Two children, Mary and Kate, are riding on a merry-go-round. Mary is at a greate

Question

Two children, Mary and Kate, are riding on a merry-go-round. Mary is at a greater distance from the axis of rotation than Kate. Which child has the larger centripetal acceleration?

A. Mary

B. Kate

C. They have the same centripetal acceleration

D. There is not enough information given

I know it is either A or B. I'm confused though because there are two centripetal acceleration equations that I am finding-

ac= v^2/r which would make B correct and ac= w^2r (w is angular velocity) which would make A correct. Please explain which equation is used and why. Or if I'm off explain your answer completely.

Explanation / Answer

B. Mary has a larger centripetal acceleration.

Centripetal acc. = v^2 / r= w^2r

The girl Kate, due to lesser 'r', has a lesser acceleration.

In a circular motion, the angular velocity for every point on the merry-g-round would be the same. Hence we use the w^2r equation, so that we have only one variable which can be used for comparison.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.