A body moves in uniform circular motion with radius 6.0 m and speed 15 m/s. What is its centripetal acceleration?

A body moves in uniform circular motion with radius 6.0 m and speed 15 m/s. What is its centripetal acceleration?

• A. 6.25 m/s^2
• B. 18.75 m/s^2
• C. 37.5 m/s^2
• D. 75 m/s^2

Answer: (C)

In uniform circular motion, the acceleration is centripetal, pointing toward the center, and its magnitude is a_c = v^2 / r. With speed 15 m/s and radius 6.0 m, square the speed: 15^2 = 225. Then divide by the radius: 225 / 6.0 = 37.5. So the centripetal acceleration is 37.5 m/s^2 toward the center.

In uniform circular motion, the acceleration is centripetal, pointing toward the center, and its magnitude is a_c = v^2 / r. With speed 15 m/s and radius 6.0 m, square the speed: 15^2 = 225. Then divide by the radius: 225 / 6.0 = 37.5. So the centripetal acceleration is 37.5 m/s^2 toward the center.