objects would experience some degree of gravitational
attraction (though it may be considerably small). Apparent weightlessness is the sensation of not
experiencing any external contact forces. This occurs when an object is in free-fall. Even though
the object may have a large force on it, it wouldn't register on a scale that was in free-fall with it.
Astronauts appear this way on the space shuttle.
14. Describe the apparent weight of a person in an elevator while upward, accelerating
downward, and not accelerating.

Answer:

When one stands upright on a scale, the scale measures the force of the scale pushing upwards on
the body. As such, the scale does not measure one's true weight, but one's apparent weight. An
elevator accelerating someone up must not only apply a force to provide the acceleration but also
oppose the gravitational force on the person. Therefore, a scale would register a number larger
than the gravitational force if the person is accelerating upward. In this case, a person would
experience an apparent weight which is greater than usual. Likewise, if the person is accelerating
downward the scale reading must be less than the gravitational force since the gravitational force
is accelerating them downward. As such, the person's apparent weight is less than what they are
accustomed to experiencing. If the elevator is moving at constant velocity or at rest, the scale
reading must match the gravitational force in order to have a net force of 0. The apparent weight
would be equal to the actual weight of the person.

Part C: Diagramming and Analysis

15. In the diagram at the right, draw vector arrows (straight lines with arrowheads)
which indicate the following for an object which is moving in a clockwise circle.

 the net force at point A.

 the acceleration at point B.
 the velocity at point C.

Answer:

See diagram for answers. The force and acceleration vectors are directed inwards towards the
center of the circle and the velocity vector is directed tangent to the circle.

16. The diagram at the right shows a satellite orbiting the Earth in an elliptical
path in a clockwise direction.

a. Draw a vector representing the velocity of the object at position A.

b. raw a vector representing the force on the object at position D.
c. Draw a vector representing the acceleration of the object at position C.
d. At which of the four positions is the satellite moving fastest?

Answer:
See diagram for answers. The force and acceleration vectors are directed towards the planet being
orbited (which is at a foci of the ellipse) and the velocity vector is directed tangent to the path.

17. A 1.20-kg bucket is held by a string and whirled in a vertical circle. The radius of the circle is
1.30 m. The speed of the bucket is 3.70 m/s at the top of the loop and 7.10 m/s at the bottom of
the loop. On the diagrams below, construct a free-body diagram (label all forces according to
type) for the bucket at both the top and the bottom of the loop. Fill in the blanks and clearly
indicate the magnitude of the individual force values on your free-body diagram.

Answers: See diagram above.

In each case, the acceleration is found using the equation: a = v 2/R. For the top of the loop, a =
(3.70)2/(1.30) = 10.53 m/s2. For the bottom of the loop, a = (7.10)2/(1.30) = 38.78 m/s2. The net
force is always found by Fnet= m•a. At the bottom of the loop, Fnet = (1.20 kg)•(10.53 m/s2) = 12.6
N. At the bottom of the loop, Fnet = (1.20 kg)•(38.78 m/s2) = 46.5 N. The force of gravity is always
found by m•g where g = 9.8 m/s2. At both top and bottom of the loop, this value is 11.8 N. From
the free-body diagram, one can reason the following:

Top: Fnet= Fgrav + Ftens which can be rearranged to Ftens = Fnet - Fgrav
Bottom: Fnet= Ftens - Fgrav which can be rearranged to Ftens = Fnet + Fgrav

Using these equations and the calculated values of Fgrav and Fnet, one can determine the tension at
the top and bottom of the circle.

18. Construct a free-body diagram showing the direction and types of forces acting upon the car
at the top and the bottom of a loop. Be sure to label the forces according to type.

Anna experiences a downward acceleration of 24.0 m/s2at the top of the loop and an upwards
acceleration of 12.0 m/s2 at the bottom of the loop. Use Newton's second law to fill in all the
blanks and to ultimately determine the normal force acting upon Anna's 800. kg roller coaster car.
PSYW

Top Bottom
Fnet = 19200 N, down Fnet = 9600 N, up
Fgrav = 7840 N, down Fgrav = 7840 N, down
Fnorm = 11360 N, down Fnorm = 17440 N, up

Answer: See diagram and table above.

This problem is very similar to question #17 above. The net force is found by calculating m•a; its
direction is in the same direction as the avector. The gravitational force is found from m•g; the
value of 9.8 m/s/s is used for g. Now the free-body diagram can be used to generate the following
equations for the top and the bottom of the loop:

Top: Fnet= Fgrav + Fnorm which can be rearranged to Fnorm = Fnet - Fgrav
Bottom: Fnet= Fnorm - Fgrav which can be rearranged to Fnorm = Fnet + Fgrav

The difference in these two equations is attributed to the fact that at the top of the loop, the F norm
and the Fgravpoint in the same direction as the net force vector; at the bottom of the loop, they
point in opposite directions. Using the calculated values of Fnet and Fgrav, the normal force can now
be calculated.

19. A fullback is running a sweep around the left side of the line. As
he rounds the turn, he is momentarily moving in circular motion,
sweeping out a quarter-circle with a radius of 4.17 meters. If the
83.5-kg fullback makes the turn with a speed of 5.21 m/s, then what
is his acceleration, the net force, the angle of lean (measured to the
vertical), and the total contact force with the ground?PSYW

a = 6.51 m/s2
Fnet = 544 N

Fgrav = 818 N

Fnorm = 818 N

Ffrict = 544 N

Fcontact = 982 N

Angle of Lean = 33.6 degrees

Answer: See table above,

The acceleration is found using the equation: a = v2/R. For the top of the loop, a = (5.21)2/(4.17)
= 6.51 m/s2. The net force is always found by Fnet = m•a. For the fullback, Fnet = (83.5 kg)•(6.51
m/s2) = 544 N. This net force is directed inwards and as such, it is equal to the force of friction
supplied by the ground. Subsequently, Ffrict= 544 N. The force of gravity is always found by m•g
where g = 9.8 m/s2. Using the fullback's mass, this value is 818 N. Since the normal force must
support the fullback's weight, it is equal in magnitude to the force of gravity; so F norm = 818 N. The
contact force is the resultant force of the Fnorm and Ffrict. Its value can be determined using the
Pythagorean theorem: Fcontact= SQRT[(544 N)2 + (818 N)2] = 982 N. The angle of lean (theta in the
diagram above) can be found using either the sine or the tangent function. From the diagram, it is
seen that the sine(theta) = Ffrict /Fcontact. Thus, theta is equal to sin-1(Ffrict /Fcontact) = sin-1 (544 N/982
N) = 33.6 degrees.

20. Pete Zaria is riding the Cliff Hanger at Great America. Pete enters a
cylindrical barrel which makes 18.5 revolutions every minute. The diameter
of the barrel is 6.92 m. Pete's mass is 64.7 kg. Construct a free-body
diagram showing the forces acting upon Pete. Calculate the acceleration and
net force acting upon Pete Zaria. Finally, determine the coefficient of friction
between Pete and the walls that would be required to support Pete's
weight.PSYW

Answer: 0.755
As usual, Fgrav= m•g = (64.7 kg)•(9.8 m/s/s) = 634 N. This downward force must be balanced by
the friction force since there is no vertical acceleration. Therefore, F frict = 634 N. The net inward
force is supplied by the normal force; so a calculation of the net force will yield the value of the
normal force. Acceleration is found from speed and radius. The speed is:

v = (18.5 rev/60 sec)• (2 • pi • 3.46 m/rev) = 6.703 m/s.

Now the acceleration is:

a = v2/R = (6.703 m/s)2/(3.46 m) = 12.986 m/s2

Now the net force (and the normal force) can be calculated:

Fnet= Fnorm = m•a = (64.7 kg)•(12.986 m/s/s) = 840.20 N

Now that the normal force and the friction force have been found, the coefficient of friction can be
determined:

µ = (Ffrict)/(Fnorm) = (634 N)/(840.20 N) = 0.755

Part D: Short Computations

21. Two objects attract each other with a force of gravity (Fgrav) of 36 N. If the distance separating
the objects is doubled, then what is the new force of gravitational attraction? PSYW

22. Two objects attract each other with a force of gravity (Fgrav) of 36 N. If the distance separating
the objects is doubled and the masses one of the objects is tripled, then what is the new force of
gravitational attraction? PSYW

23. Two objects attract each other with a force of gravity (Fgrav) of 36 N. If the distance separating
the objects is increased by a factor of 4 and the masses of both objects are tripled, then what is
the new force of gravitational attraction?PSYW

Answers:

For Questions #21-#23, Newton's universal gravitation equation must be used as a guide to
thinking about how an alteration in one variable would effect another variable. From the equation,
it can be deduced that a change in either one of the masses would produce a proportional change
in the force of gravity. However, a change in the separation distance will produce the inverse
square effect upon the force of gravity. So increasing separation distance by a factor of x, will
decrease the force of gravity by a factor of x2. This reasoning leads to the following solutions.

21. New force = 36 N / 4 = 9.0 N

22. New force = 36 N• 3 / 4 = 27.0 N

23. New force = 36 N•3 •3 / 16 = 20.3 N

24. Suppose that the acceleration of gravity on the surface of planet X is 12 m/s/s. Determine the
acceleration of gravity at a location ...

a. of 2 radii from the center of planet X.

b. of 4 radii from the center of planet X.
c. of 2 radii from the surface of planet X.
d. on the surface of planet X if the planet mass were twice as large (same
radius).
e. on the surface of planet X if the planet mass were one-half as large (same
radius).
Answers:

Like the force of gravity, the acceleration of gravity varies inversely with distance. So increasing
the separation distance by a factor of x, decreases the gvalue by a factor x2. An object on the
surface of planet X is a distance of one-radius from its center. Success on this question depends on
the ability to recognize from the given information the factor X by which the distance is changed
(and in part e, the factor by which the mass is changed).

24a. g= (12 m/s/s) / 4 = 3 m/s/s

24b. g= (12 m/s/s) / 16 = 0.75 m/s/s

24c. g= (12 m/s/s) / 9 = 1.33 m/s/s (A distance of 2 radii from the surface is equivalent
to 3 radii from the center of the planet.)

24d. g= (12 m/s/s)• 2 = 24 m/s/s

24e. g= (12 m/s/s) • 0.5 = 6 m/s/s

25. Suppose that a planet was located 12.0 times further from the sun than the earth's distance
from the sun. Determine the period of the planet. PSYW

Answer: 41.6 yr

This question explores the R-T relationship. As such, Kepler's third law - that the T 2/R3ratio is the
same for all the planets - must be utilized.

Tearth2/Rearth3= Tplanet2/Rplanet3
(1 year)2/Rearth3= Tplanet2 /(12.0•Rearth)3

Rearranging this equation to solve for the period of the planet yields the equation:

Tplanet2= (1 year)2 • (12.0•Rearth)3/Rearth3= (1 year)2 • (12.0)3 = 1728 year2

Tplanet= SQRT(1728 year2 ) = 41.6 years

26. The acceleration of gravity on the moon is approximately one-sixth the value on earth's
surface. If a person weighs 60.0 N on the moon's surface, what is his/her approximate mass on
Earth? PSYW

Answer: 36.7 kg

If the gvalue on the moon is 1/6-th of the value of earth (g earth= 9.8 m/s2), then gmoon = 1.63
m/s/s. The mass of a 60.0-N person (on the moon) can then be found:

m = Fgrav/g = (60.0 N) / (1.63 m/s/s) = 36.7 kg

Since mass is unaffected by location (moon or earth or free space), the mass of the person on
earth is the same as the mass on the moon - 36.7 kg.

27. Determine the force of gravitational attraction between a 52.0-kg mother and a 3.0-kg child if
their separation distance is 0.50 meters. PSYW

Answer: 4.2•10-8 N
Use Newton's universal gravitation equation:

Fgrav= G • m1 • m2 /R2= (6.67•10-11 N•m2/kg2)• (52.0 kg) • (3.0 kg) /(0.50 m)2 = 4.2•10-8N

28. Use the following information to determine the orbital velocity at treetop level on the surface
of the moon.PSYW

Mass of moon = 7.36 x 1022 kg

Radius of Moon = 1.74 x 106 m

Answer: 1680 m/s

The orbital velocity equation is

v = SQRT(G•Mcentral/R) = SQRT[ (6.67•10-11 N•m2/kg2)• (7.36•1022 kg) / (1.74•106m) ]

v = SQRT (2.82•106m2/s2) = 1680 m/s

Part E: Problem-Solving
29. A roller coaster car loaded with passengers, has a mass of 500 kg; the radius of curvature of
the track at the bottom point of a dip is 12 m. The vehicle has a speed of 18 m/s at this point.

a. In the space below, draw a free-body diagram for the car (label forces
according to type).
b. Calculate the acceleration and the net force acting upon the car. PSYW
c. Calculate the force exerted on the vehicle by the track?PSYW

Answers:

The free-body diagram (part a) is shown at the right.

The acceleration of the car can be computed as follows:

a = v2/R = (18.0 m/s)2/(12.0 m) = 27.0 m/s2(part b)

The net force can be found in the usual manner:

Fnet= m•a = (500. kg)•(27.0 m/s2) = 13500 N(part b)

Since the center of the circle (see diagram) is above the riders, then both the net force and the
acceleration vectors have an upward direction. The force of gravity is downwards, so the net force
is equal to the upward force minus the downward force:

Fnet= Fnorm - Fgrav

where Fgrav= m • g = (500. kg) • (9.8 m/s/s) = 4900 N
Thus,

Fnorm= Fnet + Fgrav = 13500 N + 4900 N = 18400 N (part c)

30. What is the acceleration of a piece of dust on an old-fashioned record album, 15 cm from
the center, if the record is spinning at 33.3 rpm?

Answer: 1.82 m/s/s

To find acceleration, the speed and the radius must be known. The radius is given; the speed can
be computed as distance per time. The dust moves a distance equivalent to 33.3 circumferences in
60 seconds. So

v = 33.3 • 2• pi • (0.15 m) / (60 s) = 0.523 m/s.

The acceleration can now be computed using the centripetal acceleration equation:

a = v2/R = (0.523 m/s)2 / (0.15 m) = 1.82 m/s/s

31. What is the tension in a 0.500 meter rope which carries a 2.50 kg bucket of water in a
vertical circle with a velocity of 3.00 m/s when the bucket is at the bottom of its swing?

Answer: 69.5 N

Begin with a free-body diagram for the bucket at the bottom of its string. Since the
bucket is at the bottom of the circle, the net force is upwards (inwards). Notice that the tension
force must be greater than the force of gravity in order to have a net upwards (inwards) force. Also
note that while Ftens is directed in the direction of the net force, Fgrav is in the opposite direction.
Thus, the equation can be written:

Fnet= Ftens - Fgrav

This equation can be rearranged to solve for tension; the expressions for F grav(m•g) and Fnet
(m•v2/R) can be substituted into it:

Ftens= Fnet + Fgrav = m•v2/R + m•g = (2.50 kg)•(3.00 m/s)2/(0.500 m) + (2.50 kg)•(9.8 m/s2)
Ftens= 69.5 N

32. A 53.5-kg rider on a roller coaster car is moving 10.3 m/s at the top of a loop which has a
radius of curvature of 7.29 m. Determine the normal force experienced by the rider.

Answer: 254 N
 At the top of the loop, both the gravitational and the normal force are directed inwards
(as shown in the free-body diagram at the right). Thus, the F net equation can be written as:

Fnet= Fgrav + Fnorm

This equation can be rearranged and the expressions for F grav (m•g) and Fnet (m•v2/R) can be
substituted into it:

Fnorm= Fnet - Fgrav = m • v2/ R - m • g

Fnorm= (53.5 kg) • (10.3 m/s)2 / (7.29 m) - (53.5 kg) • (9.8 m/s2)

Fnorm= 254 N

33. Determine the minimum coefficient of friction required to keep a 920.-kg car on a turn with
a radius of 26.8 m. The car is traveling 29.9 m/s and the roadway is level.

Answer: 3.40

As usual, begin with a free-body diagram. The gravity force is balanced by (and
equal to) the normal force and the force of friction is the net force. The solution then begins by
equating m • a to Ffrictand carrying out the customary substitutions and algebra steps (using the
fact that a = v2 / R and Ffrict= µ • Fnorm and Fgrav = m • g).

m•a = Ffrict
m • v2/R = µ • Fnorm

m • v2/R = µ • m • g

The mass now cancels and the equation can be rearranged to solve for mu:

µ = v2/(g•R) = (29.9 m/s)2 / [ (9.8 m/s2)• (26.8 m)] = 3.40

(This is not a likely mu value and as such the car does not have much of a chance negotiating the
turn at this speed.)

34. With what speed (in mi/hr) must you drive your car across the crest of a hill of radius 37.1-
m in order to feel weightless (1.00 m/s = 2.24 mi/hr)?

Answer: 42.8 mi/hr (19.1 m/s)

The feeling of weightlessness is experienced when a person is under the sole influence of gravity.
So the free-body diagram for such a person would reveal only one force - gravity, pointing straight
down. In such a case, the seat does not push upward upon the person. The car has passed over
the crest of the hill at such a high speed that it is momentarily raised off the roadway and is unable
to support the weight of its passengers. The force of gravity is the net force and the following
equation can be written:

m•a=m•g
The mass can be canceled from both sides of the equation (sigh!) and the expression for
acceleration can be substituted into the equation, yielding:

v2/R = g
Rearrangement and substitution yields the solution:

v = SQRT(g • R) = [(9.8 m/s2) • (37.1 m)] = SQRT[364 m2/s2] = 19.1 m/s

This value for speed can be converted to mi/hr using the equivalency: 2.24 mi/hr = 1m/s; the car
is traveling with a speed of 42.8 mi/hr.

35. What is the reading of a bathroom scale when a man of mass 72 kg stands on it while riding in
an elevator accelerating upwards at 5.4 m/s2?

Answer: 1.1 x 103 N

The scale reading is a measure of the amount of normal force acting upon the
person. As is the usual case, begin with a free-body diagram (shown at the right). Since the
acceleration is upwards, the upwards normal force (Fnorm) is greater than the downwards
gravitational force (Fgrav). From the diagram, the Fnet equation can be written:

Fnet= Fnorm - Fgrav

Algebraic rearrangement of this equation, combined with the understanding that F net= m•a and Fgrav
= m•g yields the following solution:

Fnorm= Fnet + Fgrav = m•a + m•g = (72 kg) • (5.4 m/s2) + (72 kg) •(9.8 m/s2)
Fnorm= 1.1 x 103 N

36. An airplane pilot makes a vertical loop with a 56-2-m radius. Determine the normal force
acting upon the pilot's 62.6-kg body at the top of the loop if his air speed is 64.1 m/s.

Answer: 3.96 x 103 N

As usual, begin with a free-body diagram (shown at the right). From the diagram, the
equation relating net force to the individual forces can be written:

Fnet= Fnorm + Fgrav

Since Fnet= m•a = m•v2/R and Fgrav= m•g, substitutions can be made and the equation can be
rewritten:
m•v2/R = Fnorm + m•g

Rearranging to solve for Fnorm yields:

Fnorm= m•v2/R - m•g = (62.6 kg) • (64.1 m/s)2/ (56.2 m) - (62.6 kg) • (9.8 m/s2)
Fnorm= 3.96x 103 N

37. Use the following information to help determine the acceleration of the planet Pluto about the
sun.

Mass of Sun = 1.991 x 1030 kg

Sun-Pluto Distance = 5.91 x 1012 m

Answer: g = 6.56 • 10-6m/s2

Pluto's acceleration is caused by the gravitational force of attraction to the sun. Thus, one way
(there are a couple of ways) to calculate the aof Pluto is to determine the acceleration of gravity
towards the sun at the location of Pluto's orbit. The equation, substitution (using textbook values)
and solution are shown below:

g = G • Msun/ R2 = (6.67 • 10-11 N•m2/kg2)• (1.991 • 1030 kg) / (4.50 • 1012m)2

g = 6.56• 10-6 m/s2

38. What is the period of rotation of Venus in earth years if it is a distance of 1.08 x 10 11meters
from the sun? (The earth-sun distance is 1.5 x 1011m.)

Answer: 0.61 yr

This question explores the R-T relationship. As such, Kepler's third law - that the T 2/R3ratio is the
same for all the planets - must be utilized.

Tearth2/Rearth3= TVenus2/RVenus3
(1 year) /(1.5 x 1011)3 = TVenus2/(1.08 x 1011 m)3
2

Rearranging this equation to solve for the period of the planet yields the equation:

TVenus2= (1 year)2 • (1.08 x 1011m)3 /(1.5 x 1011)3= (1 year)2) • (0.72)3 = 0.373 year2
TVenus= SQRT(0.373 year2 ) = 0.61 years

39. What is the gravitational attraction between the proton and electron in an Hydrogen atom if
they are 5.3 x 10-11 meters apart? (mproton= 1.67 x 10-27 kg; melectron = 9.11x10-31kg)

Answer: 3.6•10-47 N

Use Newton's universal gravitation equation:

Fgrav= G • m1 • m2 /R2
Fgrav= (6.67•10-11 N•m2/kg2)• (1.67 x 10-27 kg) • (9.11x10-31kg) /(5.3 x 10-11 m)2

Fgrav= 3.6•10-47 N
40. Use the following information to help determine the orbital velocity and orbital period of a
satellite at a location of 15000 miles above the surface of the earth.

Mass of Earth = 5.98 x 1024 kg

Radius of Earth = 6.37 x 106 m
1609 m = 1.00 mi

Answers:

The first step is to find the separation distance from the center of the earth - this is R in most of
the equations. The altitude of the satellite is 15000 mi or 2.41•10 7 m; this distance must be added
to the radius of the earth to determine the separation distance. The radius of the earth is 6.38•10 6
m; the separation distance is 3.05•107 m. The orbital velocity can be computed using the orbital
velocity equation:

v = SQRT(G•Mcentral/R) = SQRT[ (6.67•10-11 N•m2/kg2)• (5.98•1024 kg) / (3.05•107m) ]

v = SQRT (1.31•107 m2/s2) = 3615 m/s

The orbital period can now be calculated using the v = 2•pi•R/T equation or the Kepler's second
law equation [ T2/R3= 4•pi2/(GMearth)]. Starting with the first equation, algebra yields:

T = (2•pi•R)/v = [2 • pi • (3.05•107 m) / (3615 m/s) ] = 5.30 • 104 s = 14.7 hr