A 0.5 kg ball moves in a circle that is 0.4 m in radius at a speed of 4.0 m/s. Calculate its centripetal acceleration. (40 m/s2) i dont undertstand how to set up the problem?

Question

A 0.5 kg ball moves in a circle that is 0.4 m in radius at a speed of 4.0 m/s.  Calculate its centripetal acceleration. (40 m/s2) i dont undertstand how to set up the problem?

jfraser · Answer

do you have an equation that defines centripetal acceleration?

anonymous · Answer

yeah hold on

anonymous · Answer

here are my equations
The formula for calculating centripetal acceleration is

	ac = v2 / r

	v = velocity     
  r = radius of circle
Distance around = Circumference  
C = 2πr
T = time for one full cycle  (period)

v = 2πr / T

jfraser · Answer

so you've got a velocity and a radius.

Look at the first equation

anonymous · Answer

so i would just divide v2 by the raduis then?

anonymous · Answer

so 4.0(4.0)/0.4)=16/0.4=40?

mrnood · Answer

it's good to put the units in with a quantity - it helps to check your calculations.

What are the units of acceleration?

anonymous · Answer

the units are m/s2

mrnood · Answer

so the full answer is 40m/s^2    :-)

anonymous · Answer

thanks you:)