Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Centripetal acceleration

Centripetal acceleration — practice question

Complete every question in the spaces supplied.
(a)[2]

Using velocity and acceleration, describe uniform circular motion.

(b)

Two cars are travelling on a horizontal circular track. One car is on path X and the other is on path Y, as shown in Fig. 1.1. The radius of path X is $318\,\text{m}$. Path Y runs parallel to path X and lies $27\,\text{m}$ outside it. Each car has mass $790\,\text{kg}$. The greatest lateral (sideways) friction force $F$ that can act on the cars without causing them to skid is the same for both cars.

(b(i))[2]

The greatest speed at which the car on path X can travel around the track without skidding is $94\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. Calculate $F$.

(b(ii))[3]

Both cars travel around the track. Each car has the greatest speed at which it can move without skidding. Complete Table 1.1 by putting one tick in each row to show how the quantities listed for the car on path Y compare with those for the car on path X: centripetal acceleration, maximum speed, time taken for one lap of the track.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 7-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: speed is constant or the magnitude of velocity is constant

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