Raul is standing on a merry-go-round that is spinning at a steady rate. Which of the following would increase the centrifugal force acting on him

Question

anonymous · Answer

and the options are ..... ?

gavlois1 · Answer

You haven't included the list of your answer choices, but in general, it would be the one which decreases the radius. Centrifugal force is only a reaction force to centripetal force, which is $$\frac{ mv^2 }{ r }$$

Decreasing the radius increases the value of the fraction, so if you have a choice which involves his moving closer to the center of the merry go round. I will assume it has nothing to do with changing mass since it is a person spinning, and people in general do not lose or gain mass while spinning on a merry go round.

anonymous · Answer

unless the person started puking :P ..which is quite possible if the merry go round went berserk with its speed ;)

vincent-lyon.fr · Answer

No, getting closer to the centre would DEcrease the centrifugal force.