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 Form 4 Physics uniform circular motion online lessons

Meaning and the formula for getting the centripetal force

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Answer Text:
Centripetal force:
-This is a force which acts on a body by directing the body towards its centre.
- Since the direction is continuously changing, the velocity therefore cannot be constant.
-Applying Newton’s law of motion (F = ma), the centripetal force Fc is given by;
Fc = ma = #(mv^2)/R#. Since v = radius ω, then
Fc = #(mv^2) – ω^2/R = mRω^2#.
The centripetal acceleration ‘a’ in relation to angular velocity, ω, is given by a = #Rω^2#.


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